El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-12-19

TEw YORK, Dec 19.-Feather-
IN weight champion Johnny Kill
Il bane's first attempt to upset the
popular theory that a good big man
can always beat a good little man was
more or less successful, according 10
the various viewpoints and prejudices
of the spectators. While the feather
champion was given draw with his
heavier opponent, several accounts OF
the battle intimated that the decision
was hardly fair to Mandot. Then there
are others, possibly influenced by
friendship or local pride, who boldly
assert that it was Kilbanes fight all
the way
However. the question arises whether
Johnny has accomplished what he set
out to do--tO determine If he has a
chance with the best Of the 1873 pound
class II was for that reason Kilban5
did not select a soft thing for his task
of breaking in as lightweight for in
MandOts present form, the teather-
weight champion was .unquesuonably
meeting one of the best boys in that
division Joe has been boxing in bet
ter form the last year than at any
time in his career. He has learned ap-
parently to make the most Of the gifts
with which nature has endowed him,
and has discarded his former habit Of
mixing it with huskier and harder
hitting opponents. Mandot is a fast
and scientific boxer and, thus equipped,
ought to hold his own over any route
from 10 to 20 rounds with the best in
the division.
Is I1IIbane satisfied.
Whether Kilbane is satisfied with
the showing he made against MandOt
will. no doubt, be evident in his future
matchmaking. For it is a well known
fact that Johnny has for some time en-
tertained the intention of retiring from
tertained the intention Of retiring from
Of making weight required has become
Therefore, his future movements IN
the matchmaking line viii be watched
closely by his rivals among the feath-
ers as well as the fans throughout the
country.
Where Many Have Failed.
Should Kilbane 60 ahead with Lis
plans for invading the lightweight class
and ever realizes his ambition Of be-
coming champion Of the division, he
viii have accomplished something none
of his predecessors has done, although
many Of them have attempted the feat
at different times in the past few dec
AIDES The only instance 1 can recall
Of a featherweight champion defeating
decisively the recognized lightweight
titleholder was when Terry McGover1
stopped Frank Erne at Madison Square
Garden in 1900 But in that battle,
Erne, while naturally rather light fOr
a champion Of that division, was COM
PEELED to make something like IFS
pounds ringside, and was so weak from
the effort that he was in no shape 10
stand off the rushes Of Terrible
Terry"
Robbed Of His Glory.
Several times during his career Nc
Govern took incursiOns into the light
weight camp and notable among his
Cans in two rounds at Chicago d few
months after his success over Erne.
But as a great deal Of nasty talk was
turned loose after that fight TIE great
TffF1n nora q rnhhnd IF q old
arising from such a feat Whether or
not there was anything crooked about
the mill, haven't any idea, but 7 do
know it stands on record that Meow
ern knocked Cans out in less than two
rounds.
Abe Atteu was another feathcrweight
titleholder who frequently went Ou- Of
his class to get matches, and to his
credit It must be said he generally made
good. Abe and Bat Nelson fought IS
round draw in San Francisco only few
months before Bat beat Cans for the
lightweight title. So, il no further
evidence was displayed in his brilliant
record, IL could be judged from this
battle alone that Atteu was a great
little scrapper and might, had he
aspired to it. have won the highest
honors I'm the lightweight class.
May Change Pugllistic Map.
Kilbane's abdication as featherweisht
champion, If it should come about may
change the map Of the smaller pugilis-
tic divisions. with Johnny out OF the
way, IL is likely Kid Williams would
hasten his decision to abandon the ban
tam class in favor Of the division
higher UP and announce his candidacy
for Kilbanes crown. As is the pre-
dicament OF Kilbane among the feath-
ers, so It is with Williams in the ban
tam division. One hundred and twenty
two pounds ringside would suit the az
gressive Baltimore Dane much better
than 116, the recognized bantam limit.
However, Kilbane's retirement from the
featherweight class will result IN
many other claimants for the hOnors
besides Williams. 1t viii be similar
scramble for the honors to that which
has featured the middleweight division
since the death Of Stanley Ketchel, and
might result in several years Of
wranglinR before a satisfactory soIu-
tion could be arrived at. Williams, Of
course, would draw the weight line
closely at 122 pounds. while George
CLANCY and the other leaders in the
division would stick out for a moro
liberal Interpretation Of the weight
limit CLANCY and Williams have met
in the past, when both were in the
bantam class and, in fact, were for a
long time in the same stable. In the
last year Clancy has taken on cOnsid-
cradle pOundage and has also acquired
at the same time one Of the healthiest
waIlops known among the feathers. A
meeting between Clancy and the sturdy
Williams at o. near the 122 pound mark