BLACK VERSUS WHITE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14926, 31 August 1910, Page 5

BLACK VERSUS WHITE

THE GREAT GLOVE FIGHT. A DRAMATIC STRUGGLE. (From Our Own Coiimsjondekt.) LONDON, July 15. Things outside England Tarely interest tho Londoner so keenly as the great glovo fight at Reno, and except that there were' no race riots, one might as well have been in an American oity on tho 4th inst. Just now the American invasion is at the flood, and an intensely sad and thoughtful face coukl generally be plaoad as that of a Transatlantic. The result was to have been announced in somo of tho musio halls, hut tho contest startod so late that nothin" camo through in time, and the theatregoers had to get the news in the streets or the cars. Tho stories from Reno leading up:to the fight were extremely picturesque. Most of the London dailies considered .it goad enough to send over their more dislinguishcd war correspondents, and we got some romantic glimpses of Western life for u week or two ahead. As for tho match itself, those who unoerbUikl Iho American dislike for the black wero not altogether deceived by the fact that the betting continued in favour of Jeffries right up to tho end. That was nimply a patriotio duty onthe part of the American sports, though it must bo confessed tho defeat has evoked a howl of recrimination on . tho part of losers against tliß rosy, "expert" reports on Jeffries's condition. It was a clean match. Neither man did much boasting lieforchand—that is, making due allowance for what men. in such a case owo to their backers. Jeffries throughout was modest and serious, 'merely declaring that ho felt fit and was going to pu.t up a good light. At the last moment, just before entering tho ring, ho said:—"l'll lick this black man so badly that he'll never want to sac a boxing glovo again. I never war, so good as this before; that is to say, I never felt lwttor. No matter what my condition is, or what it isn't, I'm going to lick Johnson. I don't.care whether th'n light lasts four rounds or 40, it will be all the same to ,me. This will be my last fight, and it may be Johnson's last fight, too. I'vo had to do a lot of training to put myself into shape, and I've had. to give up a lot of jiloasurc; it's'no fun for a man of my inclinations to have to deny himself .everything, to knucklo down, and work his blamed head off just on account of a coon. There's something coming to somebody, and it's going to como good, too. I'll make Johnson pay for tho long, hard grind I've had to go through Now that it's all over, I'm glad it happened; but anyhow I want to lick somebody, and that somebody is Jack Johnson. No, I won't have any excuse to offer. I'm not .going to lose, so what's tho use of saying I'll not have any excuse if I do lose Huh, huh I" Johnson's statement was, as before, ono of absoluto confidence:—" I only wish I was aii sure of getting, a-million dollars as I am that I'll whip Mistah Jeffries. He was a great fighter, probably .the greatest that ever lived, but. I think'i have everything in my favour in the coming fight. I ve never been out of training, not very far out, I mean; and I'm a much better boxer than Jeffries ever was. I don't know now 111 fajpht him; I might start right after him or I might stall him'off for a While; but I'll win, that's sure. I've been rapped for not being aggressive. Just because* the other follow' sticks his head in the tiro is no reason why I should do tho same.. I use my head; and take no chances Mai; is, unnecessary ones. That's tho real nne generalship, I think. I know I can and a knock-out and you'll be surprised "he Ido it I don't ever make excW Wlo would laugh at me if I shoukllose and to como around with an excuse, and I'd augh at them, if they didn't. Don't udge me by.my other fights. I shan't know >.na,. my., plan of campaign is before wn are face k. face in the'ring." Weekago he.said.ho would play .with Jeffri'ffor 15 rounds and fen knock him out. John L. Sullivan ww the only ono of he haif-do^. white campions who had any grave doubts. -He that J* fries miffht make a magnificent show agamst his sparring partners, but would bimpotent in tho ring.' Johnson, he said

THE MORNING OF THE FIGHT. The only parsons in Reno who remained oami during the exciting preparations for the fight were Jeffries and Johnson Both s.epl soundly the previous night. Jeffries got up at 8.15 ami., and ate a hearty breakfast Johnson demanded a double portion of lamb oufkte and fried potatoes for his breakfast. He was asked how ?■ i' Vt f L,ke a fovo-ycar-old," he replied, I feel mighty strong to-day." ' Both man were examined by Dr Morrison and Dr Shasher. .physicians appointed by tno authorities in accordance with tho laws AJf Nevada, which require that all pugilists must be certified to bo in fit physical condition before 'beginning a fight. The certificates were given without question. Jeffries lounged around- his training quarters after breakfast. He shaved on, tho ia.wn in the presence ,of a largo crowd of enthusiastic spectators. Jeffries was ki an UMieuaJly .good humour for him. Ho joked and laughed and chewed gum vigorously. Johnson took a motor car ride, .and then went into "Jim" May's gambling,casino and put the equivalent of £i on.bla-pk at the roulette table "just to show iw's confidence in the colour' of his race." ' Black won, and Johnson grinned broadly. ■;_" Gentlemen, there's another black a-gdin' to win this afternoon," he said.

While Jeffries was lunching at his quarters a stray yellow nog wandered into the room Somebody made a move to throw the dog out. Jeffries refused to permit it, and said- "That is my 'luck' come to visit mo. Keep him and take him down to the ring with us. He is going to bo my mascot" _ The yellow dog was promptly made o, prisoner. siad wter was escorted by Joifries's friends to tho arena. ENTERING THE RING. In the arena probably 18,1)00- persons rat baking in the fierce mid-day Nevada sun, while outsido another crowd almost as hi" clamoured for admission. Billy Jordan, tho veteran ' announcer," clambered und<»r thei ropes at 1.43 p.m. and shouted, amidst a. thrill of excitement, that Johnson was in ins dressing room stripping 'for the fray. Ihen followed upon the roped platterm a procession of champions and ex-champions-Bob Fitzsimmons, John L. Sullivan, Jake Kilrain, Tommy Burns,. Gotch, tile, wrestler, and many others famous in varied .departments of sport, all of whom we.ro greeted with an uproar of cheering. Tho excitement was. intense, and several world champions who showed symptoms of making a speech, and so delaying tho appearance. of Jeffries and Johnson, outlasted fheir welcome. Those who managed to say a few words were heard with impatience.

Jeffries, : who mas still in his cottage, several m.ilc-s away, when Johnson .was dtessing at the ringside, sit last appeared in his motor car, at 2 p.m. He had'made a preliminary visit to the ring to inspect the arrangements in the morning, and, having found all satisfactory, returned home to wait patiently. Mrs Jeffries and his two yourgor brothers helped him while ■the time away. Johniion was the first to enter the ring, followed by Jeffries. Their exultant reception at tho Iwnds of the crowd, the roars of thunderous cheers, again and again renewed, the tense strain and excitement which pervaded the arena, as men and women stood and shouted for their favourite, baffle description. Jake Kilrain said that in all liis experience he had seen notl-ing like it, and, he added, "there will be nothing like it again." Johnson had a blaok-and white luifh robe round his broad skuldcrs; he seemed well pleased, and the smile, showing his six golden teeth; extended almost from car to ear. Jeffries, as he stepped info the ring, stampsd heavily, testing the platform. He seemed satisfied, and then found time to gazecuriously and unmoved on the big audience ranged in ascending tiers on four sides. At that time the white- champion wore a grey business-suit and grey golf cap, of which he divested himself in the presence of ths spectators, wearing fcenealih a natty pair of purple tights. Both men wore the national colours around their waists, and tho hands of both were bandaged with tape to shield the knuckles. Jelfrics gazed for a moment in Johnson's corner, but his expression did not change. Ho had lv i introduced, despite Johnson's protoil, .., "champion of the world."

Tlie fight-prs .tossed for corners. Jeffries won, and took the south-west comer, where the sun was partially behind his back. Johnson occupied the north-east corner of the ring, unprotected from the sun. Jeffries was chewing gum vigorously. Rickard apportioned the gloves, wh'oh were slowly donnci by the men. The lighters were introduced by Jordan, after which Corbett closely examined both men. The fight began at 2.46. When time was called, the battlo bogan without tho customary handshake. Tins was not duo to any personal enmity between the men, however. Seldom liavo two prizefighters fought in such good temper. Jeffries and Johnson yore smiliiH*_at each _othqy bityvcen blow&

Just before the crowd was admitted, Jim Corbett, the old veteran who acted as ohief advisor to Jeffries, examined the ring. Ho was not satisfied. The oanvas covering was said to bo too thin, and without padding between the oanvas and tho boards there was a danger that. a. fall might cause a fracture of the skull or of a limb. Both combatants sent in some padding, and that offered by Johnson was accented and used. When Jeffries was led back to his corner by Oorbatt, .'Borger, and Jack Jeffries after tho fight, of which dotails havo already been cabled, ho was still dazed. Johnson stood in the centro of tho ring and received congratulations on his victory from Hilly Dolaney and his other seconds. As ho talked to Dolaney. Johnson was breathing normally and was not hurt. Later he went to Jeffrics'e corner to 6hako hands with his opponent, but Corbett and O'Brien waved him away, ant! he returned to his own corner of tho ring. The crowds wero so dense round tho ring that tho police had to beat them back. The first man to congratulate the conquering negro was John L. Sullivan. Jeffries, who _was attended by doctors, as ho sat in his cornor shook his head sadly for a few minutes', and was then led to his dressing-room, and soon afterwards taken to his camp at Moana Springs. Tho ring was. then completely dismantled by souvenir hunters. WHO NEXT? There is practically a consensus of opinion now that Johnson- is one of the greatest fighters tho world has seen. In the flush of victory even competent authorities aro stating that he is absolutely tho cleverest boxer and the best fighter the prize-ring has oyer seen. That opinion; <,•' course, time is liable to modify. _ Meanwhile, nobody can pint to a heavyweight, either' white or black, who can stand up to him. Langford's challenge to the winner, announced from-tho ring before the fight commenced; is not taken seriously. England oan offer nobody for the ' honour. Hagiio and Moir aro second-rates. "Several people," says Mr J.H.Douglas, England's amateur middleweight ex-cham-pion, "have mentioned F. J. V. Hopley, the ox-Cambridge heavyweight, is a. likely man. Hopley. was an extraordinarily fine boxer, as he was so unusually uuiok for a man of his size and weight. Sinco :io was 19 only one man. has stood up to him for more than,one round, and thon it was only a. round and 50 seconds. No one else hasover lasted a round. Ho is 6ft in height, his span from finger-tip to fingertip is 75iin, and lie weighs just over 15 stone in fighting trim.' Nevertheless, even if Hopley had gone on Boxing pr wero to como ■■ back and train on again, I do not ' believe that ho would ever be able to tacklo suoh a stiff proposition as Johnson."

Mr Eugene Corri, tho well-known, memtar of the National Sporting Club, who JMS refereed, in «> many big. boxing matches, is decidedly optimistic. Ho oven declares that ho knows tho man who will do so, and that man an Englishman, \"l am confident that we. do possess a mam fit to defeat the nisfger and win back world's championship. The man I set my hopes on i» Bumbardiel - Wells. ' Now, Wells has not naff the reputation h© deserves, simply because most of his fighting has been done in India, where he has never been matched against, anyone re-illy first-class. But I haw seen him fight, and I know what he can do. Ho ie only 21 years of age, stands 6ft 3in, is finely proportioned, (ind_ just the right build for a fighter/ Put him in the hands of a'competent trainer for a 'w months, and I guarantee that- have a man really worbh.y to become Jbhimon's opponent. He has given up the army Oind inteJids,to mats fighting his profession. lam quite confidant that he is tho coming man—tho man to whom wo can look to wrest, tho championship from Johnson."