Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-12

E$#&$883 MXH house WeH nllct
with boosters.
Then there are others who never 81 =
coed in striking the popular chord eve
though their ring careers are brilliant
When Jimmy Brit was in the heydaE
of his career and winning every match
lie was one of the most cordially diSlked
boxers who ever claimed San Francisco
as home. The antipathy to Britt was so
, intense that Il majority of those who
went to see him box did so with the
hope that he would lie soundly thrasheo
lie never knew popularity in his home
town until he had tasted defeat.
Leach Cross occupies a like position in
New York to that Britt held in San
Francisco. Leach is Il good drawing
card. because a great many fans would
delight in seeing him licked. and for fear
they might miss that pleasing perform
ance make it point TO be johnny on the
spot. While the authorities nave decreed
that all persons who patronize boxing
matches must conduct themselves in
manners BETTING gentlemen. the aversion
to Cross is so marked that it Is an en-
ceedngly difficult task to prevent the
hoodlum element from giving vent to
their feelings. During the progress of a
bout his opponent is invariably applauded
and encouraged. and Leach reviled good
and plenty, and at times the language
is not of the choicest. This reverse
roofing has not seriously interfeTed with
Cross success, but in the opinion of the
fans that is because he is a shrewd
matchmaker and has so far sidestepped
the classiest lightweightS.
Cross surprised the talent by signing to
box the great Joe Rivers ten rounds,
and when the boys step in the ring next
Tuesday night ii is cinch that the house
will be crowded to the doors. 1t is the
biggest attraction in sight at the present
time. and Rivers has created such a
favorable impression during two weeks of
training. that the hopes of the anti
Cross contingent are running high.
Rivers record speaks for itself. During
the snort time that he has been boxing
professionally, the little Mexican has
met and defeated number of classy
men. AS featherweisht ne won
twenty-rOund decision over Johnny Kill
bane. but IN return match was knocked
out. At that time Joe had outgrown the
featherweight class and In making the
weight was forced to undergo rigorous
training. which robbed him of his
strength. His recent battles with AID
Wclsast and Joe Mandot established his
c'ass in the lightweight division.
Those who have looked Rivers over at
the training quarters predict his success
in the Cross encounter. But Leach, when
he tries. * able to give good account
O: himself. and if he gets off on the right
foot may make things interesting for the
V sitor. To give tine local man credit, ii
the last year the only boxer to earn n
popular verdict over him was Jack Brit
ton, and that's nothing to be ashamed of.
for Brtton is ranked second only to
Packey Mcfarland when it comes to
c.everness.
II Rivers wins decisively from Cross it
is unlikely he viii be seen again in New
York for some time. He has been offered/
matches with Britton and Mcfarland.
but as he has far insisted upon 1873
rnes.de for all important bouts. it is i'm
probable he will agree to concede weight
TO either of those crackaJacks-
Speaking of Packey Mcfarland that
young man has declared himself on the
we ght question, as per the request of
BILLY Nolan. and offers to do 135 pounos.
four hours before the fight, II Willie
Richie will consent to meet him.
There is as much chance of Packey
getting a match under these conditions
while Nolan looks after the champion as
there is of my returning to the ring and
challenging McCarty for the white
heavyweight championship. And from
the way | feel right now Lutner's hon
Ors are safe so far as yours truly Is con-
serned Rtchi"'s manager recently an
nounced that Packey would be favored
over other aspirants. and intima.ed there
would be no necessity OF making 133
rings;de, at which figure he took good
care to point out. Willie won the title.
But I have a picture of him acquiescins'
=
age / an afraid Mac will rever get
match out OF Richie unless the
champion himself outsrows' the light
weight division. II the boys could only
agree on weight it would mean pretty
match between the master and his pupil.
Luther McCarty is now near the top of
the white hope class. In besting Al Pal
Luther earned a respite from the
arduous training TO which he has applied
his best efforts for months past. 1t will
probably be next July before McCarty
VIII again be seen in the ring.
As for PalZer. there is no reason why
h shouldn't keep right on about his
business in spite OF the beating McCarty
handed him. He is only a kid. and il
may he the licking will prove blessing
in disguise. y reverse at his age should
do him no harm Anyway, it will reduce
the bump of conceit that had assumed
ABNORMAL proportions since his wins
over Kaufman and Wells.
There never was fighter of account
who didn't carry a fair stock of conceit.
and without it his case is hopeless. But
an oversuppiy of self-esteem is not good
that the only way he can hope to recover
lost ground is by d.nt of hard work. If
] know Tom ORourke the youngsser will
get plenty OF * in the future.
presume McCarty will be billed
throughout his theatrical tour as the
heavyweight champion But there is
much for Luther TO accomplish before
he can justly lay claim to that ,tle.
While Manager Billy Mccartney an
nounces that he will pay no attention to
the claims of Langford. Jeanette & Co,
falr-minded sporting public may have