The Washington times., 1919-03-20

JohnSOn Won the WOrlQ 8 ute from
Tommy Burns, who was never eoaS
sidered a 'first-class heavyweight He
settled all argument by defeating
Jeffries, who had been out OF the
ring for six years
Joe ChOynskf Knocked out Johnson
in three rounds in 1901. That Is the
only knockout recorded against him
until Willard defeated him al Ha-.
Vana, but several men battled evenly
with him. Others were cheated OF
victories over him only because the
referees were not empowered to give.
decisions. Marvin Hart. q clumsy.
performer, received q decision over
Johnson In a twenty-round bout IN
1905.
In his day johnson vas pursued.
BY three heaYies, each g whom Was
quite his equal They were Sandy
Ferguson, who died a few weeks ago.
OF pneumonia: Joe Jeanette, and,
Sam Langford. Ferguson had john
son whipped i'm Chelsea, Mass, when
some excited fan yeIl "Kill him,
Sandy" and Ferguson promptly kneed
his swaying opponent, losing the
bout. Thereafter, Johnson was ex-I
ceedingly cautious with FeFguSon,
refusing even to have him as q spa--I
ring partner.
LangfOrd q Nehesls.
Langford became veritabIe
Nemesis for johnson. When hardly
more than a weller. the Boston 'sTaE
Baby" gave Johnson such q trounc-
ing that he never again got a chance
with him. Joe Jeanette and Sam
McVey did get several bouts with
Johnson, but Langford was barred
forever, even though he chased the
champion all over the world.
Johnson's punching gave him four
cne-round knockouts, one in two
rounds and two in three rounds, every
enc OF these opponents was a rank
dub in the ring.
On the other. Langford has nine
one-round knockouts in his record,
fourteen in two rounds and seven In
three, and his victims included such
men as philadelphia Jack" O'Brien,
Jim Flynn, Harry Wills, Joe Jeanette, |
Willie Lewis, John Willie. Tony Caponi. }
and Jim Barry. 4
johnson Good Boxer.
In his prime Johnson was a good
boxer Of the defensive type. He was /
ffat-footed, like his race, but not slow 1
on his feet. He was exceptionally i
well developed in the upper torso and /
understood perfectly the value OF /
blocking and tying up his rivals. /
Gifted with q cool head in the ring,
advanced blocking science and a good
ripper cut with either hand, johnson
travelled a path that brought him to
the highest honors largely because he {
met few but second raters.
Johnson's luck gave him his bout I
with Burns. Had the champion faced \
L.
he would have lost, just as he did 10 i
knocked him cold, not requiring the
australian police to come to his as.
distance. Langford possessed a far
better wallop than did johnson, and
the latter knew 1t, which explains his
to tackle the Tar E
Baby"
willard Il Ne Wonder.
That Willard is no wonder is
proved absolutely by his own record.
He has met no real boxer, with the 4
That day in Havana he tackled a II
she'll Of a man. Luxulious living had
30 undermined Johnson's strength |
hat pure physical weakness brought 4
about the champions miserable de-
feat, not the weight OF Wizards
blows.
Willard followed the advice OF his
handlers to the letter at Havana,
lighting slowly and carefully. 1t Is
II he knew why he was do
ng this, but Jack Curley and Tom |
Jones' knew the real condition Of
Johnson, just as they knew the weak
lesses OF the Kansas cowboy.
Therefore-and we're open to ar
gument-if Dempsey is half as good I
Is his knockout record indicates.
willard should have his hands full
text July IL the challenger tears into
lin with every ounce Of his strength,
lnfnE his haa 20 -. L