Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1913-01-22
PALzER VS.. JOHNSON
Decorah Fighter Matched to Battle
Negro Champion in Paris
June 25.h.
JAMES j. CORBETT SAYS
FIGHT NOT LIKELY TO OCCUR
Former Heavyweight Champion Says
Negro Will Probably be Unable
to Escape Clutches of Law.
Faith in PalZer Not Lost.

A New York disparch dated Sat !.
urday, Jan. 18th, says:
Jack Johnson agreed yesterday
to fight AL Palzer in Paris for the
worlds championship on the night
of June 20. Tom O'Rourke, Palzer's
manager, announced yesterday after
noon, that he had received tele-
gram from Johnson in Chicago, ac-
cepting the terms offered, arranging
the match. The terms provide that
the winner, shall receive 60 per cent
of the gate receipts with guaran-
tee of $4,000"
Concerning the engagement, Jas
j. Corbett, the former heavyweight
champion, writes as follows:
Jack Johnson and AL Palzer are
to meet in finish fight in Paris next
June-maybe. 1t depends on the re-
suit Of the legal battle the United
States authorities are now waging
against the colored fighter. If John
son is lucky enough to escape the
bastile the match will take place. To
judge from the recent unsuccessful
attempt to get out of the country
81
to the outcome of his case.
The color line Is not drawn in Par
Is. And Palzer is not particular in
the matter of color. either In fact,
he has long cherished the ambition
to fight Johnson and considered Nc
Carly and other white men as mere
stepping stones to the cnance to box
for the title. 1t was his over-confi-
dence that contributed not little to
defeat in the New Years day battle
with McCarty.
Tom O'Rourke has not lost faith
in Palzer. He still thinks AL will
some day be the champion. Tom
had, so It's said, practically arrang-
ed for the Johnson bout before Nc
Carty clashed with Palzer. When
the latter was beaten the bout was
offered McCarty, but Luther refused
to box Johnson or any other negro.
1t is doubtful if the match ever
progresses beyond the signing of the
articles. Johnson is likely to have
other matters to attend to in June. |
The federal courts will have the fl
nal say as to that. If the bout does |
go through Palzer will be a very luc-
ky young fellow. 1t will give him |
the chance of lifetime and one
that seldom comes to a defeated |
fighter. And should he by any chance
prove the winner PalZer would be |
the worlds champion and popular
idol, and in position to dictate terms
to McCarty, his erstwhile conqueror. |
Truly, that would be a peculiar state |
of affairs.
1t may be Luther has no intention |
of deserting the ring for the foot
lights for any length of time, and |
that the talk of not fighting again
until the Fourth is a scheme to get
the promoters to raise their bids. |
McCarty and Manager Mccartney will
do well to ponder over what happen
ed to Al Palzer during his months
vacation. PalZer was bear cat last
spring. He was very tame feline |
on New Years day
McCarty will never become popu-
lar in the big league until he con-
sents to box Willard again. Experts
who were present when the boys met !
last summer concede Jess an excel
lent chance to beat Luther, while ad-
mitting the latter must have improv-
ed wonderfully to trim Kaufman,
Flynn and Palzer. They were both
very good in the Madison Square
Garden bout, but there was no ques-
ton of Willard's superiority. He
outboxed and outfought McCarty
from beginning to end. 1t would
seem to me that Luther would be
anxious to wipe this stain of defeat
from his escutcheon, but it may be
he entertains too great respect for
the great strength and hitting pow
ers of the gigantic Texan.
However, Willard need not des-
pair. There is AL Palzer ready and
willing to fight anybody at the drop
of hat. II nothing else can be said
In his favor, Palzer can never be
charged with cowardice. He fears mol
man and would much rather fight
than train A match with Willard
would be most welcome. 1t Is part
OF O'Rourke's plan to fight Palzer as
often as possible and Willard would
be given preference over any of the
other heavies. Palzer is now round
ing into shape and would give Will
lard great fight. 1t would be a
better test of Jess skill than the pro-
posed match with Gunboat Smith.
There is no doubt but that Will
lard is splendid pugilistic timber and
If he can put it on" Palzer, he could
force McCarty to recognize his chal-I
lenge. When Jess boxed with Sol
dier Kearns a few weeks ago he
showed marked improvement over
the form displayed against McCarty.
Particularly was this observed of his
hitting. He wasted little strength in
x.wsv 4
mastered the art of punching
straight from the shoulder, some
thing both he and McCarty were to-
tally ignorant of last summer. Alto
gether Willard impressed local fans
more favorably than any other
hope" seen In New York.