Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 January 1913 — CHAMPION PAPKE TO MEET FRANK KLAUS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHAMPION PAPKE TO MEET FRANK KLAUS

Billy Papke, middle-weight champion of France and claimant to the world’s title, has been signed to meet Frank Klaus of Pittsburg, Pa., before the Wonderland Club of Paris on the night of March 5. The articles resulted from a systematic chase of Klaus by Al Lippe, Papke’s manager, and M. Vienne, promoter of the Wonderland Club. On the night of December 5 Papke knocked out George Bernard, France’s last hope in the middleweight division. He was at once signed for an eightweek theatrical tour, but it was canceled by Papke’s manager. The boxing commission demanded a. reason and Papke was forced to explain. He exhibited a badly swollen right hand and doctors’ certificates showing that he had suffered a broken bone when he knocked out Bernard. Manager Lippe said the injury cost Papke just SIO,OOO, as that was what ..they were to get on the stage.

Papke decided to take a rest and allow the injured member to heal, and he sailed for America December 9. He will go to his home city, Kewanee, 111., there to remain until it is time to start back to France in February. Immediately after the Papke-Klaus fight in Paris March 5, Papke will go to Monte Carlo to train for his battle there with George Carpenter, from whom he recently won the middleweight (title. -Following his victory over Bernard, at which ceremony there were several government officials, as is customary, Papke was awarded the ivory and gold belt emblematic of the “world’s championship,” according to the engraving. The French boxing commission, with M. Vienne as spokesman presented the belt to the champion. Papke’s fighting companions, Jeff Smith, Charlie Thomas and Banty Lewis, will remain in Paris with Manager Llppe.

Frank Klaus, Pittsburg Fighter.