A BOXING HOAX.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1075, 13 October 1910, Page 12

A BOXING HOAX.

JACK JOHNSON’S SUBSTITUTE.

Jim Johnson is a wise guy! to use an Americanism, but if Jack of that ilk was to get hold of him “deres likely to be trouble between dem niggers.” At least that is what I gather from as cute and neat a little bit of business imaginable, enacted across the French frontier, (says an English writer). Even our one and only Parisian sporting daily, “L’Auto,” fell into the hoax by informing its readers that Jack Johnson was actually in Belgium; in fact, that he had been booked to spar at the Brussels Exhibition. Having heard not word about the champion’s departure from the States, this extraordinary piece of news was, to say the least of it, startling. Having a friend in Brussels I wired for information. A cryptic reply that the J. J. of Brussels had “no good teeth” convinced me of the joke about to be perpetrated on the unsuspecting Belgians. It was not my business to expose the scheme, so I allowed the comedy to wend its way in blistful smoothness. Jack Johnson was still in America, but a namesake of his, named Jim, was masquerading as the real thing, and actually appeared before an all-admiring crowd the while he fulfilled a lucrative engagement as Jack Johnson, Champion of the World. “JACK JOHNSON” ARRIVES AT BRUSSELS. The pseudo-champion’s arrival at Brussels was marked by the highest form of festivity. Thousands of people awaited the “great boxer’s” advent with breathless excitement. To cap all, Johnson’s welcome assumed presidential dimensions, a brass band greeting him with the American National Anthem. One of the leading newspapers, “Le Petit Bleu,” went so far as to boom him generally, and fete the “celebrated champion” in sparkling nectar. It was a great day for the Belgians, the Exhibition itselfl paling into insignificance before the coming of “Jack Johnson.” The hoax was carried put to the letter, be it noted, the darky, blazing in magnificent apparel, selecting the best hotel in the town as his quarters. Thus was it that even the great and astute Bostock was taken in. How this came about is all the more extraordinary, seeing that the great showman knew the real Jack Johnson, and actually conversed with the substitute up-

on past matters.. The result of this “renewed acquaintance” was the engagement already referred to, and the eventual abrupt disappearance of “Jack Johnson” and his manager. Following these successes, Jim Johnson —for it was he, the hero of the hoax —came to Paris. Things were not so exhilarating in the gay city, although Jim was gazed upon with mute admiration by the passer-by and generally believed to be the conqueror of Jim Jeffries. Things threatened to take a serious turn, for, in his fury at having been so diddled, Bostock contemplated extreme measures. Another journey to Brussels by Jim’s manager, however, put things right, so I am led to understand, and the burly negro is still in Paris seeking a contest with Sam McVea. Jim Johnson is a massive coon, and could easily be mistaken for his more illustrious namesake.

The Belgians are very sore, it appears, at being chosen as the victims of this hoax. It had its amusing side, Jim’s experience as “world’s champion” being not the least entertaining part of the whole joke. In Brussels, however, they don’t see things in the same light. Ah, well, there is so little humour in the average Belgian.

Since writing the above, Mr. Charles Galvin, Jim Johnson’s real manager, informs me that he was the victim of a third party, and had nothing to do with the affair. In fact, Mr. Galvin has been at a considerable monetary loss by the “sad business,” as he calls it, and is now on the prowl for that third party. Being a bit of a bruiser himself, there’s likely to be lively times if the two do meet. But why “sad” business, Mr. Galvin? Amusing, you must mean. Spending an evening with the now famous (or notorious —which is it?) Jim Johnson, I took advantage of the occasion to question him as to the ,abdlve(-mentioned sensation. “Wlajl,/ bully!” replied Jim with a smile that expanded almost to New York. The part of the world-champion hoax, however, that appealed to him most, was the fact that he slept in a bed the charge for which was 30 shillings a night. “Yah!” vouchsafed he, “it was grand; nebber sleeped so well in all my life.” The role of world’s champion has its drawbacks, however, according to James; he complains of having been kept too busy dispensing his autograph. “No,” reproachfully said Jim, “I did not sign myself ‘Jack Johnson,’” adding, with a deliciously childish naivete, “I am no imposter. I just put down my own name. I could not make out what all the fuss was about when I arrived at Brussels,” went on Johnson. “Gee! it was great —motor-cars, bands, champagne, banquet! Yah!” sorrowfully added this huge mass of coloured humanity, “it feels good to be a world’s champion.” It is as well to point out in Jim’s favour that, not being able to understand French, he knew nothing about the imposition, but faithfully “followed orders.” The gentleman who gave those orders has made himself very scarce. Jim now says that he is going to be the real thing. Having tasted all the joys of conquerors, his soul is fired with the desire for supremacy.

The Northern Boxing Association, who intend holding an attractive carnival in Auckland shortly, are unable to adhere to the night originally decided upon, viz. next Wednesday, owing to the arrangements for a couple Of first-class exponents from Australia to visit these shores and provide the star attraction, not being definitely settled yet. The Association are determined to make the forthcoming carnival one that will meet with the universal appreciation of boxing patrons, and have shown much wisdom in postponing the tournament for the time being. Negotiations, however, are at present nearly complete for a contest of exceptional merit, particulars of which will be published later.

The Palmerston Amateur Boxing Club has arranged to hold a tournament on November Bth, the carnival to be under the auspices of the Manawatu Boxing Association. Any profit from it will go towards the furnishing of an up-to-date gymnasium, the need of which has been greatly felt. Several really good bouts are already assured. There will be contests between Ellis (Wellington) and Shields (Palmerston), Kerr (Nelson) and Havil (Palmerston), Dalziell (Tokomaru), and Childs (Palmerston), Teed v. Waters, Treweek v. Bason, and Brown v. Moxon. Besides the foregoing ten competitors have entered for the novice competition (feather-weight).

It has been said by those who know him intimately that Johnson is one of the biggest hearted men who ever drew breath, either black or white. The latest proof of the assertion is that the coloured champion has deposited £20,000 in a bank in Chicago, and has bought his mother a motorcar, whilst in addition gifts of from £5O to £l5O have been sent to eight persons who befriended him at his native town in the days gone by. One received £lOO for saving the black fellow from drowning when a boy, and to the man who taught him how to box the conqueror of Jeff forwarded £l5O.

Johnson is a very shrewd, smart fellow, with an exceptionally quiet and active mind (says a writer). He is also a far-sighted fellow. He is a fatalist, therefore, is relieved of the fear and apprehension and worriment of looking ahead. These characteristics enable him to have a free and contented mind always seeking enjoyment and pleasure, yet never losing sight of the fact that he must not go to an extreme that would destroy his physical powers. He is too shrewd for that. Johnson has a mind that could make a success in any profession or any business.

Joe Gardiner, the English wrestler, who met with an accident while engaged in a bout with Czar at Napier the other week, injuring his head and remaining unconscious for 20 minutes, has completely recovered from the effects of the mishap, and intends leaving for Australia in a few weeks. Gardiner has done much to popularise wrestling since his arrival in this country, and will be greatly missed in athletic circles.

Noakes, a Waihi wrestler, writes to Mr. J. H. Trudgeon, secretary of the Northern Boxing Association, stating that he is desirous of meeting Louis S. Robertson, of Stratford, in a professional wrestling bout, and asking that the match be held in Auckland under the supervision of the N.B. Association. Noakes, who is considered a tough opponent on the mat, is unable to secure a hall in Waihi, and has therefore communicated with the secretary of the N.B.A. Robertson’s fame as a wrestler is already well known throughout New Zealand, and should the pair be brought together a sterling contest should result.