The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-30

clean sport of which it's public IS del From every standpoint, the year was g successful one for boxing. The public, appreciating good boxing and discouraging poor exhibitions which masqueraded as the better, has sup ported the game well when its sup port was deserved. Then several scrappers have come to the fore as formidable contenders for national and worlds titles.
 Pete Herman's Feat
 Pete Herman. Dlxie's enc worlds champion, lost his crown in 1921, but he quickly regained it from Joe Lynch, his conqueror. Then, on an other occasion when he was "off form' the little New Orleans scrap per was defeated again, this time by Johnny Buff, and he lost his bantam weight title to the little New Yorker.
 Herman, a New Orleans Italian, ac- complished what few boxers have ever done, that is, holding a cham pionship twice during their careers. The fact that Herman's feat of losing and regaining his title was accom- plished in one year, 1921, makes the incident all the more remarkable.
 LittIeton Improves
 Happy Littleton, another New Or leans boxer, has rapidly come to the fore as championship timber In 1921, but his defeat at the hands of Bryan Downey of Cleveland a couple of weeks ago somewhat dimmed the glory of his success this year.
 Despite his defeat, Littleton is still looking toward the middleweight championship and hopes to make fur ther advancement toward the title in 1922.
 Frankie Murphy and Young Strio- ling of Georgia have upheld the standards of their state In boxing well this year. Murphy has had few fights. but he has won them all with ease, and is regarded as one of ths best fighters in Dixie today. He and Litt1eton are regarded with much re- speet by eastern scrappers. These two battlers are conceded to be champion and runner-up, respect ively in Dixie mlddlewelght circles.
 Joe White Progresses
 Joe White of Tuscaloosa, a neavy- weight, has made rapid strides to- ward recognition this year. From mediocre performer, White has de- veloped himself into fairly good scrapper, who can give good ac- count of himself against almost any Dixie heavyweight.
 
 had disappointing year, inasmuch as he has apparently advanced no further, this year than he was in 1920, Burke is still a good drawing card, however, and, at times, shows real championship form. He is con ceded to be the best heavyweight in Dixie, but not national contender vet,
 In the lighter classes there are sew eral star performers, led py Pal Moore. Memphis flyweight; Donza and Herman, New Orleans bantams Stribling, Mason and Boorde, Bir mingham featherweights, and Pal Moran. Memphis. and Larry Avera, Atlanta, lightweights.
 Harrington Is Runner-up
 Jake Abel, although inactive in 1921, Is still regarded Dixie's welter- weight champion. There are several good men scrapping for the runner up honors. however. among them be- ing Harrington Birmingham; McKin- ney, Memphis; Blanque, New Orleans, and Hanlon, Atlanta. Harrington. others during the past year, is thought to be the rightful runner-up for the welterweight title.
 Battles have been numerous in Dixie boxing circles this year, and promoters and boxer 8 believe the year to be one of the best in the games history.
 New Orleans and Memphis, with several really big matches. were probably the greatest fight towns of the year in Dixie, although bouts were numerous In Atlanta and Bir mingham rings.