El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-28

-EW YORK, n. Y, Dec. 2S.-'Old
nj 1912 has been harsh in its treat
i ment Of fistic champions. Two
title holders were deprived Of hard
earned Iaurels by younger and more
vigorous opponents, one has been
practically kicked out Of the game by
an indignant public, while still such
another has shown such marked signs
of deterioration that Wlseacres nave
him marked for defeat the next time
he enters the ring in defence OF MS
title.
Abe Atteu, who for years ruled the
featherWeight rOOSt, was the 1rSr 20
get the hook. Johnny klbane, Of
Cleveland, put the indian sign on the
veteran last February While not
knocking Atteu out Klbane so de-
cisiVely outclassed his opponent that
a decision in his favor was the only
ruling the referee could possibly make
In the passing Of AUtell the ring
lost one Of the greatest artists that
ever figured at the head OF any divis-
ion. He was an ideal piece Of fighting
machinery, with a punch to help along
the clever stuff Of which he was
master. Abe was q smaller edition CT
the Tommy Ryan-Joe Cans type Of
boxer, and, as such, his withdrawal
from activity IS a distinct loss to the
ring.
EInlsane Takes Few Chances.
AtteITs successor, Klbane, has not
since winning the title. He has par
tfcipated in few limited round
matches, but with inferior men as
rule. In his New York bouts with
Dundee and O'Keefe, Johnny did not
cover himself with glory, although not
forced to extend to the limit to win
the popular Terdicts. Local critics eX-
pected too much from the boy, who
lowered the great Attell's colors, ana
when Eilbane failed to dispose Of The
sturdy Dundee and the shifty OKeefe
within the limit they branded the
Clevelander as a lucky champion.
With all due respect to said critics.
Kilbane is a great fighter and out
shines his rivals in the 122 pound
division. I believe he viii not ex-
perience any great trouble in driving
this fact home when he boxes Johnny
Dundee 20 rounds at Los Angeles next
April the latter at the present time
being recognized as the most formid-
able of all the challengers for the title.
Many HeavIes Seek Title.
The heavyweight situation is most
peculiar one This has been brought
about BY the enforced retirement of
Jack Johnson. The probability is
johnson will never again be seen IN
the ring. Certainly not IN this coun-
try No American promoter would
have the cheek to try to force this
Objectionable character upon the
public.
Barring a champion pugilist from
competition eStdD4lSu5S d ; late VI a
fairs heretofore unknown IN the his
tory OF the ring. Time viii bring about
the solution and through the medium
of elimination contests a champion
worthy Of the great honor viii no
doubt be eventually developed.
While the exclusion Of Johnson from
participation in the ring is pleasing
TO all who have the interests of the
sport at heart the fight fans Of the
country have other causes for con-
graduation. The marked Improvement
in the ranks Of the white heavies dur
ing the past u months is most grail
flying, and indicates that the time is
not far off when a white man viii
again be in possession Of the coveted
title OF champion From mere pros
poets" a few months ago, several heavy
weights have developed to the stage
where they are now reckOned as cham
pionship material, notably Palzer and
McCarty, whose meeting next Wednes-