Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-01
Co|ored Champ outboxes
Ross at Pittsburg,
Fast Fight Throughout, with
Both Men Active.
johnson Has Decided Advantage
In Weight and Height.

the colored heavyweight champion of
| the world, outboxed Tony Ross of New
castle, Pa, in a six-round contest to-
night, given under the auspices of the
National Athletic Club. While the bout
was declared a draw on account of the
state law prohibiting decision in box
ing tournaments, public opinion will
ingly conceded that johnson had the
better of the go from start to finish.
1t was a fast fight, both men being
active during the entire six rounds.
Johnson seemed out of condition. He
repeatedly rushed Ross. but seldom
landed effectively. The audience shout
cd wildly whenever Ross landed tell
ing blow, but hooted Johnson for his
apparently rough work i'll the clinches.
Referee Jimmy Dime said after the
fight that Ross did remarkably we'll in
the face of the fact that Johnson had
an advantage over him in weight and
height. Johnson refused to talk after
the fight, while Ross anXiously begged
for another opportunity to meet the
colored fighter.
johnson retained his reputation of
being shrewd business man by Sc
curing his $1,000 guarantee from the
managers of the National A. c., during
the afternoon.
Pittsburg's society of sporting enthu-
siasts turned out in force, prominent
among them being Congressman j.
Francis Burke, and others, near the
ringside. The preliminary bouts were
rather tame.
johnson and Ross entered the ring
nearly together. Johnson's reception
was rather cool Some parts of the
house Kissed when the big Negro
grinned over the audience. Ross smil-
ingly acknowledged the applause from
his home delegation and bowed to the
rest of the house.
Round johnson led left to stom-
ach and repeated this blow with telling
effect. Ross led right to jaw. Johnson
sent a stiff left to Ross chin, repeat
ing the blow with a right counter,
drawing blood from Ross nose. With
gered Ross, who went to his knees,
taking the count of nine, the bell saw
ing him. 1t was Johnson's round.
Round 2-The men rushed to the CEN
ter of the ring, Ross leading with left
to jaw. johnson acknowledged the blow
with a smile and sent a wicked left to
Ross face, following it with counter
to the stomach. Ross mouth bled free
ly. Johnson repeatedly swung a wicked
left into Ross face, rocking the New
castel boxer on his legs. The men stuck
to the center of the ring, Johnson land
ing lefts to face with good effect until
the bell rang. Johnson's round.
Round 3-Ross from the tap Of the
gong tried to make a better showing
than In the two previous rounds. With
l right to the stomach and a left to
the jaw. he removed the, grin from
Johnson's face. Ross showed his ex-
treme nervousness. Johnson continued
to use his vicious left swing Ross
stumbled in an effort to get away from
Johnson's jabs and slipped to his
knees. taking the count of eight for a
rest. With right to stomach Johnson
finished the round with Ross hanging
on. Johnson's round.
Round johnson came up smiling
with Ross in distress. johnson goad-
I'd the Newcastle boxer. making re-
marks about his bloody nose and
mouth. johnson led with his left to
the jaw and the men clnched. Ross
made a vicious lunge, swinging mis-
right to Johnsons jaw. This was the
first effective blow Ross landed. The
round ended with the men in the CEN
ter Of the ring in a clinch. Johnsons
round. 10 si41G
Round Ross came up apparently
groggy, with Johnson sarcastically
5rinning over his easy fight so Id.
With a vicious left swing to the face
Johnson rocked Ross Ross tried
bravely to stand off the big black, put
there was no chance johnson was in
and out like a flash and Ross could
not stop him. The gong saved Ross
from further cruel punishment. john
sons round.
Round Gross came I'D willing and
led with left uppercut on Johnson's
Jaw. Johnson returned right upper
ut, closing Ross eye. The men went
to clinch in the center of the ring.
with Johnson beating Ross unmerci-
FULLY with the left swing used so ef-
tectively in the previous rounds. The
gong struck with Ross hanging on.
JOhnson's round