New-York tribune., 1909-05-20
JOHNSON HARD PRESSED
FINDS HIS HANDS FULL.
O'Brfen Makes Good ShO5cing IN
Sir-ROund Bout.

Philadelphia, May l9-Jack johnson the heavy
weight pugilstic champion failed to win over Jack
O'Brien. the Philadelphia light heavyweight in a
six-round bout here tonight The fight was even,
and the consensus of opinion that il should
have been draw. had decision been permissible.
OBriens fast footwork and superior blocking saved
him from damage. although three times he was
forced his knees by the great strength OF John
son in the clnches
It was a fast bout O'Brien doing most Of the
leading. Johnson was slow on his feet and ap-
peared not 10 be IN the best condition. The cham
pion rushed his smaller antagonist repeatedly but
seldom landed effectively A right hand counter in
the fifth round cut OBrien's right eye and this
was the sum total of the damage done in the six
rounds
every round, jabbing Johnson on the face hut the
blows lacked force and had no effect her than
10 make the big negro grin and wave his hand at
the crowd. The spectators shouted wildly every
time O'Brien landed and hooted Johnson FOR his
apparent rough work In the cncbes.
McGuigan, the referee, said after the fight that
OBrien did remarkably well under the circunn-
stances. He weighed 1921 POUNDS whHe Johnson
acknowledged that his weight was 215 pounds The
referee added.
johnson looked tired and anxious in the fourth
round. and O'Brien appeared confident throughout
the bout. He certainly fought game fight"
Johnson had nothing to say after the bout ex-
cept that he thought he had the better Of f.
OBrien was enthusiastic over his showing He
said that he had accepted a proposal to meet Al
Kaufman in San Francisco In the near future.
Philadelphia seemed TO appreciate the fact that
It have the opportunity see the new
champion heavyweight in action for the first time
since he took the title from Tommy Burns in far
off Australia last December. But the interest in
the negro fighter scarcely exceeded that in Jack
O'Brien, the favorite son. pitted against a man
vastly his superior in physical strength.
Thus it a crowd tensely expectant that filled
the limited space around the arena of the National
Athletic Club tonight There were seats for thirty
came in on admission tickets and became wall
flowers or choked the narrow aisles.
Tickets sold at premiums the so seats going at
increases Spectators seemed to control the choice
places but there little hsggng over the
price. The three special trainioads Of New Workers
and big delegations from Washington, Baltimore.
Pittsburg. and Chicago. did not hesitate be
cause of the speculators exactions-
There little public betting on the fight
at the ringside The fact that no decision is al
lowed six-round bouts in this state was respon-
sible, Of course, for this. There was some private
wagering, however, that O'Brien would have the
advantage points. On this he favoTite at
odds of to l.
Johnson did not seem 20 have any doubts about
the outcome OF the first match since he came into
the championship. He going about the city
in motor car in the afternoon and in the course
his visits called upon National Athletic Club
officials and asked for his 5000 guarantee. He got
il in $1,000 bills and grinned broadly he tucked il
away in an inside pocket