The Washington herald., 1912-07-05
Champion Is Given Bout, as
Fireman Uses Head as Bat
tering Ram.
DECISION is UNPOPULAR
sp.cial to me w.shinEton Herala

Special TO he Washington Herald
Ringside, Las Vegas, N. Mex, July
Aim Flynn's butting tactics brought
the captain of the State police into the
ring in, the ninth round of the cham
pionship fight here this afternoon, and
Referee Ed w. Smith, after puzzling
over matters for a few seconds, gave
Jack Johnson the decision Smith said,
however, that the fight was not won on
foul Johnson, during the last few
seconds of the fight, had held on deter
minedly to Flynn's arms and shoulders
and complained of being baffled in his
attempts to use his gloves because of
the manner in which the fireman used
his head.
Said Smith: They both transgressed
the rules-Johnson by holding on and
Flynn by butting; but Flynn was the
greater offender. The decision was
given to Johnson because he had the
better of the fighting up to the time
They agreed fully a week ago that if
there was any interference of any kind
the man in the lead at the time the
bout was stopped was to be declared
the winner"
FLYNN WAS GOING STRONG.
That johnson had scored the most
punches and bad brought the most blood
was something that could not be denied.
but that he looked a winner at the time
OF the interference is a different matter.
II was the opinion OF the majority Of the
spectators that II Flynn could have kept
his temper and fought cleaner he could
have worn johnson down.
Flynn was evidently the better trained
OF the pair. He was full Of fight and
ginger at all times. while johnson. with
grin on his face, stalled for fully half
round.
BY the time the sixth round was started
Johnson was a somewhat bedraggled
champion. His stamina had been affected
by the constant pounding OF Flynns
gloves against his stomach, and II was
noticed that he no longer maintained the
idiotic grin which he wore in the proceed
ing rounds.
by the way Flynn rushed from his cor
ner II was apparent that he had seen evil
dence OF johnson weakening in the pre-
ceding rounds. The fireman tore at his
quarry like a bull at a gate. and had
Johnson against the ropes before John
son had taken two steps from the center.
johnson clasped Flynn's forearms and
leaned elbows In the hollow Of Flynn's
arms in such q way that Flynn was
powerless.. Flynn lurched and twisted
violently in his efforts to free himself and.
finding he could not do 20, used his head
as a battering ram on Johnsons throat
and chin.
johnson Appeals to Referee.
Johnson still held on and glanced ap-
peallngly at the referee. And in the mean
time Prof Watson Burns. the champions
principal second. jumped upon the ring
ledge and shouted at Smith: Cant you
see that Flynn is butting?
johnson added his voice to that Of
Burns, and there was a look OF concern
in the champions eyes
Referee Smith pulled the men apart and
shook warning finger at Flynn. Flynn.
whose blood was up yelled excitedly:
Hes holding me: he's holding. Why
don't you make him quit and fight as a
champion should?"
Smith turned TO Johnson and told him
that the charge against him was true,
and that while he was not as culpable
in the matter OF unfair fighting as his
opponent, he was certainly departing from
the agreement.
Then Smith waved them together again
and they started to fight. Once again
Johnson clasped Flynn's arms and pin
Toned him, try as he might, the fire.
man could not free a glove to deliver
a blow. He was mad clear through,
and he Immediately resorted TO butting.
while Johnson shouted to the referee
for help and Prof Burns on the ring
ledge, waved his arms and cried aloud
about the untairness Of things.
Pulled Apart -Four Times.
Not once, but four times. did Smith
have to pull the men asundcr and shake
warning foreinger at Flynn. As
often as he did so johnson stood there
in noticeably limp condition. and
Flynn. with his spirit At fever heat
gest!cUlated and blowed: What am 1 to
do? I am licking the big stiff. and he
is holding me-" And this was a sig
nifcant point, for those who knew John
son and know Of his past battles and
past spells Of training know that when
he was himself he never allowed any
one to take liberties with him. An extra
hard punch either In a practice bout or
in a real fight brought retaliation from
the champion in the shape OF a volley
OF hooks and uppe-cuts. But here to-
day he allowed a man lighter and sew
eral inches shorter than him to take
liberties with him. II he had followed
his usual custom he would have shook