Atlanta Georgian., 1912-07-04
By Ed W. Smith.

MAST LAS VEGAS, n. M, July
r 4.-Johnson and Flynn are
- in the ring waiting for the
timekeepers bell to send them on
their way in the battle for the
heavyweight championship Of the
world, The men have received
Anal Instructions from the referee
and with gloves tied and shoes we'll
rosined, they have only to shake
their f1imsy bath robes and tear at =
each other.
Flvnn was the first to climb into
the roped arena. He was given
rousing ovation. He bowed time
and again in acknowledging the re-
ception. Finally he went to the
east side of the ropes, held up his
hand for silence and yelled his
loudest:
There will be new champion
tonight, boys"
Again the multitude broke loose
and the noise was deafening. 1t
didn't let up until Johnson worked
his way down the isles and climbed
into the ring.
And then it let up only for a
second. Johnson opened his robe
and the crowd could not help but
admire his wonderful physique. He
looked trained to the minute.
He. too, was given big hand,
but nothing compared to that ten
dered the white challenger
There are those. and many of
them. who think because of his
present ruggedness and known
gameness that it will be race over
a distance of ground. and that
FIynns present condition will en-
able him to tire down his oppo-
nent and finally win.
But while Flynn has been work
ing like a trojan, Jack Johnson has
been doing. faithful task in his
fight conditioning way He has q
come down from 240 pounds, which
was his poundage when he started
in at Bill O'ConnelIs gymnasium
in Chicago, to where he. will tip
the beam at 212 pounds when he
gets busy between the ropes this
afternoon He has, done every
o-ly of IA
by his trainers, and if you would
believe them and himself he is
every bit al good as he was this
time two years ago.
However whether he is or not,
and whether ne may have an extra
pound or 50 of extra tissue over his
vital points, experts are here in
number and giving their expert
opinions as to what will happen,
Many Of these same experts were
present at Reno two years ago and
telling how little chance Johnson
mad against Jim Jeffries
Some Excuse For Picking.
That might make one think these
men prophets are without honor
In their country or any other coun-
try. But there. was some excuse
for picking Jeffries at that time
that will not hold when present
! conditions are in the summing up.
They had a champion in Jeffries
10 pin their faith to that would
stand much pounding with an ar
gumentative battering ram. JEFF
fries had beaten men with honor
able records on the Queensberry
roll OF honor. He had beaten these
men in such a way as to show
what looked like an unassailable
front against any invader He was
the biggest and hukiest man we
ever had in this country as cham
pion, and his cave man appearance
smoothed his hackers with conf
dence.
On the other hand, Jack Johnson
at that time had no imposing rec
ord over which one could study and
dope him as a winner in a cham
pionship race. 1t was even limited
mat ne nae yeIow streak, though
this hint had not then and never
has been proved He will admit
himself today that he does not
know how game he may be, be-
cause he never has been badly hurt
in battle.
Since the battle at Reno johnson
mas been a known quantity and so
mas Flynn. Those who might want
10 see the white man win today,
however, can find no such peg as
that furnished by Jeffries upon
which to hang a prophecy.
Fynn's Record Proves Little.
It is true that he beat AL Kauf-
man and Carl Morris. but other
men have done the same and yet
not earned the right to be consid-
cred worthy opponents Of the pres
ent champion.
Fighters Issue Statements.
johnson gave me the following
statement this morning
Just say 70 all my friends that
m sorry 50 many Of them will not
ne mere to see me win today When
made the match went into il
"l'h ne full intention Of training
iot best ! knew how and have
hefer had the slightest doubt az 70