Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-09-16
EDGREN SAYS
A "REAL" FIGHT
When Burns and Johnson
Meet Something Will
Be Doing

Now that Champion Tommy Burns,
the pigmy heavyweight, has at last ac-
cepted the challenge of giant Jack
Johnson, a genuine heavyweight cham
pionship battle will soon be on the
boards. Johnson rejoices in the digni-
fed title of "colored heavyweight
champion of the world" Burns, who
has been combining his attention to
white men of late, has announced that
he is willing to assert his claim to
supremacy, regardless of race or color.
cal specment. Few better built big men
cal specimen. Few better built big men
have ever put on a boxing glove. He
stands six feet two and weighs we'll
over 200 pounds. He reminds one of
the ancient bronze statues Of the Greek
boxers. He is long of limb, huge of
shoulder and clean cut. Under his
skin the bronze muscles stand out in
sharp relief.
Physically Superior to Burns.
Physically Johnson is far more than
markedly clever boxer His quick
ness and great strength give him abil-
ity to hit a heavy blow. With game
ness and good intentions Johnson
would certainly be one of the most
dangerous big men that ever fought in
ring. On his record it is evident
that he lacks either gameness or ring
honesty.
Sam McClntick, manager Of Dick
Hyland, has seen Johnson fight in the
West
Johnson" says McClintick, sis game
enough. He has no yellow streak.
The only trouble with him is that he
isn't aggressive enough. He is too
careful. He stalls along all through
his fights, taking good care of his face
and letting the other man do the work.
He doesn't take any chances. He has
faxed lot of fights Perhaps that was
because he couldn't get the matches
without promising to be good
Neither Ever LAID Down."
Tommy Burns has faxed a fight or
two, as well as Johnson. But neither
Johnson nor Burns has ever "laid
down" When there has been anything
fixed" it has been for Johnson or
Burns to win or draw without putting
the other fellow in the hospital.
Burns has a great money making
future if he wins this fight, Johnson
has the same prospect if he wins
Either can make more by winning thar
by laying down" and betting on the
result. DeAling with fighters who are
inclined to arrange matters before en-
tering the ring it's best to regard the
whole thing as a business proposition
or commercial proposition" to
quote Jack O'Brien.
}, Will Probably Be Square.
Viewed as Commercial PROPOSE
tion," this Burns-J johnson fight prom
Uses best results if it is fought on the
level. It's a case where honesty is the
best money making policy.
1t will be a hummer-fought on the
square.
No. one ever accused Tommy Burns
of having a yellow streak He's 6
, great fighter of his inches. He is g
savage fighting man. For all of his
squat figure, he will probably tear into
j the ebony giant as if he were just an
other Jack OBrien or Bill Squires.
Burns is half foot shorter than th'
big Zulu But he has long reach
His arms are just as thick. He Il
i broad shouldered. And he is tough and
enduring as any heavyweight in thu
ring. He can take a world of punch
, ing without losing grain Of his cour
age.
This will surely be longer figh
than the affair between Burns ant
Squires, or the short one between
johnson and crippled Bob F'itzsim
2 mons.
& To make a longrange prediction, |
( ought to go 80 rounds. And that viii
: make a show worth the price of J
!, Coffroths ringside seats.