The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-08-10
BOXING NOTES
~ T $. Andrewal

According to private information coming from across the big pond Jack Johnson is not in such splendid hnan- cial condition as he would have the followers of boxing believe. and there is some doubt about Jack engaging in a. big battle again. An English sport ing man, well posted on such matters, writes me, as follows regarding the matter:
 ..The mystery surrounding the Johnson-Langford negotiations is no nearer solution than it was 9 week ago. Langford is supposed to be on his way to Europe, travelling at the expense of one of the numerous pro- motors who claim to have the clash signed and sealed; so that 1t must be presumed that there is something do- ing somewhere. The trouble to press writers here is to find out just where to get reliable facts The writer learned that it is doubtful if Johnson will ever again pull on a glove for 8 championship battle. The story, though coming from very reliable source, is very haru GO credit, espec- ially as Johnson is not in such four ishing financial condition was gen. orally supposed. Amongst the many yarns circulated prior to the recent Johnson-Moran encounter. was one to the effect that the real promoter of the affair was the champion himself. This now appears to be perfectly cor rect and the whole proceeds of the show were seized by the French courts pending a decision relating to some debts owing by; Johnson. The loser was to have percentage of the gate, but so far has not yet touched a. cent of it. When the whole story is made public it may serve to damp the pres ent enthusiasm for boxing in Paris. which will be a, great pity
 Continuing, the writer gives some int Welsh championship match. fol- lows:
 '"The boom in the f1stic game shows no sign of abating, notwithstanding that the Welsh-Ritchie affair was a financial loss. The promoters of the lightweight battle were noviceS at the game and moreover acted unwisely in agreeing to give Ritchie such a. huge guarantee. am not blaming the late champion for trying to get as much as possible out of the clash, but the guarantee of $25,000 was away ahead of anything before on this side of the Atlantic and could not, on any basis of reckoning, assist the promoters to clear themselves. As it is, the rent of the arenas advertising, etc, swallowed up all that was left after paying Ritchie- and the promoters are out some $3,000 on the deal. Freddy Welsh gets nothing out of the fight so far, but of course, hopes to reap harvest from the next title battle in which he engages, when Freddy will adopt the role of dictator of terms. There is just one point that seems to have escaped Freddy and nearly ev- eryone else.
 The new champion is also the title holder of this country and holder of the Lonsdales belt. By the terms of the gift under which the belts are held. every champion must box any opponent selected by the National Sporting club and that within six months of the challenge being issued. Supposing, for the sake of argument, the club were to put forward Jerry Delaney as the next contender for the belt (and he is the logical man for WeIsh,) the new champion of the world would be bound to accent or resign the British tit1e In the event or FreddNS acceptance he could not dictate terms to the club. Under no circumstances will they entertain con tests in which a boxer gets a set sum, l win. lose or draw. A boxer must agree to a winner and loser end of the
 purse and cannot see any sign of the
 club altering their rule to suit Welsh or anyone else. Further, the club is
 not likely to put up a colossal purse
 for match in which Welsh engages
 unless useful lightweight fl om
 America makes the trip. Suggestions
 have been put around for a, return match between Ritchie and Welsh,
 but I cannot see a promoter daring
 enough to guarantee the end that l Welsh is sure to demand