El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-12-26

4 about ready to take the full
count. And in many respects it has
been a remarkable one in the his
tory of pugilism. It has been an
epoch making year in fistiana. Notable
among the feats accomplished during
the past II months were the dethrone-
meRt of Willie Richie by Freddy
Welsh as worlds lightweight title
holder, and the overthrow of Johnny
CoulOn by kid" Williams as cham
pion of the bantam division. But by
far the most important happening dur
ing the year was the unexpected blow
dealt the sport at the recent election
in California in putting boxing under
legal protection.
In voting to end boxing in the
Golden State, however the people did
not voice sentiment against the sport
itself so much as against certain pro
mCterS whose methods Of handling
contests were antagonistic to those
who have the good of the game at
heart The consensus of opinion OF
the prominent sporting writers of the
state is that it will be only a matter
of very short time when boxing viii
again be put on legal footing and
under the supervision of a commission
similar to those in control in New York
and other eastern states. By this
plan it is hoped to safeguard the sport
against the attacks of those whose
only interest in its promotion are to
get as much money out of it in as short
time as possible regardless of con-
sequences.
Must Make Better Bids.
Although California has been lost
to boxing for the time being, Louisiana
has again opened its arms to the sport.
At the last session of the legislature
n CTS TgfT nd al
lowing glove contests up to 20 rounds
under certain conditions. But to date
New Orleans has ptOved a poor sub
stitute for San Francisco and Los
Angeles as mecca for the scrappers,
and unless the promoters there loosen
their purse strings and show more
Hberality in bidding for important
matches in the future, Crescent City
sports will have to be content with
bouts of a second grade. However,
II is hoped that with the advent of Tom
McCarey New Orleans Will resume its
place as the leading boxing center Of
the cOuntry-as it was 20 years ago.
May Still RemHin Champion.
Jack Johnson is still the king of the
heavies, and if he elects to safeguard
his title during 1915 as he did during
the past year will probably be the
champion twelve months from now.
johnson fought only one ring battle
during 1914, that with Frank Moran in
Paris last June, and according to aC-
counts received here had little trouble
outpointing the Pittsburg novice.
Willard No Match For Him.
Johnson is now said to be matched to
box Jess Willard next March The
battle ground has not vet been selected,
according to the promoters Of the af-
fair, but it is thought that some Ameri-
can city viii be named within the next
few weeks. However, the public has
shown little interest in the announce
ment of the championship" bout. the
opinion prevailing that willard is no
match for the negro.
None Of the so called white hopes
has shown form to class as a worthy
aspirant for championship honOrs.
'GUnbOat' Smith, looked upon by many
as the best Of the white brigade, was
easily beaten by Sam LangfOrd, and
Willard has not yet been put to a test
severe enough to warrant the titubar
aspirations his hackers claim for him.
Those who have watched Willard, Nor
ris, COffey, Moran. Smith and other
white he1vies go through their clumsy
performances in the ring have little
in the return of the pugilis-
tic crown to the white race in the near
future.
won't Risk Title with Negroes.
Willard has yet to prove his
superiority over "Gunboat' Smith and
Jim Coffey, a comparative novice, had
no trouble holding Smith to a ten
round draw in this city several weeks (
ago. LangfOrd, McVey and Jeanette |
appear to hold all the white candidates
safe. and unless the miraculous happens /
it is hardly probable the title will
change hands in the near future While !
any of the trio of negroes mentioned I
might have more than outside chance /
Of beating johnson it is not at all /
likely that the champion will consent /
to risk the title in battles with his |
negro rivals. The truth of the matter |
is that the white heavyweight division I
has not developed a first class fight !
ing man since Jeffries.
Carpenter Seems Most Promising.
Taking a line from his fight with |
'Gunboat' Smith in England last sum- !
mer Georges Carpenter appears the /
most promising Of the younger white (
leavyweights, but is is doubtful if he ]
Will ever again be seen in the ring.
The recent output of heavies has fallen