The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-10-19
Floyd Johnson Looming Up
As Likely Looking Lad in
Heavyweight Part of Game
Youngster Sends Bob Martin
Back Home Sans Chance at
Champion Jack Demsey
by ROBERT EDGREN.

once In every three or four years
some likely youngstor shows up I'm
the heavyweight class The latest
is Floyd Johnson. who finished Bob
Martins pursuit OF the heavyweight
crown by stopping the former a. T..
L, champion In 10 rounds.
II Johnson isn't hurried along and
matched against the most skilled
aud oxporiencdo men In his ass too
soon. he In likcly TO be "A challenger
OF Dempsey In another yenp II he
Is put against Mlske or Brennan
right away his climb may turn into
"A tumble
Floyd is one OF the most promls-
ing novices since Dempsey began his
startling career. He H. big enough
to fight anybody ON the night of
tho Martin bout johnson weighed
lo4A pounds stripped. and Martin
1857.
Johnson began boxing three years
ago III san Francisco, whore only
fOur-round amateur bouts are per-
mittod. His showing among the four
FOUNDERS attrac ed the attention OF
Alex Greggans, formerly a great
middleweight and for 30 years past
a promoter OF boxing bouts. Greg
about boxing ana sent him east.
SO far ho has more than made
good. lie Is very well built His
tremendously deep chest shows
promise of both strength and en-
durHnCc. Like Iearly all big men
with little ring experience he Is
bit slow ana IL inclined To become
arm weary after few fast rounds
The fight with Martin was the first
he ever took part In that went over
four rounds.
Profits on Dcmpscy's Coaching.
johnson will get more speed and
endurance with training. and viii
eliminate other faults ,hat mark the
ring novice, aud when he docs hen
he "A dangerous fellow for anyone
to tackle.
In the fight with Martin he
showed that he can lcaru quickly.
for he patterned his work exactly
on what he learned from Jack
Dempsey Ia three days of coaching
by the champion lie kept his left
hand pumping into Martins face.
driving him off balance and spelling
his chances to drive over his famous
Nnockout right hand punches.
For several rounds II looked as II
Martin might land that Knockout !
light. In fact he did land half a
iozen hard right-handers on John
IONS head. hut failed to slow him |
~ or mark him.
once Martin caught johnson flush |
N the chin and li,.ed him from h. !
'oet with the blow. but Johnson
'nught his balance Instantly and |
anne back fighting.
Even when Floyd was tired he re- |
covered both strength and speed |
with a moment rest. The damage !
re did To Martin with constant left |
abs, continuous fire OF short |
hooks when at close quarters and an |
crushing straight right |
proved that he has real punch.
lie has a good head for boxing. as
10 never lost perfect control OF his
ttack and defence during the bout.
altogether. johnson looks like "A fell
ow who VIII go to the top or very
iear II II he isn't spoiled by foolish
match making.
Martin Fought In Hard Luck.
Bob Martin Is Unfortunate. When
10 began boxing in tho army he
ound he could easily knock over any
4 his rivals by soclling them with /
lis right hand and he never took
he trouble to learn how TO use his /
eft. I've seen few big men who
we're better built for fighting. or ap-
'arently better equipped for tho
port.
TAU. long armed. broad. should
red, sinewy Martin Ia fine physical
nodei for heavyweight, He shove
ood American breeding In every
ne. But he won his early fights
90 easily. and 80 failed TO perfect
is boxing. II IL wasn't for that
ed be after the championship now
instead OF being practically out OF
he chase because of ,one severe
eating.
In the tght with Floyd johnson
e showed remarkable courage and
for he never took back
ard step. At the beginning OF each
ound he jumped from his corner
nd rushed 10 the attack. Yet he
aust have been fighting under a
srrific handicap. as IL IA said that
le blow or the head-on collision
'hlchever n was--that injured his
VI eye in an early round left him
blind on that side.
II Martin had been able 10 use