Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-28

4
| sses1qss ed ownership during
1 the year. Nor have
the two divisions OF professional pugilism
which for several years have known no
recognized leaders-the weller and mid
| dleweight classes-produced men whose
achievements would entitle them to such
recognition.
And 1T is lean year in boxing when
some one of its many weight divisions
knows no change of champion.
Jack Johnson is still the acknowledged
| worlds champion heavyweight; the mid
die and weller classes have no recognize
ed leaders; Willie Richie is undisputed
| lightweight champion of the world,
while Johnny Kilbane and Johnny Coulon
still reign at the head of the American
feather and bantamweight divisions, re-
| Spectiyely
/ Probably the most noteworthy. or l
| might better say noticeable. incident in
| puglism of the year was ti.e marked de-
terloration In the work of the three lead
ing coiored heavyweights ofsthe country.
namely, Jack johnson, Sam Langford and
Joe jeanette. The recent performances
| of these notwithstanding the miserable
| showing of Jack Johnson and Landlords
and Jeanette's latest fiasco, both occurring
In Paris last week-indicate that the day
| or colored supremacy in the heavyweight
| division is about over.
| However, there would be greater cause
| for rejoicing If the slump in prestige of
| the colored fighters were accorlpa MED or
| brought about. by AN appreciable adj
| vancement in the skill and experiences of
| the white heavyweightS.
| In other words, we would much prefer
to see the title restored to the white race
| through honorable victory in the ring
| than by the rayages Of age and dissipa-
| ton of the other fellows.
| The middleweight championship prob
lem is no nearer solution now than 1t
was twelve months ago. If the truth
were known it is very probable that the
majority of the leading candidates for
the title would find it impossible to make
the so-called limit of 15s pounds ringside.
Notably among those whom it is thought
should be classified as light heavy
weights are Eddie McGoorty. George
Chip, Frank Klaus and Jack Dillon. OF
the exact poundage of the last-named
! fighter ] am not positive, but ii lis no
secret that negotiations for matches
among the others named always bring
l to light the fact that none will consent
to make the limit the rules. or, properly
speaking. popular opinion demands for
middleweight championship bouts.
A worthy successor to the late Stanley
ketchel has not yet been uncovered. Let
US hope the year 1914 will treat the fans
more kindly in this respect
! OF the welters probably Packey Nc
Fariand, Jack Britton and Mike Glover,
/ the Boston boy, are the best. Mike Glib
bons has grown too heavy to be con-
sidered. and We will have to rate him as
a mddleweight. Mcfarland and Britton
| much prefer to confine their operations
among the lghtweights, where their
weight advantages make the going much
| easier.
/ To int
classy man with proper handling and
| coaching. At any rate he Is not at
tempting to sail under false colors, and
his recent splendid record entities him to
foremost candidates for the long vacated
title Of welterweight champion.
Coming down to the lightweights. II
must be admitted that at last We have a
champion who stacks up as the best boy
| who has graced that position in some
years. Willie Richie has fought only
twice since defeating I'D Wolgast for the
championship, but In both instances
proved himself worthy holder of the
honors His knockout of Joe Rivers and
decision OIL points over Leach Cross, un-
PROFESSIONALLY two of his most dangerous
competitors for lightweight honors, were
notable achievements.
Richie is the classiest champion the
division has known since the days of Joe
Cans, and the close of 1914 should find
him perched safely at the top.
In the featherWeight class Johnny Kill
bane looks to he all alone Had johnny
Dundee not outgrown the division he
might have given the champion a hard
| battle to retain the premiership but
| with him out of the way there doesn't APP
pear to be boy in sight who can give
kHpane an argument worth speaking Of
Johnny outclasses the rest of the loc-
Founders as far as Abe Attell did when
that great fighter was at his best
Johnny Coulon has not fought in about
a year The bantam champion has been
doubtful whether he will be able to come
back and successfully defend the title
he has hello SO many years. At the pres
ent time he is matched to box some
western boy. OF whom little is known
in these parts. and his showing in that
match will determine his plans for the
future.
Kid Williams. the Baltimore whirlwind,
and Eddie Campi. the clever California
youngster Tim McGrath has been nurs-
ing along. are matched to fight for the
right to battle Coulon for the Champion
ship-in the event of the latters return
| to form.
Williams is regarded in the east where
he has cleaned up all opposition. as the
best boy OF his weight In the country.
and his grand record warrants his friends
and supporters in predicting great flu
ture for him. The Kid announces that he
will wage q vigorous campaign to com
pei Coulon to meet him for the title.
provided, of course, he defeats Campi de-
cisively.
As both Williams and Campi are cork
ing good bantams. the outlook for Con-
Ions continued reign as champion Of the
bantams does not look as cheerful as IL
might A number Of experts have already
gone on record as predicting Johnnys de-
feat in the match with either But Cou-
lon has no big kick coming. He has
had his fling and youth must be served
II is hoped. however. that the champion
will recover his form and be able TO get
into condition to put UP battle in de.
Tense of his title. There would be little
glory for either Williams or Campi I'm