Evening journal., 1915-03-29

him to be in flesh. But that will not
prevent him getting his lungs in good
working order, and that is all lie viii
need, for in all other respects he is inn
measurably superior to Willard. VII
lard will be in superb physical con-
dition, but that will avail him moth
ing against the impregnable defense
and irritating attack of the negro.
Changes DO Not Anect Titles.
A Western critic recently brought
up the interesting question as TO
whether fighter who had been cham
pion under London rules remained in
possession OF the title wnen the shift
was made to the Queensberry style.
! There is not q shadow of doubt that
John L. Sullivan, Jack Dempsey and
! Jack McAulinc, who won their cham
d pionship titles under London rules, re-
tanned their honors when bare knuche
fighting was taboocd and the glove
contests prescribed by the Queens
berry code came into vogue. Not only
were the three fighters mentioned gem
orally recognized as the champions
of their respective classes, but II
would have been manifestly unjust
and absurd 10 have even questioned
their championship status. Sullivan
and Dempsey lost theirtitles in glove
combats under the Queensoerry rules
and McAuliffe retired before any one
/ (possibly Il would have been Kid La
vigue) conquered him.
Sullivan was shorn OF his title by
Jim Corbett and Dempsey yielded his
crown to Fitzsimmons.
Singularly enough neither Sulli-
van. Dempsey nor McAulitfe ever won
a worlds championship, although
each had ample opportunity. All that
was required of Sullivan in order 10
assure the worlds title to him was TO
beat Peter Jackson, the undisputed
heavyweight champion of England
and Australia, but Jawn was an art
list i'm those days and drew the color
line that barred JACKSON. AS Sulli-
van won only the American title when
he toppled the second rater, Paddy
Ryan, il can be seen that the only title
Corbett won from Sullivan was that OF
heavyweight champion of America.
Dempsey never had a battle for a
worlds championship, and Il is a
questionable if the Nonpariel could
have won had he got a match with
Jim Hall, who was the middleweight
champion OF Australia and England
at the time Fitz and Dempsey entered
the ring at New Orleans FitzsimmOns
had been beaten by Hall in Australia
before the Cornishman came 10 Amer
lea, and therefore Fitz had no title
whatever when he landed in Uncle
Sans country. Fitzsimmons afterward
beat Hall at New Orleans, which made
Fitz the worlds middleweight cham
pion. This title lapscd when Fitz
went into the heavyweight division
and beat Corbett
AS TO McAuliffe, he had a chance Il
make himself champion of the world
and failed. McAulifie engaged in a
battle with Jem Carney, British light
weight champion at Revere Beach
Mass. in 1887, and the best McAuliffe
could get was a decision of draw. This
did not reflect much credit on the
referee. as McAuline was so badly
beaten he could not get out Of his
corner for the 10th round. in which
the referee made his ruling. This bat
tie was fought under London rules.
. Nearly all Of McAuline's bouts there,
after We're with gloves under Queens
berry rules.
Thus II can readily be seen tha
three of the most noted pugilists II
history failed 10 achieve any honor
beyond the titles Of their own country
, However, the boxers of England ant
Australia were formidable chaps il
{ those days. and great ability was re
quired 10 capture an all around till,