The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1918-01-26

1 JOhu hELte 18 most AlhGiy DGE1nflAnE =
to perk up these days now that he
sees a chance OF getting real undis-
puted grip on the bantam title. A year
ago the Kewpie was discouraged and
just about ready to drop out Of the
fight game. He took much needed
rest, however and returned improved.
Now he seems to be going at a first
rate clip and still holds his rating as
one OF the best Of those lighting In the
bantam class. 1t has been noticed,
now generally REGARDED as the champ
OF the bantams, is somewhat heavier
than any bantam has right to be ana
there's small hope that Herman Will
ever weigh any less. In all of his
fights he has insisted that his oppo-
nent come in at 118 pounds, while he
makes catch weights himself. This
Is a champions privilege, but there's
no denying that Herman has been
weighing quite bit more than a
bantam champ should. 1t is very
doubtful if Herman could even make
11S pounds and be strong. Moreover,
116 pounds is the Legitimate bantam
limit. Ertle has put on weight
ana has been fighting at 11s pounds.
but he can always make 116 with
reasonable ease. With many of the
other leading bantams well above the
proper limit Ertle should have his own
way in the class once he gets toe
hold on the title and makes his COM
petitors do the 116.
1t now develops that the Jack
automobile accident at Canton, o.,
was not the once famous player OF
that name. The Glasscock so well
known to the fans is now in business
at Wheeling, w. Va.
All sorts of giants are turning UP
these days in an effort to make the
competition more interesting in the
heavyweight class. Fulton AMI VIII
lard are bigger than any heavies the
game has known before and now
there comes heavy aspirant from
Cincinnati who towers over both Full
ton and willard. This Irish lads
name is Dick O'Brien. and he is all OF
thing like 200 pounds, but as he is
still a kid he may not yet be 1ully
developed He is a blacksmith by
trade, which is also true of many of
the best of the games punehers, and
he is said to be fast as well as able
to hit straight from the shoulder. One
would think that more might be heard
of him later.
Sammy Mayer, brother of Erskins
Mayer, the Phillies' pitcher, has en-
tered an officers training camp.
Sammy was with the Atlanta club of
the Southern league last season ana
was at one time with the Athletics,
with so many ball players receiv~
ing commissions, the fans would be
glad to hear of one being given to
Hank Gowdy, the first major Lacquer
game "over there. Gowdy is now in
France with his regiment.
clark Grifith says he is going to
play a number Of exhibition games
with the camp teams in the south this
spring and give the soldier boys some
entertainment. Games at Augusta and
Chattanooga have already been
booked AMI others are in view. Chrfsty
Mathewson announced that the Reds
will train at Camp Sheridan, Ala,
where they will also aid in giving the
soldier boys bit of diversion.
One observes that as the impression
begins to prevail that Jess Willard 10
just about through, many heavy
weight aspirants bob up all eager, to
have a chance at the crown. While
it is commendable that an obscure
youth shouts wish to make a place
for himself in the world the unhappy
thing is that so few of these are ever
heard from. The best of them fade
away all too soon. If there are going
to be any really interesting happenings
in the heavyweight class III doesn't
lock likely in the immediate future.
Billy Misixe. the light heavy, says
that he is perfectly serious about
wanting a chance at Jess Willard,
and while he realizes that he will be
somewhat Outweighed there is no rea-
son why he should not give the champ
an argument. He points out that he
defeated Carl Morris, which ought to
show that mere bulk noesn't count
for much and he argues that Willard
was beaten by more than one small
man before he won the belt. Before
many more of the heavies figure out
reasons why they should do battle |
with the champ Ii should be shown !
whether or not it is possible TO get |
willard into the ring with anyone. A
small man would likely have the beaE
chance of crowding into the same |
ring with Willard and as they have |
to cram a referee in with them too /
perhaps the smaller Willard's adver-
sary is the better.
The fans in Pittsburgh are daily |
awaiting news of a big deal that VIII |
make the Pirates pennant contenders
in the coming campaign. Dreyfuss |
and Bezdek promised them something |
of this nature some time ago and they /
are exceedingly optimistic.
Leach Cross, the retired light
weight, who is now a physical culture /
expert I'm Los Angeles, was one OF the |
greatest drawing cards the game ever /
had in New York. Although he never
great following in Gotham and could /
always be depended on to pack 'em
In at the gate. Leach had way OF
,uddling behind a barricade of arms
and elbows whenever the punches
came too fast and plentiful and there
he would stay till the storm blew |
over. This led many to regard him
Is being yellow, but 1t only brought
he more to hoot him and his unpop-,
lIarity in some quarters made him
Is great drawing card as his popu-
arlty in others. He was also an ex-
,eptfonaI fighter in this that he had
he good sense to retire before he hit
he slide He was knocked out In the
ixth round Of a bout with Young
'aylor in Cincinnati two years ago
nd retired Immediately thereafter.
BUT 1t is an injustice to suppose that
each was ever yellow as he was in
ruth one of the gamest lighters that
yer tied on a glove.
The Louisville Colonels are the first
mong the American association
cams to announce that they will not
ave spring training trip this year.
fostly because the season has been