The Washington herald., 1915-10-18
Cleveland Battler Is
Beaten and Suspended
Johnny Nbane Of the Forest City, Featherweight Cham
pion of the World, Takes Trimming from Mitchell and
Has Hard Setback-Other Fight Comment.

Chalk up a worlds record for Johnny
Kilbane, feather-weight ruler OF the uni
verse.
To the Cleveland star has come the
unique distinction of being the only
champion in the history of legalized box
ing who received a licking in a fight and
then was suspended.
This signal honor was conferred on
kilbane through an edict handed down
this week by the Wisconsin boxing COM
mission. The ban, while temporary, will
be effective until the honorable commish
has had further opportunity to investi-
gate Kilbane's case.
The point at issue concerns Kilbane's
tactics in a ten-round contest with
Richie Mitchell, Wisconsin's lightweight
champion, staged at Milwaukee, Sept
% The commission is of the opinion
that KiIbane and Mitchell stalled in
the early rounds Of that encounter and
this belief is the basis for the present
action against Kilbane. When the case
was called for hearing Mitchell appeared
but Kilbane was unable to be present.
Mitchell was let of with a reprimand,
but action was deferred on Kilbane.
Undoubtedly the commission was In
fiuenced in Withholding suspension In
Mitchelrs case because OF the fact that
the Badger boxer clearly gave Kilbane
a trouncing. In the tenth round he
knocked the champion down and then
he followed this up'by battering Kill
BAN all around the ring, cutting the
title holders face until his features were
spattered with the crimson fluid. Kill
bane was weary and in distress at the
finish.
Even Kilbane was forced to admit
that he received the worst Of the mill
ing. The commission does not find fault
with the finish OF the battle. but the
members do maintain that the boxers
could have pit more aggressive action
into their work at the outset Of the con-
test.
In striking contrast to the decision or
the commission in the present instance
is the decision of that body in the match
between Paekey Mcfarland and Jack
Britton two years ago. Mcfarland won
that fight on points, yet he drew years
suspension because. II was claimed, ne
did not exert himself to his utmost.
To the uninitiated the edict OF the COM
mission in the two matches cited may ap-
pear rather inconsistent. but the purpose
Of the board is clear and well intentioned.
II is the aim of the commission to en-
courage clean, fast boxing. and the
scrappers. OF high and low degree. must
understand that when they box in Wis
TlDkE. Inty ElNS oBtN-
tators che best they have in stock. This
ruling IL carried out. will benefit the box
ing game materially.
When Jim Coffey and Frank Moran
meet in a ten-round contest at Madison
Square Garden. New York City. Tuesday
night, the battle will mark the start OF
proposed elimination tournament to de-
termine the best white heavyweight TO
face jess Willard for the championship.
The field OF really good heayies has been
narrowed down to a point where there
are NOT more than half a dozen huskles
worthy OF consideration. Coffey and
Moran naturally rank closest to Willard.
and following them come Charley Wein-
ert. Fred Fulton. Al Palzer. Gunboat
Smith, Jim Flynn. the veteran. and
Andre Anderson. the latest entrant in the
merry whirl of white hopes.
Al Reich at one time looked pretty
good. but the collegian was put out OF
the running by his miserable showing
just a few nights ago with Gunboat
Smith. The latter. by the way. did not
create any favorable impression through
this contest either. A few years ago
when Smith was at the height OF his
fame. his lighting was marked by head
long aggressiveness. He had the wallop
and was not afraid to take a punch or
two in order to land one. But this will
ing spirit is absent in the Smith Of today.
Now he is trying to be clever and as
his work Is not as impress
sive as 1t was in the past
Just at the present time boxing fans
In the East are discussing the future
Of Andre Anderson. a con-
verted wrestler. Anderson made his New
York debut in q blaze OF glory when he
beat up Battling Johnson, a
tough trial horse for ambitious heavies.
Referee Billy Roche was forced to stop
this contest in the ninth round as John
son was so weak II would have been in
humane TO have forced him to continue
fighting. Anderson's exploits TO date
probably are unknown 70 thu ayeraxe