The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-19
JOHNNY KlLBANE'S INVASION
 OF LIGHTWEIGHT CLASS UNUSUAL
If He Should Become Champion He Will Establish Ring Precedent,
 'Corbett Says

friends, the hghtweights. am per sona11y acquainted with and enjoy the friendship of most of the little fei- lows and would not like to do or say anything that might hurt their feel 1ngs or those of their managers. Still on second thought one can hardly mention the name of a boxers rivals favorably without bringing down con siderable wrath on his head. There fore as am just as likely to get banned now that I have mentioned the matter if don't go on record with my opinion of the relative merits of che more prominent opponents of the division. I have decided to take a. chance and follow with my rating ' so-called, and you can take it for what it is worth. It does not necessarily prove anything. It is merely the ex- precision of one mans opinion.
 In the first place, however, it must be impressed upon Tight Fans mind that the lightweight class is a very elastic one. Many of those pos ing as legitimate hghtwedghts and who will vfllify their rivals because of similar posings on their parts, are themselves carrying too much beef to even think of making 133 pounds ingside which is the recognized limit of the division in recent years. P1ac- ing the leading boxers in order of their skill, according to my views, I would begin with Packey Mcfarland, who I believe olltclasses the rest of the bunch Next would come Willie Rftchie, and then Jack Britton and Freddy Welsh in the order named. In a bunch and close on the heels of the quartette mentioned come Young Shugrues Charley White. Johnny Dun dee, Joe Mandot aid Young Saylor; all together as horse men would put it. Then in order would follow Gil bert Gallant, Leach Cross and Joe Rivers.
 It win be observed that I place Me F'arfand at the head of the class. That's where he figures The only question concerning his right there lies in the doubt regarding his weight. Packey% claims he can make 135 pounds, and that is the best several of those named can do, if as low. Next place Willie Ritchie, despite the fact that Freddy Welsh took his title from him in London last summer re- gard that asa very lucky happening for Welsh, and would be willing to back Ritchie in another encounter any time or any place. Jack Brit ton, one of the hard-luck members of the brigade, figures close up to Ritchie, although Willie has already scored a four round victory over the Chicagoan. Next in order comes Freddy Welsh. the present worlds -- Referee Corri and the no-decision rules prevailing in the leading boxing centers- of this country
 Shugrue, White, Dundee. Mandot and Saylor all look like promising youn gsters and out Of this bunch cay come the next champion. Gilbert Gallant proved himself a dangerous man in bouts with Leach Cross, al- though my opinion, from close obser- vation of his style, is that he lacks the class to become, champion, Leach Cross, always a bit shy of top notch- class, is going back fast. His recent battles were away. below par. Joe Rivers has not put up a good battle since Ritcnie knocked him out. He seems to have completely lost form.
 may have omitted from my list some boxers who may be worth while, and in answer to any charges of favoritisn in my selections wish to say that I have only named the more prominent boxers and those with whose styles and achievements in the ring I am familiar. If have overlooked any possible looming chasnpions.' it is only because they have not yet shown enough to rate them with the dozen 1ightweights mentioned above.
 JAS. J. CORBETT