The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-20
BEST IN ENGLAND.
Johnny Summers a New OppO-
nent for Bat" Nelson.
He Has the Backing of q Real
English Aristocrat.
FAST FEATHERWEIGHT
Two Will Be Matched for Big
Side Bet and Purse.
There Is No Record of Summers
Having Been Knocked Down.

Cincinnati, Feb. 2O.-The Enquirer
says:
has received from r. B. Mathieson,
the noted London sporting critic, a let
ter and photograph of Johnny sum
mers, the Canningtown feathef
weight, who has an English lord PACK
ing him for fight with Battling Nell
son. Summers is said to be the best
light boy in all England. Mr. Mathie-
London, Feb. 6, 1907.
1.-The advent of Battling Nelson has
been the means of. causing quite tur-
MOL in English pugilism- He mas
staked the country in company with
Billy Nolan, his manager, in search or
a fight, but up to the time of writing
way of a match has been decided
upon. At the headquarters of English
boxing-the National Sporting club,
London-Mr. Bettinson, the manager,
had an interview with one of the peers
OF the realm who does not wish his
name disclosed and this gentleman
has agreed to back Johnny Summers,
of Canningtown, London, the recog-
nized feather weight champion, to the
extent of FL, 900 (S5, 10000. This is only
a side stake, and with purse of an
other $1,000, given by the National
Sporting club. and Nelson's stake of
similar amount, a fight could be ar
ranged for an aggregate sum OF 900
(S15, 000), Battling Nelson and Billy
Nolan are at Monte Carlo enjoying the
salubrious Mediterranean breezes, but
are expected back in London within
the next few days. Billy Nolan is
ayerse to matching Nelson for a
staked sum. Give us big building
wherein to decide our fights he says,
and let the boxers get the benefit of
the gate. If you decide the match at
the National Sporting club none but
members will be admitted. Let the
public pay the dollars at the door and
let's have thousands of them Nelson
says he will fight at 100 pounds, and
Summers can do this weight comfort
ably, In fact the Londoner finds it
struggle to box at a lighter poundage.
Summers, as already indicated, has
very good backing, and although he
weeks ago, he is a much superior
fighter to the South Shields boxer. If
there is one man in England whose
chance could be fancied above the rest
say his friends, of him ever having
been knocked down, and if he would
but control his temper the best of
fighters could not master him. Sum-
ners is England's feather weight
champion, a title he has successfully
defended Except on the occasion he
fought Robson1 against all eomers. He
IS elassed a better man than Ben Jor-
dan-the first manv to beat George
Dixon, of Nova Scotia and the con-
queror of Eddy Santry, Tom Hogan,
Kid McFadden and Pedlar Palmer
Summers is veFitable pocket Her
cules, and can hit with great power
He is in his twenty-fourth year and
stands feet inches in height.
Johnny claims victories over George
Corfield, Sheffield; Ginger Owen, Lon
don; Cockney Cohen. Leeds; Harry
Paul. London; Wally Morgan, ex-
amateur champion; Bill Stonelake,
London, and George Moore, London
couple OF years ago, while in the
States, he beat Billy Morgan, Max
Hill and Jack williams He also
boxed six rounds with Chick Tucker,
In which no decision was given Tuck
er having just recently contracted a
with Battling Nelson falls through
Summers will Immediately proceed to
San Francisco to fight Abe AtteIl at
126 pounds and will take plenty of
backing with him.