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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 137, 16 July 1914, Page 6

An English journal which is noted for its sensational- stories, has published what purports to be an account of a "frame up" between Johnson and Moran in their recent fight in Paris. The negro, according to the cable to-day repeating the story, has certified to the correctness of such story. Johnson admits that he offered his opponent very flattering inducements to "lie down" early in the contest —ring parlance for a fighter quitting by arrangement. Moran's manager, an astute American, assists to confirm in some degree. the suspicion of many of the authorities .that the contest was not altogether bona fide. Johnson, it is said, did not know

lie had been tricked until he was in the ring, when he discovered that Moran was after him in real earnest. The story will not convince many hard-headed people who take an interest in pugilism. It has the appearance of an attempt to bring the big black into the boom again—he must be running short of money. There is a suspicious odour about the whole business. The revelations are doubtless brought fonvard for the purpose of convincing credulous pro-, moters that Johnson defeated Moran on his merits —many of the experts will not subscribe to this being the case. If the "facts" are facts then Moran's reputation—such as it is—would be enhanced by liis having gone the full distance in a genuine battle with the black champion. There is more behind the alleged admissions ot' the negro and Moran's manager than appears on the surface. These fellows know their own game from beginning to end. Johnson badly wants (and needs) rehabilitating in the ring world, and Moran, who as a '•'white hope" is a pallid failure, requires a tremendous amount of managerial pushing to get him into the front rank. The English journal \s revelations amount to a joke-scandal which should not operate detrimentally to either man's prospects.