BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3687, 23 November 1912, Page 4

BOXING.

(By “Wallop.”) Davo Smith’s Doings. Since Eddie McGoorty gave a set back to Dave Smith’s hones in their two-bit fight (McGoorty hitting Dave and Dave hitting the mat) the exNcw Zealander has been devoting his attention to the smaller fry in the middle division of whom there is a countless horde in every part of the States. American advices to hand this week informs us that he easily defeated Barnov Wi'liains and George Asdic in Philadelphia, and passed over the same medicine at Boston to Freddie Hicks, who hails from Detroit. These wins are reported to have created a more favorable impression concerning Smith’s abilities amongst the fight fans of the Eastern States, hut they do not seem to have entirely overcome the set-back received at the hands of McGoorty. Promoters have been slow to find him matches, and the ex-Dunedinite has spent much time in the unprofitable occupation of kicking his heels. Certainly Dave has had a. rim of had luck.

The Light-Weight Division. Now that John Artha Johnson lias apparently passed out of the limelight for good and all, and the two black Sams on the other side of the Tasman are spelling after their four hashes in less than ten months, boxing followers are able to pay attention to the otlieiy divisions without having the doings of the heavy-weight bruisers continually thrust before them. The light-weight division certainly claims the platform at the present time in the United States, in England, and in Australia. In America aspirants for Wolgast’s title are cropping up all over the place, and the topnotchers are much concerned lest one of the smaller fry should come to light and successfully lift the “little Mary” circlet from its present holder. Packer McFarland,, who lias the prior right to meet Wolgast, has been long looking for an opportunity of getting the champion into the ring. Promoters have made several attempts to get the men together, blit the £ s. <l. side of the question has invariably put an end to the negotiations. Tn England Hugliie Meliegan, after successfully holding up his cud against Matt Wells, is now matched j against Freddie Welsh. The Australian and Welsh will meet on December 16, and more than usual hinges on the result, for we are informed that an endeavor will he made to connect the winner with Wolgast. As both,

Mehegan and Welsh have recently defeated Matt Wells—Mehegan on a foul in -the 14th. round and Welsh on points in 20 rounds—the B.P. should be treated to a real out and out exhibition. Writes. . Competitors who intend taking part in the local Association’s tourney on the 28th and 29th of this month are reminded that nominations for the different classes close on Monday with Mr C. Morse, or with the secretary (Mr H. L. Humphreys).

With the present generation of fight followers the name of Stanley Ketehell will over remain a. cherished memory, for he was one of the most pathetic figures that ever, graced the roped area. His phenomenally successful career, wide popularity, and sad end caused his name to frequently crop up when the conversation turns to doings pugilistic, and that the young Grand Rapids lighter should -have met his death at" a murderer’s hand was indeed regrettable. The strong personality of Stanley Ketchel must have made a deep impression Upon all with whom he came into contact, and many sacred recollections arc held of the white-haired champion by a- large number engaged in the boxing profession. To quote an instance, Ercolc do Balzat. the French boxer at present in Sydney, always has a photograph of Stanley Ketchel as a mascot, and "will never enter the ring without a picture of the dead champion in his corner.

Another boxer who refers to the late Stanley Ketehell as ono of the idols of the profession is Eddie Thompson, who returned to Australia a fortnight ago after an absence of 17 years. Thompson has travelled all over file world during that time and has associated with the most famous boxers of that period. Interviewed on his return to Sydney, he talked about Ketohel’s peculiarities and the kind of fellow he was, a big hoy, one who thought he knew life and hadn’t lived. How ho used to laugh and fairly boil over with joy, and the money he could get. I’ve seen his pockets bulging with dollar bills times out of number, and mostly big ones. The murderer’s buTet, Eddie Thompson thinks, beat what might have bene a long, drawn-out, sad end. Ketchel was making for that, and looked pretty nearly all in when he went away to a friend’s ranch to build himself up.

The first step has already boon taken in regard to the boxing championship of the world since Johnson has faden from garce. A Dos Angelos cable announces that Promoter McCarey, declaring that through his unprincipled conduct Jack Johnson has forfeited the right to fight before any sporting club in America to maintain his title, which should be .forfeited, has offered a heavyweight championship belt for competition among whites only. Tho terms of his offer are that no negro shall he allowed to enter the lists. McCarey says, in explanation .of his restricted offer, “I have no particular prejudice against, blacks, but I feel that the holding of the title by Johnson has engendered such bitterness that future contests should be limited to white men.”

Loon. Bernstein, the French lightweight boxer, who suffered defeat yi Sydney tho other day at the hands of the veteran, Hock Keys, is but 19 years of nge, but ho has been fighting for five years. Bernstein was apprenticed to an engineering firm in Paris when he was 13 years old. hutsoon forsook his profession and became a boxer, taking im a position in a gymnasium at Rlieims as “professor”’ at the age of 15. After a year’s study of ring craft, during which time ho learned a hundred tricks to dodge trouble when threatened with annihilation by adult and enthusiastic pupils, he traveled Belgium, fighting any opponent he could find regardless of his weight or reputation.