Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-28

bY i. .. ANO6bG w -
MILWAUKEE,, Wis, April 27.-'Wha,
right have the American boxers In the
various classes, that is those who claim
championships to call themselves cham
pions of the world?" The above question
was put to me in the form Of q query
by q well known sporting man the other
day. Continuing, the man Queried:
what right have we to assume that our
champions are all worlds champions?
We only make ourselves the laughing
stock Of other countries. Not only in
boxing, but in other lines OF sport We
claim worlds champions whether they
are or not. We have one worlds cham
pion boxer-Jack Johnson-and he has
forfeited his right to the title by his re-
fusal to meet legitimate contenders ex-
cept on the i take all the proceeds basis.
Wolgast is champion in this country. but
he has never defeated the British cham
pion and cannot. therefore, claim the
worlds title. 1t is the same with
Johnny Kilbane. He won the American
featherweight title, but never beat Jim
Driscoll for the British championship.
Let our champions meet ana defeat
foreign champions and then we can
rightIully claim worlds titles for them,
but not before. Gail a spade spade.
Also let us nave some real sport anu HOt
the disgusting spectacle or one man
grabbing ali the receipts, purse and
everything in sight because he thinks ne
is worlds champion, like Jack john
son, Ad Molgast and others have Deel
DONG.
There is a great deal of truth in what
the writer of the above says. The
Americans have been so accustomed TO
claiming worlds titles in all lines OF
sport that it has become second nature
&1<Svvn IL he a @ a
q number of years there were no other
countries, outside of Great Britain, to
dispute the titles with America, and
for that reason the Yankees had mo-
in sight, in the boxing line especially:
but of late years the Britishers have
taken a brace in the lighter weights.
and Australia and France have come
to the front in a remarkable manner;
in fact, France has surprised the
sporting world by the way her young
men have advanced in the fighting
game. Jack Johnson won the world
heavyweight title when he defeated
James j. Jefries July 4, 1910, for the
latter had won the title by defeating
both Jim Corbett and Bob Fftzsimmons
of Australia. There was no dispute on
that score. but 1T is true that Johnson
has no right. under the rules Of boxing,
to ignore challenges the way he has
ignored them from Sam Langford, Joe
Jeanette and Sam McVey. His idea OF
asking such ridiculous prices for his
end has done the boxing game no good.
Battling Nelson was recognized as the
worlds champion lightweight, but he
never met the British titleholder. VOL
CAST won from Nelson, but, getting
right down to hard tacks. he has no
until he defeats the champion Of Great
Britain also Australia and France.
The same holds good for the rest OF
the divisions. There is one drawback
-
form scale of international weights.
The British and American weights diff
fer somewhat, but, as rule, the Amer
lean weights have been accepted for
no reason why the other countries
have not as much right as we have to
set up their scale. OF weights as right
in. fact. the British weights were in
vogue before the American. Now that
boxins is given such prominence in
America. Great Britain. Australia and
France thee is no reason why an in
fernational board should not be named
and weights by which worlds cham
pfons would be recognized.
n may sound just bit previous, but
don't be SURPRISED If Ray Temple. the
Milwaukee lightweight. is fighting for the
worlds lightweight championship in
side or another year. and nossibly against
his old side partner. Ad Wolgast. Tenn
pie and ~ OlEaSf worked together IN Mil
waukee. boxed together. ETC.. but AID
advanced fast and became the champion,
while Ray just remained still for a time.
until he broke away from Milwaukee
and went to the Pacific coast. Out there
Jimmy Coffroth matched him in some
short bouts and Tom McCarey gave him
chance. He had the best of Jack Brit
ton. and that gave him start. Finally
he drifted to New Orleans. and Dominick
J. Tortorich. the boxing promoter of
that city. matched him with Phil Harri-
son. the supposed Chicago sensation.
Temple made such a mark Of the Chica-
goo boy. although he failed to stop him.
that Promoter Tortorich decided to send
him AGAINST classy lightweight, and
selected Matty Baldwin. the Boston boy.
for the trial 1t was sure enough tough
game. but Temple was equal to the
test and defeated Matty all the way. ac-
cording to the newspaper reports. That
brought Temple a chance at the south
ern champion. Joe Mandot, and they are
To meet May q. Should Ray be able to
defeat Mandot he will be right in line
for Wolgast. and don't be a bit surprised
IL Temple outpoints the southern boy,
for he has the speed and cleverness,
lacking only the kick in his mitt to
bring home the turkey. At that he has q
pretty strong right cross and a very tan