Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-03
BLACKBURN HELD
AS A WONDER
ONLY OPPONENT WORTHY OF
CANS
Gains Added Distinction by Knocking
Out Heavyweight Bradley in
the Second Round with
Blow Behind Ear

Their is just one lightweight in the
public eye today who appears as a
worthy opponent of Joe Cans. When
| Jack Blackburn, said to be of Phila-
delphia, knocked out Fred Bradley, the
Boston heavyweight, last week in the
second round the devotees of Kingdom
began searching for dope regarding
the black wonder.
Although Bradley has never been
touted as even a promising member
of the present heavyweight class his
record shows knockouts of many husky
ring men.
Just why Blackburn remains in the
background, with Joe Cans taking all
the white light, has not been satisfac-
torily explained.
In response to a Herald readers re-
quest for some "dope" relative to the
recent bout the following account of
an eastern sporting writer is herewith
published:
1t was one of the cleanest knockouts
ever seen in this city Up to the time
Bradley had been outpointed, but was
in no serious danger.
Seeing an opening when the white
man led Blackburn countered with a
terrific right behind the ear
The blow knocked Bradley cold and
he was counted out He had to be
carried to his corner, and it was several
minutes before he revived.
Draw Color Line
The bout stamps Blackburn as being
one of the most remarkable fighters in
the country. When he started his ca
reer several years ago he disposed of
his opponents so frequently that the
other men in his set soon ostracised
him.
White men drew the color line and
even colored fighters avoided him. This
was because they knew Of his speed and
hitting ability.
Blackburn has been virtually in OBJ
scurity in the last year or more simply
because nobody of any name would
give him battle.
The only reason Bradley agreed to
match with him was because he had
such a tremendous weight advantage.
Meeting a man like Bradley, however,
was believed by fight fans to be poor
exhibition of judgment on the part of
the negro, as Bradley has been rapidly
winning honors among the heavy
weights.
Very recently Bradley twice knocked
out Jim Jeffords, 200-pounder. in a
few rounds, while he also finished JACK
Williams in two rounds.
Many thought that even Jacks class
was overshadowed by the sturdy Brad
lays walloping ability. When they
entered the ring Blackburn looked
around the 140-pound mark. Bradley
weighed fully 165 pounds.
Blackburn took the lead from the
start. The tall negro, with legs no
bigger than a baseball bat, but power
full arms and shoulders, shot out his
left and there was so much force be-
hind the jabs that Bradley's nose and
mouth commenced to bleed after he
had landed two or three times.
Clean Knockout
Bradley rushed furiously, but Black
burn stepped aside and blocked or
avoided every time he charged. Once
blackburn countered with his right to
the law and Bradley fell to his knees,
but was up in an instant. Jack con-
tinued to lab and had big lead when
the bell rang.
| Bradley, seeing that he could not keep
away from his opponents left. walked
in to settle his man in punch in the
| second round. He swung his right Tor
the head and it was partly blocked.
Blackburn pushed him away and
| commenced to jab. He varied 1t with
a right to the head. Again the New
Englander determinedly rushed in and
| led with his right.
It was the opening for which Black
burn was looking.
| Like a flash he swung his right with
all his strength. The blow did not
travel more than half foot, but II
caught the New Englander behind the
cor opd he fell heavily to the floor.