Evening star., 1913-12-07
BRTTTON AND MCFARLAND
BOUT SHOULD BE CLEVER
Result of Fight Should Settle Definitely Which Is the
Better Man-Odds Favor Packey to
Win-Other Boxing Gossip.

open competition. The union declares
the position of worlds champion vacant
on the grounds that Johnson has been
repeatedly challenged by Sam Langford
logically it declares Willie Ritchie
worlds lightweight champion. Ritchie
cannot be considered legitimate
worlds champion until he has defeated
the British title holder. Johnny Coulon
has been allotted pride of place in the
bantamweight class, but his claim to the
title is by no means clear and VIII no
doubt be strenuously contested by kld
cession Williams has better claim than
any of the others should Coulon fail TO
defend his title) by reason of his victory
over Charles Ledoux, the European cham-
pion- The Frenchman beat Digger stan
icy. who previously won the title from
Joe Bowker. the latter having fought and
won an international bantamweight title
battle against frankie. Neil. this contest
being recognized on both sides OF the At
lantic as worlds title contest. Clearly,
Coulon has no right to the worlds honor,
but he is American champion. The union
recognition of Bill Ladbury of London as
fyweight champion probably will not De
disputed here in America, as few of this
class of boys can box at such low
weight as III pounds.
According to the union, the Welterwelgnt
title is still I'm dispute, a decision no one
will quarrel about but the elevation OF
weight champion of the world is a little
startling in view of his recent sensational
defeat by George Chip. OF the eight
classes recognized by the union. the mid
dleweight is. in my opinion. the least easy
to find a proper champion for. England
and France are out OF the running and
the American claimants are so many that
it is not easy TO pick even two boys
likely TO make the weight Sam Lang
ford. as light heavyweight champion. i
a wise choice, If he can make the weight,
and not to be disputed.
Among other matters the union discussed
the question of weights for International
title battles, but. as might have been eX-
pected, there was a wide divergence OF
views. Finally. however. the delegates
recommended the adoption of the Euro
pean scale. which is the same as that in
use for British championships. This idea
of an International boxing federation may
bring forth good fruit in time, but give
and-take policy on the part of the repre-
sentatives will have to be observed If sue
cess is to be attained. The professional
boxer of today is in the game for a live
lhood and is not in the least likely to
look with favor upon any attempts TO
control him. 1t was at first proposed to
limit the purse money for which boxers
should meet, proposal that if carried
by the union would sound its death knell.
No good can come of the union unless
1t Is willing to consider the boxer as a
professional worker and as such entitled
TO as much as he can get for his labors.
The contributing nations to the union
are not by any means in agreement on
certain points. but all things must have
a beginning and the best laid schemes
can be put in proper shape by careful
and judicial handling and plentiful sup
ply OF patience.