The sun., 1918-11-24
Real Reason Why Dempsey
,DOdged Jeanette Fight
Harry Wills the Dark Man in the Woodpile, Who
Might Have Bobbed Up Iater-John L. Only
Champion to Draw Color Line Consistently
BY CROSS COUNTER.

The man who declared that the color
line in pugillsm was yellow streak
gave utterance to half truth. No one
believes that Jack Dempsey In refusing
to fight Jeanette was actuated by fear.
Possibly the manager of Dempsey
thought that a battle with Jeanette
would open the door to a challenge from
Wills, who really Is dangerous heavy
weight.
In any event Dempsey in drawing the
color line at a time when he looms as
the next heavyweight champion shows
Inconsistency. When he began to climb
the pugilistic ladder he was willing to
fight any one and did hght>negroes. He
thus set n precedent and stands con-
victed of inconsistency.
Dan Morgan. in arguing the point
against Dempsey. declared that John L.
Sullivan was the only heavyweight
champion who consistently drew the
color line. Morgan is Ill informed. 1t
Is true that John l.. Sullivan's record
contains no reference to the Bostonian
ever having fought negro. and II is
unlikely that he ever contested a bout
with a black skinned boxer.
~ Police Interfered.
Yet It is a matter of record that Sui
title made match with George God
frey, a negro known as 'Old Choco-
late" and that the pair were stripped
and in their corners in a hati in Boston
when the police interfered.
This instance, which has been verified
by Boston experts, was the only one In
which Sullivan entered the ring with a
negro and It furnishes proof that he
did not draw the color line till Peter
Jackson menaced the crown worn by
the Boston man.
1t also is a fact that no boxer who
has held the American heavyweight
title consistently has drawn the color
line. although nearly all have refused
at times to meet negroes in the ring.
Negro lighters were few and far be-
tween in America in bare knuckle days.
Peter Jackson being the first of prom-
nence to appear on the pugilistic hori-
zon. With the advent OF glove fight
ing large number OF dangerous black
boxers sprung up and gave the white
champions much uneasiness.
Although Sullivan was not averse 10
fighting George GODFREY the champion
drew the color line tightly in the case
OF Peter jackson.
As youngster just climbing up the
ladder of ring fame Jim Corbett met
Jackson in siXty-onc round draw.
After Corbett became champion he de-
clined to box jackson again.
Scarce I'm FitE's Time.
Shortly after Fitzsmpons defeated
the original Jack Dempsey for the mid
dleweight title the new champion met
and vanqulshed the Black Pearl OF Min
neapoliS Fitz did not meet any black
fighters while he held the heavyweight
championship, probably because there
was none who could give the Cornish
man a battle. jackson at this time was
on the down grade.
Previous to winning the title from
Fltz. Jeffries met Peter Jackson and
llstic memory at the time and Arm
strong. at his best outpointed Jefr in
ten rounds in this city. After becom-
ing champion JEFF beat Hank Grimm
and later on came out OF retirement 10
meet defeat at the hands of Jack John
son.
Tommy Burns. who claimed and sue
cessfully defended the title after the
retirement of Jefrries. sedulousiy avoided
Sam Langford. although he had pre-
viously boxed a negro named Harry
Peppers. Burns kept well out of Lang
ford's reach, but finally fell victim Ia
Jack Johnson.
Willard won his title from johnson
and then drew the color line. The Kan
san not only has refused to box negroes
but white men as well. being consistent
in that respect.
Dempsey and his manager may have
some doubts az to the outcome of q
bout with Harry Wills, but they GER
tainly have no fears OF the aged Jean
nette or the bombastic Norfolk.