The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-04

A report is current that Jim Flynn,
the Pueblo fireman, will box Jack
Johnson the black title holder. for the
heavyweight championship of the
world. at Las Vegas, \. Nj, this
Fourth of July. which Is today.
The battle has been arranged by
Jack Curiey. of Chicago. who was
manager NJ Hackenschmidt and who
induced Frank Gatch to wrostle the
Russian Lion in Chicago. Hacken-
schmidt was In no shape, but was
allowed to go o1 by Referee Eddie
Smith. The gate was enormous ard
the howl that went up ever the hip
podrone was heard in San Francisco.
New York, Moscow and the Philip
pines. Curley pulled down big
amount by buying HaekeRseh rnidts
end of the purse at reduced rate,
in advance.
Names Smith For Referee.
Then Curley proceeded to arrange
the Johnson Flynn affair. He got the
two boxers to sign articles and finally
found a place where he could pull of
the bout without being mobbed lie
named his old side partner, Eddie
Smith, who had ofiiciated in the
Gotch- Hackenschmidt fiasco. referee.
Which caused a sn1iie 70 go around III
the sporting world for Smiths work
in the wrestling bout was we'll re-
membered
Curley, all the while, has been
posing as the manager OF Flynn and
up to Il few days ago, has been send
ing kilograms broad beast saying that
the fireman would beat the negro. He
advised his friends 10 back this
opinion to the limit and quite num-
Der took him at his word. They mere
ly took II for granted that the bout
was a frame-up and that Flynn was
to win.
They had reason for this opinion.
johnson I'm BAD
Az champion Johnson is not a
money making success. He cannot
travel with burlesque. or other vaude-
vile companies, all over the country.
for he woula not be- tolerated in many
cities, even II he was allowed to troupe
with the company. He is barred from
boxing in nearly every State in the
Union, He could mot get the cyance
to box even an exhibition bout in
one Of the New York clubs.
Johnson Is barred in England. He
incurred the displeasure of Lord Ions
dale. of the London Sporting club by
breaking off his match there with
Sam Langford and rushing to Aus
tralia 10 box Tommy Burns. When
he attempted 70 box in London against
Bombardier Wells such an cutlery
was raised that the match was de-
Lonsdale inspired the clamor against
the big black.
Things to Be Considered.
All these things must have been re-
peated by Curley to Johnson and the
latter was well aware of the situa
ton when he signed to meet Flyn,l,
l is said further that Johnson was
shown way to wilma barrel" The
moving pictures of a bout between
johnson sld Flynn would not be a
great attraction, bat moving pictures
of Flynn defeating Johnson for the
championship would draw a multi
tude.
The argument that Johnsaa might
lose on a foul, or lay down, would
not appeal, naturally, to Johnson. but
the prospect of making q fortune out
Of the moving picture rights alone.
would. If he could be assured AL
other battle with Flynn later on, in
order to give him a chance to win his
title back he might be willing to
accept, 1t was said. Al least that II
the story of the frame-up: johnson
was to lose on a foul, and get a re-
turn match That Curley might
promise a return match and never
grant II was also to be considered,
but il Is asserted that johnson was
agreeable 10 be a party to the plot
outlined.
Ban on Moving Pictures.
Then came word that tho legisla-
lures or various States had enacted
legislation making it an offense to ex-
hihit pictures of boxing bout that
took place in another State beyond
the border of that State. This would
put crlnp in the receipts Of the
Las Vegas bout. and, SO the story
Eoes4 II III re- :.2 <.stirirs- thar
the deal was off and the bout must
go on the level.
According to New York reports
Curley has wired. since this alleged
notice from Johnson, that the cham
pion had chance TO win, and that
he would he an overwhelming favor
lite. good hint for his friends TO
get under cover II they could
Bout Has Little Class.
Whether the bout IL frame-up or
on the level X has little to recon-
mend il. Flynn was beaten in eleven
rounds by johnson in California. at
los Angeles. II memory is accurate.
and he has heen beaten in jig time
by sam Langford. Langford let him
go to ten-round draw In one OF
their meetings and then beat him so
quickly the next time they met that
everyone knew the first bout was
merely an exhibition 10 coax bigger
gate.
The best Flynn ever did was TO
beat white hope" Carl Morris and
Luther McCarty, novice, has made
better showing against Morris than
Flynn. Johnson will have thirty-hve
or forty pounds advantage In weight,
he has q longer reach and he IL so
superior to the fireman in general
ship and science that Flynn, az far
AZ the dope" on the two boxers 20,
hasn't chance, except by the good
graces OF the refree
Rivers and WOigast.
Incidentally Joe Rivers, the Mext-
can boxes Nd Wolgast for the light
weight championship at Vernon, Cal
ieornia. today. Rivers has recently
graduated from the featherwetght
ranks and he In wonder for speed
and Furnishing ability.
Wolgast has the experience and is
the fayorfte, but the Mexican is likely
to furnish Z surprise. Jimmy John
ston, manager OF Owen Moran. and
who IL q good judge of boxers. says
| that Rivers will win. Most OF the
talent will string along with the cham
pion, however.