The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1906-07-28
WORLDS
CHAMPION IN SIGHT
SAM BERGER, 22 YEARS OLD
MAKES GREAT SHOWING WHEN
HE FOUGHT JACK O'BRIEN.

PHILADELPHIA, july l6.-Sam Ber-
ger of San Francisco made his debut
as a professional fighter tonight and
defeated Jack O'Brien, champion of
the world. He outpointed, out-general-
ed and outfought the conqueror of Fitz-
simmons at every stage of the siX-round
contest.
II was the greatest surprise ever
sprung in the prize ring in this city.
Today it seemed to be a question of
how long Berger could keep his feet
before being beaten into submission.
Tonight if there was a way to measure
his superiority over OBrien the tape
would have to be strung out over a
city block.
For six rounds all the law allowed
for the fight, Berger slammed OBrien
all over the ring. He cut him to rib
bons i'm his home city, before all his
friends and on the very some platform
where Philadelphia Jack made his rep
utation and fought to fame.
1t was a sorry sight for O'Brien
when the last bell sounded. A thou
sand Of his supporters jumped to the
ringside to shake Berger's hand and
proclaim him the future idol They
were in an impulsive frenzy. They
had gone to see the 22-year-old san
Francisco boy fall at the first real
step of his ambition. If he had held
his own he could have been heralded
as the coming peer of all fighters. But
he could not wait. O'Brien had the
| light heavyweight championship: Sam
my wanted it. There was no uphill
| fighting for him. He wanted the whole
thing or nothing, and only the lack Of
decision prevented him from getting it.
He sailed after it from the word
| go and made O'Brien look like a piece
of cheese cake. Berger had been spok-
en- of as a human cucumber and ripe
one at that. But he proved to be
! Croesus of ring generalship, a child
giant with every gift to make him
! fighter
Berger landed the first blow of the
fight and the last one. Both men were
on their feet at the end and both were
tired. But there was no doubt left as
to which had the better of the fight,
O'Brien settled into his corner with his
/ head hanging to one side and a forced
grin on his face.
Hes a good one" said Jack. "He
took me wholly unawares, as I have
underestimate his ability. know him
now, though, and will prove that I can
| beat him"
Some one then rushed across the ring
shouting Berger"
DO they think he won?" said O'Brien
jumping up and brushing one of his
rubbers aside. "Why, I'd have had
him easy in a finish fight"
Berger was all smiles and shaking
hands almost as fast as he had landed
blows n O'Brfen. He said.
well, 1 know you've all been jok-
ing about me in the past and haven't
taken me seriously. 1 won't say 1 eX-
pected this result. I'll let you guess
now whether you think I came all the
way from the coast to be pummeled to
pieces. No, 1 had no intention of stand
| ing for it.
"O'Brien can box, and no one knows
it better than I do right now, but I
think l beat him at his own game"
WANTS TO MEET JEFFRIES.
NEW YORK, July 1S-Sam Berger,
upon his arrival, found waiting him an
offer from Coffroth, asking him to ap-
pear in Los Angeles during August and
September Berger said he was not
going to make any reply to the offer
| until he got a really good proposition.
| "As a matter of fact" said Berger
4 L L 4 l. A.