BOXING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13421, 7 July 1911, Page 6

BOXING.

JOHNSON AND LANG. ARTICLES~SIGNED.

Press Association—Telegraph.—Copyright. Received July 7, 11.30 a.m. LONDON, July 6, Jack Johnson has signed to fight Lang in Sydney on Easter Monday.

JOHNSON AND LANGFORD.

A BID FROM SYDNEY.

WHAT THE MATCH MIGHT DRAW.

While 'Mclntosh, Coffqrth, Gleason, and others are busily engaged in bidding for a tight between Jack Johnson and Sam Langford, which, in the event of their securing the fixture, would be staged in either England, France, or the United States, Sydney is not being left out in the cold altogether (says the Sydney Sun), The newly-formed Self-defence and Sports, Ltd., the company that has secured on option over the sports ground for the purpose of conducting boxing contests nest season, has set its hat at the fixture, and has opened negotiations with the object of securing it. Mr Cbas. Lundin, the managing director of the company, cabled Johnson the other day asking him to get in touch with Langford, and discover whether'they could come to terms for a figlit in Sydney. The date named for the contest ivas next Boxing Day, and the men were offered 70 per cent, of the gate receipts. Johnson has hot displayed any eagerness at any time to meet Langford, nor has lie been keen on fighting at all. He has said that he will not take the ring unless he receives £6OOO as his share, and although the present proposition looks good on paper, it docs not seem likely that it will bring the champion into the open. The ground on which the battle would be fought would accommodate 30,000 people, and it is possible that it would draw a world’s record crowd. Assuming a full “house” paying £5, £3, £2, £l, 10s, and ss, the prices likely to he charged for such an attraction, the proposal has a remarkably good appearance. With 15,000 scats at ss, 7000 at 10s, 3000 at £l. 2000 at £2, 2000 at £3, and 1000 at £5, the gate would reach the immense total of .£25,250. After 30 per cent, had been deducted there would bo £17,67' left, and supposing the usual 60 and 10 per cent, division was agreed upon, the winner would receive .£10,605, and the loser .£7070. Of the £7575 which the fighters would not handle, the trustees of the ground would receive 10 per cent.. or £2525, and the promoters £5050. Tins is how the thing looks on paper, hut if is very doubtful whether Johnson will see it in the same light. The champion has said he will insist on £6OOO, win, lose, or draw, and it is unlikely that the present offer will startle him or cause him to turn his attention towards Australia.