Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-28
BIG BOOM GIVEN
TO BOXING GAME

The year 1918 has been a remarkable
one for the boxing game. Never before
has the sport received such boost as
during the year just closing due to the
fact that in various parts OF the country
the people have taken it upon themselves
to pass laws legalizing the game, which
in tura has created a better feeling
toward the sport in parts where There
are laws against IL. The passage or tie
Frawley law in New York started the
ball rolling, and with Wisconsin. Mon
tana. Utah. Colorado and Tennessee foi
lowing suit, many of the western and
middle west cities looked with more favor
upon things rugiiistic. Then. too. the
French people took up boxing and formed
federation for the advancement Of the
sport at the same time arranging a
working agreement with the New York
state boxing commission to protect clubs
and patrons against fakes. etc.
The escapades OF Jack Johnson. thc
colored champion heavyweight are vel
known to all followers Of sport. john
son did the boxing game ffiuch harm, -
far as men OF his own color are con
cerne6. ard il will he some time before
they recover from IT, Jack could have
been almost popular any % the
white champions had he had the good
Judgment 10 remain where he belonged,
but he didn't. However, he still retains
the title despite the fact that lie has
been dethroned by the foreign fedora
ton. but the chances are good for him
FORGETTING the same before long. Tao
search for white hopes has not been very
successful. although some very promising
material has been dcveoped and the in
dications are that within another i've
years there win be some real white
neayieS who will be able to no.d their
own against all Corners. black or white.
The nliddleweishts have a iiae mix-up
and seem unable To fix upon any one
man as the real successor to tho late
Stanley ketchel. 1t has been impossible
ants and as yet there is no recognized
title holder. although il has simmercd
down to about four men-Jack Dillon.
Jimmy Clabhy. Eddie McGoorty and
either Frank Klaus or George Chip. OF
the entire lot Clabby. Dillon and Nc
Goorty look the classiest-
The welterweights arc about as badly
mixed as the middles Ray Bronson the
Hoosier boy was conceded the honor
year ago. but then came claims from
Packey Mcfarland and Mike Gibbons
but the latter cannot make tho weight
while Packey wants to remain light
weight However il Mcfarland wanted
to become welterweight champion no
one would dispute his right to il. With
Mcfarland out there arc Other claim
ants, among them being Kid Graves. Il id
Ferns. Mike Glover and Spike Kelly.
Willie Eitchie hangs on TO the light
weight title of America. while FrCddv
" efSh has ? clear claim to the cha't-
pionship o. Great Britain and Australia.
although he cannot hold the latter tide
unless q resident Of that country for 4
certain length of time Ritchie had
chance to become world 8 champion when
he was matched with Welsh at Van
couver but Willie let the money part or
II interfere and passed up chance -
annex a big title.
In the featherweight class there is no
one to approach the present titleholder.
Johnny Kilhane OF Cleveland Ohio.
Johnny outshines all the present feathers.
There have been reports of Johnny io.n-
ing the lightweight class. but he denies
the rumor and says he will stick 10 the
122-pounders for a while at least as he
can make the weight easily and be ~
his best
The baatamweiehts are all fighting
for chance at Johnny Coulon's crown.
and Kid Williams the Baltimore boY.
has claimed the title. The claim is 4
good one-that is, IL Johnny intended 10
retire. but the Chicago boy has returned
20 the ring after an absence OF six
months. due TO illness. 1t is probable that
Williams and Coulon will meet next
spring for what SHOULD be the worlds
title, as Williams beat the titleholder ef
Europe-Charlie Ledoux-and Coulon y
the Legitimate champion -of America.