Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-09-25
BOXING titles never
revert TO losers
Mahr's Attempt TO Bolster
His Claim Falls
Flat
"KID" DORBERT IN
WITH WALLOP SOON

Bob Moha in an effort to bolster up
his claim to the middlewoight title has
revamped the moss grown proposition
that in the event of the death or retire
ment Of a champion the title reverts TO
the previous holder.
Moha's argument is based on the tact
that he got a decision over Billy Papl'c
in 1911. and that Klaus did not beat
Papke till 1918.
On the proposition that the title re-
verified to Papke after the death Of
Ketchel in 1910, Moha claims the mid
dlcweirht title. So far as the figures
are concerned they are correct, hut the
fatally weak part Of the claim is the
reversion feature. Never in the history
Of boxing has a title reverted TO the pre-.
vious holder following the death OF re-
tirement of the champion.
Every class in pugilism is replete with
instances of champions retiring or going
into heavier classes but never has the
title reverted 10 the previous holder
Terry McGovern left the bantam class
in 1899 and went into the featherweght
division He tried 10 make a present
Of the bantam title 10 his sparring part
ner, Danny Dougherty, but the public
refused To approve the gift and Harry
FORBES and Frankie Neil fought it out.
the latter finally winning. After Nc
Govern laid down the title IL did not
revert to Jimmy Barry, the previous
holder
When Neil left the bantam class and
went into the featherweight class the
title did not revert 10 Harry Forbes, the
previous holder.
Not for Terry.
When Young Corbett left the feather
weight class and tried his luck in the
lightweight class. the featherweipht title
did not revert to McGovern. Abe Attell
claimed title and made good his claim.
After Kid Mccoy beat Ryan for the
weller title. The Kid went into the mid
dleweight division. but the title did not
rever 10 Ryan. Mysterious Billy Smith
was the next welter champion.
When Tommy Ryan retired ms mid
dleweight champion in 1907, the title
did not revert TO Fitzsimmons. Ket-
chel claimed II and made good his
claim.
Therefore. when Ketchel met his
death in 1910 the title did not revert
10 Papke. hut was won by Frank
Klaus. who beat nearly every Ameri-
can contender. and stopped Carpen-
tier the middleweight champion Of
Europe. making Klaus the worlds
champion. The victories Of Mocha and
Klaus over Papke had no bearing on
the title az all
Therefore. Moha will have 10 he
content with the title OF giant killer,
or something OF that sort for the mid
dleweight title. more's the pity, be-
longs to a gentleman named Mccoy
who is secreted somewhere in darkest
Brooklyn
While the number OF Queensberry
goats. youngsters who are lacking in
boxing science and depend on strength
and comhativeness. is still large, II Is
a matter for congratulation that a
large number Of skilful boys have re-
Gently come into the game, much to
the relief Of the ticket buyers, who
have grown tired OF seeing two husky
youths trying 20 butt each other out or
the ring. Frankie Demelh (Noung
Zulu Kid is one Of the best examples
OF n bow who mixes a little brain and
science with his punching. He is al
WAYS a welcome contestant for the
oniookers know they will see some
real science.
Another newcomer who promises 10
give the fans the worth OF their money
is Kid Dorbert Of Edge Moor, 122
mound smasher. The kid will show IN
the Philadelphia rings this winter. He
Is a brainy. clever boxer who VIII
make Il interesting for the rough
house boys.