The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-04
war BRINGS
PRESTIGE TO
BOXING game

Boxing never received greater pres
tige than Ii did when this country on
its advent into the war decided to
sponsor the game by taking into the
different army environments most OF
the star boxers to act as instructors
for the men preparing to so to some
where in France. This move on the
part Of the government acted as
stimulant on boxing that has virtual
ly been revived and has better flu
ture than it has ever had before. BY
this alone one can say that the sport
has had a successful year.
AS soon as the environments were
opened throughout the country, cham
pions OF all classes volunteered their
services to aid the men in training.
They were not refused. They were
put to work almost Immediately, be-
cause the government was aware
that the men required recreation.
Boxing supplied this, and the matches
held at the various cantonments have
been interesting, exciting and sports
manlike.
Boxing Aid to BayOnet Drill.
Boxing helps the men in their
one to be quick of eye, quick of feet
and exceptionally quick with his
hands. IT also teaches one self-con-|
fdence and aids him in getting into
the finest condition to stand the rig
ors OF war.
Boxing is not only successful from
the cantonment feature, but from the
actual work in the ring in the many
crowned during 1917. which is rar-
ity in the game. Clubs throughout
the country reported satisfactory
year financially, proving that the war
extent thus far. Boxing's only blow
was the closing Of the game in New
York.
Pete Herman was the frst boxer to
TO become champion, and on Jan. g.
at New Orleans, La, he finally sue
ceeded in wrestling the laurels from
Kid Williams, of Baltimore. The bat
tie went twenty rounds, and II was
the greatest bantamweight bout seen
in decade.
Benny Leonard on the Job.
The next new champion was Benny
Leonard His victory was the sensa-
tion OF the year. He conquered Fred
die Welsh, Of England, in nine rounds
May ss e New YORK; This result Ii5 was
unbeatable in ten-round night. In |
that contest Leonard proved too |
strong, too clever and possessed too |
stiff a punch for the scientific Briton. |
so badly beaten that Referee Kid Nc
Partland, an old-time boxer, stopped |
the light to save the man who had /
held the title for three years.
At the opening of the year Of 1917 /
Jack Britton was recognized welter-
weight champion. He seemed to have Il
no difficulty in holding the crown un-
feated on points by Ted (xidl Lewis
OF England. The fight was held In /
Dayton, o., and Lewis won it handily /
on his superior cleverness.
Mike O'Dowd, OF 81. Paul, was cred
tied with the middleweight cham
pionship by most experts as a result
OF his victory over Al Mccoy Nov. IA
in New York. But there is still a
the title, some experts claiming that
Mike Gibbons is the champion. This
dispute may be settled in the near flu
ture.
Kubane IL King of Feathers.
Johnny KiIbane still rules supreme
in the featherweight ranks and Jess
Willard hangs on 60 the heavyweight
crown. The light heavyweight cham
pionship belongs to Battling LevinslSy.
The game OF boxing lost one of its
best men in Des Larcy, the Austria
diseases MAY al In Memphis. Tenn. He
died a member Of the United States
reserve aviation corps without having
q chance to show his real merit as an
aviator or fighter.
Bob F'ftHBauam0na Passes on.
Bob FitZsimmons, one OF the games
greatest lighters, also passed from
this earth on Oct. 20 in Chicago as q
result of an attack of ultra pneu-
monfH.
Other men we'll known in the game
TO die during the year were George
Barnard, the Frenchman, killed in
France; Al Palzer, who was murdered
by his father while protecting his
mother from an attack; and Charlie
White, the veteran referee, who
passed away In New York Dec. /.
The fighters killed from knockout
~ 81 -
Shenandoah, Pa, whose opponent was /
Eddie Revoire, of Philadelphia; ]
stephen Mcdonald, OF Albany, N. r.,
an amateur, who was making his de- |
but In the professional ranks against I
To-day Hicks; Young Epstein, OF Ham I
Ilton, o., died as a result of blows de- I
livered by Battling Hess; Jimmy {
Wilson, Akron, o., died from a frac- (
Eured skull when he was knocked
aown by Otto Wenzel, OF Pittsburgh. ]