IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1342, 20 January 1912, Page 12

IN THE RING.

(Bi "MmcceO WARS AND RUMOURS OF WAR. FIXTURE. June 24—Johnson v. M'Vea, Paris. The Dark Uncertainty of Johnson. Last word of tho Johnson-M'Voa fixture is as vague as a politician's speech. On tho word of the ".Referee," Mr. M'lntosh has said definitely that the big championship match will take place on Juno 'Jl, which is tho night of the Grand Trix in Paris. Simultaneously, the Sydney "Sun" publishes a cablegram from Chicago, running as follows:— "Contrary to expectations, articles for the Johnson-Flynn contest bavo been signed. The match is to take place at Nevada, on July 22, which date may bo changed. Johnson is to receive JEG22O, and ono third of the money from the sale of thn films. The identity of tho promoter.is a secret. The boxers havo agreed nott to fight between May 1 and July 22, without mutual consent. This means that tho Johnson-M'Vea fight, which was to have taken place in Paris late in June, may be abandoned or postponed in favour of the Nevada fixture." Mr. M'lntosh, who is reported as still stating that he has tho champion bound down by a cast-iron bond, should know. So it is to be assumed that the Australian intelligence is the more to bo relied upon, but Mister "Jack" Johnson has shown himself to bo such a volatile proposition to handle,. that it is not safe to bank upon his intentions thus early. The only thin" that appears to be assured is that he really intends re-enter-ing the ring. Thero is plenty of cable evidence to this effect although, , of course, one can say nothing as to the reliability of its source. Another message says: — It is probable that "Jack" Johnson will fight a ten-rounds bout with some second-rater bofore May. 'I think,' said Johnson, 'that it would bo good practico for mo to mix it with some fighter before I meet' Flynn. Tho work would be easy, and I would get X3OOO for my troublo. Mr. Johnson's Feelings are Hurt. Further cablo gossip re tho Flynn fixture runs:—Tho champion's feelings are hurt at the rumour that, tho match will not bo "on the square." ."Two years ago," he, said, "I had a chauco to make a big clean-up, and I did eo. I have fought too hard foo my honours to have any intention of losing them by agreeing to go down in a fako match with Flynn.'' Flynn, by the way, had an engagement for last Wednesday. He was billed to meet "Al." ICubiack, one of the earliest of the now down-and-out "white hopes," at Toronto, and if Flvnn is the mai£ ue is said to be—the kind of man to be put up against "Jack" Johnson, that is—it may be opined that Kubiack figured as receiver-general in the dealings between the two. M'Vea's Future Plans. Of M'Vea's future plans, a Sydney paper says:— At the conclusion of his Sydney engagement, and prior to his return to Paris to prepare for his oontest for the "coveted belt," with his formidable rival, "Jack" Johnson, it is understood that "Sam" M'Vea will fulfil several engagements in America, under the direction of Mr. Hugli D. 51 lntosli. Tho biiriy "Parisian idol" is also desirous of visiting his people in the United States, and in all probability will during his stay embark on a commercial enterprise which should hold him in good stead when he retires from the limelight of tho boxing areas. The uliampionship contest in Paris on tho night of the Grand Prix will in all irrobability bo referecd by Eugene Corri. It is known that, while this selection will give tho utmost satisfaction to both contestants, M'Vea would have been perfectly • satisfied with Hugh D.'M'lntosh 1 as third man in tlio ring, or with Australia's own referee, "Snowy" Baker, could he be prevailed upon to visit Paris for tho great contest. Did M'Vca Side-step? ■ Disappointment was felt in Sydney and also here when it was announoed that the M'Vea-Langfonl return on Friday next is not to tako place. In the Boxing Day contest M'Vea injured one of his hands, and when the fixture under review was being arranged, ho reserved tho right to postpone it if the damaged member had not recovered. This it apparently has failed to do-iat least tho Sydney "Sun" says so. "Amateur," of tho "lieferree," who seems to bo firmly established on the Langford side, waxes rather scornful over tho postponement, and, intentionally or otherwise, infers things not altogether creditable to M'Vea. ' Ho heads up tho news with tho words, "Big Follow Refuses to Go On," which (if tho "Big Follow" is really not in a fit state to go on) is decidedly unfair to him. "Tho Amateur" goes on to say:— "M'Ciain, who is M'Vea's manager, informed me that tho match could not take Ijlace, as M'Vea's arm would not be right for some time. Mr. M'lntosh ridicules this, and points to medical testimony as evidence that M'Vea was suffering from nothing more serious than a musclebound shoulder on the right side, an inconvenience lie has had for some time. Mr. M'lntosh says that both Bnms's shoulders were so affected when he entered tho ring against Johnson." If "Tommy" Burns was affected in this way when he mot Johnson, it would appear that M'Vea is only exercising ordinary common sense in waiting until he is right again, becausc, if ever there was a man wlio fought below his usual form, it was "Tommy' Burns on that fatal Boxing Day. "Dave" Smith Again. Tho Anniversary Day date in Sydney, left vacant by tho cancellation of the Langford-M'Vea fixture, is to be filled by another meeting between "Dave" Smith and his ancient enemy, "Cyclone" Thompson. The latter has been at a loose end of late through another postponement— that of his match with Jack Lester. Thompson will have a busy finale for January, as on the 31st, he is billed for a return vtith "Bandsman" Rice, his lato conqueror. It is probable, too, that the Lester' match will be sandwiched in somewhere, as it is not likely to be dropped altogether. Wellingtonians in Action. "Gus" Devitt was to have met "Ted" Whiting at Adelaide last week, but the match fell through on account of an injury to Whiting's arm. At Wollongong, last Saturday week, "Bill" Rudd scored another victory at the expense of "Dutch" Hickman. The bout was short but sharp. In tho second round Hickman was saved by the gong, and, at the commencement of the third, -tiho Wellingtonian rushed straight at him and finished with a left hook that put him right out. A Queer Finale. The recent contest at tho Stadium between Jack Bead and "Young" Hanley was remarkable chiefly for its peculiar termination. The ox-amateur was well in front at the closing scene, whicih is thus described in the "Bulletin":— Bead put It all ovor his yonng friend until the eighteenth round, at the conclusion of which Referee Baker rccoived the news from Hanley's corner that tho said Hanley had been fouled. Baker, however, wasn't taking any information at second hand, especially when it wasn't clearly-deunod fact, and tJlie gong was smitten for the nineteonth session to commence. But Hanley wouldn't budge from his corner, and the count-out was commenced. He held out for five seconds, and then ho leaped for the foo; but, as he was promptly accompanied by one of his seconds, ho was ordered to retire disqualified. He did, and, whether it was his fault or not, he took a considerable amount of bad opinion with him. ' Wm. Hannan, Dairy Farmer. Our late visitor, "Billy" Hannan is now reaping tho reward of his New Zealand ventures. With his winnings un this sido lie has bought a dairy farm at West Maillaml—at least, so it is said in the Sydney sporting press. The laurels which he accumulated here are also getting him good At present he is preparing for a contest with Arthur Douglas, the ex-South African. This is to take place at Now-

castle on January 3S, and report Bajs | that, if lie wins out in this bout, he has beon promised a match iu the Stadium. That was the apex of his ambition when he was over hero. His adversary is to be "Hock" Keys, no less, so it isill 1m scon that llannan's way to the front has been considerably aocelerated by his New Zealand trips. Keys, by the way, is to meet "Sid" Sullivan at tho Gaiety, Sydney, on February 13. A New Richmond in the Field. It vcill be remembered that the contest between Ad. Wolgact, tho holder, and Freddy Welsh for the light-weight championship of the world, which was to have taken place in California last Thanksgiving Day, was canoelled right at the eleventh hour owing to the illness of Wolgast. Files of tho English "Sportsman" just to hand show that in order that the public should not be totally disappointed a substitute; for tho champion was found, ■with results as described in tho following dispatch to the "Sportsman," dated from Vernon, California, on tho day of the battle: — "Welsh defeated Richie to-day in a twenty-rounds boxing contest. Richie was acting as a substitute for Wolgast, who underwent an operation for appendicitis yesterday. The fact that Richie was able to stay tho whole twenty rounds came as a very great surprise. He was not in condition, as he was only asked to take Wolgast's place at short notice, whereas Welsh was in fine fettle. Richie had Welsh groggy on two occasions, but the [ latter was far cleverer in ringoraft. His blows, however, did not appear to carry their usual force." Boxing Gloves in «H qnalitka. Punch Balls and Extras. Physical Exercises of various makes, at Denton's, 58 Willis Street.—Adyt.