The record-union., 1891-01-16
THEY WILL BOX.
The Much-T TaIked of Johnson-McCo
Match Now a Certainty.
Excitement in Amateur Circles Over
the Affair Dispute Between the
Sacramento and Olympic Clubs.

Local amateur athletic circles were all
agog yesterday over the receipt of official
information from San Francisco to the
effect that the Olympic Club of that city
had at last given its consent for a special
boxing match between Robert McCord,
the hitherto Pacific Coast niddle-weight
champion, and William Johnson, of the
Sacramento Athletic Club, who defeated
McCord at the last coast tournament.
1t will be remembered that after Nc
Cord was defeated, it was stated that he
had not trained for the contest and was
not in condition to do himself or the
Olympic Club (whose representative
he was) justice, in a contest with
Johnson, who was. in magnificent
trim. This tournament was Johnson's
first experience in the roped arena,
and naturally his friends and club
mates in this city were elatcd
when the news came that he had defeated
such an experienced veteran as McCord
who, by the way, had held the cham
pionship against all comers for several
years, and was believed to be invincible.
But Johnson did not relish the statements
that the contest would have resulted
otherwise had McCord been in condition,
and publicly announced that h>a would
not claim any honors until McCord had
been given q chance to win back his lost
laurels.
JoHNsoN'S COURSE APPROVED.
The Sacramento Athletic Clubapproved
the stand Johnson had taken, and offered
to put up trophy for the two giadiators
to contest for in this city. But the
Olympic Club objected to this, and stub
bornly refused to grant McCord the per-
mission he asked to come to Sacramento.
When asked for an explanation, the
Olympic Club Directors tersely replied
that they didn't want to fight the tourna-
ment over again. But at the same time
they soothed McCord by presenting him
with handsome medal Tor his loyalty to
the club in endeayoring to keep the
championship at home.
The friends of both johnson and Nc
Cord gave up all hope of arranging the
match.
OF late, however, it was rumored about
that If the Sacramento Club would permit
the match to take place at the Olympic
Club McCord would be permitted to meet
Johnson, This was just what the local
club would not agree to, as the members
of the Olympic Club had already wit
messed one contest between the men, and
| 1T was the Sacramento Clubs turn now
That there was some foundation for. the
rumor became evident last Saturday
Wnen oscar Tolle, prominent member
OF the Olympic Club, came to this city
and sought a conference with the officers
OF the local club regarding the match
IT IS SETTLED.
Mr.. Tolle, of course. was looking out
for the interests of his club, but when the
local clubmen explained the situation to
him he agreed with them that the match
should take place in the rooms of the Sac
ramento Athletic Club, and he promised
to lay the matter in its proper light before
the directors Of his club. That he kept
his promise, and was successful in set
Ting the dispute, is apparent from the
following letter received from him yes.
terday by one of the officers of the local
club:
SAN FRANCISCO, January =, 1891.
Friend ----: | appeared before the board
last night and advocated your club. Cur
board IN my presence, gave McCord pernis-
sion to go to sacramento for the match if he
tMcCord) wishes Il match. Our Board of Di-
rectors furthermore will foster the idea and
claim of your club in having the match in
your club rooms So far so good. You will
receive notice to that effect. Viii see McCord
soon and let you know what he says. Was
glad to see our board coincide with yours and
my views in the matter, and also willing to
give a helping hand to your already prosper
Gus club. Yours, ETC., O. A. ToLLE
AS McCord has at all times expressed
himself as ready and anxious for the
match, there is no reason to believe that
he will change his mind now. The match
viii take place in about six weeks. and
will be witnessed only by members of
hotb nl,Ibs