New Britain herald., 1914-04-11
fSnecial to the Herald.)

 ing the future of boxing in Califor- nia Now that the women have been given the voting franchise in the golden state it begins to look as if the sport will have hard battle for it's life. But Jim has not given up hope entirely He has plan-Jeems always was a bright lad-by which he fondly hopes to beat the ladies to it by having the legislature pass a little bill he has drafted, which calls for a commission to regulate the sport on New York Wisconsin M on- tana-Cincinnati plan. The principal difference will be that his bill will embody all the latest improvements. By that is meant that the weak points of the laws regulating the sport by commission in other states will be eliminated and that California will profit by the mistakes and experiences of other communities in that respect
 Coffroth has saved the sport in the past from attacks of professional re- formers and greed of hungry male politicians; 1t remains to be seen whether he will be forced to take the count in the bout with the fair sex
 Speaking of Coffroth, he again gave evidence that he is pretty good judge of fighter. While visiting in New York several weeks ago Jim told me to keep an eye on Billy Mur- ray, the Sacramento middleweight. whom he predicts will develop into a second Stanley ketchel. Jim said he would not be greatly surprised If Murray were to stop Jimmy Clabby. Not that he looked for any such re- suit, as he believed the Indiana box er's cleverness and experience ought to earn the verdict, but he would not be astonished if Murray did put over a haymaker.
 Murray did we'll enough to get q draw with Clabby, who is considered by many experts about the best of the middleweights. At any rate out in California where he had beaten all corners until he bumped into Muarray, Jimmy was allowed to get away with his titular claims. And even in the east Clabby is thought pretty we'll of In fact Mike Gibbons is the only box CT rated higher than Clabby in the estimation of experts in this locality
 Looks as if Coffroth pretty nearly called the turn. When a newcomer can jump right out with a veteran of
 
 opinion of Referee Jim Griffin there must be considerable class there all right, all right.
 But to equal the sensational win- ming streak of the lamented Ketchel, Murray will have to be little short of wonder. Stanley, as followers of the game will recall, got his first real chance with Joe Thomas in a fwenfx, ,< NTo Tsa Joe was then right on the top wave and headed for the championship. ketchefs showing was so good that there was nothing to it but another match. For the first time in his ca reer Steve" as he was dubbed by his pals, then could afford plenty of eats and the right kind of training. Result was he stopped Thomas-who Was real fighter too-after thirty two rounds of the fiercest milling Cal ifornians had seen in years. Yes, and he broke Thomas heart as we'll. Joe was never able to get over that beating, although he did succeed in going twenty rounds with Ketchel a few months later. But Stanley was one of those fellows who liked to touch only the high spots when he had the price and he was not in the we'll known pink of condition at the time, which probably explains Joe's success in weathering twenty rounds. A few months later Ketchel put .. Thomas out in two rounds.
 The only defeat Stanley met with in his own class was that given him by Billy Papke in twelve rounds. But he got even shortly afterwards by stopping Papke in eleven rounds. It was all question of condition with ketchel. When he was in shape he outclassed them all
 Murray may not be another Ketchel as Coffroth seems to think, but there IS no denying that he must be reck- oned as a contender for the middle weight championship from now on. Any youngster who can knock ,out that sturdy campaigner. Leo Houck, and hold the clever Clabby to a draw l must be figured in the running.
 Willie Ritchie and Tommy Murphy next Friday night. It has been a long time coming, but 1t now looks as if nothing will happen to prevent these I boys from settling the question of su- periority. Here in the east few give Harlem Tommy a look-in. But out there the sports have higher re- gard for his fighting ability Funny thing, isn't it? In New York, where Murphy has always lived, he is no longer reckoned first class light weight. And in San Francisco, where he was born and brought up they do not think 80 highly of the champion, while regarding Tommy genuine contender for the title.
 Looks to me as If Tommy is talk ing his last long chance. Likely he will decide to quit the game if de- cisively beaten. He Is pretty we'll fixed in this worlds goods. and is a veteran of twelve years milling.