The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1909-05-20
FOUGHT JACK JOHNSON SIX FAST
ANC FURIOUS ROUNDS AT
PHILADELPHIA.
THE H0h0RS WERE EVEN
Champion Seemed Out of Condition
O6rien Was in and Out
Like a Flash--Johnson
Wrestied Him.

NNH' NpicitH h@dN y NhiSul tIdllDloI,
failed to win over Jack O'Rtien of
Philadelphia light heavyweight, to-
night in a six round Dout. The fight
was even aud the conccnsus Of opin-
ion was that it would have been a
draw, had a ,clson been permis-
sible. OBrien's marveIously fast
tcotwOrk and his superior blocking
saved him from damage in several
close mixes and three times he was
forced to his knees ny the great
strer9th and weight Of the negro, in
clinches.
A Fast Fight.
It was a fast fight, O Brien dling
the greater part of the leading John
son seemed slow ON his feet, ana
peared not to be in his best condi-
ton. Repeatedly the champion
rushed his smaller antagonist. but
seldom landed effectively. A right
hand counter in he ffll round cut
O'Bron's right eye ana this was the
sum total of the damage done in the
six rounds. O'Bricn was IN and out
like a flash in nearly every round,
stabbing johnson on the face, but
the blows lacked force and had no
offect other than to make the black
man grin and wave his nand at the
crowd. The spectators shouted wildly
every time O'Brien LANDED and hoot
ed Johnson for his apparent rough
work in the clinches
O'Brien's Fine Showing.
Referee McGuigan said after the
fight that O'Rrien did remarkably
well under the circumstances Hell
weighed 1G2@ poum,s, While John
son acknowledged thar his weight
was 205, and it was probably more.
johnson looked tired and anxious
in the fourth round and O'Brien ap-
pcared confident throughout the bout. |
He certainly fought a game fight" |
said McGuigan
Johnson had nothing 20 say after |
the bout except that he thought he |
had the better of it, OBrien was !
enthusiastic over his showing. He |
said he had accepted a proposal to
meet Al Kaufman IN San Francisco
in the near future.
Johnson entered the ring at 1920 |
and was followed almost Immediately |
by O'Brien. Both men were given
a generous welcome by their par
tisans. The usual prcllmInares com
pleted the two he>vyweights shook
hands. The gong rang for the first
round at 1895.
First Round.
Johnson rushed OBrien to the
ropes, O'Brien came back with a
left to the face and in rhe clinch
Johnson rushed O'Brie1 off his fe It
OBrien prt left to the face lightly,
but Johnson only cIinned and forced
O'Brien to the ropes. showing him to
his knees. They tented and fiddled
carefully. O'Brien trying to draw
Johnson on Johnson put left on
O'Erien's face without damage and
OBrien landed a left 20 inc face in
return. O'Brien was in aud out like
flash, set himself for coun;er but
it was smothered OBrien's quick
ness of foot stood him in good stead
against Johnson
Second Round.
O'Brien led for tire face out was
blocked aud johnson lifted him off
his feet in a clinch that followed.
The crowd hooted Johnson put he
only smiled and rushed O'brien TO
the ropes Marvellous ducking saved
O'Brien from damage ami they spar
rcd cautiously OBrien caught
Johnson with a stiff left on the face
three times and the crowd cheered
frantically Johnson rushed him to
lightly. Both appeared wInded and
johnson waited for OfPrien to lead.
Johnson went after O'Brien like al
whirlwin1 but quick footwork took )
the Philadelphia man ont of harms
way. O'Brien did the cleaner work
in this round. J
Third Round.
johnson missed a left and took
light slap in the face ~ return. {
O'Brien was in and ont like flash,
landing a left on the face, but took
stiff left to the stoma11 at close q
range johnson forced OBrien. I
shambling after him rather slowly.
and awkwarllv missed rwo ief,s and
a right for the head. Johnson set
himself fer O'Rricn's LEAD, but was
slow in countcring and took a stab
on the nose. Johnson went after
mouth bleeding. Johnson appeared 7
somewhat winded at the end of the f
round. y
Fourth Rounu. i
O'BTien put a left To the face and {