South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-21
KILBANE REFUSES
To MEET JOHNNY
WILLIAMS IN CD
Wants Bantamweight to Make
Numerous Concessions in the
Way of Weight, Purse and
Place to Stage Bouts.
BY RinpSidn

NEW YORK, Feb. 2O.-JOhnny
Kilbane. champion feather weigh OF
this planet. absolutely refuses to be
inveigled into a match with Johnny
kid" Williams, who domineers the
bantam weight division of this uni
verse. At least, the Kilbane Johnny
will have nothing to do with the Will
liams Johnny until the latter Johnny
makes a number of cOncessio ns-in
the matter of weight, size of purse and
place where the contest should be con-
Quoted
For a while the guillible enthusiasts
OF Philadelphia were 10th to believe
that the two champions would at last
condescend to mix matters for their
edification. Announcement was made
that the forfeits had been posted, the
date decided upon and the poundage
settled. Wednesday evening, Feb.
"a, was designated as the all-import-
ant day
Now it is all off. The reason ad-
vanCed for the indefinite postpone
ment Of the battle is that Kilbane re-
fused to agree to 1872 pounds at ring
side, the weight Williams demanded.
1t is said that Kilbane was ready to
make the feather weight limit at s
o'clock on the evening OF the battle,
but Williams would hear nothing of
it.
Williams, however. has another eX-
PLANTATION. The bantam boss is firm
In his conviction that Kilbane fears
him, and for that reason alone does
not anticipate with delight a meeting
witt him.
Here is Williams end of the con-
troversy:
II am quite certain that Kilbane
does not care for any part of my game.
Il n en-
after the manner in which he treated
the negotiations for our proposed
match.
First, Kilbane baked at the weight,
saying he was perfectly satisfied with
the $3.50 offered for his end. He
said, however, that he would waive
the weight question-that is, would
agree to weigh in at 122 pounds ring
side if the ante were raised to $4,000.
Here his bluff was called, for the club
promoter, at the instigation of my
manager, consented to give Kilbane
that sum if he would accept the match
at the feather weight limit at ring
side.
THAT was the last we heard of Kill
bane. Instead of grabbing the $4,000
for a six-round bout he is going about
the country fighting second raters at
$1,000. or less, per man.
1T is not for us to say whether Kill
bane can make 1872 pounds at ring
side. But it does seem queer that he
should refuse such a big sum for so
short bout if he can make the
weight, the only hindrance to the con-
summation of the match.
IF L thought Kilbane could make
the feather weight limit, the division
in which he is champion, l would not
hesitate a moment in boldly announc-
ing that he fears TO meet me in the
ring. l can see no other reason why
he should spurn $4,000 for is minutes
of boxing"
Atten Is After Bout.
And here we have another notable
parsonage picking on Mr.. Kilbane. We
have reference TO Abraham Attell,
who a few years ago back Haunted
the feather weight championship; the
same Able Attell this kilbane person
won his title from.
The name of Attell at first appears
inappropriate in a boxing discussion
these modern days. but Able Will have
his say. and list to it:
II have not been before the public
Of late as much as in former years,
but l have not been idling away my
time 1 am still in active training;
training for one more bout with the
man who deprived me of the cham
pionship-Johnny Kilbane.
You cannot convince me that am
not Kilbane's master. / beat him
once before, in Kansas City. That
was before we met for the champion
shin. | think | am entitled to a re-
turn battle; / would like to get an
other chance at my old title.
MORE
With that goal in view, 1 am still
going through the training grind. This
ought TO prove that L am sincere in
my desire to engage in another bout.
/ do not care to take on anybody
else; Kilbane is the man / want.
Havana Making Bids.
Havana is making a strenuous bid
to become the boxing center OF the
world. But it went about ii the wrong
way, and the pent up enthusiasm OF
the natives is likely TO peter out be-
fore the tight little isle gets a chance
to establish itself as the pugihstic
Mecca.
For their opening bout down there
a week ago. the islanders put on
Young Ahearn and Willie Lewis
Ahearn. a cautious boxer and Lewis,
who saw his best days many years
ago.
Little did the Havana promoter
know that Ahearn and Lewis were un-
der the same management, and that
fake" was being perpetrated. This
makes the second 'frame-up' Lewis
has engaged in within the short time
of = year.
Several months ago. Dan Morgan,
seeking Spme publicity for his SELF
proclaimed champion, Al Mccoy, Sc
cured Dan McKetrick's consent TO let
poor Willie Lewis tackle the cham
pion" 1t was an unadulterated set
up" and Lewis graciously took the
count in the sixth round.
But Willie is willing TO be impli-
Gated an these matches. as long as he
is compensated for acting his part,
as people will go 10 see him perform