The New York herald., 1922-10-08
Sad Experiences of G orbett
and Jeffries Threw Wet
Blanket on Practica.
SUCCESSORS FAILURES
Champions of Present Time
Seek to Instruct Pupils How
to Win and Hold HOnors.
BY CHARLES #. MATHIsoN.

champion might easily be taken as an
indication that the title holder sees in
the Western youth a successor to the
chief honors Of the heavyweight class.
1t does not follow that Dempsey ex
poets to be shorn of his title by john
son in the near future. Yet the cham
pion, who doubtless hopes to retire
undefeated, would like to feel that he
had been instrumental in developing
a worthy successor to the pugilistic
throne.
This trait has been characteristic or
nearly every champion in the history OF
the roped square game despite the fact
that the ambition never has been real
ized. True. johnson appears to be more
promising material than a majority or
his predecessors, but he will be required
10 go through many trying ordeal be-
fore he will be handed the heavyweight
sceptre. If the industrious efforts OF
Dempsey will mold Johnson into cham
pionship form the Iowan may succeed.
Nearly all the instances in which for
rner champions tried to name their sue
cessors were farcical failures. There is
rot on record a case in which gift
tile was retained by the recipient
been won in the ring or by forfeit A
champion boxer has no more right to
name his successor than retiring office
holder. Nevertheless IL has been at
tempted by numerous champions.
Corbett's Candidate.
One of the first efforts Of the kind
was made by Jim Corbett. who tried to
have Steve O'Donnell succeed to the
title. O'Donnell was Corbetts sparring
partner and could outlook the champion
in gymnasium. However. Corbett made
the mistake of arranging bout be-
tween Peter Maher and O'Donnell to
take place at the Empire A. c., Maspeth.
The plan was to have O'Donnell cele-
brate his ascendancy to the title by
drubbing Maher. The Irish champion
was not in sympathy with the plan and
proceeded to knock out O'Donnell In
thirty seconds of the first round. Cor
bett then made an effort to present the
title to Maher, but the latter offered to
fight the Californian for the champion
ship. This was respectfully declined
and Corbett held on to his title until 1t
was forcibly taken by Fitzsimmons.
The next amusing episode was fur
nished by Jeffries, who formally re-
tired from the ring in 1908 and remained
champion of the world when he re-
nounced his title and had he not been
so foolish as to return to the ring In
1910 to fight Johnson (the new cham
pion), Jeffries would to-day share with
Jim Mace the honor of having retired
the undefeated heavyweight champion OF
the world.
When Jeffries decided to quit the ring
he looked about for a man on whom to
For-f fta
Hart, a sturdy Kentuckian OF mediocre
ability as a pugilist. Hart was easily
defeated by Tommy Burns and others
and JEFF then said he never gave the
title to Hart
Ryan's Selection.
Tommy Ryan named Hugo Kelly.
clever but week-jawed boxer. as his
successor In the middleweight cham
pionship. Kelly was knocked out so
many times that Ryan let matters take
I heir course with the result that Ketchei
naturally became champion through
merit.
Joe Cans got the singular idea Into
his head THAI a boxer named George
Memsic would be a fit successor to the
lightweight crown. So Cans announced
his own retirement and declared Mem
sic to be the new champion. AS Mem
sic was a second rater. with little or no
class, Ganss action brought forth de-
risive laughter. Cans then said he was
only joking, and he held his title until
Nelson got II away from him by force
OF arms, coupled with unfair weight re-
strictions.
Terry McGovern decided to get out OF
the bantam class and jump into the
featherweight division. He made up his
mind that Danny Dougherty was the
proper man to succeed him as holder Of
the bantam title. Dougherty had been
EcGovern's sparring partner and was a
clever boxer, but could not stand pun
ishment. Harry Forbes proceeded to
stop Dougherty in Jig time. and another
gift title burst like toy balloon.
Jack McAulife Is said to have ex-
pressed willingness to make n present
OF the lightweight title to Kid Lavigne.
but the Saginaw boy was so menacing in
his attitude that McAullffe decided to
retire undefeated. Lavigne then de-
clared himself to be the champion and
successfully defended the title until Erne
shaded him in twenty round bout at
Cheektowaga.
Gradually the champions began to
realize that gift titles served only to
make donor and recipient ridiculous in
the eyes of the public and they have
stopped the silly practice.
Bepny Leonard is trying to teach his
brother Joe how to box like a champion
and Dempsey Is pursuing the same
course In reference to Johnson.
Johnny Kilbane in generous mood Is
reported 10 have made Jack Wolfe a
wedding gift of the featherweight title.
IT seems that Filbane delayed delivery
OF the gift, and now IL Wolfe gets the
title he will have to defeat Johnny
Dsndee.
Willie Ritchie. once lightweight cham
Bion OF the world, has arrived in this
-sity In quest OF a title match with Benny
leonard. Ritchie lost the worlds title
= close decision in a bout with Freddie
Welsh In Lcndon and the Californian
lid not care enough for the American
title TO defend II. It remained for Benny
Leonard, claimant of tho American title.
60 wrest the worlds championship from
Welsh. Packey Mcfarland. once n great
lightweight, is also In this city, he and
Ritchle being attracted by the baseball
series.
The Kentucky Rosebud, who once
knocked out George Dixon, but failed TO
get the bantam title, has suffered a
bereavement by the death of his wife
IN Philadelphia. Rosebud, whose name
* Walter Edgerton, 10 anxious to ana
his SON, who lives In New York.