Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-23

EA ~ aNs>I asked TO assist the
u a-saa4Sl------------sSEa challenger for the
heavyweight championship during the
last few weeks Of training. Also to act as
his second in the ring. Ever since 1 have
been a target for the epistles of fight
fans from all sections Of this big coun-
try.
The gist of most questions fired at me
naturally is. What chance has Flynn
TO beat the negro2" 4 few CORES pond
ents are frank enough to admit it is not
sentiment that prompts them to solicit
the opinion of the writer but instead the
tempting odds against the white man, to
be had for the asking and of which they
propose to take advantage if proper en-
enlargement is forthcoming Others are
more pointed and personal and boldly in
quire the reason for my delay in joining
the Flynn camp.
To attempt to answer the many queries
by mail would De too enormous a task so
i take this method of replying to my
QuiZZers. In the first place j wish to ex-
plain that | doubt very much IL | will be
able to attend the Flynn-J ohnson battle
at all. even as "A spectator Since return
ing from the road certain business mat
ters have kept me tied down closely to
the office, and it looks as if l will have to
give up the idea OF taking the trip to
Las Vegas.
To the average student of form in box
ing Flynn's chances of winning over
johnson must appear mighty slim. With
the latter in the splendid condition of
two years ago. when he TOOK the title
from JeffrieS ii would be ridiculous to
advance an excuse for the coming bat
tie. But. as everybody knows. the cham
pion has been stepping a pretty fast pace
during the past two years, and no matter
what any of the so-called experts may
tell you, take 1t from one who knows, it
is impossible TO get into shape by train
ing only a couple OF months after a long
indulgence in the good things of life.
And therein lies Flynn's greatest op-
observation-disclosures lack of condition.
That has beaten many a. good man in the
past, and probably VIII in the future. Ac-
cording TO all accounts. the champion Will
enter the ring the Fourth of July far
different man ply sically from the athlete
who defeated Burns and JeffrieS.
Flynns talk with me suggested that his
confidence was based in the main upon
the belief that the champion cannot get
in good fighting trim in the short time
allotted to training.
Jim does not hope to win quickly or
easily; he Is prepared to take all Johnson
can hand out for ten or fifteen rounds.
lie contends that condition will tell from
then on, and expects 10 gradually wear
the champion down to the point where
he can land the finishing blows
There is no disputing the fact, as dis
patches from the battle ground inform us
from day 10 day, thai Johnson holds
Flynn very cheap The limited amount
OF work he has done TO date bears ample
testimony TO that fact. Photographs of
the champion recently taken at Las
Vegas corroborate the stories of a lax
training system
II will be this lack of condition that
beats Johnson. il such an interesting
event Is 10 happen. There is no ether
way in the world II is possible to figure
Flynn victor. That old adage of the ring
a good big man can bea. a good little
Tan-fits this match 20 a T..
F3ynn's chances may be compared with
those of Tommy Burns when the lat
ter met Johnson. Bulk won then, as it
should in this instance. the difference be-
ing that Jack al that time had not gone
the pace that hurts, and which he has
adhered to closely since winning over
Jeffries.
There are rumors. as is generally the
case in matches where championships are
involved. that the affair is q frame-up,
but there is no foundation for the stories
Any prearTangement would call for john
son to quit to his opponent. and the
rc2ro's vanity would never. in my opinion
permit of him laying down 10 a much
smaller man.
Flynn is taking a long chance: he is
rish1ng q beating without monetary re-
turn worth fEsNuG1!HE against the ChanC c
OF winning a utle and thereafter reapir g
a golden harvest in picture receipts and
theatrical engagements. He has abso-
lutely nothing - lose in the matter of
reputation. Ninety-nine out of every
hundred men "ho follow prgilism expect
Johnson 10 win. No disgrace viii attach
II Flynn should the champion beat him
q victory Will mean fame and fortune
that come 10 few men.
II mas interest my readers Il | quote a
few passages from a letter just al hand
from q friend who has been a. Las Vegas
for several weeks. He SAYS with other
things: There is no denying that John
son rs carrying too much weight around
the mid section. Flynn viii enter the
ring around - pounds. Johnson will be
handicapped with considerable TAT the day
q the nisht ~ first the champion APP
peared g take the whole thing as a Joke
but Of late has been devoring more time
10 training as II he II just beginning 10
realize that the Job ahead calls for better
CONDITION. While, as YOU said in recent
article, TIE records OF the men give Flynn
little chance there are many here on the
ground, including myself. who intend TAX
ing flyer on the Pueblo nan on the long
chance that condition ami good handling
day"
And, readers, as my friend suggests. il
IS all question OF how good the cham
pion Is physically. As everybody knows
Flynn at his best does not class with
johnson at his best, and whatever hope
there is OF Jims being returned victor
must he buildcd upon the belief that the
present title holder will be unable to toe
the mark anywhere near his best shape.
The old saw about youth being served
Can hardy apply here, rs there is scarcely
more than year difference in the ages
Of the TWO men. But il is a well known
fact that Flynn has chung pretty cLrsely
10 the straight and narrow path. while
johnson has been cutting some awful
Gidoes during his reign as champion fight
or of the universe.
Next Friday night at Madison Square
Garden AL Palzer will box Bonlbardier
s'Billy', Wells for the white hope cham
pionship of the world. Rather an empty
title but we can't he too particular in
these days Of dark-skinncd supremacy In
the prize ring. At any rate the big fell
lows Will revive local interest in a sport
that has been suffering from an over
dose OF mediocre talent. Gotham fans
hunger for a sight OF GOOD big men.
They have been surfeired with the
smaller classes.
OF Wells we Of this side know little