Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-08

as the best of the lot. although in reality
he was no more entitled to the honors
than several of his rivals.
This is something new-a development
Of the last year or two-this distinction
in titles. In the old DAYS champion
was champion of all colors and creeds.
There was no such an animal as
white" champion. In my time in the
ring. talk was INDUCED in occasionally
about drawing the color line. but as a
rule the black fighters were given an
equal show with their paie-faced
brothers.
But to get back to the question of
which of our promising crop of heavies
IS the best. The only answer is that
''Gunboat Smith has the best record
Of the lot. If boxing championships
were decided like base ball remnants. and
standing determined by the number or
battles won and lost. the Gunboat
more frequently and won oftener than
any of the other leading candidates
among the white heav.es.
Whether the "Gunboat'' is good enough
to maintain his standing at the head of
the column is question that only the
future will solve. Personally l do not
think he will ever succeed in winning
the heavyweight championship. As an
opponent Tor SuCn men DIS sam LANG
ford and Joe Jeanette he can hardly
be considered seriously at this time. and
there are at least two men and possibly
three in the ranks of the whites whom
time may prove better equipped to de-
fend the honor of the white race in the
struggle for fistic supremacy.
Big Jess Willard. the Kansas farmer,
looks the best prospect just now, despite
the fact that he recently lost decision
to- the "Gunboat.' AS near as l can
tScr1rrn "a of hat
battle. written by the newspaper men
present. and from letters received from
several well known San Francisco sport
ing men, the referee erred in awarding
the decision to Smith. Several writer's
ccltend that Willard should have been
eiven no worse than draw. Even Bill
Naughton, usually conservative, Joined
t.le ranks of the protesters. and ex-
!r-essed dissatisfaction over his sigma
tore.
{, is the opinion OF many. fistic authori-
It's that Smith will be beaten decisively
the pair are matched again. In the
&, cent contest 1t was lack of experience
at deprived the giant of victory. At
;.a.aS he had Smith in a bad way, but
90. not know how TO go about the job
- finishing his man. In stating these
lets / am not attempting TO take credit
:. az from the 'Gunboat." He certainly
de a great battle against big Odds
~ that he succeeded not only in stay
lag the distance. but in earning the ref
eree's approval. proves that he is made
q the right stuff
;ut the .-Gunboat's'' greatest handicap
IS in his size. or rather lack of 1t. Prize
ing history will show that the old say
ing, "A good big man can lick a good
little man." is a true one. and Willard
ia good hands will probably make his
Splend.d natural talents and advantages
count In the long run.
Willard has every physical advantage
over his rivals. He is six feet five
inches tall, weighs in condition about
30 pounds. has an enormous reach and
unlike other big men, Is anything but
clumsy in his movements. Jess needs a
teacher one who can instruct him how
to utilize his great strength, reach and
height TO the best possible advantage
and a manager who will keep him busy
lighting.
Willard should be brought east at once
and matched with all the hopes who
will take a chance with him in six and
ten round bouts and in that way the big
fellow would acquire the Knowledge and
experience that only actual contests can
teach him.
Willard Is "A great prospect and one of
the best that has appeared in many years
'Gunboat Smith might beat him in a
return battle il il were 10 he fought in
the immediate future despite the west
crH critics.. but in six months from now
IL he has been properly handled he should
prove a hard man for any tighter to de-
feat.
If "Gunboat'' claims the white hope
championship. and his record warrants
his doing SO. he will likely find Willard
the most dangerous Of his rivals. Unless
Tommy Burns has worked wonders with
Arthur Pelky since taking charge of the
Chicopee man there is little To hope for
tn that quarter. Pelky has been boxing
professionally for several years. and un-
I'll his recent trip To Calgary and sudden
jump into prominence, has not been CON
sideTeE a fighter of the first ClaSS-uor
anywhere near H.
PeIky made his New York debut in
Tom ORourke's white hope" tourna-
Al PalZer won the finals. though he and
Pelky did not clash In the tourney. Later
Pelky was seen here with Jess Willard
/, veteran compared with the verdant VIII
lard, he failed to show anything that i'm
pressed the sports in his favor. The ex-
perts were unanimous In awarding Jess
the contest.
made 10 Pelky TO box 'Gunboat" Smith
1t is not likely. however that Pelky. who
will consent to match with the sturdy
from the notoriety acquired in the Cal
gary tragedy.
The dark horse of the white hopes is
This big fellow has not been seen i'm the
-