Evening star., 1938-09-13
CHEESE SMEARS
FEATHER HEIGHTS
Archibald's Claim to Title
0kay, but Dupre Gives
It No Backing.
BY BURTON HAWKINS.

Amid much snickerlng and various
degrees Of animated displeasure, Joey
Archibald today staked his claim in
the arid waste of the featherweight
division. The occasion merits no blar.
ing Of trumpets, ticker tape showers or
special consideration, for his cobweb-
draped mine has been drained and
abandoned, haunted by the ghosts Of
former champions.
Archibalds claim to the crown,
while legitimized by his victory over
Tony Dupre last night at Grifnth Sta
dium in the sad climax of the local
elimination tourney. plus the abdica-
ton of Henry Armstrong, is something
OF an insult to the Terry McGoverns
and Young Corbetts. It is possible
that Archibald. through no fault Of
his own, is the cheese champion to
end all cheese champions.
Heads Dismal Division.
Archibald hasn't had the dubious
honor OF being kayoed by Armstrong
simply because he hasn't been re-
garded fit specimen. He is known
as far south as Alexandria and as
far north as Silver Spring. He has
had the misfortune to wedge his way
to the top of division which currently
Is decidedly trashy.
The featherweight crop is parched,
glutted with blend Of muffin-eared
veterans and untested youngsters.
There is sneaking suspicion Archibald
could head only such a tattered divi-
sion, for while colorful, clownish and
pleasing he never has been accused Of
possessing championship equipment.
Should he receive recognition it will be
akin to ruling the North Pole. Nobody
will care
In Justice. joey doubtless is the best
battler in 126-pound ranks. but that
hardly is flowery compliment When
Armstrong stepped down from the
throne the prestige of the feather
weights was reduced to a new low
The situation still is confused. with
Armstrong preferring to regard Chalky
Wright Of Los Angeles as his successor
and at the same time suggesting New
York of1icials conduct an elimination
tourney.
All Fighting Done by Archy.
Ahearn's local series has served that
purpose, however. involving nearly all
ranking featherweights, and it is likely
the National Boxing Association will
declare Archibald the worlds No.
featherweight tomorrow. He deserves
the tarnished crown, but he may have
struggle on his hands when he at
tempts to interest promoters in ped
ding 1t for its previous value.
Archy hardly won his claim to the
title in a blaze Of glory, but that
chiefly was due to Dupre, who dis
played no great desire to work up a
perspiration over the matter. Archy
forced what fighting could be de-
tected, landed the most persuasive
punches and, In general, outclassed
the dull Dupre.
1t was timid tiff, with both boys
surviving the engagement unmarked.
What had promised to be q hectic
brawl developed into a drab exhi-
bition, spiced only by Joey's low blows,
wrestling, heeling and hitting on the
breaks as he attempted to make a
fight Of it, but through 1t all Dupre
preferred not to play.
Dupre Aided Only by Fouls.
Capturing the first and fourth
rounds through the medium Of
Archy's foul tactics, Dupre spatched
little else. When they elected to scrap
joey had the better of it, winning
seven of the 10 rounds to register mis-
twelfth consecutive victory in this
sector. There were no knockdowns.
In fact, there was no excitement.
Govan Rhodes trimmed Bucky Tay-
lor, Joe Perry trounced Billy Temes
and Eddie Saugsted whipped Johnny
Sullivan in six-rounders, while Toby
Scroggins outpointed =, Brooks Bowen
in the opening four-rounder.