Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-09
LEWIS SHOWS HE IS A CHAMP
English Laddie Disarranges Fea-
lures of Willie Richie and
Earns Bid to Title.
IS THE BEST OF THE wELTERs
nv RINGsIDE.

NEW YORK. Jan. S-we reiterato our
claim. made several weeks ago. that Kid
Lewis is the greatest welterweight ex7I
tant. And as such he should be uni
versally recognized as the champion OF
that division.
1t is not for us 20 place Lewis on the
welterweight pedestal and idolze him
as the champion. II Is for Lewis himself
70 fight his way TO that position. And,
II is our humble belief. that he will lose
no time in doing just that very thing
Lewis started his championship cam
paign some ten days ago. when he took
the best welterweight in America-Willie
Ritchie Is that person--and lamhasted out
OF him every titular aspiration the latter
ever entertained. Ritchle went into the
ring one and thrce-quarter pounds above
the welterwelght standard of 142 pounds.
while Lewis came in scaling 139A. Only
a disparity OF four pounds. but enough
OF an advantage for fighter of Ritchie's
caliber to enhance into n victory. But
Ritchie could not turn this advantage to
profit. for Lewis always showed the
master hand.
The welterweight division was really
a hiatus OF many years the division has
Jumped into popular favor once more,
and at the head of Il Is n Britisher-a
Britisher for the time being at most. For
Ted-Kld Lewis desires TO become an
American citizen. and as soon as prac-
ticable he will forswear his allegiance
TO King George.
Lewis has just passed his majority. and
when his claim 10 the welterweight tito
Is established he win be among the young
est of ring champions. Lewis first be-
gan wearing crowns-of the sort used
TO distinguish boxing CHAMPIONSHIP the
tender age OF II. That was less than five
years ago. lie won the bantamweight
championship OF England and then hit the
trail for Australia. There he added weight
rapidly and became featherweight cham
pion. He returned 10 England and chal-
lensed to brush for the lightweight title
OF the Isles; but Freddie graciously re-
treated and came TO America. Lewis.
persistent lad. followed the Pontypridd
boxer across the Big Drink. But Welsh.
just as persistent IN lodging. refused to
have anything TO do with Lewis, so far
as the ring was concerned.
Cleans Up Phil Bloom.
Lewis came here In the fall Of 1914 and
In his first appearance here disarranged
the features Of one Phil Bloom. The lat
ter outweighed his tow-headed rival many
pounds, but Lewis showed latent posi-
bilities and he was promptly placed un-
der the protecting wing OF Jimmy John
ston. who is managing MS affairs after a
| break" had occurred
| The climate OF the amalEamated states
evidently agreed with Lewis for he
bounded right into the lightweight divis-
ion, where he snopped around for nearly
a year. beating some OF the best per
| formers in that division Even Charley
White. the Chicago whlriwind. sue
cumbed 90 Lewis cieverness.
As there were no more lightweights "a
conquer. Lewis begged mis- manager to
resurreot the welterweight division and
proclaim him the champion. This John
ston unhesitatingly did after Lewis had
promised to defend the seif-imposed title
against all corners.
Willie Richie was the first legitimate
welterweight 20 fall victim. Lewis has
gone so far as to box middlewelghts with
unfailing success. but now that he has a
regular vocation-bossing the weller
weights-it is unlikely that he will steI
out OF that pasture unless forced 10 dc
50 by added weight He still has thre'
pounds to 10 TO hit the Welterweighl
mark. And he Is at hts best under th'
40 pounds.
Paeky Enters a word.
Harki We hear sound as from
tomb. Why, It Is the mournful wall Of
our own Patrick Mcfarland. lie desires
to know why he, OF all persons. SHOULD
be left out Of the welterweight considera
ton.
OF course. Packey is about trying q
prove his right 20 the lt2-pound cham
pionship; but he neglects 10 state tina
he can never make that poundage. Ye
he would be champion. although he hai
long outgrown the weluerweight division
For years Packey went along beating
up lightweights when he was Welter
weight himself Now. when he is a fun