BOXING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143839, 13 July 1912, Page 8

BOXING.

(By “Upper-Cut.”)

“I am sure going to be champion of the world. 1 have worked two years for this end, and I will sure restore the championship to the white race. Two years ago tno ball of fate dropped in the black holes. This afternoon it is going to drop in the white. This is no idle buncombe. For two years I have taken care of myself, and I have not touched a drop of liquor. I have not touched a cigarette. I will not pick ,tile round in which I will win, but I will win.” ■_ Thus spoke Jim Flynn, the Pueblo .fireman, on' the morning of the great sght at Las Vegas on Thursday week. Mow he failed to make good his boast is now of course old news, but as such meagie details have been up to now available, the following remarks by one present at the contest will be of interest:—

Flynn appeared in the ring smiling confidently. He did not seem to be at all worried.

Johnson stepped over the ropes with his ‘face wreathed, in smiles, and then affectionately greeted his wife. At the champion’s request she was escorted to another box in order to be closer to the ring. Flynn joked with'her, and asked her if she intended betting on her husband.

The order was then given for the ring to be cleared The men posed before the picture machines, and at 2.49 the order “Box on” was given. Time after time Johnson caught Flynn wide open and held off with his left when he could easily have ended the fight. It was obvious that the black man was playing with his opponent and simply knocking him about instead of finishing him. . Captain Coles, in explanation of his action in stopping the fight, said that he had dond so because it was no longer a boxing contest, not even a prize tight- It had degenerated into a brutal and - degrading battering of one man by another who had at .all times during the contest been his mister. Besides that, Flynn had been guilty of too much fouling during' the later rounds. Eddie Smith, the referee, said that both men had repeatedly violated the rules, Flynn being the principal offender. Smith added that he had brim forced, to warn Flynn seven or eight times. While the boxer did not appear to think he was doing foul work he did much damage. , There was no serious complaint to be made, Smith added, as far as Johnson was concerned. He had not felt called upon to disqualify Flynn, but after Captain Coles’ action there was nothing left for the referee to do but to award the fight to Johnson. When Johnson loft the ring it was seen that apart from a slight cut on his mouth he showed no signs that ho had been fighting at all His breathing was regular and his temper unruffled. ,

The fight was not pleasant to look at. Flynn tried to fight in the fashion h® aimounced he would, but ho was powerless against the" great black. . Johnson held the fireman baffled throughout, and Flynn failed to land one good plinoh which might be classified as damaging. The only apparent damage was the slight injury to the champion’s month. Johnson said that he got that through Flynn butting him. , ■ ,

The champion had little difficulty in reaching his opponent’s fact- with long left and right l jabs,, or left and right uppercuts. v • ■ . At the end of the second round Johnson had Plyurt bleeding badly. The negro fought one of his lazy fights, and it appeared that if he had tried "his best he could have stopped Flynn at any stage of the game after the first round.

According -to the articles of agreement signed by Johnson and Flynn, it 'was stipulated" that in the event of the authorities interfering the man who had had the bettor of the fighting was to he declared the winner. .

Til3 end came after Flynn bad butted "deliberately three or four.times. ■ His face was'horribly battered about, and ho was evidently, keen upon , being disounlificd, of having the police interfere. ‘ So frequently had Fly mi butted that Captain Coles jumped through the ropes and waved Flynn to his corner. He slapped Johnson on the arm as a signal of victory." , ; Several seconds ■ elapsed * before the referee, Ed. Smith, made the official announcement. ,

. The crowd-was in a state of perplexity. The great majority had no knovyledge of the agreement, and they did not know who was the winner.

It has been ascertained, that the terms of Johnson’s contract with Hugh D. APlutcsh for an Australian contest are on a grand scple. The contract was signed through Mr. Tom Audrews, who represents Air. AlTntosh in America. ■Jojmson has contracted to fight Sara Langford, :and - also to be matched against Sam APYeii. The champion will get £9OOO for both battles,.-which are to take place, within six months. Johnson will leave Vancouver for Aus-tralia-in September. ' Before, clinching the contract Johnson wanted to wait till after his battle .with Flynn, but finally said thaf'he was so sure of winning that it did not matter .whether he waited or not. , . The contract was thereupon signed.