Arizona republican., 1919-09-26
IF VICTORIOUS OVER KID PALMER, CELMARS TO SEEK BOUT WITH WELTER KING
Go Is One of Most Important Of Entire Series in This City = Both Men Have Good Records = Three Fast Four-Round Prelimi- naries Are Scheduled

A bout that will eliminate one likely candidate from the welterweight title scramble and practically force Cham pion Jack Britton to show his hand will be decided in the ring of the Phoenix Athletic club at Arcadia hall tonight, when Johnny Celmars of Toledo goes ten rounds with Kid Palmer of the Nineteenth infantry at Douglas. The men have agreed to weigh in at 145 pounds at o'clock this afternoon.
 From a viewpoint of interest to the American boxing public, tonight's main event is by far the most important match held in Arizona since the restor- ation of the boxing game, for it brings together two men considered among the best of their weight in the country outside of the exclusive championship circle" which, in the case of welter- weights, includes Jack Britton, title holder; Ted (Kid) Lewis, former title holder, and Johnny Griffiths of Akron, Ohio.
 Celmars is probably the best known of the two men, he having met and defeated practically every man of his class in the country outside of the three above mentioned. Three times he has been matched with Britton for the welter crown, to lose the chance because promoters would not give Britton the price he demanded. On another occasion, Ted Lewis ran out of a match with Celmars at Nashville, Tenn, only a few hours before the time of starting the engagement and thereby forfeited a $500 guarantee. That was when Lewis was welter- weight champion of the world and just one week to the day before he lost the crown to Jack Britton.
 Palmer himself has something to be proud of in the way of past perform ances, for he is credited with a ten round draw with Johnny Griffiths at Fort Worth. Texas. about IS months ago. Palmer is a comparative young ster in the game, having participated in about 90 ring engagements during his career. He has yet to be knocked off his feet and has never had a de- cision returned against him.
 He is, in fact, regarded as a conner among the welters. Although only 20 years of age. he has had sufficient ring experience to enable him to match wits with the best of them.
 As a boxer Palmer has few superiors in his class. Britton is more experi- enced and probably more handy and shifty-but he's not faster, local fans will attest to that fact. The Kid travels about the ring in fashion that would lead one to believe that he is a ban tamweight. He's light on his feet as any bantam. but he's got the punch of q 145-pound performer.
 Both mn ended strenuous training s., shape. The ease with which Palmer made the weight won him many ad- mirers in this city. Celmars was obliged to do much road work within the limit, and even now he is only ounces below the 145-pound mark. At the end of a hard days workout yes terday he weighed 144% pounds, his manager announced. The weigh-in time will be at o'clock this afternoon
 The semi-final event between Frank Butler. well known Indian athlete, and Young Scott is also attracting much attention. These local performers will go four rounds at 145 pounds.
 Rufus the Second, local negro fly weight, will meet Kid Romo in the opener at no pounds. This is also scheduled as a four round engage ment
 The second and fourth event on the evenings program will be four-rount affair between John Ryan and Young McFadden at 126 pounds.
 A large delegation of Douglas and Tucson fans are motoring to Phoeni9 for the bout. according to telegraphiC reservations for seats received yester- day. A party of Globe fans will alsC be here for the bout. it is stated.