Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-31
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP
IDLE FOR ENTIRE YEAR
Pugilism During 1922 Devoid
of Usual Spectacular


Pugilism during the year 1922 was
almost entirely lacking In tho spec-
'acuiar features that characterIzed
IL In tho preceding twelve months.
This was due largely to the enforoo5
idleness OF Jack Dempsey he,,v
weight champion of the world Al
'housh eager to earn the money nm,
"ouiu come from title match
ieiipsey' because OF total lack of
worthy opponents. never got n
ehnnce to draw on pair of gloves
IN uefenso Of his ring honors. Late
tne iaii there arose possibility
~ ,ne champion meeting Harry wills
III ute contest. but this was
quickly hlottcd out by uoIi,icaI
campaign. Real opposition for Demp-
scE sun is negligible in quantity and
quality. Harry Wills is the ONLY
noxcr that At present would be nc.
cepted by the public as having a
cnahce with Dempsey. and the cham
~" "ouiu ne a strong favorite over
the negro.
Willard is too old, slow and dcco-
uent aud the fact that he refuses
10 prove his condition by fighting
others In his class indicates that the
kansan is willing (fOr tho money
ihVoiveD to take another humping
from the champion.
% penteF, OWING to tho Sikh af-
iair' is in the discard in the heavy
weight class, and Brennan il verv
much on the down grade. Firno
wouia make n savage but losing fight.
nut floyd Johnson, while promising
no Ner, is yet too inexperienced To
lace Dempsey In the ring. Beckett
would not have possible chance
WIN mo American. and Sikh Is not
likely to box in America
hnn .;,,l,t
iorc. is not encouraging. and unless
there appears some new and for
inidabie fighter on the heavyweight
horizon Dempscy's crown is likely RI
rust
The illness OF Benny Leonard also
icsseneh interest I'm the sport. The
lightweight champion fought n num-
ger or decisioniess bouts early in the
year hut owing to serious trouble
with his teeth has remained idle for
several months. II Is probable Leon
ara VIII meet Charley White in n
tltie bout in the Garden before the
end OF the winter,
There was more activity i'm the fly-
weight class than In any other di-
visions. This was due to the arrival
here Of Pancho villa, the Filiptno
champion. who stripped johnny Buff
"i ms title. The new champion won
his honors in bout to a decision.
nut now refuses to meet his ablest
challenger. frankie Genaro. I'm
contest to decision on points. IL
appears that Villa is determined to
take the title home with him.
Harry Grcb. the most tirclcss
hghter In the light-hcavyweight
class, Is also on tho sick list. his
eyes being seriously affected. He
Invested Gene Tmnney OF the honors
OF the class. and was preparing for
busy campaign when his eyes
failed
ENcept for the remarkable activity
or Dundee. who was assigned by the
boxing ommissiOn to the task of
defending the featherweight title.
following the revocation OF Kilbanc's
license. there has been no action In
the l26-pound division. Kilhane
made several attempts to hox in the
West, but as nearly all the leading
featherweights hold New York State
licenses. which they would forfeit If
they boxed Kilbane. he has practi-
cally been SHOWED. Johnny Wilson
IL In the same prcdicament. the vet
ernn Mike o'powd. former worlds
champion, being designated rs cham
piOn by the commission.
with the change OF administration
In this State n horde of politicians.
seeming change In the boxing
ommission, are clamorinE for posi-
tons. The present commissioners
work without salaries. and in order
To make the berths paying ones the
law would have to be amended. Gov
toned on the subject of new com
mssioners and has replied that he
has more important matters to con-
slider when lie takes Office