The Washington times., 1913-01-08
Precedent Exists to Back
Up Conqueror of
Palzer.

Luther Mccarthy is coming in for some
roasting for refusing to consider chal-
lenging Jack Johnson. This criticism
should not be meted out to him. He
is not the first white champion to de-
cline to meet a colored boxer. When
in his prime John L. Sullivan refused
match with Peter Jackson. Of Aus
tralia. and while criticised by many on
the score of timidity. Sullivan adhered
TO his decision and, in the long run, won
friends by his stand.
Mccarthy Is acting wisely in refusing
to consider challenging the present
worlds champion. He is not doing so
because Johnson is not a white man,
nor because he is afraid Of Johnson.
He is doing II in protest for the recent
alleged actions OF the champion. In
this attitude he has the backing Of
every lover of boxing the country over
and even outside of It, particularly in
Australia and England.
Since the champion began his Wild
career. public opinion has turned
against him. After the fasco at Reno
Johnson was feted everywhere by men
OF all races. He was praised TO the
skies. compared to the best of ring
champions of the past to the latters'
disparagement and. naturally. It went
10 his head. He began to act like a
wild man. The tonic of adulation over
came him. His recent conduct is too
well known to require repeating.
Accidental Title.
AS a matter of fact, johnson holds
an accidental worlds title. He de-
feated Tommy Burns. much lighter
and smaller than himself and at best,
a second rater among the heavies. He
bumped into Jeffries when the latter
was a physical wreck. Allowing that
johnson defeated both Burns and JEFF
fries, how can you explain his action
in running out of a match with Sam
Langford in England and his many re-
fusals TO meet either Langford or Jean
nette? Are these the actions of a cham
pion? The title should have been taken
away from him when he refused to de-
fcnd 1t within reasonable length of
time.
johnson, in the light OF all that has
occurred since the battle at Reno, July
4. 1910 has disgraced himself. speaking
wholly from a fistic point of view. He
agreed to meet Fireman" Jim Flynn
because he outweighed him. and his
title was not in jeopardy. He has
stayed away from all ne
sotiations with Sam Langford or Joe
Jeanette. the two colored heavyweights
considered to have a chance at the
title.
In the last year Johnson has fought
one battle, that with Flynn. a sure
thing for the betting men. In 1911 he
fought no one at all. In 1912 Sam Lang
ford has fought Jim Barry twice. Porky
Flynn once, and Sam McVey twice, all
in Australia. In that same time jean
nette has met half dozen also-rans
in this country.
Boxers Should Box.
Champion boxers should box. That Is
their business. They should not be al
lowed to hold a title indefinitely with
out going into a ring and defending It,
Yet, that Is about what the present title
holder has done ever since he beat Jim
JeffrIes to the floor at Reno. He has
foxily stayed away from any entanglinR
negotiations with the men considered in
his class.
BY refusing to challenge johnson.
Mccarthy is acting under wise man.
agement. II johnson remains out OF the
ring much longer. living his present
style of life, he will just naturally retire
through inaction. Training becomes
harder and harder On Q man - b