Evening star., 1915-11-21
By T. $. ANDREWS.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
MILWAUKEE,, November 2o.-The
American Boxing Association has taken
a step in the right direction in endeav-
oring to bring about better under
standing regarding the holding OF titles
in this country. At meeting OF the
association. action was taken in regard
to the various titles and efforts will be
made to have the sporting writer's OF
the country work in conjunction with
the association to improve the sport
and regulate such titles.
In regard to the lightweight cham
pionshfp, it was deemed only fair that
Willie Rftchie be given chance to
prove that he is lightweight champion
of America When he lost to Freddie
Welsh in the battle for the world IT,
tie ne still retained the American
championship, but has steadfastly re-
fused to make match for the title at
the weight. The association decided
that Ritchfe must defend his title at
the weight of 135 pounds within nine
ty days or forfeit his claim thereto. In
case Ritchie does not agree to any
match in that time. it was recommend
ed that Charley White and Johnny
Dundee were the best qualified to fight
for the title over the twenty-round
route This is fair to Ritchie and at
the same time gives the other boys an
opportunity to contest for the title.
should either White or Dundee win the
championship, he will be compelled to
defend 1t within certain time against
all legitimate contenders.
Regarding the light heavyweight til
tie. 1t was given to Jack Dillon without
hesitation.
The new weight created by the asso-
citation. that of hyweight, was put up
to Artie Armstrong and frankie Izzo
of Chicago and Jimmie Pappas OF At
lanta. Ga. These were considered the
best boys at 112 pounds and they are to
fight it out for the championship.
The welterweight business has been
in a muddle for long time, at least
since Ray Bronson was recognized as
champion and retired. Later 1t was
$1,000 to defend 1t, but has never been
able to get a match over the twenty
round route for the title. The weight
has been changed to 147 pounds. and
Soldier Bartfield and also Graves.
Packey Mcfarland could no doubt
make the weight. but there Is some
doubt whether Mcfarland will continue
in the game. II he decided to go after
the championship. there is no doubt
that he would win 1t without much
trouble. It also is possible that Willie
Ritchie, Ted Lewis and Jack Brttton
may enter the welterweight ranks. in
which event they will be entitled to a
contest for the championship.
The association recommended that
elimination tournaments be held for
these boys and the winner declared
champion. p.
consider Ted Lewis as eligible for the
lightweight title is the fact that he is
a foreigner and under the rules really
should not be eligible for the Ameri-
made weight for any of his contests
lately, although his manager, Jimmie
Johnston, announced that Lewis can
make the weight Of 135 pounds easily.
to battle for the lightweight title with
the others, for it is likely that he will
decide to make this country his home.
In the middleweight class it was
recommended that Young Ahearn, Mike
Gibbons, jeff Smith and George Chip
be given an opportunity to have an
elimination tournament, the winner, to
be declared champion. : It is likely
that Jimmy Clabby and Eddie McGoor-
ty. il they return to this country from
Australia during the winter. also VIII
be included.
The association also adopted rulings
which will be recommended to all clubs
in the country, and should receive the
support of all boxing fans-that is, in
regard to shows that are held and
where a contest is called Off for the
failure of the principals to give satis-
faction. The association recommends
that all clubs. instead of turning such
receipts over to some charitable insti-s
tuition, refund the amount Of money
which the principals would have re-.
ceived for the proposed contest, to the
spectators who have paid to see the
bout. In this manner the public would
be paying only a small sum for the
preiiminaries which they had witnessed
and would be given back their money,
amounting to practically 60 per cent.
for the failure Of the principals to live
up to their contracts. At the same
time, the association warns all boxers
-, inva atf0ata fba- cl,fha he fore Nv ffch