Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

- the same lines.
-. -. / seem to have
struck responsive chord in the public
breast if one were TO judge from the tone
of my correspondence. To illustrate the
resentment and animosity developed since
the negro has assumed his dictatorial and
untenable position l would have but TO
select any one of the epistles at random,
ana strike the keynote of popular disap-
prevail and disgust at his actions.
Public sentiment toward the proposed
Johnson-Flynn match. as suggested by
my correspondence indicates that the
promoters of that match would do well
TO figure on another source of profit than
the gate money.
The impression prevails that the match
is ridiculously one-sided. In line with
my arguments the popular demand is for
fight between Johnson and one of his
colored rivals. McFey and Langford hay
ing the call over all others in this di-
recti0n.
greatly appreciate the popular con-
cUrrence in my efforts to prevent. or. at
least, check Mr.. Johnson i'll his attempts
TO bull the sporting public, but 1 be-
Iieve / have devoted sufficient space to
the subject, for the present. at least
\ correspondent asks how. in my Opin
ION, Johnson compares in cleyerneSS and
general fighting qualifications with Peter
Jackson. I had to chucizle few when
read that letter. Jackson and Johnson
can hardly be compared at all. BY that
I mean their methods were as entirely
unlike as possible.
Peter Jackson was a past master OF the
boxing art. He had a wonderfully effec-
tive offense and equally admirable de-
tense. On the aggressive his marvellous
left hand and judgment OF time and dis
lance and accuracy OF delivery made him
terror to any but the most scientific
opponent. Jackson could have taken a
man who fought as Johnson does and
chopped him to pieces until ready to put
over his famous right cross to the jaw.
Jackson never wasted a punch: neither
did he content himself with waiting for
chances TO put in an effective blow. With
his skill at feinting he would force an
adversary to open up and show what he
had. He created opportunities. His ac-
curate and swiftly delivered straight left
would make sucker out Of the johnson
type of boxer.
Johnson's principal stock in trade lies
in strength and good fortune. He has
won his principal successes from men
outclaSSed in weight and strength or all
much smaller man; JeffrieS mad been out
of the game for over six years and could
not come back. In all his career Johnson
has not beaten a good big man.
Johnson is a strictly defensive fighter.
lie waits for his man to come to close
quarters, when he cuts loose with what
elective punishment he can deliver. This
consists almost entirely of right and left
uppercuts. and he must be on top Of his
man to deliver them. I would like TO see
him trying TO land those punches or
man who knows the defense. He would
look ridiculous. The fact that he landed
at will on jeff doesn't prove anything.
Everybody now realizes the condition
the eS-champion was in that day. Men
such as Peter Jackson would retire I'M
beaten if opposed only to fighters Of the
Johnson type.
.As TO Jollnsons Wanted cleverness
where Is it? You VIII have to show me.
Certainly he has not shown it in his ring
engagements. He can't feint. He can't
--'iIaw or force an opponent into doing
anything he doesn't want to do. His
footwork-well. there is no such thing.
He simply stands and awaits attack A
skillful boxer could stand back and pick
ilim to pieces and quit the ring without
showing a mark.
1t is the aggressive, rushing. llead-ou
style of fighter johnson can lick. A man
like Jim Flynn. for instance, is made to
order for him. So is young AL Palzer
at the present time The latter Young
credit solely through bull strength. Tom
ORourke. his trainer. realizes that Palzer
needs considerable schooling before send
ing him after championship honors.
To sum il up, Jackson was a marvel
ously skiilful boxer, both on offense and
defense: had a wonderful left hand, a
Sood right. and could beat any man who
could fight only on the defensive. He
would gradually pick him to pieces. The
present champion is waiter" He never
takes the initiative, and is satisfied to
await attack before Offering anything
himself. He may be a two-ha nded light
His stock in trade that is effective is
confined to uppercuts in ciinches
Ii would be an insult to the memory of
one OF pusiiisms greatest opponents to
suggest that Johnson compares with
Jackson in intelligence or skill
The term ''bonehead'' il applied i'm the
main to ball players addicted to doing
tbe wrong thing at critical periods of
play. How often We see examples Of
bonehead" boxing. The lad with the
gray matter, the one quick to take ad-
vantage or opportunities. will ofttimes
climb the ladder OF success where a. more
skillful boxer fails.
II is the ability to do the right thing
ut the right time that brings success in
Hythins q. man undertakes. or all call
lngS or professions, an active brain is
demanded In professional pusilism The
boxer who makes hts own openings and
takes advantage of them is the one who
NIL, Ta, n sa on IT. rise to the top but stick
lists shine in the preliminary classes, but
arc lost when placed among the star
bout" performers. 1t is not only the
mere ability TO swap punches with an
opponent that will win; il is the per
centase" you have on your man in the
way OF an alert brain and quick action.
Take boxers Of the Atteli and McFar-
land type. for example. These boys are
brainy fighters. They have Won many
contests by their wits. They are always
pulling new stuff. disconeerting TO OPP
ponents. making the most OF every slip
af Judgment OF the enemy, and by bril-
liant feiutiig OF use of the unexpected
npsettiug all the carefully laid plans of
their adyersaIies
There Is no set time limit to the ca
reer OF brainy and skillf,l pugilist At
tell has been boxing successfully for
Twelve years. Mcfarland does NOT go
back that far. but gives every promise
ar sofng just as long a route
Items Of Interest.
sid Smith, Engiapd's hyweignt cham
pion fhe's the proud owner of Lord
I.onsdaie's belt), has arrived. and will
have his first New York tryout Febru-
AIRY % in a tep-round bout with Johnny
paly. American holidays have never
brought much luck to English boxers
Gwen Moran found this so last Fourth