Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-02
SPORT FACES new
YEAR WITH A
LOT OF CONFIDENCE

New York, Jan. 1.-(By A. p. =
Sport, successful TO an unprecedent-
ed degree throughout 1924. faces the
new year with confidence, with the
United States welded into one enor-
nous gridirOn and the Americas
drawn together through the efforts
of the Amateur Athletic Association,
the professional prize ring and pro-
fessiorSl baseball.
Championships will change hands
in the tremendous schedules arrang-
ed for every form of athletic compe-
tition. The day appears to have ar
rived when t;tlchoiderS must risk
their crowns or be forced out of the
battle, leaving the way open to their
challengers. This is especially the
case in boxing in New York where
the state boxing commission has en-
deavored to keep champions III &C
ton.
Tomorrow night the featherweight
boxing crown will be placed. either
on the head of Danny Kramer OF
Philadelphia, or on that of LOUIS
(Kid) kaplan. of Meridian. Conn.
The middlewcight class is produc-
ing some able performers who soon
will seek the title that Harry Greb
of Pittsburgh captured from Johnny
Wilson. Tiger Flowers. an Atlanta
negro, who meets Joe Lehman of
Toledo, this afternoon in Brooklyn,
is one of the leading aspirants, hay
ing defeated the former champion by
a three round knockout. Flowers
now is well on the way to clash
with Jack Delaney Of bridgeport,
Conn, who knocked out Paul Ber-
lenbach of Astoria, l.. j.
Jack Dempsey, champion of the
heavyweights. is expected TO fight
at least twice during the outdoor
season, with Harry Wills. New York
negro, who conquered Louis Angel
Firpo. and Tommy Gibbons, of st.
Paul, who remained in the ring for
fifteen rounds against the titleholder,
as opponents. Firpo appears TO have
been definitely Ousted from the
ranks of contenders, although he
may meet Gibbons soon III IL Lon
don ring. In the event Of victory
for the South American he might
return to grade and Il place in the
line leading to the championship.
An interesting battle will be stag
ed in Newark. \. j.. when the well
terWeight champion. Mickey Walker,
meets the light heavyweight title
holder, Mike McTiSue. No decisions
are permitted in New jersey, but
Walker can capture McTigue's belt
with a knockout. McTigue, on the
other hand, has nothing to win be-
cause he cannot train down to the
welterweight limit.
Something may soon be done in
regard to the lightweight crown
held by Benny Leonard. who has
failed to defend it this year. Some
capable men are fighting their way
up, prominent among whom is Sid
ferris, who came from the amateurs
only a few Years ago. Another as
pirant is Tommy O'Bricn of Mil
waukee. Many experts believe.
however, that Leonard should for
felt his title to the winner of a
tournament such as that conducted
in the featherweigh ranks.
The new bantamweight champion,
Eddie (CannonbalD Martin. of
Brooklyn. promises to appear in the
ring more often than other CROWN
bearers. He has six months in
which to make his own decision. re
he fails to fight in that time. the
New York Boxing Commission will
take hand i'll the matter and sche-
dule opponents for him.
Many fyweights are anNiously
awaiting the return of the world
champion, Pancho Villa, from the
Philippines, an event expected this
spring. frankie Genaro is the
American champion in this class.