Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-21
MICHAEL GIBBONS is CHAMP
St. Paul Phantom Is Leading Light
in Middleweight Circles, Says
Expert Ringside.
AL MCCOY HAS NARY A CLAIM
nv RINGsIDE.

ny RINGSIDE.
NEW YORK. March 20--Hail. fight
fans. the new middlewelght champion OF
the world-Michael Gibbons OF 81. Paul.
MINI. Gibbons Is hereby awarded by ec-
eiamatiSn the title which has been in
Sbeyance ever since dashing Stanley
Ketchei met his untimely end at-the
hands Of an ASSASSIN.
There have been claimants and coun-
ter claimants OF the much abused mid
dleweight championship but none has the
rivct hold on the diadem that Michael
Gibbons possesses. Without the aid of a
Voluble manager, Gibbons has managed
10 fight his way to the apex OF the mid
dleweight ladder: and now he h the soli-
tsry occupant Of the topmost rung.
Despite protestations from Al (Rudolph)
Mccoy. or his loquaoious manager. Dan
Morgan. we herewith award the palm to
Gibbons; and II will take an elastic
imagination TO show cause why Gibbons
should not be proclaimed king OF the
middlewoights. The division has been In
muddle since Ketchers demise. and for
tho first time clear, unobstructed path
Is visible-with Mike Gibbons alone
promenading down that path.
Several months ago there were quite a
number OF Dung men eligible for the
l5s-pound championship although even
at that time Gibbons appeared 60 have n
sinecure on that honor Jimmy Clabby.
Eddie McGoorty. Jack Dillon. Young
Ahearn. George Chip. and even poor mis-
guided Al Mccoy were loud in their de.
nunoiatIon OF those who dared look upon
Mike Gibbons az the peer OF middle
weights.
Now we win proceed TO unravei the
skein Of events that has earned for Glib
bons an undisputed hold on the title.
First we shall eliminate Al Mccoy. who
by steadfastly refusing TO fight auto
Instioally put himself out Of the running.
although he has to HIS credit a one-punch
knockout OF George Chip. Fight fans
were willing enough TO uphold Mccoy In
his contention that he should be aclSnowl-
edged the legitimate champion. but Nc
Coy gave his adherents no support or
basis for argument rs he was unwilling
TO engage in real battle.
Has No Claim.
on past performances. aside from the
Chip incident. Mccoy has no. claim to
prestige He takes an unmerciful lacing
for ten rounds at the hands OF Mike
Gibbons, who could have put out Mccoy
az any moment had he been so inclined.
so exit, Mr. Mccoy
Jack Dillon and young Ahearn must
next be considered. and they can be dis.
missed in a few simple words Both have
cutsrown the middleweight poundage of
lS pounds ringside. and thus end their
pretentions to the title. 1t Is doubtful II
either could make the scales CULVER at 1855
pounds At any time, OF tho day Of cham
plonship fight.
True, Dillon and Ahearn were seriously
considered as middleweight championship
possibilities, but that was a few nonths
back, before they graduated into the iigh,
heavyweight class.
That leaves Chip. Ciabby and McGoorty
and Gibbons When the field was left
open 20 this Formidable trio Il was sug.
gested that a round robin OF bouts be
arranged. the ultimate winner to be ad,
judged the champion. At the time thli
movement was in the incubation stage
Clabhy was believed "a have the bes
claim 10 the middle" crown. SO a battl,
vas clinched between Gibbons and
clabby.
LAuuy was Eneys
Ring lore tells US that Gibbons took
Ciapby over the ten-round route at a pac,
that made even tho Wiil-o' -the- wisI
Jimmy gasp for breath Gibbons hSit
nothing In reserve and trounced clabby
so severely that there was no discussior
over the winner.
Eddie McGoorty was now the only OBJ
stacle IN Gibbons headlong rush toward
the championship goal Besides beint
merely an opponent IN the final match O.
the elimination, McGoorty was an arcl
enemy to the phantom Gibbons. For tw,
years newspaper defeat by MeGoort,
riEht herein New York rankled IN Mikes
mind. The latter claimed ne was M a
the time OF his Gotham meeting. and her,
was his long-awaited opportunity 20 prov,
TO tickle populace that he was TELLING
the truth.
Suffice II TO say that Mike vindicate,
himself In manner that left no doub
in the minds Of even the skep,ics. III
whnled the Oshkosh Whale" In ever,
one OF the ten rounds they battled a
Hudson. Wis. fortnight ago. Not on
man at the rinsside could even claim
draw for McGoorty. 80 complete wa
Mixes revenge.
Now. gentle reader. can you suggss
anyone else Gibbons must defeat in or
der 10 have a clear. undisputed right 4
the middlewelght championship Of tn
worids We trust this explicit explanation
settles the middlewelsht problem that ha
been perturbing fistio followers for thes
many years.
Pnhn Mnnn,,nn1 81