Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-22
CORBETT SAYS M'FARLAND
IS LEADING LIGHTWEIGHT
Former Heavyweight Cham.
pi0n Thinks Packy Out.
classes Rivals.
RITCHIE SECOND IN RATING
Jim Disregards WilIie's Defeat
by Welsh and Places Him
Over Champion.
By JAr1ES J. C0RBETT
Fermer Heavyv sight Champion of the
World.

Werner AeayyN eight Ghamplou OF tne
World.
Flight Fan" has asked me Ito
rate" the leading llghtweights Of the
country. Ny correspondent possibly
does net appreciate the amount OF
trouble l am liable TO get into by at
tempting to make such classification
of my friends, the lightweights. l
am personally acquainted with and
enjoy the friendship of most of the
little fellows and would not like to
do or say anything that might hurt
their feelings or those Of their man.
ayers. still. on second thought. one
can hardly mention the name OF a
boxers rivals favorably without
bringing down considerable wrath
on his head. Therefore, as l am
lust as likely TO get ''panned, now
that I have mentioned the matter, II l
don't 60 on record with my opinion
Of the relative merits of the more
prominent opponents Of the division,
I have decided to take chance and
follow with my rating" so-ealled.
and you can take 1t for what il Is
worth II does not necessarily prove
anything, It is merely the expression
OF one mans opinion.
Weight Limit Elastic.
In the first place. however. it must
be impressed upon Fight Fans"
mind that the lightweight class is a
very elastic one. Many OF those pos
ing as legitimate lightweights and
who villify their rivals because OF
similar posings on their parts, are
themselves carrying too much weight
10 even think of making 1873 pounds
ringside, which is the recognized limit
~ %fa division in recent wears.
Mcfarland on Top.
Placing the leading boxers in order
Of their skill, according to my views,
7 would begin with Packey McFar-
land, who | believe outclasses the
rest of the bunch. Next would come
Willie Ritchie, and then Jack Britton
and Freddie Welsh In the order
named. In a bunch and close on the
heels of the quartet mentioned come
Zoe Stugrue, Charley White, Johnny
Dundee, Joe Mandot and Milburn
Saylor. Then in order would FOLLOW
Gilbert Gallant, Leach Cross ana Joe
Rivers.
RItchie Next to Packey.
1t will be observed that I place Nc
Farland at the head of the class.
That's where he figures. Tine only
question concerning his right there
lies in the doubt regarding his weight.
Packey claims he can make 100
pounds. and that is the best several
Of those named can do, if as low
Next I place Willie Richie, despite
the fact that Freddie Welsh took
his title from him in London last |
summer. regard that a very lucky
happening for Welsh, and would be
willing TO back Richie in another
encounter any time or any place. !
Tack Britton. one Of the hard-luck |
members of the brigade, figures close
III, to Richie, although Willie has
already scored a four-round victory
over the Chicagoan. Next in order
comes Freddie Welsh, the present
worlds lightweight champion, by |
grace Of Referee CORR and the no |
decision rules prevailing in the lead
ing boxing centres Of this country.
Many Promising Youngsters.
ghugrue, White, Dundee, Mandot
and Saylor all look like promising
and out of this bunch
may come the next champion. Gil
bert Gallant proved himself
dangerous man in bouts with Leach
Cross, although my opinion, from
close observation of his style, is that
he lacks the class to become cham
pion. Leach Cross, always a bit shy
Of topnotch class. Is going back fast.
His recent battles were away below
par. Joe Rivers has not put up a
good battle since Richie knocked him
Jsit. He seems to have completely
lost form.