Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-11

133-pound mark that Nelson and WolgaSt
insisted on. Willie is naturally heavier
man than his immediate predecessors,
and 135 pounds is about his figure In the
best of condition. If he decides to set the
mark at that notch during his reign he
will have precedent to back him. La
yigne, Erne and Cans won the title at
that weight, and it was not until Bat
ton that the weight lines were so closely
drawn.
Personally would like to see the limit
raised to 135 pounds at. say, O'Clock
on the afternoon of contest: This
would be in line with the English and
Australian figures, and would permit of
international contests for the world 8
championship, something that is at pres
ent impossible owing to the few pounds
difference in the scales of the different
countries. Furthermore that figure would
probably better suit Richie himself, and
would also permit of such cracking good
performers as our own Packey McF.ar-
land and Jack Britton entering the lists
as competitors for the title.
Boxing is booming, thank you. If you
doubt it. I respectfully call attention to
the exhibitions held in various parts of
the country Thanksgiving. Most Of
the big cities were in line. and altogether
it was one large day for lovers of the
manly art of self-defense.
Jose Rivers turned the tables on Joe
Mandot. and the reversal of form was
startling to a degree. Those who thought
Rivers could come back so successfully
after the licking Mandot gave him last
September were in the minority, as the
betting in Rivers home town, Los An
geles, indicated. The Mexican SO cleanly
outpointed and outfought Mandot that
there remains no doubt Of his superiority.
Truly Thanksgiving was a day Of sur
prises.
1t is said that Rivers is a pretty tough
proposition to control, and that lax train
ing methods brought about his defeat by
Mandot on the former occasion. This
time Joses friends succeeded in conVinc-
ing the headstrong youth of the error OF
his ways. and persuaded him to devote
more time to work and less to dissipation.
with the result that he entered the ring
In superb condition. Whatever the rea-
sons. Rivers put up wonderfully I'M
proved battle, and by virtue Of the VIC
tory earned recognition as a legitimate
contender for the championship.
Abe Attell is satisfied that he has fin
ished as fighter. In bout with Ollie
Kirk. a st. Louis featherweight. Abe
could not do justice to himself. and after
taking a good licking for six rounds
"skied the wipe AM conceded victory
to his opponent. The passing of Attell
is regretted by all who admire good
game fighter. The wonder is Abe man
aG560 10 retain IOFm 50 Lnduy years. lie
has been before the public as a top
notcher since 1904 long time for an
athlete to stick around.
Jack Britton is cutting a wide swath
these days. His latest victim was Young
Saylor, the Indianapolis lightweight, of
whom great things were predicted in the
fighting line. A couple of months ago,
when Britton and SaylOr met in Boston
and the latter was so badly worsted the
critics accused him of fouling to avoid
being put away, l stated in this column
that Britton had demonstrated he was
the better boxer and outclassed the In
dianapols lad. The latter's manager took
to the press intimated that I was preju-
diced and that Saylor had been given the
worst of it by the referee. or words to
that effect. With no desire to rub 1t in,
but in justice to myself, I wish to say
that do not allow friendship or preju-
dice to influence me where q matter OF
comparative skill Of boxers Is concerned.
At the time I was convinced Britton was
the better man, and frankly said SO.
The result OF last weeks battle at Day.
ton, Ohio, proves I had the boys sized
up right.
Packey Mcfarland maintains a discreet
silence when the subject Of boxing Jack
Britton Is mentioned. Can 1t be that the
marvelously clever Packey has outgrown
the ''misfit" class which he and Brftton
have long ornamented? Mac has several
times been on the verge Of getting a
only to have something interfere and up
set the plans. and now, when the title has
changed hands and the probability - that
the weight limit Is TO be raised It 10 hard