Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-07-05
Co|ored Heavyweight Gains Undsputed Title by
Knocking Out Hitherto Undefeated Champion
In 18th Round Of 0ne-sided Contest Wit
messed by Thousands at Reno, New.

, legs and shielding arms he tried to de-
fend himself, but he could not stop a
terrific right smash on the jaw, fol-
lowed by two left hooks. He went
down again Jeffries' physician and
other friends jumped into the ring.
stop it, they cried. Don't put the
| old fellow out" i.
SAM Berger. Jeffries' manager. ran
| along the ring calling to bob Arm
strong:
Bring that towel-you know what
!! n ean-don't let him get hit"
| From Johnsons corner his seconds
| We're allins to him to quit. Then the
referee stopped the timekeener and it
veg all over.
Soothing liquids were applied to the
fallen chamI ions bruised face, but
his heart was something that could not
Tie reached. AS soon as he regained his
! senses he took his head in his hands
ana eroaned
II was too old to come back" he
sell.
hett and Choynski and Jack
Jeffrics and the others were ready to
cry but they united in trying to cheer
the ue1eateu man.
It's all off with you, Jim" said Cor
/ bet. but you did the best you
could"
Cheer up, We'll go fishing tomor-
row." said Frank Gotch, the wrestling
champion.
In an instant after the crowd real
lied that the fight was over, the ring
was stan,pedcd by wild throng. The
sho't erd betting men were hilarious,
but il tie great mass of the specta-
tors there was a feeling of personal
loss Hope had lived in thousands of
breasts until the last minute and now
| their idol had crumbled and this black
| man stood peerless. They could not
help but admire him, however, and
little an;mcsiry was shown toward
him. For the most part the people
We're client just readjusting things
mentally. Hundreds had to swallow the
! bitter pill of heavy financial loss.
Little enthusiasm was shown before
the fight began until Johnson and his
| crew were seen stringing down the
aisle Then the crowd stood up and
cheeren, as much from pent-up excite
ment AS anything else
This was at 2.28 O'clock an hour af-
i ter the schedule time for the hight.
t our minutes later Jeffries doomed out
OF the crowd on the other side Of the
| arena and then the cheering was re-
newed
The ring was quickly crowded with
| trainers and seconds. Jeffries laughed
as he passed through the ropes aud
| jumped IN and down on the platform
| for moment. satisfying himself that
| it vas strong enough He wore his old
| soft cap and an old suit of clothes
| and chewed gum. johnson wore a
bath robe with violet lining.
| Berger walked up to Johnson and
asked him to toss for corners.
Take any corner you want" said
Johnson. ITS all the same to me-
Berger took the southwest corner and
gave Johnson the northeast. This
| placed the sun in JOhnson's eyes.
| Behind the fighters as the bandages
We're being fastened stood pupil and
master. Corbett and Billy Delaney.
| with no preliminary hand shaking
or posing the men faced each other at
245 o'clock. Johnson wore blue tights
and an American flag at his belt
| There was a sign of involuntary ad-
miration as his naked body stood in
the white sunlight. Jeffries in his pur-
pie trunks stood out as a hairy giant
| some hero of folk lore There was no
open attempt by Jeffries and his re-
tanners to brighten the Negro. They
| supposed he would be trembling with
| fear at TIE sight Of the white man and
there were many cries OF cold feet,
Johnson" when his entrance Ill the
| ring was delayed.
And when the men stood UP at last to
| fight II out, each on their own re-
sources, it was PLAIN that the Negro
was very nervous.
Now. you will get it, you black
coward" yelled Jeffries' admirers.
Don't talk to them. give them p
square DEAL" said the majority Of the
men at the ringside. The men smiled
at each other Jeffries feinted, Johnson
gllded away and they smiled again.
Johnson tried straight left and
tapped Jeffries' face. They clinched
and worked cautiously for body blows.
but there was little snap In either and
bthey were still waltzing around when
the round ended. ..
"Cut out the motion pictures" yelled
the crowd. johnson turned and tapped
Jeffries lightly on the shoulder - he
went to his corner and smiled.
At the opening Of the second round
Jeffries came up with his old crouch and
his left arm stuck out like scantiing.
This was the blow and the attitude which
carried him to the glory in the early days
Of his fighting career.
| CONTINUED on Page Four.)
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