The Bismarck tribune., 1932-12-08
TITLE FIGHTERS TO
BATTLE FRIDAY FOR
f22-POUND H0NORS
egro, Recognized in New York
as King, Is Regarded
Slight Favorite
0L0RFUL PAST RECALLED
iier, M'Govern, AttelI, Dixon
and Several Others Were
Great Boxers

New York, Dec 8.--(F)-Kid Choco-
te, slim Negro boy, dazzling in his
ill, and q chunky, curly-headed
lncher from California, Fidel La
arba, can bring back to the feather
eight division Friday night some Of
le glamor and thrill great fighting
eight has been losing steadily with
le years.
They meet for Is rounds in Madi-
n Square Garden, with Chocolates
aim to the featherweight champion
Zip at stake.
With these two rests much of
hatever chance the 126-pound class
IS at the moment of regaining the
.estige the division knew when it
as ruled by such men as ''Ik" Wier,
le Belfast Spider; Terry MCCOY
n; Abe Attell; and the prototype of
l Negro warriors since his day,
gorge Dixon, the Little Chocolate"
The featherweight class has taken
weight and toppled far since Wier,
skinny Scottish lad, won recogni-
on as the first champion back in the
0's. With less fuss than a prelimin-
y boy makes today over a four
'und emergency appearance, the
spider" came to America and fought
rank Murphy, an Englishman, 80
FUNDS to a draw in defense of his
0nors.
Then Came Dixon
The title passed in 1890 to Billy
.urphy, an Australian, who quickly
ltgrew the weight limit that stood
len at 118 pounds. He forfeited, and
.ong came George Dixon, the same
,ar, to fight Nunce Wallace, in a
ondon ring, for the championship
i'd q side bet of $4,000.
Dixon won in 18 rounds and reigned
" nine years, marvellous bit OF
locolate fighting machinery, batting
u comers, at any weight, for any
mount of money, and none at all II
wasn't available.
Then a human torpedo, as great in
IS way as Dixon, and as opposite in
is fighting style. Terrible Terry"
tcGovern, caught the Negro master
4 the down grade in 1899 and knock
him out in eight rounds.
But McGoyern, great as he was,
,e5 an early master, an unknown
ON Denver. Young Corbett caught
erry at Hartford, Conn, in 1901 and
,ocked the faithful with two
,und knockout. They fought at l26
ounds, eight above the limit, and
oybett never claimed the title.
Attell VS.. Sullivan
Both quit the featherweight ranks
I'D Abe Attell fought Brooklyn
omrny" Sullivan for the champion
lip in 1904 with the weight limit
used to 122 pounds. Sullivan won
le first time on foul, but Attell
:ored a. four-round knockout in their
scond battle.
Then came a glamorous line OF
5lampions-Johnny Kilbane, conquer
of Atteu in 20 rounds in 1912; Eu-
me Criqui, licn-hearted Frenchman
ith the war-torn face who knocked
1t Kilbane in six rounds at the Polo
.ounds in 1923, and lost the crown
,ly six months later to bounding
ohnny Dundee.
Evil times fell upon the class with
undee,S retirement in 1925. A
,uruament crowned Louis Kid Kap-
n champion in 1927, another made
emmy Bass his successor, and in 1928
ony Canzoneri, present lightweight
ing, whipped Bass. Andre Routis
eat Canzoneri, Bat Battalino defeat
/ Routis, and excess weight forced
attalino out year ago.
Now New York recognizes Choco-
tie as champion, the National Boxing
ssociation claims Tommy Paul, anc
alifornia halls Babe Arizmend as
le titleholder.
So Chocolate and LaBarba, the lat
r q former flyweight champion car
,ttle only one-third OF the contro-
.rsy. Odds favor Chocolate slightly
Sach has won a 10-round decision in
no previous meetings.