Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-21
FAST SWIMMERS PREPARE TO GO
NORTH TO REPRESENT SOUTH

that was required, and even his Bit
terest critic had never called into
question his right to subscribe himself
champion of the world" But then he
met Johnson, with a result known TO
all. The news of his defeat was still
fresh when otherwise competent his
torians of the ring began to question
the validity of the title Johnson
/ claimed. Writers with no love of the
black began to see things through coll
! ored glasses. The view they had OF a
negro on the highest pedestal of the
ring warped their Judgment and they
declared that johnson could not be
champion of the world, as Jim Jeffries
had no right to resign 1t or hand 1t
over as a present to Marvin Hart, who
had been beaten by Burns for the title.
So insistent We're these scribes that
| they even forced Jeffries to come from
his retirement In Los Angeles and de-
clare that he was still champion of
champions; that he never resigned the
title, etc. Much as we admire Jenrles
| as the greatest of boxers, his attitude
seemed sorry spectacle, and those who
supported his contention were limited
to a few who tempted him to foolish
ness. He had never questioned Burns
claims for the almost three years
Tommy had hold of the title, and 1t
seemed poor grace on the big fellows
|
held the honor. No, Jeffries master
mechanic that he was, cannot come
! forward now to reclaim a title he
pushed aside at Reno, New, four years
ago this week. and get it for the ask
! ing If he again wants the crown ne
had won and upheld so honorably he
must box for 1t.
But whom? If Johnson had not re-
solved himself into a champion con-
| tract breaker after he beat Burns
there would be no doubt as to whom
! Jeffries would have to BATTLE for his
| discarded dignity But as Johnson
! failed to live up to his agreement with
Langford, legitimists of the ring main
| tain that the title passed to Iangford
| by forfeit and readers of the Sporting
| Life are aware of our stand in this
matter-a stand, by the way, that has
! the almost unanimous support OF ring
tgoers and experts in this country
Langford in his challenges specifically
! bars Jim Jeffries. At first thoughts
one would think that the exception was
merely a bouquet handed the ex-cham-
pion by the negro, but in conversation
| with Langford and his managers the
! conviction soon comes that 1t Is very
sincere flattery.
| IT, then, Langford Is to be universal
ly acknowledged the present heavy
weight champion, and in his challenges
he asserts that he Is 1.-The best in the
world, bar Jeffries," then Langford by
| his own act reinstates Jeffries. Such Il
situation would require all the judicial
talent of pugilism to untangle. Happi-
! ly, however, there will be no occasion
| for the Solons to put on their thinking
caps. The very incongruity of the af-
fair will provide it's own solution. One
! half the boxing world halls Johnson as
chief; the other half doffs its hat to
Langford. One has boxed for and won
his right, the other shines by grace of
ring precedent, and the sooner they get
together the better for legitimacy. Then
! let Jeffries take on the winner If he is
SO anxious to restore the garlands to
| white brows.