The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-07-08
aMANKATO FREEwpREss

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be is a negro. No. dissenting voice
rises in Reno to question John Arthur
Johnsons right to thezthrone. The
white mans hope,rwhich never should
have l been encouraged, flickered out
pitifully in the fifteenth round of a
battle that never: should have been
fought. There was no demonstration
of resentment by the crowd of 10000
that gathered around the ring under
the blazing. sun of the desert in the
last free state Of the American I'm
ion" the demonstration of race hatred
that nonthinking persons had predict
ed would come as ia consequence of
such airalaniity ast,the defeat of the
white man by the negro.
An 'awed hush fell over that most
remarkable assembiage when it saw
Jeffries going to his Inevitable finish
and it was not broken when the ref
cree laid his hand or the black mans
shoulder ands proclaimed him the
champion of the world
Later, when the champions head
appeared above the, threng that surged
about him in his corner, he was given
the reward of fair play and the recog-
milton of merit in the form of lusty
cheer, In which all who were not
dazed by the. overwhelming defeat
joined heartily johnson was hailed a
great man, the, greatest man probably
who ever stepped in, a prize ring, and
Jeffries was shown only pity for his
folly and egotism in ever thinking he
could return after five years of mac
tivity and indulgence and beat a man
like this. He was even denied the
credit of being able even at his best
to perform. the task laid out for him.
All the world loves a. winner and that
part Of it which goes to prize fighting
does not care, whether the champion
is whfte or Black Itomay not extend
to Johnson the welcome it would ex-
tend to- a white man on account of
the effect his victory may have on his
race but It. will recognize in him true
greatness and pay tribute to him for
this deed! r."
Contest Almost FarcicaI.
AS q, contest the. only thing that
saved this one from being farcical was
the thought to which most of.the spec
tators chung desperately, that out
boxed and outgeneraled as he was,
there was still concealed that fatal
punch that put away Corbett and Fitz
after they had punameled him at will
Barring The .ipossibi9itgf Of the arrival
of this punch there WAS not point in
the fifteen-round journey that did not
mark him outclassed. - 49,.
Johnson displayedInone of the weak
ness with which he had been invested
by the ;overweening hope of the I'M
compromising land all too enthusiastic
supporters of, Jeffries. who Interpreted
any. serious :sthoaght7 OF johnson as
heretical and. reasonable Following
is the story of the fight by rounds
Round AT 2: As they came UP. JEFF
fries walked in and tented. Both smiled
and Johnson gave ground johnson led
straight left and. landed lightly on
Jeff's face. They were cautious in the
clinch, Johnson showing Jeffries away.
JeffriesMafked Inland hooked left to
the neck and in the clinch sent. blow
to the body. johnson responded with
left, and they continued to stand
breast to breast? trying for short in
side blows. they ibroEe Jeffries sent
left to j Johnson 's neck and the negro
stepped in but missed
Round I'D effries assumed his
crouch, but missed his first attempt.
Johnson feinted,: but Jeffries stepped
nimbly away .IJ aoE sent a left to JEFF
fries face and as they eiinched ripped
a hard Appercut to sIeff1s. @chin. They
got together and We're Willing to mix.
Jeff sent right to the ribs and took
left On the face at close range. Jeff
crouched and waited for Johnson, but
he was not willing They came to-
gether without a blow and Johnson
tried his uppercut' but missed. Jeff
put his righti'on Jacks shoulders and
pushed him, when they broke Jack
shot his left hard to Jeff's face and
There was a LOT of wrestling and not
much fighting The gong rang with
out good blow having been struck.
Round 3E4SJeff led for the head with
lett, but missed. Johnson hooked
stiff left to the body and right to the
head but, neither blow was hard. They
showed and pushed each other about
the ring: Jeffries hooked left to the
body and got under JohnsOn's right.
jeff stood breast to breast, and they
held and showed about the ring. John
son sent two left iabs to the face, and
tried his right for the chin, but missed
the atten.3 JEFF Smiled at the left
blows and continued to bore in. 1t
was SIMPLY aalWtestling bout thus far.
jeff kept Walking on calmly, but
missed left body blow, Jack block
ing them perfectly.
Rouhd 4.Jeff took his crouching
POSITION again and walked He missed
and they came together in lock.
Johnson tried his right for the chin,
bat nifssedS5 and they began an ex-
change of talk. jeff put a left to the
face and Started. the sblood from John
sons hips: The crowd yelled First
blopd;iff6r'! Jsff,TFz.but johnson only
smiled 4, AS ogeife walked. in Johnson
shot a. snappy left to his face and they
came ito: 3 ciineh. Jeff sent left to
Jacks face; Ifeghnsop game back with
a right. but. jeff neatly .ducked 1t and