Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-07-14


 Johnson to box for the championship.
 When big Al fought Bambadie.' Wells. few weeks ago he entered the ring in miserable condition. He won. but not until knocked down and almost out by the Englislman. It was phenemiaal powe,t to assim late punishment that turned defeat into victory on that occasion. And it was lack of stamina and vitality in Wells makeup that prevented him from finishing Palzer in the first round when the American was practically helpless.
 PalZer's fight. against Kaufman last Winter made great impression on experts who saw the contest. He made hosts of friends and rooters on that occasion by defeating a boxer who had been regarded up to the time of the knockout by Jim Flynn as the solitary hope of the white people in the race for the championship. But when Al entered the ring the ether night the crowd was surprised at the marked change in appearance of the youthful gladiator.
 Palzer was in rotten shape, if I may use that expressive though inelegant adjectve; he was hog fat and carried at least 20 pounds of superfluous weight. When in charge of Tom ORourke, the big Iowan was at least always in gced physical trim. Who- ever directed his resent training knows as much about conditioning a fighter as I do of the science of avia- tion, and that's nothing at all.
 When it was first announced that Palzer was to box Wells, learning that he had no trainer of experience to advise him at work and while in the ring, I volunteered my services 10 the young man. I did this with no idea of gain in fact, I stated that I said services, but would be only too glad to lend my aid and advice at any time they might De needed and grat- uitously.
 I have reason to believe that Palzer wanted me to act in capacity of ad- wiser in the Wells match, but that his manager whoever he may be, vetoed the plan, claiming that I was too friendly with ORourke (Al's former manager), to be trusted. I might re sent such a charge if it were not so positively ridiculous that 1t made me smile. The records show that ORou- rke was always on the other end whenever l figured ill contest dur ing my boxing days, and although never particularly chummy with Tom knew enough about the game to re- cognize his abil'ty as a manager and conditioner of fighters and to give him the credit due his skill in those important capaclt es.
 However, what I want to say is this. If Al is sincere in the desire to box the champion, and I really be- lieve he is of the kind who would rather fight than talk about it, I ad- v;se him to secure a new trainer. I say this not even knowing the name of AIS director CT affairs. But I do know that Palzer instead of improv- ing on the form displayed in the bat ties with Kaufman and lesser lights, as would naturally be expected in such a young man, gave evidence oi going the other way. And that is no for the trainer, take it from me.
 Palzer needs a man who konWs not only how to condition a fighter, but one who can also teach him some thing of boxing. With practically no defense he would be mark for a clever hard-hitting boxer anywhere near his weight. Al has the marks of a champion in the rough if ever saw them, and it would be a crime to see his natural talents wasted through incompetent handling and lack of intelligent advice.
 What a peculiar and unsatisfactory ending to the lightweight champion ship battle between Wolgast and Riv- CTS. Both men apparently out and unable to continue within the time limit, and yet the referee sefcts winner. Rivers adherents claim Wolgast fouled their man, while the champions supporters argue that the blow putting the Mexican on the floor was fair one to the regicn of the stomach.
 It was a rought fight while it last ed with Rivers, leading most of the distance, although reports indicate he