The Washington herald., 1909-03-23
JOHNSON FIGHTS SHY
ShunS Agreements to Meet
Ketchell and LangfOrd.
MAY FEAR THE OUTCOME
Champion Afraid OF a Knockout
Which Would Destroy His Chance
90 Make a FOrtune-Has Agreed 20
Accept McIntosh's OHer of $4,000
10 Meet JeRries-O- er Gossip.

New York. March 22.-Jack Johnson has
declared of his proposed battle with
Stanley Ketcheu. because the Iatter's
manager, Wllus Britt, failed 20 cover
the negro's 5000 forfeit al noon on Sat
urday. In spite OF the fact that Britt Is
in Chicago trying 20 induce johnson 10
give Ketchell another chance, they will
not meet IN the ring, for the excellent
reason that Johnson has decided that
Ketchel is just as dangerous as sam
Langford
Johnson is matched 10 fight twenty
rounds with Langford before the Ma
tional Sporting Club OF London on May
"a Articles were agreed upon some time
ago, and both puEilists accepted 500 eK-
penSe money johnson does not care 70
take chance with Langford under the
changed conditions. for he fears the lat
ter might knock him out IN jig time. and
therefore destroy a chance % make
fortune in easy money.
Breaks Word Of Honor.
Johnson viii break his word Of honor.
as well as overlook his signature. but
Z that apparently cuts no figure with him,
80 long as he does not run up against
Langford's dangerous punches. KetcheT
is an even greater puncher than Lang-
[ ford
( Having lodged Langford --a Ketchen
+ in spite Of a storm OF criticism. Johnson.
4 possibly 20 square himself. has agreed 70
/ accept NcIntOsh's offer OF q $4,000 purse
for a fight with Jenries johnson has
/ also made II known that he VIII allow
I his 5000 forfeit posted in Chicago 10 re-
main up until the expiration OF thirty
I days 70 bind q match with the boiler
maker
/ Promoter Mcintosh got Johnson's con
/ sent 10 fight JeT while IN Chicago on
Sunday, and then announced cou6den-
TALLY that he would come East and Sc
cure Jeffries' signature 20 articles OF
I agreement with little OF no DELAY. But
/ Just why Mcintosh did not secure JeHries'
word before he went after Johnson no
/ body knows.
Articles of Agreement.
/ IN arranging heavyweight champion
ship matches some persons believe that
F the mere posting or money by rival fight
+ ers clinches the agreement 70 fight. Be
fore It is a certainty that Jeffries and
7 Johnson viii fight for the worlds title.
they must agree 20 many things incor-
( porated IN the art!cles which must be
+ signed by them So. il may be realized
+ that before the big fight can be arranged
Il viii take more than Johnson's ac-
/ Iceptance Of the Mcintosh offer 10 clinch
a meeting With the boilermaker.
Battling Nelson has concluded 10 dodge
+. Packey Mcfarland. Owen Moran. AtteIl.
I Welch. Thompson. and other real pugi-
I lists. who are anxious 10 take crack a;
/ his title Nelson has agreed 10 go back
10 Australia with Mcintosh. who will
match him with James Britt. a back liner
on the pUgilisJic stage. who Is Just me
kind Of a mark Nelson prefers.
Philadelphia Jack O'B-ien began the
/ hardest kind OF work to-day at Sleeps
head Bay for his ten-round bout with
Ketcheu at the National Athletic Cluh
Friday night. O'Brien. Il looks and sc-
Gvity count FOR anything, seems 10 be
close 20 rne edge.
KetcheU said to-day that he would dc
/ his level best 10 put O-Brien away. That
he VIII try for Knockout and a quick
one. goes without saying There viii be
/ very little betting on the bout,