San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-21

Of matches has practically retired him
from the championship automatically.
He has hardly been heard Of for a year
or more, and shows no ambition TO do
any more fighting.
He never had real championship
class. O'DCwd was shell when Will
son beat him. Bryan Downey has been
doing some good fighting and locks
like a possible successor, but there isn't
a middleweight in the world just now
who would even make a good sparring
partner for such old-time middle
weight champions as Jack Dempsey,
Bob Fitzsimmons. Tommy Ryan, Kid
Mccoy, Billy Papke, Frank Klaus or
Stanley Ketchel.
Among the welters there will be
plenty of action. Jack Britton threat
ems to try to "come back" as he did
once before after losing the title to Kid
Lewis. But Jack isn't young enough.
Mickey Walkers youth would beat him
again.
Walker Has Dangerous Rivals.
Walker has at least two dangerous
rivals in Shade, the clever Frisco well
ter, and Andy Thomas. The latter is
Of italian parentage and was taught
his fighting style by Jimmy Kelly. in
New York. After watching his work
in several fights as lightweight, re-
gard him as the most promising young
ster I've seen in years. He is growing
fast, is tall, rangy. cool and a quick,
hard hitter.
He may beat Walker for the weller
| title this year. At any rate, Mickey
! would find himself in a battle from the
| first going as long as it lasted.
From Thomas build it is likely he'll
grow through the weller class in two or
three years, and il he becomes a mid
dleweight and keeps his lean strength
and stamina, he may become the first
real middleweight champion seen
around in a long time.
Of course, something may happen 10
stop this boys climb, but barring acct
dents he's going TO make ring history
before he's through.
Lew Tender OF Philadelphia, who
has been Benny Leonard's toughest
rival as a lightweight, has grown heav'
Ter and could give Walker or anyone
else fight as a weller, and Lew might
slip into title by coming out as a wei.
ter and challenger for the crown.
But none of the fighters mentioned
would have an easy time in the rims
with Walker. The Elizabeth boy is q
real champion, and one of the best vel
tiers since the day Of Mysterious Billy
Smith and Matty Matthews.
Leonard Getting Too Big.
Benny Leonard seems TO be outgrow
ing the lightweights. He can make thu
weight limit, but it draws him a bi
fine. Leonard has been a great cham
pion. He has held the title for sew
eral years and perhaps his ambition
isn't as keen as it used to be when h
was taking on a match every few
weeks. He always did have a motion
TO retire if he felt that he was slip
ping back.
Leonard had a close call in fight
with White, Mitchell and Tender. an,
even in his four-rounded with Ritchi
IN San Francisco four years ago, bu
ms class never shows so well as whel
he's in trouble. He invariably fight
ms way through and finishes like
champion.
But there are several hard puncher
after his title, among them Tender
Charlie White and Bobby Barrett. TIL
last named had setback last year. be
ing beaten by White and Tender Blu
seems 10 be going strong again. AL
I 4AD AAANNNAA LOT l4tOHdEu IN clever
ness, he is one Of the hardest hitters il
the class.
Leonard has been knocked down sew
eral times. Some day he may sta
.. And last and perhaps best of tn
lightweight contenders is johnny Sbu
grue. newcomer who has beaten
lot OF good ones and recently knocke
out tough Willie Jackson. If Leonar
Lose; his title this year Shugrue ma
be the new champion. Unlike the otl
: ers named, he is a real lightweight.
, Kilbane's Title i'm Danger.
Johnny Dundee has been fighting $
long without showing sign of droI
ping back that he should hold thu
Junior lightweight" belt of his anotl
er year.
As for the featherweights, Kilbane
Is about due to lose title. John b;
kept it for years without fighting. +
demands such huge purses that Il