The New York herald., 1921-03-13
Promoter Has Staged Five
Championships in Few
Months.
WILSON O'DOWD SMITH
Crucial Test for Stanislaus
Zbyszko in Match With
Stecher.
b CHARLES +. MATHIsoN.

making the record OF Tex Rickard
since ne assumed control Of Madison
Square Garden has never been re-
notely approached. In the compara-
lively brief period OF time since the
Walker law went into effect Richard
has staged five worlds championship
contests in the famous arena, in four
Of which the title holders retained
their honors. In the other battle the
little changed hands.
Jack Dempsey defeated Bill Bren-
nan in a bout for the worlds heavy
weight championship.
Jack Britton vanquished Kid Lewis
in struggle for the welter champion
ship of the world.
Benny Leonard stopped Joe yelling
and Richie Mitchell in tussels for the
worlds lightweight crown, and Joe
Iyach wrested the bantam sceptre
from the hands of Pete Herman.
AZ the promoter has succeeded in
matching Johnny Wilson, worlds mid
dleweight champion. with Mike O'Dowd
for d bout at the Garden next Thurs
dav night. this will make the sixth
worlds championship bout within a
few months.
The only champion who has refused
TO defend his honors In Madison Square
Garden * Johnny Kilbane. and he Is
one OF two American champions who DO
not hold worlds titles.
Battling Levinsky Is still the light
heavyweight champion of America, and
it is not unlikely that when he regains
fighting form he viii get bout IN the
big arena At present the Battler Is
e. a fat ma n with
poor chances of winning
Ievinsky was the worlds light heavy
weight champion, but he lost 70 Car
pentier under the auspices Of the Inter-
national Sporting Club.
At the present time there are eight
classes In pugilism. but the flyweight
division in this country has been neg
lected. Jimmy Wilde has had the world
title In this class for many years, snd
il Is questionable II we have at the
present time a 112 pound boy capable
Of dethroning the champion. IT does not
follow that because big, strong ban
tam like Pete Herman stopped the
Welsh midget that any Of our flyweight'
can turn the trick. At the same tim'
Wilde has unuuestionably dcteriorated
and Il would be an excellent plan 70
PicIard to hold an elimination flyweigh
tourney Ia the Garden and match thu
winner against Wilde.
1t WIN BE- a long time before any
matchmaker equals the record hung ur
by Tex Rickard.
VIII o'Dowd Regain Tftlcs
The contest between Wilson and
O'Dowd next Thursday night promises
10 be one Of the most attractive in the
history Of the sport The unpleasant
80 ha hctt in BOSTON fT
which Wilson won the title and the
ordinations and recriminations INDUCED
in by the rivals since the change Of title
have served to create intense Interest
IN the match. In this vicinity the opin
ion Is quite general that O'Dowd wF'
tho victim of an unfair ruling by tn
referee, Hector McInnes, and the friends
~ the former champion are confiden
that he can reverse the Hub decision.
The only bout boxed IN this vicinity
by Wilson was when nc faced Soldier
Bartfeld in q ring In Jersey. The new
champion was pronounced dlsappoint
rnent on that occasion. However tho
soldiers awkwardness is apt to puzzle
any one. as Louis Bogash can testify.
Since then Wilson has had few Other
bouts. chiefly in tho West. and the critic.
or that section Of the country pronounce
him a real champion.
The title holders opponents in thes'
contests were not noted for grca
ability, but Il is pointed out that h'
disposed OF his adversaries IN work
manlike manner.
The conditions imposed BY the Walk
er law will be fair to both. the dis
tance being three rounds longer thar
In Boston and the decision depend
ing on three men instead Of one. Th'
bout. IS interesting from tine fact tina
Wilson will make his first appearance
in his native city since winning th'
championship lie has many friends
here who win flock to the arena to see
him perform.
Wilson IL 27 years OF age and was
born in Harlem. For the past tive
years he has lived in Charlestown
Mass. His last contest in New Yori
was at the Olympic A. G. during Fraw-
ley law days He met X. @. Sweeney
in a ten round bout, and hLs end Of tho
purse was sill.
Wilson Is a southpaw and is a hard
hitter as well as clever boxer.
Mike O'Dowd Is the only American
champion boxer who went to France
and fought III the trenches.
After winning the title from Al Nc
COY O'Dowd met all challengers. and
his honors we're never In danger till he