The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-11-26
JACK JOHNSON TO
SPRING SURPRISE

II will not be long before Jack john
son. worlds heavyweight champion,
signs articles to meet any of the fight
ers who are clamoring for chances TO
step into the ring with him.
Jack is firing rapidly of the daily
routine of theatrical work, and he is
taking on so much weight that it Is
beginning to worry him. Since he de-
feated Jeffries at Reno the colored
champion has been appearing in the
different theatres in the east and he
has been Toasted by admirers so much
that this sort of treatment bores him
to the quick. Time was when the
champion gloated over this sort of at
tention, but, like everything else, Jack
is fast firing of it. He Is beginning
to think seriously Of the effect that all
this high living will have upon him
when he enters the ring again.
AT present the champion is under
contract 10 appear for 80 weeks In
theatrical engagements at a weekly
salary OF $4,000. but he still has five
weeks to run before he fulfflls the
agreement Most of his work calls for
one night stands, and when he is not
appearing before the footlights he is
either travelling by rail Or in one Of
his big touring cars This travelling
also Is having its effect upon him, and
instead of getting the rest which he
should the champion some days has
but a few hours rest before he either
takes his turn on the stage or hits
the road for another appearance in
some other town.
His defeat by Barney Oldfield at
Sheepshead Bay in straight heats has
taken the racing bug out of his head
and he realizes that he cannot become
success as q race driver In fact.
he has given up all ideas of racing
his car at any fairs or meetings, and
he says will drive about the different
cities with the speed of all law abid-
ing citizens
No More auto Races.
Jack has no excuse to offer for his
defeat at the hands of the king Of
speed drivers, and hereafter it will he
Jack Johnson, the prize fighter and
not the automobile race driver. In
fact, Jack asserted upon his return to
Chicago that he does not intend to
take any more chances in his big car
but Will forsake the speedway for the
smooth boulevard with it's speed linn
it's.
The champion, although he does
some physical exercise on the stage.
is in poor condition and it will take
months Of training for him to get into
shape for long and grueling fight.
Constant winning and dining has made
him at least 80 pounds overweight,
and when he fights again he will tip
the scales around 22O pounds. Jack
likes high living, and az long as he
has the money there will be nothing
too good for him.
When the champion talks seriously
ne realizes his weakness in allowing
himself to take on so much weight,
and he breads the time when he will
have to hit the road to reduce and
improve his wind and muscles. At the
same time he has the greatest conf
dence In his ability to get into the
shape he was when he entered the
ring at Reno. In fact, the champion
places too much confidence in his con-
stitution and he win not realize that
some day his strength and staying
qualities will go bak on him and he
viii be left at the mercy of young
fighter who possesses all the vigor OF
youth and the ability to hit and take
punishment.
Johnson refuses absolutely TO listen
to stories of former fighters who. after
winning championships, have dissi-
pated to the extent that they were
not their former selves when they
again entered the ring to defend the
title. In all probability Johnson rea-
Lies that the same fate awaits him
and he dislikes to be brought face to
face with it. He Is of the opinion that
he is king and will reign forever. but.
like all men who have. followed his
profession, he is sure to meet the fate
OF so many fighters who at one time
held the same opinion of themselves
as Johnson does today.
Whenever he is asked the reason
why he does not meet some of the
present day heavyweights in short.
no-decision bouts, the champion only
smiles and replies that there would
not be enough in it for the trouble
he would have in getting in shane
for such fights He has asserted ever
since he whipped Jeffries that he will
not fight any one unless he knows
he can get in shape in the time al
lowed. and when he meets any OF them
for the title he intends to take at
least four months to get into condi-
ton.
To Fish. LangFord.
As soon as MS theatrical engage
ments are over, Johnson said he would
furnish the pugilistic world wirh a
surprise. He will NOT state what his
surprise Is going to be. but it is prac-
tically known that he is going into
training to fight Sam Langford, either
in England or Australia. When asked
II this is true, the big negro only
smiles and refuses to say word
He is free to admit that T.angford Is
the only man in the world today that
can give him a battle, and as the
people are clamoring for such q bait
tie, Jack in all probability will satisfy
their desires. Ever since he whipped
Tommy Burns in Australia, Johnson
has often said that he would not re-
tire like lot of them and not give
any Of them a chance at the title; but.
on the contrary. he is frank to say
that as soon as suitable opponent il
found and enough money is offered
he will be the first to sign articles,
and In signing the documents he will
not demand everything FOR himself.
But when he does fight again his
battles will be on foreign soil, and
Hugh Mcintosh will be the promoter
of all such battles. Jack is greatly