The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-18
M'TIGUE NEVER IN BIGCHAMPIONSHIP CLASS IN AMERICA
New Champ Met Several Re- verses Before Crossing
 the Pond

NEW YORK, March 17.-Mike Me- Tigue, veteran Irish American pu- gilist, who captured the worlds light heavyweight championship to- night by defeating Battling Ski on points in 20-round bout at Dublin, never reached the championship class in the United States although he laid claim to both the Irish and Canadian middleweight titles
 His claim to the Canadian title was disputed by Jeff Smith, who gained q decision over him in Halifax in 1921. He won the championship in 1920 when he knocked out Gene Brosseau, the recognized Dominion titleholder at that time, in five rounds.
 McTigue. a crafty ring general and clever boxer, fought most of the leading middleweights and light heavyweight pugilists in this coun- try, where he started his professional career in 1915. According to record books, he lost but three out of 101 bouts in the past eight years and holds two decision over Harry Greb, former American light-heavyweight champion.
 He won 47 of his fights by knock outs and 2l by decisions, records re- veal, while 2S others were no decision affairs and one draw. Beside his victories over Greb, McTigue defeated Battling Levinsky, former worlds light heavyweight champion. He was never matched with either Mike ODowd or Johnny Wilson, the for mer and present middleweight title holders.
 McTigue, however, was believed by critics to be past the zenith of his career when he left the United G%.xN4 To- fz,- Nv.n. IL match with Georges Carpenter. then holder of the worlds light heavyweight title. He challenged Ski when the Senegalese lifted the crown from Carpenter. but the bC ut was not definitely arranged until last month.
 His American Record.
 McTigue engaged in six bouts last year before sailing for abroad, losing and winning to Young Fisher of Sy- racuse. boxing a draw with Lou Bo- gash, a no-decision bout with Tt mmy Longhran and defeating Tommy Rob- son and Billy Beckett.
 Ski, apparently outgeneraled by his more experienced opponent and mot in proper condition, according to cabled reports of the bout, was de- lending for the first time the title he won by stopping Georges ,Carpen- tier in the sixth round of bout at Paris. September "A, 1922.
 The Senegalese. a picturesque fig ure of the Paris cabarets, who boasted that he trained lon wine and high life" has been storm center in French boxing circles since his sensational rise to pugiistic fame.
 Suspended at first for three months thrL ugh ringside brawl, he later precipitated bitter controversy by charging that his bout with Carpen-, tier was a frame up" Ski alleged that the fight was fixed" for Georges to win. but that he under went a change of heart during the encounter and double crossed" his opponent.
 Frenchmen Deny Charges.
 Carpenter and his manager. Des- camps. vigorously denied the charges and an official investigation failed to substantiate them, but Siki. mean while. was deprived of the French titles he captured from Georges. He retained his worlds championship in the light-heavywcight classf how ever, and was recognized in the United States as the 175-pound title holder. Carpenter won this title by defeating Battling Levinsky in this country in 1920. and retained it. de- spite his knockout at the hands of Jack Dempsey the following year.
 The French boxing federation rein stated Ski in February, but did not restore the titles taken from him Several days ago, the federation an nounced it had arranged match be- tween the Senegalese and Carpenter to take place in Paris September l6.
 Ski was born in Senegal in 1897 and has engaged in 47 contests, win hing all but three. McTigue was born in Ireland in 1892
 Promoters here tonight manifested unusual interest in McTigue's vic tory. and it was suggested that an effort might be made to match the Irish American during the outdoor season here with Gene Tunney of New York. who holds the American r11l-nound title.