The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-24

ipul. w ssi1aItS tit tGdSL VI ali tiS
champions in size, is generally cred
tied as the champion still.
In the featherweight division Johnny
kilhaue. of Cleveland, stands out SUI
preme. His only battle of champion
ship Calbre. against Geo. CLANCY, at
Cedar Point. Ohio. on September 4.
resulted in an easy victory by the
knockout route in the third round.
Freddie Welsh was the busiest
champion OF them all. for he took
part in numerous ten-round no-deci-
sion affairs In two bouts in New
York. against Benny Leonard. Welsh
was credited with one victory and one
defeat but neither was to n decision
and there was merely "a question OF
awarding points on which to base the
popular decisions rendered. On Labor
Day. al Colorado Springs. Welsh was
awarded the referees decision over
twenty rounds OF comparatively tame
milling.
As has been the case for several
years neither the welter nor middle
weight championship rests solidly
upon any one brow. In both divisions
there are many claimants, though
general sentiment and the combined
opinion of experts award the best
claim among the wcIters to Jack Brit
ton, and that among the middle
weights to Mike Gibbons Both box
erS took part in a number of widely
advertised battles and Britton made
commendable showing, while Glib
hons although not defeated, was fer
from his former self
Jack Dillon and Battling Levinsky
are disputing the claim to the light
heavyweight cham pionship. Dii o n
was rated as the peer in this division
by boxing authorities early in the
year, but a defeat by Levinsky, in
Boston. last autumn. shaved mis-
claims to a certain degree in the esti-
nation of some experts. However.
Dillon : defeat OF Tom Cowler, whom
ns knocked out in two rounds, and
his easy victory over Frank Moran in
New York. June 30. which was fol-
lowed by his Knockout of Jim Flynn,
at Dewey. Okla. on July 4, give him
q margin over the New York conten-
der.
Standing alone among the heavy
weights, Jess Willard spent year OF
practical inactivity His bout with
Frank Moran. which he captured in
decisive manner in New York ring
March IS. left his title untarniHhed
Spending the summer as circus at
traction. Willard made his title
profitable one.
In the realm of boxing. therefore
II remains for 1917 to see tho unseat-
ing of the champions. and. with dog
ems Of good boxers springing up all
over the country. and interest In the
game being carefully fostered every
where. the future OF the manly art
looks bright enough. Consid ering the
restrictions that have been placed
upon it in many parts of the country.
boxing has thrived.
Tae wrestling fraternity. which had
hoped for the return of Frank Gotch,
the Humboldt. Ia. terror. from retire.
ment, was disappointed Gotch has
declared himself through with tho mat
for all time. and Joe Stecher. the Me-
braska farmer boy, stands out as the
logical successor to the greatest
catch as-catch-can master the world
has known. Many wrsstiers Of differ
ent weights held forth throughout the
country and the heavyweight matmen
are again coming to the fore
Surprises In Football.
The football season OF 1916 was
frauEht with surprise after surprise
The new style game-fn which open
field playing and the aerial attack have
become outstanding features--h q .
paved the way for revolution in the
gridiron world For the past two
seasons small college teams have come
TO the front by defeating elevens which
hilatsd any hopes they might have had
for victories.
The past season was q very sue
csssful one from 4 financial standpoint
and the record for crowds was shat
tered when Yale met Harvard in the
Yale bowl. November rs, with nearly
10000 wild-eyed football fans looking
on. Insofar "a the records OF teams,
both large and small. are concerned,
1t can only be said that all classes of
schools met with varied degrees Of
success.
In the East. whore Yale. Harvard.
Princeton. Pennsylvania and Cornell
have generally held sway tho foot
ball dope was entirely upset this year.
Colgate. through her sensational
and decisive victory over Brown on
Thanksgiving Day, paved the way for
P1ttsburs University to claim the East
eleven. usdefeated. demanded a place
In the spotlight. and the actual award
ing OF the title remained an issue as
the season closed and 10 still held in
that light.
In the Western conference Ohio
States team. aided by the wonderful
Harley, swept It's way majestically
iHTooBn tho DIX Nine TO q champion
ship. But there were other great
teams in the West. for Minnesota. a
team which could be compared favor
ably with any other team in the coun-
try, and Michigan ana Notrs Dame
all demanded recognition for posi-
tons high in the rating
The 1915 season did not develop an
overabundance OF especially brilliant
players. Many star players In differ
ent branches OF the game were
brought out. but with the exception Of
Oliphant. Of the army; Harley, OF Ohio
State: Anderson, of Colgate. and = few
, others who played well In the line or
on the ends. II would be dimcult In
deed to give the many credit without
mentioning each individual
Among the coaches who blooned
out because of their achievements
were Wilce. Of Ohio State. and Tad
Jones, of Yale.
Interest in the game. both In col
lege and independent circles, was
greater than ever before. and the de-
mand for the numbering OF players
WAS given more attention by schools
in various parts of the country than
in any previous year
Tennis Enjoys Popularity.
During the year just closing the
swish or the racquet and the thud Of
bounding pellets on tennis courts in
all sections Of the country WAS heard
nj IA ata~