The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-01-24
Topeka Jack johnson Says
Goodness Required in Ring.
Without 1t Success in Ring Is
Practically Impossible.
IS MOST VALUABLE ASSET
Retires to Manage Pool Hall
and Enjoy Family.
May Open Gymnasium for
Teaching Boxing.

Topeka Jack johnson has retired
from the pugilistic activities and has
engaged in running a pool and billiard
parlor at 11s West Fifth street. but at
that, he just can't quit talking about
the popular pastime.
During his experience in the ring
and as a trainer. johnson has learned
one thing, and that is the necessity of
perfect control of the mind. even
when one is the target for a rain Of
other time, while engaged in a spar
ring contest or even prize fight.
johnson in an open letter to the public
says that without this ability, one
cannot attain and retain highest hon
ors Of the ring, although 1t is possible
for one to get close"
Jack johnson has been engaged in
the pugilistic game for several years
but prefers the management of a pool
and billiard parlor in Topeka and less
pany Of his family. He may add
gymnasium for instructions in phys
zeal culture and boxing in the future,
but this is problematical at this time.
him in which he discusses the re-
quired ability for champions in the
squared ring:
Necessities Of q Champion.
The greatest point and one of the
most essential qualifications Is simply
Goodness" In using the word cool
ness in this case. 1 refer to the man
who is level-headed, not excitable and
one who will use good judgment to
outscheme, outgeneral, then trick the
other fellow. thus bringing about his
defeat. That is the kind Of man who
will win. Considering everything
equal, might say that there are many
strong, husky fellows to be found
who hardly know their actual
strength. I will say that almost any
ready endowments, and can strike as
hard a blow as many of our present
champions, in any class, but they
have not the ability to use good judg-
ment in emergencies.
Goodness has made more champions
than all other requirements or fight
ing ability. While it is true that there
are some champions who possess
some Of all the good qualities. there
been champions who excelled in
but one particular or point or quality.
other than the brain. 1t is the cool
headed fighter that reaches the top
of his class and remains there. Some
have approached but not quite reach
ed the top by the slap-bang route. like
Tom Sharkey, Gus Rubin. Peter
Maher and many others could men
ton, but ever and anon they met their
q
cooler master of the game. Carl Nor
ris was a slap-bang fighter when he
began his ring career and made a
whirlwind dash toward the top, but he
whom Morris could. no doubt, beat
with ease today. Why? Simply be-
cause Morris has added GOODNESS to the
other good qualities which he always
possessed. 1 will say there are men
today in every division who might be-
come the champion of their respective
class If they could master this all i'm
portant element-coolness.
Nelson's Only Asset.
Battling Nelson to my judgment,
when real ability is considered, was
: the poorest excuse for a champion
that I have ever seen. He was not a
hard hitter, couldn't box well because
he was always awkward and clumsy
Yet he beat them all. How did he do
it? Well, he excelled all in taking a
beating and punishment. Other than
this fact he was cool as cucumber
especially under fire. No matter by
how much handicap or how much he
had been pummeled during former
rounds, he would simply duck his
head and continue to stick on the job
until he outgeneraled and outgamed
the other fellow by his GOODNESS and
steady plugging. And at last. away
other fellow into defeat. AS wise and
foxy as was Joe Cans, Bat Nelson
really beat him in this way and al
Cans own tricks, thus winning the
worlds lightweight championship
title.
1t is difficult to say that the fighters
of today, during this twentieth cen
fury period, while everything is mod
ern and improving, are not equal t.
the fighters of the past. Say 20 years
ago. There were some good thinker:
during those olden days. OF course, IL
those times, each fighter was com
PEELED and forced to depend upon hi
own judgment far more than he Il
required to do today.
These Present White Hopes.
am not very much impressed will
the present crop of white hopes Ca
the heavyweights are termed.) The,
are all there about on an equal whel
physical strength is considered, but a.
we have said before, mere strength
will not always win and none Of then
appear to use a dimes worth o
brains. So 1t leaves the heavyweight
situation in a real muddle. Oh, blu
what a bright chance and future TO
any young man who possesses brain
and GOODNESS as well as strength. How
he could start and 60 through tina
bunch of present heavies