Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-24

champion. whose hat is now in the ring.
Tommy says he will confine his en-
gagementS in the future to combats
with men of his own color, and would
prefer Al Palzer to shoot at as starter.
Mr. Burns modeStly adds that he would
not be averse to meeting Carl Morris
should Palzer not feel inclined to do
battle.
When Referee Charley White disquali-
fed One-Round Hogan in the recent
match with Leach Cross in New York
he not only proved he is an honest ana
capable official, but demonstrated that
he owns more than the average amount
of nerve allotted to ordinary mortals
Not that White did not long ago qualify
for the trying duties of third man in
the ring. In the old days when 1t was
part of an arbiter's functions to award
decisions none gave greater satisfaction
in the role than this same bald-headed
veteran. But 1t took considerable cour-
age to pull that disqualification thing
in the very first round of contest that
was expected to be the most Stubbornly
contested affair arranged between light
weights in months. and before an i'm
mense gathering of enthusiastic sports.
White had warned Hogan several times
during the short life of the scrap that
he must obey the rules; Hogan offended
four times, reports say, without punish
ment, but the fifth was the straw that
broke the camers back and Whites pa
thence at the same time. In connection
with the disqualification, which, by the
way, was the first to take place since
the introduction of the rule compelling
clean breaks, the only criticism leveled
at White is that he was perhaps bit
hasty
believe Charlie did exactly right in
stopping the fight when he did and dis
qualifying the Californian. The boxing
commission has introduced several new
rules of late, and good ones and it's up
HI 10
is the first to make trouble for a re-
fractory boxer, and in doing so has set
an example for others in his position to
follow. The really unfortunate part of
the affair was that the spectators were
the only sufferers. The commission should
take steps to protect the public against
such boomers in the future.
Dispatches state that Lightweight
Champion Ad Wolgast has decided to re-
sumo his campaign with a series Of lin
ited-round bouts in New York city. Ads
latest idea IS to try himself out on one
or two third-raters before taking on the
classier boys. If he finds he is the same
sturdy youth of incorporation days the
plan will be to meet all corners.
One thing is sure: Ad Will not lack
for challenges when he renews his ring
activities. I can't recall any time within
my knowledge and experience when the
market was SO prolific of talent in the
a few of the better lads might experience
some little difficulty in pairing down to
1:@; ringside. but it is only in recent years
that our champions have drawn the
weight line so closely. Jack McAuliffe,
George Lavigne Frank Erne and Joe
Cans never argued over a pound here or
there. The old-timers a general thing
scaled some time during the afternoon
at 135, give or take a pound or two.
Frank Erne lost the title to Joe Cans at
that figure. and. if my memory doesn't
fail me, the men weighed in around 3
o'clock.
However, to get back to the present
crop of good iightweights. Packey Nc
Farland long ago earned his right to
fight for the title. No match that might
be arranged outside of a heavyweight
championship struggle would outdraw a
battle between WolgaSt and the Chicago
expert. Also there Is Tommy Murphy,
whose recent good work has restored
him to popular favor; Knockout Brown,
the New York lad, whose clumsy clever
ness and rugged strength generally carry
him to victory; Joe Rivers. the Mexican
youth, a second Aurelio Herrera, If re-
ports are to be credited; Willie Richie
Leach Cross, One-Round Hogan and Joe
Mandot, the southern lightweight. Quite
an array of talent to grace one division
of professional pugilism and guarantee
that the champion will have plenty of
work when he gets back on the job.
Isn't il enough to make any d-biooded
youngster aspire TO great things in the
roped arena when he reads of the monster
reception that marked the victorious
homecoming of Johnny Kilbane, the new
featherweight champion. And right on
TOP of that an offer from Tom McGarey
OF $4,000 for "a two-year contract call
ing for the exclusive rights to Kilbane's
services. A few months ago practically
unknown TO fame. Kilbane now figures
prominently in the sporting world S
who's who and his quick rise to fame
and fortune IS striking evidence of the
golden opportunities that strew the path
of energetic young American manhood.