Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-07
GIBBONS A REAL CHAMPION
st. Paul Phantom Establishes Right
to the Middleweight Honor by
Trimming Clabby.
wCoY's CLAIM IS FUTILE

ny RINGsIDE.
NEW YORK, Feb. 6-By this time
Mike Gibbons, the "st. Paul shroud."
has heeu extolled the breadth OF the
universe a. the greatest Of living middle
weight fighters. Bx virtue Of his undis-
puted victory over Jimmy Clabby two
weeks ago. Gibbons, has clarified himself
the middlweight situation to such an ex-
tent that II viii require but one or two
more such triunphs for Michael TO be
universally acclaimed the champion. pro-
testations from Al Mccoy nothwithstand-
Ing.
Mccoy may contend that he is the only
legitimate title-holder by his one-punch
knockout Of George Chip, who In some
quarters was looked upon az the cham
pion at the time. We win endeavor to
J prove to Mccoy that he IL grossly In
error.
Mccoy's argun1ent-or rather the argu-
ment of his manager for him--is that
Chip was champion until ne colIided with
AIRS soporific wsllop. Chip, according to
Mccoy. came into possession of that title
by his two-ply knockout of Frank Klaus.
who was supposed 20 have taken over
tho championship responsibility after he
had vanquished Billy Pspke. to whom,
they say, the crown reverted after Cham
pion stanley Ketchers Inflated end.
Papke Never Champ.
/ Now for our side OF the controversy.
/ The title could never revert to Papke
after Ketohers death. But granted that
! he was then recognized as the champion.
Between the time Of Ketchers demise
and before Papke met Klaus, the .Thun-
dcrbolt' had been beaten no less than
three times--by Cyclone Johnny
Thompson, Bob Moha and Frank, Mantell,
So that certainly placed damper on
Papke's Inspirations.
When Klaus met him Papke was on the
downgrade. and the only title he owned
was that OF 'middleweight champion Of
Europe" which he took away frem
Georges Carpenter, So II Mccoy really
thinks he is entitled to some sort Of
championship for knocking out Chip ne
might claim the middleweight titls OF
Europe.
The records show that there has been
no Legitimate middieweight champion
since the days of Stanley Ketchel, the
michigan Assassin" Naturally, the title
has been IN allegiance since then. and
there have beer numerous claimants OF
said title. But none has had the rivetea
claim ON II that Mike Gibbons now holds,
IL Ideal pug.
Gibbons embodies every qualification
that goes to make ring champion. He
Is unquestionably the cieverest boxer be-
fore the public today. lie is a terrific
puncher, and has shown that he can
absorb punishment, as was evidenced "a
tho Clabby bout. The Hammond lad, a
ring wizard himself, directed his attack
mt Gibbons body, Mixes supposed weak
spot. Gibbons assimilated Clabby's soldid
punches unflinchlngiy and fought back
hard ct the same time
Gibbons showed his mastery In q ma
jority OF the rounds over the man whe
was thought to be at the head OF the
middleweight division. Clabby's defeat
relegates him to the rear RANK for the
time being.
Clabby demands return battle with
Gibbons and wants the distance to be
twenty rounds. clabby points TO his fin
ish In the tenth round OF the Milwautee
title bout. He asserts that Gibbons started
70 tire In the eighth round and wac
fatlgued at the end OF hostllitles. Clabby
expresses supreme confidence In his abil-
tV 70 hhoSA 0hbDVnb OUT N y twenty
round bout.
Mike has the latter matter undsr con.
sideration and will let Clabby have on
answer IN several days. Meanwhile CAB.
hons Is also pondering over the PROPOSE
ton put before him by Jimmy Johnston
match maker Of Madison Square Garden
Joimes wants Gibbons 20 name HIS terml
for q ten-round bout with Packey Nc
Farland in the Garden tho last week o.
the month
II Want Mcfarland hack.
II Ia said that Johnston has offered Nc
Fariand the prIncely sum OF si5.0Oo to re
consider his announced retirement an,
come back for the battle. This IL thu
largest purse ever offered fighter 4
engage in.a bout in the metropolis. 2
However Il Is not matter of none,
that keeps Mcfarland from issuing
definite answer Packey has somethlnl
like quarter OF q million dollars Il
cache. and no would have 70 secure IN
consent Of Mrs. Patrick Mcfarland be
fore he could don the gloves
Johnston has asked Mrs. McFarian
Ito permit her spouse to re-enter the aren
! for this bout In order to prove 20 a pal
pitating populace that Packcy Is the cley
crest boxer IN the world.
Gibbons Is not averse to meeting Nc
. Farland, but he asserts that he win max
' no weight for the Chicago idol Gibbon
= scaled at iss pounds for Ciahby. and wa
$ az hts best, At that Il Il doubtful
. packey would do better than $50 pound
> after several weeks training.