The Washington herald., 1916-03-12
Willard, Moran and Fulton
Approach Standard Of
Titlebearers Of Past.
DILLON Is TOO SMALL


who anywhere nearly approach the
standard Of the title bearers Of the past;
that the black dynasty has only one rea!
representa- tive-Ssm Lanford-and, fur
ther, that II Willard defeats Moran in
their coming encounter, and Fulton Il
eliminated by Fireman Jim Flynn when
they meet at Milwaukee this week. that
the situation in the heavyweight class
will be at a standstill indefinitely for lack
of suitable fighting men?
The outlook is not encouraging, it must
| be admitted, and II concluslyely empha-
sizes the fact that fighting proves is
deteriorating among big men.
Scanning the list Of would-be conten-
ders for the heavyweight championship.
| it is clearly apparent that the crop of
white battlers is commonplace one,
with the exception of the trio above
named. Some critics may hold that Jack
| Dillon deserves consideration, but the
HoOsier is handicapped by his small stat
ure. A match between Willard and Dill
lon would be regarded as more or less
OF a joke. Jim Coffey is out OF 4 be-
cause Of his decisive defeats at the hands
Of Moran. Jim Flynn has a higher rat
ing than Coffey, even in spite OF the
fact few fans regard the fireman serious
lily because OF his age.
| Let the other contenders pass in pa
rade: Tom Cowler, Al Reich. Charley
Weinert. Gunboat Smith, Carl Morris Ar
thur Pelkey, Andre Anderson and Bat
Ting Devinsky-the mere mention Of these
names as prospective title seekers causes
a smile.
By what standard shall we rate Fulton?
His critics say he has done nothing
las yet TO merit serious consideration.
but his partissns contend that his real
ability has never been uncovered. 1t
is only recently that Fulton came to
he
swung a punch against the Jaw Of Jess
Willard and fioored the champion in an
exhibition bout. Fulton became a national
celebrity. FuItons worst reverse was a
defeat at the hands OF Carl Morris the
Oklahoma giant, putting Fulton away for
the count in six rounds. In defense OF
Fulton. his friends say he was a rank
|. novice when he met Morris whereas the
! latter was fire tested veteran.
/ When Fulton stopped Andre Ander-
: son in four rounds at Milwaukee the
0 Minnesota man earned a small meas
ure OF fame. His enemies tried to be
cloud that victory by declaring that An
Z dersOn was a muscle-bound wrestler OF
! no skill. but this criticism is offset by
, the fact that Anderson now IS making
: a splendid record in the East. having
; knocked ont Jim Savage, Boer RodeL
and other huskes
Following his match with Anderson.
Fulton was taken to New Orleans for a
. twenty-rOund battle with Porky Flynn,
a tough customer for anyone. This
bout went the limit, with Fulton re-
ceiving the decision OF Referee Tommy
Burns, former champion. The latter, by
the way, unhesita tingly pronounced Full
ton one OF the best green prospects in
o the heavyweight class. Fulton was han
tdiCapped in his bout with Perky Flynn
) by an illness that Slapped his strength.
oil a.
dRvits Of two reputable physicians OF the
l Crescent City.
Perhaps a definite line on the proves
> OF Fulton will he obtained in the coming
contest with Fireman Jim Flynn. The
Il Colorado heavy has put the quictus on
s many ambitious hoavies and he still is
good enough to defeat the majority OF
) the present array Of white hopes II
Fulton can dispose OF Flynn decisively
Il the public will be forced to admit that
s the newcomer is a much better man than
= he is now given credit for.
. When officials of the boxing club Of St
4 Paul, MINI. announced recently that they
| had agreed to guarantee the sum OF
> $4,000 to Mike Gibbons for three bat.
/" ties within the present year, boxing pro,
: motors Of the country at large, still ir
3 their sane mind, unanimously declared
that the fool killer has a wholesale jot
in prospect at the SANITY city.
% It does not require much OF a seel
s to forecast financial disaster for the pro
, noting club.
: Baslng an estimate on the fact that The
a recent Gibbons-Ahearn match drew
Is total of $4,000 and that the capacity o
Il the clubs arena was taxed. at price!
ranging from 81 to SO, it is fair to assum,
that the receipts cannot exceed tina
amount in any one OF the three contest!
which (Tibhnns will I'm 1a
basis, therefore, the foxy Michael viii
D command for his bit total Of close L
a per cent Of the entire receipts.
s The men selected as opponents for Glib
bons will exact for their share perCen
. age varying from . to s. per cent. &C
> cording to their class. Add to this tota
a percentage Of ~ per cent, the fee de
r. manded by the Minnesota commission
then for good measure chuck in abou
$500 for incidental expenses in pro,
s. noting each show and it will be seeI
that the pickings are going TO be might!
lean for the promoters after all debt
are paid.
a Under the contractual plan Gibbon
will make his first appearance in tn
SANITY city next Friday night with Jci
b. Smith, Of Bayonne, n. j., on the Othe
end OF the sketch. In any other boNin
center in this country A match betwCe
Gibbons and Smith could reasonably b
expected TO draw a gate OF from 500
- to 5000, but in St Paul. where GibbOn
is the reigning idol, II is possible that tn
le receipts will be in the neiChborhood Q
u $1,000. 1t does not seem likely that tn
u house will be sold out as the match ha
I not the class to attract a capacity gate
Even granting that the house totals 500
eco it can readily be seen that the pre-
Le moters will not make a cleanup. Here
~ how this amount would be apportioned:
N Gibbons .......................... SO. n
,e Smith (25 per cent? NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. so
state tax NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. n
RCill l'N
Preliminary bouts, advertising etc. -
, Total NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. $l9, o.
~ If the match, therefore. draws S20,O
the club will have about 81, COO to cut N
IL which Is mighty small DrDft foY. III