The sun., 1919-06-22

johnson tried TO escape defeat by rum
ming away from IT, johnson met Sam
LanEford ut the Atlantic A. c., on the
Bowery. In 1913, and after Sam had con-
nected once with Johnson's conversation
trap in the opening round John Lester
took to his heels
It was not the intention OF LAnEford to
indulge in q ten round Marathon. Sam
was fat and sprinting was not to his
liking. Therefore he decided to catch
his opponent In the opening round. Gam
put on all speed and went swishing
around the ring about half q lap behind
tho flying Johnson. Lanrford made an
effcrt to get close enough TO SWING on
the Jaw Of John Lester. but the latter
opened the speed clutch and eained half
. lap. Then Langford resorted to
strategy.
You win the race, Mistah Johnsing."
painted Sam, as he slowed his pace.
johnson checked his sped for an in
slant AMI Langford made a lightning
forward leap. slashing out his right and
catching johnson with a cruAhinG blow
In the small OF the back. John Lester
johnson crumpled on the ring floor. and
had to be carried to the dressing room.
It II asking too much OF creduiods hu-
man nature to expect belief in a story
that q chap Of Johnsons calibre ever
sey. II Dempsey's ribs we're broken in
1915, he has had plenty of time In which
TO have them properly upholstered. Also.
II he had damaged ribs, Morris Brennan
and other rough fellows that Dempsey
had met in the interim would have made
some impression on them. Rest assured
that Dempsey's RIBS now are all right
and will stand any test that Willard may
apply.
A.
the credulous is one TO the effect that
Wizards legs are weak and do not stand
the strain Of boxing. Just what may
have caused the defect in the champion
In not divulged by the gentleman who
made the assertion. There doubtless is
no more basis for this statement than
there Is for the fractured rib fiction.
Hot wather Fiction.
These yarns appear to be due to the
effect OF the heat on lively imaginations.
There is no reason why Wizards legs
should not be as powerful as ever, and
II the champions uDderpinnings showed
any signs of weakness the fact would
hardly escape the keen eyes of hundreds
of onlookers In his training quarters.
AS a matter Of fact there In not
shadow OF doubt that both Willard and
Dempsey will enter the ring in prime
condition and the defeated man will
have no poor condition" excuse tn fan
back on.
As tho champion progresses in his
training work It becomes evident that he
is inspired by spirit of superb con-
fidence. In one breath Willard declares
that he "does not underestimate Demp
soy. who Is a wonderful fighter" and in
the next insists that Dempsey will he
q plaything in his hands"
In this declaration the champion pays
q strong compliment to himself.
II Dempsey Is a wonderful fighter, yet
easily is subdued by the champion. It
will be incontrovertible evidence that
Willard Ia q super fighter as we'll as a
superman.
No one who has seen Dempsey in the
ring can deny that he Is a remarkably
good fighter and that he possesses three
essentials to success in pugilism-speed,
comtativeness and heavy hitting. In
addition to these qualities Dempsey has
the vim and enthusiasm Of youth. which
is 1aluable In the ring. Many great
champions who have been toppled over
have ascribed their defeats to the axiom
that youth will be served.
Therefore II Willard, who now In past
the age at which many noted boxers
lost their titles. can overcome the youth.
strength and speed of Dempsey the
champion will do something none Of his
predecessors have accomplished and will
be entitled 20 the full need OF praise for
his wonderful feat