Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-15
Richard Keeps
Dempsey at Top
OF Heavyweight Class

new lOTh, jail. 10y Inv az
ISOLATED Press)-The complement
tary" ranking of Jack Dempsey at
the head of the heavyweight divi-
sion and RELOCATION of two other
worlds champions, Rocky Kansas
and Charley (Phil) Rosenberg. to
subordinate positions in their classes,
feature the 1925 international boxing
ranking list selected by Tex Rick
ard.
The famous promoter, in copy
righted. story for the January issue
of the Ring, boxing publication,
names his worlds selections for the
first Is ranking positions in each of
the nine pugilistic divisions" based
entirely on what was done in 1879
and regardless of the ownership of
titles"
In spite of his continued inactivity,
Dempsey is placed at the head of
his class because of lack of accom-
plishment by any other heavyweight
sufficient to dislodge the champion.
At the anne time the promoter rates
Harry Wills at number =, the posi-
ton of leading contender. with Gene
Tunney third and predicted that
Dempsey will meet these two rivals
this year.
There are many who believe that
Dempsey will not box again." says
Richard. "but ! am firm in the be-
lief that he will go through with
his announced program for this year
and that the east will be the scene
Of his endeavors.
There is no doubt in my mind
that Wills is the best contender and
that Dempsey must meet the negro
hnf I,4 AI-
that must be this year unless he is
to resign his title
: Titleholders occupy the top-rank-
ing positions in all but the bantam
and lightweight classes. Among the
bantams. Rickard ranks Chick Suggs,
negro battler of New Bedford, Mass
in first place on the strength of his
excellent 1925 record, with |Rosen-
) berg. the champion, fourth. Bachey
Graham of Utica, n. Y, and Bud
Taylor. of Terre Haute. Ind, also
are ranked above the titleholder.
Kansas, veteran Buffalo Italian
who dislodged Jimmy Goodrich from
the lightweight throne. is ranked
number three in his division, in
which Sammy Mandell of Rockford.
Ills, IS accorded first place and Sid
ferris, shifty New Yorker. second
position.
In the light heavyweight ranks,
led by Champion Paul Berlenbach
and his most dangerous rival. Jack
Deianey. third position goes to Mike
McIlgue and fourth to Young
Stribling. although the Georgia.
youngster convinced boxing critics
or MS superiority over the Irishman
IN their last meeting.
Inc middleweight ranking shows
Dave Shade listed ahead of Tiger
FloWers In the positions following
Harry Greb, the champion. Shade
Is not ranked as a welterweight in
spite of his great battle with the
tltleholder in that division. Mickey
walker. AL Mello of Lowell was the
fifteenth welterweight on Richards
list. George Bolduc was placed
eighth in the junior lightweight
class.
Ascension of six new titlehoIders
STOOD out during the past year. other
features or which. as listed cy Rick
ard included Shades knockout of
Jimmy Slattery, Gene Tunney's de-
velopment as a serious heavyweight
factor through his knockout Of Tom
Gibbons. the rise of two champions
on the coast in Fidel Labarba and
Tod Morgan, the retirement of Ben
ny Leonard, the passing Of johnny
dundee as major ring figure,
Dempsey's continued inactivity. the
development of such European box
ers as Tommy Millgan and Paolina
and the continued durability of Har.
ry Greb. y