Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-26
DethrOnement of Richie and
cOulOn and Death of Boxing
nv in California Features.
JOHNSON STILL ON TOP
jim Thinks Heavyweight Crown
Is Likely to Remain in
Jacks Possession.
BY JAMEs J. CORBETT
rormer Heavyweight Champion Of the
- World.

a0FAHs
Another year is on the ropes, gregg
and about ready to take the full
count. And in many respects Il ha4
been a remarkable one In the histor!
u pugilisnn. The passing of 1914 will
mark the exit of an experimenting
year IN hstiana. Notable among tn
feats accomplished during the pas
twelve months were the dethronemen
Of Willie Richie by Freddie Welsh al
worlds lightweight titleholder, anc
tho overthrow Of Johnny Coulon by
Kid Williams as champion of the ban
lam division. But by far the mos
important happening during the veal
vas the unex peeted blow dealt The
sport at the recent election In Cali
fornia, In putting boxing under the
ban, after fourishing for more than
quarter of a century under legal
protection.
Boxers Turn to Louisiana.
Although California has been lost 20
boxing for the time being, Louisiana
has again opened its arms to tn sport
AT the last session of the Legislature
Of that state a bill was passed allow
ing glove contests up to twenty
rounds, under certain conditions. But
10 date New Orleans has proved a
poor substitute for san Francisco and
Los Angeles as a mecca for the scrap
pers, and, unless the promoters there
loosen their purse strings and show
liberality in bidding for important
matches In the future, Crescent City
sports will have TO be content with
bouts OF a second grade. However Il
Ia hoped that with the advent o Tom
McCarey New Orleans will resume its
place as the leading boxing centre OF
she country-as 1t was twenty years
sgo.
johnson Reigns Supreme.
Jack johnson is still the king Of
che heavies, and If he elects to safe
guard his title during 1915 as he do
during the past year he will prob
ably be the champion twelve months
from now. johnson fought only one
ring battle during 19l4-that with
Frank Moran In Paris last June
and. according to accounts received
IN this country the champion had
little trouble outpointing the Pitts
burgh novice. johnson is now said
TO be matched to box Jess Willard
psxt month. The battle-ground has
not yet been selected, according to
tie promoters OF the affair, but II is
thought that a South American or
Mexican city will be named within
the next few weeks. However, the
public has shown little interest in
the announcement of the champion
ship" bout, the opinion prevailing
that Willard is no match for the
negro.
No Class to White Hopes.
IS. 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 10 a
test severe enough to warrant the
tituiar aspirations his hackers claim
TOR him. Those who have watched
Willard, Morris, Coffey, Moran. Smith
and other white heaVies go through
their clumsy performances IN the
ring have little confidence In the re-
turn of the pugilistie crown to the
white race in the near future.
4. willard Has Got to Prove Worth.
Willard has yet to prove his supe-
riority over Gunboat Smith, and Jim
Corey had no trouble holding Smith
20 a ten-round draw in New York
several weeks ago. Langford. Nc
Yey and Jeanette appear to hold all
the white candidates safe, and unless
the miraculous happens ii is hardly
probable the title will change hands
in the near future. While any OF
the trio of negroes mentioned might
have more than an outside chance Of
heating Johnson, Il Is not at all like
liz that the champion Will consent 20
.dsk the title in battles with his col
ured rivals, The truth of the matter
~ that the white heavyweight d.
ision has not developed a first class
ghting man since Jeffries
Carpenter Most Promising Hope.
Taking a line from his fight with
(sunboat Smith IN England last sum
amer, Georges Carpenter appears the
most promising Of the younger white
ifeavyweights. The recent output Of
heavies has fallen away below the
standard set by the gladiators Of the
past willard, with more experience,
may develop into a first class fight
ing man, but in the few times he
has appeared In the ring In the East
ne has shown nothing TO Indicate
that he has the necessary class to
light his way to the top Of the
division.
stir- Fans Must BE Shown.
Until Willard frst proves his
tight 20 battle Johnson for the title
The promoters OF the proposed John
son- Willard match viii find that the
subiio will take little interest In the
affair. II Willard can't beat such
men as Smith, Coffey. ct al, ne has
40 business In the ring with Jack
Johnson. not to mention Langford,
feannette and McVey.
Middlewelgbt situation Mixed.
The middleweighl developments Of
shs year just drawing to an end have
been hardly more satisfactory than
Ia the heavier division. George Chip.
regarded by many ring followers as
Q possible successor to Stanley
Ketchel, after his two defeats Of
Frank Klaus, failed TO make good
hts claims to championship class.
following his knockout In less than
q round by Al Mccoy. the Brooklyn
necond -rater, Chip was soundly
beaten in a twenty-round contest by
Jimmy Clabby.
McGoorty Gus Of Race for Tisis.
Eddie McGoorty has confined all his
hoxing in recent months to an Aus
tralian campaign, and while In that