The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-04-02
PUG CHAMPIONS SEEM
SAFE ON THEIR THRONES
By Henry l.. Farrell,

Omitted Press Staff COrre:V,OndenD
+ New York, April with the pos
sible exception of Johnny Kilbane, all
the pugilistic champions seem firmly
seated on their thrones after one of
the biggest winters in the history of
boxing.
Johnny Wilson, the middleweight
champion and one of those of whom
the bugs said, Hes done for the
first time he defends the title" was
the last to prove himself the best in
his class.
Wilson is far from what the Amer
lean expects in ring champion, but
nevertheless. he proved himself the
best in the division by defeating Mike
O'Dowd, ranked the next best, for
the second time.
The Boston Italian, when O'Dowd
was charging the referee who took
the title away from him with lar
ceny, came out with a line that may
follow him to the end Of his career
"There are lot of boys who can
beat me, but Mike O'Dowd is one
that I can whip every night in the
week."
O'Dowd not only lost his bid for
the crown he used to wear, but he
demonstrated that he is not to be con-
sidered any more in middleweight
matters. He seems in short to have
reached the peak of his power and is
now going down the other side.
Johnny Kilbane, the featherweight
champion, was the only titleholder to
remain inactive during the winter.
Several times it seemed he would de-
fend his title, but the negotiations
were never completed. 1t would not
surprise close followers of the sport
if the Cleveland Irishman never pull
ed on the gloves again. He is vet
eran in years and experience and un-
less he can be tempted by a huge
purse to 60 through tedious training
for a fight, it is not at all unlikely
that he will announce his retirement
this summer.
AS was said of Johnny Wilson be-
fore he gave O'Dowd a return fight,
the fans were predicting all winter
that the first good featherweight to
get in the ring with Kilbane would
take the title away from him. How
ever, this is not unanimous opinion
by a long ways. Matt Hinkle,
Cleveland millionaire and one Of the
best authorities in the United States,
maintains that Kilbane is not at the
end of his string and that if he wants
to come out, he can still beat any boy
in the class.
Benny Leonard is supreme in the
lightweight class. Lew Tender and
Willie Jackson are the next best in
the class and they are both scared
to death" of the champion. When
Benny disposed of Joe Yelling and
hitchie Mitchell during the winter,
he removed the really dangerous con-
tenders from the field.
"Old Man" Britton gave evidence
in trouncing Ted Lewis that he is
still the best of the welterweights.
Lou Bogash has been considered as
worthy of a chance for the title, but
he is far from ready, as the "grand
old man" knows too much for him.
Joe Lynch has had lot Of con-
tenders following him since he took
the title from Pete Herman, but he
also seems safely housed with the
crown.
AS to Jack Dempsey, it is merely a
matter of opinion. The heavyweight
champion lost lot of prestige when
Bill Brennan stayed with him for IL
rounds. The reasons attributed for
the failure of the "Toledo Lion" to
dispose of Brennan in a round or two
are many and varied, but the fact re-
mains that Dempsey defeated the