Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-01-13
By JAMES ]. coRBETT.

accomplished during the last II
months were the dethronement of
Willie Richie by Freddie Welsh
as worlds lightweight title-holder.
and the overthrow of Johnny Gou-
Ion by Kid Williams as champian
Of the bantam division. But by far
the most important happening was the
unexpected blow dealt the sport at
the recent election in California in
putting boxing under ban after -four
ishing for more than quarter OF =
century under legal protection.
See Revival Of Sporting Game.
In voting to end boxing in the Col
den state. however, the people did not
voice sentiment against the sport
itself SO much as against certain pro-
moters whose methods of handling
contests were antagonistic to those
who have the good of the game at
heart. The consensus of opinion Of
the prominent sporting writer's of the
state is that it will be only a matter
Of a very short time when boxing will
again be put on legal footing and
under the supervision Of commits
sion similar to those in control in New
York and other eastern states. BY
this plan 1t is hoped to safeguard the
sport against the attacks Of those
whose only interests in its promotion
are to get as much money out OF it in
as short a time as possible regardless
Of consequences.
Louisiana Opens Arms to Boxing.
Although California has been lost to
boxing for the time being Louisiana
has again opened its arms to the
sport At the last session Of the legis-
lature OF that state bin was passed
allowing glove contests up to 20
rounds under certain conditions. But
to date New Orleans has proved a
poor substitute for San Francisco and
Los Angeles as mecca for the scrap
pers, and unless the promoters there
loosen their purse strings and show
more liberality In bidding for impor-
tant matches in the future Crescent
city sports will have to be content
with bouts Of q second grade. How
ever. 1t Is hoped that with the advent
of Tom McCarey New Orleans will
resume its place as the leading boxing
center OF the country-as 1t was 20
years ago.
Johnson Still King Of Heavies.
Jack Johnson is still the king Of the
heayies. and If he elects to safeguard
his title during 1915 as he did last
year he will probably be the champion
IL months from now Johnson fought:
only one ring battle during 1914, that
with Frank Moran in Paris last june,
and according to accounts received
here. had little trouble outpointing the
Pittsburg novice.
white Hopes Fail to Show Class.
None Of the so-called white hopes
has shown form to class as 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 to a test
severe enough to warrant the titufar
aspirations his hackers claim for him.
Those who have watched Willard, Nor
ris, Coffey, Moran, Smith and other
white heayies go through their clumsy
performances in the ring have little
confidence in the return of the pugilis-
tic crown to the white race in the near
future.
Willard has yet to prove his superb
ority over Gunboat Smith, and Jim
Coffey. a comparative novice, had no
trouble holding Smith to a 1O-round
draw in this city several weeks ago.
Langford, McVev and Jeanette APP
pear to hold all the white candidates
safe, and unless the miraculous hap
pens 1t is hardly probable the title
will change hands in the near future.
Taking a line from his fight with
Gunboat Smith in england last sum-
mer, Georges Carpenter appears the
most promising Of the younger white
heavyweights, but 1t is doubtful II he
will ever again be seen In the ring.
The recent output of heavies has fall
en- away below the standard set by
the gladiators of the past. willard,
with more experience, may develop
into first class fighting man, but in
the few times he has appeared in the
ring in this locality has shown moth
ing to indicate that he has the neces-
sary class to fight his way to the top
of the division.
Out Of the Running.
Eddie McGoorty has confined al his
boxing in recent months to an Austria
liam campaign, and while in that eoun-