Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-01-09
(By James c. Isaminger, in the Phil

(By James c. Isaminger, in the Phil
adelphia North American.)
After a quest of more than a year
In which time he girdled the globe.
Jack Johnson the powerful Texas
negro, cornered Tommy Burns in a
ring at Sydney and deprived him OF
the worlds heavyweight champion
ship.
Johnson had championship ideas
before that. He fought Marvin Hart
in March, 1905. and lost the decision
after twenty rounds of fighting. but
after this reverse his career has been
one OF uninterrupted success.
He whipped everybody who dared
20 meet him. but his chances at the
white men OF class in his division
were few and far between. because
most OF them used the silly color-line
plea as subterfuge 20 avoid meet
ing him.
The tail Texas black is the first OF
his race 20 win n worlds heavyweight
championship. The nearest 10 come
TO this honor was Peter Jackson, who
held the English and Australian IL
ties. but was denied the chance for
further advancement because John l..
sullivan religiously spurned hin
II is a singular fact that the new
title holder fought more in Philadel-
phia than In any other city. although
his chase after the championship led
him all around the globe. Most OF
his local bouts were fought before
Lew Bailey's Broadway Athletic Club
BAILEY HELPED JOHNSON.
These modest little purses at the
Broadway kept Johnson from want
when he was denied the right TO show
his skill at the other fight centers.
The Broadway Athletic Club nurtur-
ed him until the time came when he
could look for better things.
Johnson takes place in ring his
tory along with Peter Jackson. Joe
Walcott George Dixon. Joe Cans, the
Kentucky Rosebud and other formi-
dable African glovemen. He is the
best Of a new crop Of black fighters.
which include Sam Langford, the un-
defeated miidleweight. who himself
has been sidestepped by Champion
Ketchel, and Jack Blackburn, of
philadelphia. who is so good that he
is meeting with the same obstacles
that hindered Johnson for several
years
liable patience of the Negro in work
ing his way to the top after encoun-
tering rebuffs and disappointments
on all sides. Time and again he has
been matched with white men OF a
bility. only for the latter TO funk
out at the last minute by inventing
some excuse. He has crossed the At
lantic and the Pacific; travelled TO
the large cities of three continents
with the set purpose of getting en-
gagements.
Johnson has always thrown the
articles of agreement to the four
winds. Name any terms Just
give me a chance TO fight" has ever
been his motto.
The writer remembers a little talk
he had with Johnson just before his
first voyage TO Australia about two
years ago. Il was at the National
Athletic Club In this city, and John
son was at the ringside as a specta-
tor.
A few days before Al Kaufman.
who came East with the professed
intention OF meeting all comers had
made a verbal agreement TO meet
Johnson in a six-round go here John
son, eager, came to Philadelphia to
clinch the match, but the night be-
fore Kaufman secretly stole away
for the Pacific coast leaving Johnson
with an empty bag.
cit makes my blood boil" said
johnson, In speaking OF the incident.
"to think that ] am being treated
this way by men who are supposed
to have courage. cen whip any OF
these heavyweights II they give me
a chance. They are trying to keep
me down. but Il won't last forever.
They'll have to recognize me some
time, and then you'll see Mr.. john
son on top" Johnson made this
prediction true.
All the vexations he met have been
compensated by tie fact he has grasp
cd that foY which he has long been
striving ne Is now the worlds