Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-09
by Jay DAVIDSON

BY JAY DAVIDSON
This abomination that resembles po-
etry only in that by freakish ar
rangement of syllables the rhyme Is
squeezed in was received last night
lust as the writer was seeking new
evidence to prove that there is real
interest among the fight fans in the
battle Friday night at McCareys pa
Wilton between Arthur Van Doozer
and Battling Johnson. After this evil
dence is considered, who will deny that
Van has stirred up deep interest IN
his forthcoming debut as ring star!
Van does not take his debut as be-
ing such joke as the bonehead VINO
wrote the alleged poetry about him ana
is working away with all the oeterini-
nation and care that would be expect
ed of Battling Nelson. He old not
work at, the pavilion yesterday after
noon, as was expected, taking JACK
(Twin) Sullivan and Abdul the TURK
to his gymnasium on Broadway ana
stepping six rounds with them as
Windup to about 40 minutes or gym
nasium stunts.
He is a bit excited because an ele-
ment of doubt seems to exist among
the fans as to his ability to stay ten
rounds with johnson and says In no
uncertain manner that he will go into
the ring and spring surprise Tor all
the Doubling ThomaSes OF Los An
geles. He said:
IF anybody thinks l am fool enough
to stand still and let johnson knock
my head off 1t is time to get rid OF the
idea. I realize that johnson is hard
hitter, but that lets him out. He Will
find me faster, cleverer and possessed
of as good q punch as he can snow
and I think 1 will have all the natural
advantages in my favor.
I'm planning my battle, 1 have con-
sidered the probable consequences In
the event johnson manages to land on
me squarely and shall see to it that
he does not land. 1 think l am fast
enough to keep away from those slow
burning fuses and will be far, far away
when they go off, I cannot start a
lead on Spring street and land II IN
Boyle Heights, as he does, but can
avoid them, and my speed Will enable
me to get to him often and effectively.
LET it also be understood that ! am
not planning to enter professional
pugilism as a business. My object IN
fighting johnson is to prove that l can
take care of myself In company OF
professional fighters. Probably TINS
will be my last appearance In the ring
itself. and at all events I shall not be-
come a professional fighter"
Van did not work out at the Maud
Junction pavilion yesterday afternoon,
preferring to take his sparring part
ners on at his private gymnasium: he
boxed three rounds each with JACK
(TWin) Sullivan and Abdul, urging them
at ali times to fan into him and rough
II. He does not attempt to slug with
them to any extent, being fearful that
he might injure his hands, but he says
he gets the full benefit of such work.
outs and has worked himself into per-
feet condition. He will have no room
for excuses II he loses, as he could not
be in better trim.
johnson has no fears as to the result
! and is in great condition. now. He did
ten miles on the road yesterday morn
| ing and boxed several rounds IN the
afternoon with two San PEDRO ngnters.
He assuredly Is improving and Will be
surprise when he goes after van
Doozer. especially In that he VIII De
faster than when he fourrt Flynn and
Is learning how to make a pretense at
sparring. He thinks he will be able to
stop Van DooZer long before the limit,
reasoning that he has the punch TO turn
the trick and the speed to get van into
close quarters to land 1t.
Holbrook showed up at the pavllion
yesterday afternoon and MADE gooo
! impression upon the fans who saw him
work. When he hooks up with Cam
eron in the ten-round preliminary to
the Van Doozer-Johnson nutbusting
exhibition the fans are due to see the
liveliest kind of slugging they ever
saw. Both believe in plenty OF action,
lots of hitting and sudden endlng Ior
ali fights. and each will go after the
other from the tap Of the gong. 1t
appears to be an extraordinarily at
tractive prelim and undoubtedly Will
be up to expectations.
Bubbles Robinson and Young F1tz-
gerald have worked themselves into
satisfactory condition for thelr SIX
round bout. which will be the curtain
raiser and this should be fast and
interesting exhibition.