The evening world., 1912-07-31
Does Johnson's Retirement
From the Ring Mean That the
"YeIIow Streak" They Used
to Say He Possessed Has
Again Come to the Surtace2
NJ

20 Jack johnson has retired without
waiting for Labor Day.
- Jack took the easy way out.
lie didn't risk being whipped.
othor champions have fought for thor
titles. johnson deserts his without
struggle.
Johnson's case isn't like that OF any
former champion. sullivan. Corbctt and
Fitssimmons all had courage to light
Along until they met ana lost TO better
men. Jcfrries was forced to retire from
the ring, much against his inclination
at the time. because there wasn't an
other man. In the world considered good
enough 10 have even an outside chance
with him.
johnson IL retiring when he Il over
vhslmsd with offers Of big purses to
nght any one OF several claimants OF
HE bsit--retiring because he fears de-
feat.
His one excuse 10 that the promoters
won't OFFER him enough money--won't
como 10 his price.
He has been offered SjO0O for two
bouts In Australia. against Sam Lang
ferd and Sam Mcvey.
He has been offered $4,000 for meet
Ing Joe Jeanette In a thirty-round bout
: In Paris.
He has been offered $4,000 and the
moving picture rights probably WORTH
- much more) to meet Jeanette In a
ten round decisioniess bout in New
York
All of these offers are genuine. but
Johnson mas excuse TO ofier Tor cacn
refusal lie doesn't want to take the
long trip to a.. .ralia. lie cant afford
70 spend six weeks travelling and train
Tag 10 night IN Paris. lie wants S]O.0pt
In cash for the New York ten.round
bout.
johnson hides behind these flmsy ex.
cusss and excessive j-msais. Its
easier to avoid matches than to fight
md ever 30 much safer. In the old
days they used TO say johnson had q
yellow streak" II this statement was
teo stronx he at least has his full share
.ot caution. Ho won't meet a real ngh,e'
70 he can get out OF II. For hghtln,
Flynn In Las Vegas johnson received
Just Sl2.0o. In cash and si.Oo for train
lag expenses. That was supposed q
- practically . finish nght. No doub
Il offered more soft money" for fight
Ing men he had no fear Of johnson
would reconsider his determination I,
retire. He wouldn't hold out for $500
Tor ten decisionless rounds In that case
Johnson's retirement Isn't caused b.
auy lack of lighting condition. McKet
rick. Jeahctte's manager. had Dime
With Johnson In Chicago. WHY" ex
claimed Mac afterward. you ought I,
have seen that fellow eat lie ate nv
bis plates OF chicken. u lot Of vege
tables. several plates OF bread, and
piece OF pie and drank lot Of coffee
Ne enjoyed every bite OF It. Nobod
van an appetite like that can be niue
cut Of shape. lie didn't look at all In,
when ! asked him how 1t happene
that he looked thick WASTED in the La
Vegas Photographs johnson ju,
laughed aad said; Why. wante
people 10 think ! was fat. 40 every TIM
got In front Of camera | stuck m
stomach out as far as ! could
A ID woLGAsT IL another ring cha
pion who doesn't seem very an,
ious TO box. Ad does, howeve
meet the toughest men In the gan
\
always did dislike the notion OF moe
Ing Packey Mcfarland. Several mr.,
posed matches between the two Ia,
fallen Through because Of Wolgast's i,
minds. But Al says he's willing
bex Mcfarland ten rounds, without
dscision. las al o'clock, no champion
chip title at stake-;proyiding he reeely,
tu.Soo for his end Of the purse.
Wow! A lightweight asking ,es.5
for boxing ten rounds without a d
c1sion. Isn't that enough 10 make I.
eld-timers turn over in their pugilist
graves? Imagine Frank Erne Kid l..
vigne. Joe Cans or any OF the great o
boys OF ten or fifteen years ago holdii
out for S2250 for boxing ten roun,
without a decIs!on-practically gNIl
an exhibition!
In their day they used 20 fight, al
Aght their heads on. for 10 per cent.
that money. and sometimes much less
Any one of the three was a bett
nGhter Than Wolgast by far. Al
there were scores OF others as good
WOlgast whose names have been Il
soften. They didn't get $3.50 for
ths nghting they DID In their lives.