Omaha daily bee., 1912-01-21
BOXING AS A CLASS GAME
Sentiment is, Against Matches Be.
tween Whites and Blacks.
FEELING IS INTERNATIONAL
IL n. Felt that Promoter Mcintosh
Will Recognize Conditions and
Not Try to Pit johnson
Against White Man. -----

NEW YORK, Jan. A-Is the boxing
game to be a class affair in the futuref
From the trend of things the last year
II seem to be leading that way. There
was time when very little attention was
given TO a bout between some eolored
boxer ard white man. but now when
ever a match Of. that kind is mentioned,
IL seems to be the signal for general op-
position from all sides, That has been
the case ever since the Jack Johnson af-
fair at Reno. Nev.. in 1910 when the col
ored man annexed the worlds heavy
weight championship. There were thou
sands of good sporting men opposed To
the match at that time for the simple
reason that they did not consider Jeffries
in proper condition or able to come back
after five years retirement and do him
self justice. However. that cuts little
figure. FOR the money end seemed to he
the principal aim Of all parties con-
cerned and the contest was permitted 10
60 on with the eolored man rinninr
II is not the intention to take away any
credit from Jack Johnson. but only to
show that there was a general feeling
against matches between white and coli
ored men.
There is no doubt that johnson is one
Of the cleverest big men that has been
brought before the boxing public in many
years. and In some respects Is almost
the equal Of Jim Corbett. He is a great
fighter and no one will deny that, but
at the same time the followers OF the
sport are opposed TO matches between
whites and blacks, and especially where
the difference in weight is so great as
has been the case in number OF matches
the last year. 1t was the color question
that prevented the Johnson Wells con-
test in England. although it has been
| given out that II was a question OF big
purses which the National Sporting club
OF London would not stand for, and as
result brought on the agitation against
the match. This may be true in sense,
but the real cause was the color question,
especially where the principals were so
well known and where the interest was
/ even greater than most big affairs In the
European countries the last year.
Agitation in America.
| Where small contests Of this kind have
been arranged nothing has been said. for
the simple reason that they did not at
tract the attention OF the general public.
The agitation has been taken up in
America. and boxing promoters all over
the country have been very shy in ar
ranging matches between colored men
and white men: in fact. II is understood
that the New York promoters have been
given to understand that such matches
are likely to be prohibited. Now. the
agitation has spread to Australia. where
the boxing game has thrived for many
years and the people love ii as much as
the people Of America love base ball.
However, all this talk in England and
America has had considerable effect. and
Hugh Mcintosh. the Australian promoter,
who has conducted some Of the biggest
matches in the world. and was the first
to pay out an enormous purse for box
ing contest. states that In the event Of
johnson going TO Australia this year. he
win in all probability be matched against
colored men only. Mr.. Mcintosh is one
OF the shrewdest promoters In the BUSH
ness and he no doubt understands that
IL he were to try and get over the heads
/ OF tne ptOpic NHltc SUM AcVhhs NsNet7
he would be the loser, and he has very
wisely decided to keep within bounds.
This would mean that Johnson's oppo-
nents in the country OF the Southern
Cross would be Sam Mcvey and sam
Langford-two OF the best heavyweights
in the world today. outside OF Jack john
son himself. 1t all depends upon john
sons position in the case. II the cham
pion is willing to be reasonable In his
terms, then he will have an opportunity
TO visit Australia again and fatten his
already well filled purse. but II not, he
viii find that Promoter Mcintosh will
arrange to go along without him.
A match between. Johnson and MeNey
would be interesting. not only TO the col
ored followers OF the sport, but 70 all
Glasses. as they are evenly matched and
would no doubt put up great Contest
with Johnson on the long-end betting.