Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-16

trifle premature. BY beating Papke the
Pittsburgher did not win the American
championship. Billy was dead bird long
before he bumped into Klaus. His decline
dates back more than two years. and II
anybody will take the trouble to study
the record books he will find that the
Kewanee boxer was long since eliminated
as a championship possibility.
But I am not aiming to take away the
credit of victory from Klaus There is no
doubt that Frank is one of the very bes:
middleweights in the country, and that
means the world in this particular divis-
ion OF pugilism as American boxers have
demonstrated beyond question that they
outclass the English, Australian and
French representatives. At the same time
Frank will have to show the home folks
a little more before We can hand him
the title.
McGoorty stands between Klaus and
the championship goal. While Eddie has
not shown topnotch form in recent starts
1t is thought that nothing really serious
is the matter with him-that is. nothing
a short rest and proper training Will not
remedy. And 1t will not do to overlook
the fact that some of his performances
have been little short of sensational and
excel anything ever shown by his rivals.
Notable among these was the quick de-
feat Of Dave Smith. champion Of Aus
tralia: also the knockout In one round
of Jack Harrison, claimant of the Engish
title.
Before Klaus can be conceded the hon
ors McGoorty will have to be eliminated
from the race. The boys have never
met 4 respect for one another'S prowess
has prevented a meeting far. Last
year Jim Coffroth tried to bring them
together but McGoorty refused to make
1JS ringside, thereby indicating very
high regard for the skill of the Pitts
burgher: and the latter was equally firm
in insisting that the weights comply with
the rules governing the championship in
this country. Probably neither was anx-
ious to settle the question of superior
ity at the time. 1t looked that way Ger,
tainly as both Frank and Eddie stood
pat and the deal fell through.
The time has arrived when the bout
cannot be postponed much longer. The
sporting public, recognizing the men as
the best equipped OF all the aspirants.
doubtful If the match will take place
in Paris as many seem to think. Frank
would be compelled to defend the Euro
pean title at 160 pounds on the other
side, and as he has heretofore insisted
on the American limit In negotiations
with McGoorty 1t is only reasonable to
expect he will hold out for that figure
for battle that will virtually decide the
championship. This looks Ike the L. S.
A. for the battle-ground.
Packey McFarland's claim to the title
Of cleverest boxer in the ''misfit div
sion" of pugilism is still paramount. By
''misfit'' / mean the class that is neither
light nor welter. In the contest with
Britton he scaled at 40 ringside, which
is dangerously close to the welterweight
limit Probably the best Packey could
do for any match would be I35 several
hours before entering the ring. Those
few extra pounds have long stood be-
tween this boy and the lightweight cham
pfonship
Packey outclassed Britton just as he
outclasses all the boys who tackle him.
His equal as boxer anywhere near the
weights is yet to be uncovered Poss, bly,
Britton made a better showing than the
indicate that he ranked with the stock
yards expert.
Willie Richie now says Packey can
have. match at 133. weigh In six hours
before ringtime From what l am told
Willie would have quite as hard a job
making 136 as Mcfarland. They tell
me- the champion has taken on much
beef. and scales well over the 40 mark.
If this is the case Manager Nolan should
have no reasonable objections to Offer to
match with the Chicagoan, but | doubt
very much IL he would consent should ii
come to showdown.
Mayor Harrison of Chicago attended the