Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-07

N EN OfLk. january Hat
IN ing fighters according to
VI their ability in the various
classes is a tough job. 1t is
especially so in view of the
crazy happenings of 1926, in which a
record number of champions lost their
crowns. This rating business is only
q matter of personal opinion. Every
critic has his own preferences, and so
long as they are honestly based he has
every right to set them forth and let
the fans shoot at them.
1t need only he said that in making
his rankings the writer applied in all
sincerity the test of all-around ability
as shown in actual performances.
Among the heaVyweights there was
great scarcity of material. Gene Tun-
ney is descrvedly ranked No. |. He
made "A great showing against Jack
Dempsey and produced a great punch
in his right hand. Don't think he
didn't.
Then for No. . comes Jim Maloney,
who must he ranked above Jack
Sharllcy despite Jacks decision over
his fellow New IEnglandcr. Maloney $
work against DE kuh. Deiner and
Harry Person stamps him as a more
dangerous contender for the title than
SharkeY.
Sharkcy. placed at No. 3, turned in
O. good performance against Harry
Wills. but throughout the year did
not show the stuff Maloney exhibited.
Neither Dempsey nor Wills is given a
look-in They have got to show some
thing worthwhile in 1927 before any
judgment may be made OF them.
Delaney Reigns Supreme.
Jack Delaney reigns supreme among
49, 10 Nvka0
champion. Next comes Tommy
Loughran Paul Berlenbach and Mike
McTigue are bracketed in third place,
followed by Jimmy Slattery.
Looking over the middleWeightS
the writer believes Tiger Flowers is
entitled to highest rank. i'll spite of
the decision against him that Referee
Benny Yanger gave to Mickey
Walker. Second place goes to Make
Rosenbloom, who has two decisions
over Dave Shade. Third comes
Mickey Walker; fourth, X. o. Phil
kaplan. and, fifth. George Courtney.
The last named is rare prospect.
No one can rank the Welters with
out letting himself in for endless
argument. Pete Latzo. the champion,
is undeniably good fighter, but his
recent battles against middleweights
have not helped him in his own class.
But he must be placed first.
Next in line is Joe Dundee, not
withstanding his knockout at the
hands of Eddie Roberts, a second
rater with a terrific punch. Then
comes Willie Harmon, with Sergt.
Sammy Baker and Tommy Freeman
bringing up the rear.
Ward Heads Junior Welters.
The leadership of those overgrown
lightweights, the junior welters by
every right should be given to George
Ward. Mushy Callahan, No. 2, has
punch, but is not overly smart in get
ting it over. Then comes Ace Hud-
kins, Jack Zivic and Stanley LoyaZa.
The Iightweights are like peas in a
pod. Sammy Mandell of @course, is
the leader. Sid ferris, contests his
Enthusiastically he has been idle
for the best part of year and can
not be ranked. Kid Kaplan fits in at
No. in the face of his Knockout by
Billy Wallace; Billy Petrolle stands
No. 8, followed by Phil McGraw.
Tod Morgan is the leading junior
lightweight. He defended his title
four times against good men in 1895
and he will be a serious lightweight
threat when he grows bigger. Next
is Babe Herman and then in order
f1OntSDpN FiilHe6dh' JUG NASh anu
Jimmy McLarnin. Herman, it is true.
beat Morgan in Boston, but he has not
been consistent.
The featherweights who are scramb-
ling for the title relinquished by Kid
Kaplan may be rated in this order:
Red Chapman. Chick Suggs. Benny
Bash, Eddie Shea and Charlie Rosen-
berg Rosenberg is the bantam king,
but he should give up the title and
fight among the feathers, where he
belongs.
Taylor Tops Bantams.
Bud Taylor is the best of the ban
tams. Next come Bushey Graham.
Pete Sarimento, Dominick Petrone and
Andy Martin of Boston. Tony Can