Omaha daily bee., 1912-01-21
COMING FIGHT UNIMPORTANT
Johnson-Flynn Mill Will Not At
tract Many to Nevada Ring.
SMOKE CANNOT BE WHIPPED
IL Promoters of Bout Anticipate
that IL VIII Approach Reno Fight
They VIII Likely Have Rude
o. 90. -Awakening.

NEW YORK, Jan. ao.-If the promoters
Of the proposed Johnson-Fiynn bout,
scheduled for decision somewhere in Ne
vada next July, are Of the idea that the
contest will approach in popular interest
the. Reno battle they are likely to have
an unpleasant awakening within the next
few months. Viewed from any angle ex-
cept that of the negro champion, the
match appears TO be one that holds forth
little financial or spectacular return
From the evidence available at the
present time Jonnson's ring career may
be said to have reached its climax when
he met and defeated Jeffries on July =.
1919 The situation that made It necessary
10 res,irrect a retired champion after al
most SIX years Of absence from the pugi-
nstte arena has changed but little since
that date. Scores Of white hopes" arose
with the downfall of Jeffries. but without
exception there is not one who today Is
in a position to give real battle TO Johh-
son.
Al PaIzer and Carl Morris. the two
most promising Of the new heavyweights'
are far from icing ready TO face the
black lord OF pugiiism. Tom o'Rourke'
adviser OF Palzer. and Tex Richard, VINO
considers the Iowa boxer a most prom
Using ring man, both agree that at least
fully two years must elapse before Palzer
will have the experience necessary TO
cope with Johnson.
The titleholder has shown disinclns-
ton to meet pugilists Of his own color
| in the ring. but has always been frank
/ in stating that this was because there
was no money in such a match. Rickard
and other shrewd promoters hold similar
views. Johnson's rise to the position he
now holds was an exceedingly bard strus-
gle and he is fully determined to reap the
benefits. now that he is in a position to
dictate.
| Precedent Established.
He has repeatedly stated that he WAS
ready to defend his title for a guaranteed
sum OF 5000. This was the price set by
Tommy Burns when he defended the
championship against johnson. and the
negro has often said that Burns, and not
ne, fixed the price for such bout to
finish and there was no reason Tor break
ing the precedent established in the Aus
| trslian battle
Thus Il came about that the promoters
Of the latest match were forced to give
Johnson Sol. 900 training expenses and one
third Of the moving picture profits 10
induce the heavyweight titleholder to
sign. Flynn's share was not announced.
but Il is certain that the "Forlorn Hope
will not reap heavily by this secret agree
ment. Neither is there reason to believe
that the promoters Of the bout viii enter
the millionaire class via this route.
The paid attendance at the Johnson
Jeffries battle was 15.7es and the gross
receipts s27s,Tf5. The admission charge
ranged from s. to so No such bonanza
can be expected at the contest next July.
II was estimated that $500 spectators
from east Of Chicago witnessed the Reno
battle. Not 200 would travel to Nevada
TO see Johnson and Flynn meet. Any
point that might be selected In Nevada
for this bout would be approximately
1900 miles from this city. The round trip
railroad fare to Salt Lake City, with
berth. is about $50. Local rates over the
Nevada roads are 81 cents a mile.
sH -
| K.v IN the aituatIon-Bee Advertising.