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JOHNSON AND FLYNN AWAIT GONG Fighters in Excellent Condition and Both Confident of Winning Battle for Heavyweight Championship of World at Las Vegas, N. M., Today. Champion Rules a Two-to-One Favorite With Enormous Crowd That Storms Arena—Both Contestants in .Final Statement Declare They Will Be Returned Victor of the Struggle. By Ed W. Smith. East las vegas. n. m., Juiy 4. —Johnson and Flynn are in the ring waiting for the timekeeper’s bell to send them oft their way in the battle for the heavyweight championship of the world. The men have received final Instructions from the referee and with gloves tied and shoes well rosined, they have only to shake their flimsy bath robes and tear at' each other. Flynn was the first to climb Into the roped arena. He was given a rousing ovation. He bowed time and again In acknowledging the re ception. Finally he went to the east side of the ropes, held up his hand for silence and yelled his loudest: "There will be a new champion tonight, boys!” Again the multitude broke loose nnd the noise was deafening. It didn't let up until Johnson worked his way down the isles and climbed into the ring. And then it let up only for a second. Johnson opened his robe and the crowd could not help but admire his wonderful physique. He looked trained to the minute. He. too, was given a big hand, but nothing compared to that ten dered the white challenger. There are those,, and many of them, who think because of his present ruggedness and known gameness that it will be a race over a distance of ground, and that Flynn's present condition will en able him to tire down his oppo nent and finally win. But while Flynn has been work ing like a trojan, Jack Johnson has been doing, a faithful task .in his fight conditioning wgy. He has-*, come down from 240 pounds, which was his poundage when he started in at Bill O'Connell's gymnasium in Chicago, to .where he. will tip the beam at 212 pounds- when he' gets busy between the ropes this afternoon. He has. done every thing that has been asked, of him by his trainers, and. if you would believe them and himself, he is every bit as good-as he was this time two years ago. However, whether he is or not, and whether he may have an extra pound or s-o of extra tissue over his vital points, experts are here in number and giving their, expert opinions as to what will happen. Many of these same experts were present at Reno two years ago and telling how little chance Johnson had against Jim Jeffries. Some Excuse For Picking. That might make one think these ' men prophets are without honor ‘ in their country or any other roiitf try. But there - was some excuse for picking Jeffries at that time that will not hold when present conditions are in the. summing up. They had a cjiampion in Jeffries to pin their faith to that would stand much pounding with an ar gumentative battering ram. Jef fries had beaten men with honor able records on the ■ Queensberry roll of honor. He had beaten these men In such away as to show what looked like an unassailable fmnt against any invader. He was the biggest and hukiest man we ever had in this country as a cham pion, and his cave man appearance smoothed his backers with confi dence. On the other hand, Jack Johnson at that time had no imposing rec ord over which one could study and dope him as a winner in a cham pionship race. It was even hinted mat ne nan a yenow streak, though ' this hint had not then and never has been proved. He will admit himself today that he does not know how game he may he, be cause he never has been badly hurt in battle. Since the battle at Reno Johnson has been a known quantity and so has Flynn. Those who might want •o see the white man win today, however, can find no such peg as ’hat furnished by Jeffries upon which to hang a prophecy. Flynn's Record Proves Little. It is true that he beat Al Kauf man and (’ar! Morris, but other men have done the game and yet not earned the right to be consid ered worthy opponents of the pres ent champion. Fighters Issue Statements. Johnson gave me the following Hatement this morning: Just say to all my friends that I m sorry so many of them will not ’* here to see me. win today. When I made the march I nent Into It ’■ i'h the full intention of training • f best I knew how and have ’•-'■•-•er had the slightest doubt as to outcome. While Flynn looks to be as tough a man as any one In this country today, and while he even looks bigger and better than I expected to see him look, I still expect to beat him, and it will not be a long fight either I have-an- a nounced that I would retire by September, but that does not mean that I will not fight again if a suit able oft«r is made.” .- . . . . Flynn came across with the fol lowing: “I can only repeat what I have ■ been saying ever since I started training, and that is that there will be a new champion of the world when I get through with the big smoke this afternoon. I still feel confident of-winning but-if-I lose it will not be while 1 am go ing away. lam going to carry the fight to Johnson-from the start, and he will find thalt he is up against the toughest man he ever has tackled. I am better than I ever was before In my life and if I am beaten it will be because I have beeh up against a better man than any other in the country.” Referee's Final Word. As I am th° referee, I suppose I should say something.' Here is the statement I gave all the newspaper men this morning: “Nothing remains now but for the mgn to get Into their boxing togs this afternoon and settle the question between them in the'ring All of the details of the contest have been settled upon artd every thing looks ready, including the men themselves The contest will not differ from otheis as far as the present interpretation of the Queensberry code is concerned. The men have agreed' to continue boxing while either has an a-m free, but after coming into a clinch to break upon command of the referee. But they mus.t protect : themselves at all tlines\during the progress'of a round'/ The referee will at no time step between therh or pull them q.par_t, mhey ■ have . agreed<nnt to '.boid'and, hit' and all* other instances of foul'work have been cited to them go, that they fully understand what may be grounds for a disqualification.” Some Bets at 5 to 2. The arrival of Al Tearney, of Chicago.. stakeholder 'of the s2o,non deposited by Flynn, Johnson and.. Curley, started some lively betting. Johnson remains at odds of 2 to • 1, with now and. then some one of fering SSOO to SI,OOO at 5 to 2 1-2. Many bets were registered where Johnson would not be marked on the face and some that Johnson would not have .blood drawn at all, while-others-made even money bets that Johnson would win inside twelve rounds, and some that Flynn would last fifteen rounds. Streets Crowded Early. Early today the streets were crowded and hundreds of now faces appeared, a majority of them range men and ranch owners; also many miners. Jack Johnson was the big light at the depot yesterday, meeting all trains and holding receptions on the station platform. He - made speeches or did anything else that would amuse the crowd and never failed to say: “That man Flynn has absolutely no chance; he is chicken for me, absolutely and ripe for picking.” Flynn was joy riding with his trainers all afternoon and in the evening he visited the headquar ters and algo the depot, where he gave all of them the glad mitt. Johnson Signs With Langford. Johnson entered into a contract today with Hugh D. Mclntosh, of Australia', through T. S. Andrews, to fight Sam Langford and Sam McVey In that country within six months time. He is to have an ■ extra month to prepare for McVey after the Langford battle. Johnson Is to get $45,000 for the two battles. An offer from Mclntosh was also made to Flynn, providing he wins from Johnson, of $30,000 and SI,OOO expenses to go to Australia to fight Langford. Manager Curley said he would take the offer under consid eration. MOBILE TO GIVE MANES CHANCE TO MAKE GOOD CHATTANOOGA, TENN., July 4. The transfer of Cavet to Huntsville means that Spurgeon Manes, the local boy who covered the Initial sack for Fort Worth during the first half of the season, will go to Mobile for a try out at the close of the Southeastern league season. When Manes was at Fort Worth this spring the Giants played a series of games there. McGraw was on the first base coaching line most of the time and took a great fancy to the local boy's work, giving him material advice and assistance on many playa. . . .THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1912. Noted Referee Analyzes the Lightweight Rivals Wolgast and Rivers Are About Equally Matched HOW JOHNSON AND FLYNN LOOK IN THE RING *\\ fig 'J i H JtwSl I. inoßr '** JEW a / B ~~ xl w/ / ** i / 'Sir // Won/ / \ . • r/; ' V ' 'Wk. rj| HHK'I ■>3 af '•awjg aria ®Pf®V - J® i -- - j;' / ' : w Wk 'iW w / M • A .w J, Iwb . ; '’ijF / ( b 3 « A Ji ——s) This photograph' was posed especially for The Georgian by Johnson and Flynn, and shows how the champion and challenger size up. Johnson looks like a giant compared to Flynn, being bigger and stronger looking from-head to feet. Bq Charles F. Eyton. Famous American Referee, LOS ANGLES. July 4—The world’s two premier light weights have, like true pa triots, tendered their services for a red-blooded celebration of tlm na tion’s birthday. They will attempt to decorate, in one of the nation's colors at least, the ring of the Vernon arena to day. when they will battle for the .world's lightweight championship and some emoluments in the. way of cash. There are several very Interest ing and unusual phases in the com ing melee that I will try to analyze for the benefit of the Queensberry "bugs.” Some of the angles which are open to comment are as follows: Which boy has tbe more science, which Is the more rugged, whiclf is the more natural fighter and which of the pair can hit the hard est? To sift this mesg of trouble, let us first take up the argument from a purely scientific standpoint. Im mediately, everybody arises and cries that there is' not. much argu ment about this question, that Riv ers is undoubtedly the more, clever, that Wolgast has never made any claims to being clever. There Is Little to Choose. All of which MAY be true, but I wish to go on record as saying, and I believe that the fracas will bear tne out, that there is little to choose between the two in this respect. The Mexican, perhaps, has a shade in his favor—his science is the polished article—while Wol gast’s is the science of a natural fighter. The champion'is clever, though; make no mistake on this point. If you think Rivers ha a walkaway from a purely boxing standpoint and are going to bet that way you had better spike your bankroll to a pitchen chair and have the hired girl sit on it until after the festivi ties. I have been in the ring with both hoys times innumerable and I have no hesitation in saving that there is -w»ry little to choose betwten them. What little shade exists is In the Mexican’s favor. Which boy is the more rugged and durable" A year ago this ques tion would have been an easy one to answer. Wolgast I 'Anuld have said v ithont a moment s consid "ration Rut th it carving p rial ty he and the doctors did t gether may have sapped some of his rug gedness. However, th-re never was a doubt that, fundamentally, Wolgast is much the stronger. I never be fore saw a man so small, with such a frame to build the muscle on as Wolgast. he is a very pocket Her cules. From head to hock and down to the foot he is built on the same sturdy plan. Dame Nature sure was in a generous mood when she molded this tireless bunch of fight ing energy. As to Rivers' ruggedness, all I can say is that nature didn't neg lect him either. His development above the waist line is something extraordinary. He has the torso of a middleweight, his upper body is perfect from an athlete’s viewpoint, but below the waist Joe Is a little light. His legs have not kept up with the advancement of his upper anatomy. But as he has not yet attained his full growth, being now only twenty-years old, they prob ably will come out all right ere he reaches his majority. I should advise the little brown battler to strengthen his underpin ning as much as possible because no matter how strong a man is “up stairs,” or how alert the brain, these assets are of small profit if his locomotion is on the bias. Which brings us down to the third point, the indictment as io w-hich lad is the more natural fight er. Again the populace will arise and shout “No argument—Wol gast!" I am not so sure but what this is the correct answer. Ad is certain ly there with the untaught stuff. He can slash and mutilate better than any untaught wrecker of pugi listic hopes I ever saw. Ad is*a cyclone at fisticuffs when milling along at the Wolgast pat ented style of annihilation. Rivers a Student of Game. Rivers, also, has quite a big sam ple line of natural stuff, but pot so much as Wolgast. Joes Is more of the acquired talent. He has stu died everybody he has seen anl h is benefited by thoije observations un til today he occupies the proud po sition of being selected by the great American public as the most likely contender for the lightweight c ro w n. Joo is a "ruffian" when ft comes to the toe and toe, no quarter ar ticle of gloving. He will drop be fore he will back up, and with his scientific knowledge of tht game he <ure on* stand Lttle 13.';- pour'd t lot when he gets flirted \\ hit h of them 'an hit tre naid ef 1 " 'tell, this Is a pretty hard preposition to an«wor in I per sonally j • ■'kina. 1 Ln t believe there is anything to choose between them. Five people out of six pick Wolgast as the hardest pounder. Ad, 1 think, has the harder short am, blow; he can accumulate a lot of power in a five or six-inch punch. In fact, his short arm work is one of his greatest assets. But at the ordinary long distance, get in-and-get-away work. without clinching, I think Joe has a wal lop fully as hard as Ad s. All in all. there is nothing to choose between them on this score. Tag them as two packages of con centrated vitalized energy and hang them up for public inspection. This is known—they will maul and mar each other for the edifica tion of a sweltering crowd of hu mans in whose souls the “primi tive brute” stuff will be, para mount. Our Boys Clothes I The picture to the right shows just exactly how our Boys Clothes fit and \ VLS look after the boy gets into them //\ ,1 IV i \ Notice the graceful lines in the back— / J ' jVa' • • IX\\ the smooth, snug-fitting collar—the mannish Vu fi \ JI » • n-\\\ way it fits in front— | A jf' \ Afil It s no wonder we sell so many Boys . ■iLnjr*, J Clothes—for they re made of the Best Blue Serges finest Worsted Cheviots and r/fl '■ /|/ Crashes—the workmanship is done by skillful I hands—they retain their shape. 11 va / This style with extra pair of Pants— ss.oo to $lO 00. With single Pants— s4.oo to $15.00. Norfolk styles, too—mannish and “sporty '--$5.00 to $12.00. Nor folk in Wash Fabrics—s4.oo to $6.00. Junior Wash Suits—sl.oo to $5.00. Everything Summerish for the B oys. Seoiit Eiseman Bros., Inc. Scout Ulfs 11-13-15-17 Whitehall Street OhOeS ‘Tm Better Than Ever”—Johnson d-g-r d - * - ? - •!•• + “Old and Crippled? Not Yet!" d-»d- d-*d* +•+ <••+ Jack Explains to Naughton W. W. Naughton, one of The Georgian fight experts, visited the camp of Jack Johnson early this morning and secured from the champion his last statement before entering the ring. Johnson says he is better now than ever, can hit harder and is faster. But read Naughton's story and get it all. Bv W. W. Naughton. LAS VEBAS, N. M„ July 4, "What is all this foolish talk about Jack Johnson having become old and crippled just be cause it is two years since he had a championship fight?” asked the king of the world's heavies of the writer this morning. And right here it. might be remarked that Johnson maintains a private clip ping bureau and keeps himself thoroughly - well Informed as to what the sporting critics are writ ing about him over the country. Woe betide the fight correspondent who has said things about Johnson and who comes to the Johnson camp looking for news. He w-ill find that Johnson scrapbook a bar to progress. It has come to a point where Johnson has the snort writers graded. Some are on the preferred list, while others, according to Jack, merit treatment ranging from a sharp reproof to having the door slammed in their faces. Ir. one or two extreme cases the champ is only sorry that his news paper detractors are not white hopes. He would take a keen de light in letting them feel the full force of his pet uppercut. "People don't stop to think, and I think newspaper men above all should look at things from every angle before putting their ideas in the paper. Now, if I had gone off after beating Jeffries and had given myself up entirely to the pleasures of life I could understand there be ing a doubt as to whether I was as good as I used to be," continued Jack. “I would probably be on the anxious seat myself over the out look. But this thing of giving out to the public that Johnson has done nothing for two years but take life easy is entirely wrong and very misleading. If that is the one thing Flynn's friends are building on to bring him home a winner over me, goodness help them and goodness help Flynn. Has Had Plenty of Boxing. “I have done more boxing during the past two years than Flynn has done. Every one seems to forget that I put in a full course of train ing for a fight with Bombardier Wells in England. The fight did not come off, but. I had the benefit of the preparation. And for one year and eight months of the tw r o years that have lapsed since I de feated Jeffries I have sparred con stantly on the theatrical circuits all over the world. I have been meet ing all comers on my stage bouts, and I have been in constant train ing and constant practice. "The work I have been doing has been of a kind to keep me in touch with everything I know about box Ing. It has been eye drill and hand and foot drill; so that instead of having to face a champ who has been laid away on the shelf for two years. F/ynn will find In me art op ponent who has been working un ion hours right along and has had mighty few holidays.” “The gist of all this is that you consider yourself as good as ever,” the writer remarked. "As good as ever?” snorted the champ. “Why, I'm better than ever, and I want you to under stand that I’m not in the habit of kidding myself about such things. I am faster and I hit milch harder. I've studied it all out. and I know.” No Bench Show of Seconds. One thing notable about today’s fight is that there will be no bench show of high-priced and world-fa mous seconds. At Reno Johnson had Billy Delaney, Jeffries’ old mentor and an expert conditioner and handler of pugilists, behind him. To counteract this, Jeffries had Jim Corbett, who, it was thought, in addition to giving Jef fries advice that would be of ines timable value, would contrive to taunt Johnson into making mis takes and leaving openings. It was thought beforehand that the sec onding would cut quite a figure In the Reno affair, but when it was all over there was no telling whether the sages in the rival cor ners had had any influence on results, or not. It may be that Delaney’s pres ence in the opposition angles de pressed and discouraged Jeffries, but even this has not been clearly established. Jeff looked and acted like a defeated man when he toed the scratch, and it is doubtful if he could have done any differently If Delaney had deserted the negro's corner and gone over to the white man’s. Anyhow, there will be no Delaneys nor Corbetts in evidence today. The fellows who have helped train the heavyweights and have sparred with them day by day will wave the towels, have charge of the bottle and tender whatever advice may he asked for. And the chances are none will be asked. Flynn and Johnson both seem to think that seconds’ duties should be in the line of rendering first aid to the injured rather than in mapping out the moves on the pugilistic chess board. Delaney of Great Service. “Wasn't Delaney of great serv ice to you at Reno?” Johnson was asked when the question of seconds was being discussed. “Well, yes, he was; but scarcely as an adviser," said Johnson. “I wanted him with me, for I knew he liked me and I certainly liked him. Then, again, I felt, of course, that it did not do Jeff any good to see his old standby behind ths other man. But Delaney did not dictate to me. He just asked me to be guided by him in one thing. He ivanted me to fight very carefully and I did so. I believe I could have whipped Jeff in eight rounds, but, to please Delaney, I went at the Job cautiously and took longer, “Today I will have Professor Burns, Marty Cutler and other men of my camp crew behind me. What I will want principally will be good attendance in my comer. I won’t need any advice. A second’s ad vice is all right, and far be it from me to spap at any second of mine when he speaks, but I think the fighter is the best judge of the way things are going and what is to be done. He is feeling his op ponent out and has noticed things that a second may never catch on to. It's like a good jockey on a race horse. He knows by hist sense of touch how his mount is holding together, and his own judg ment is better than any advice that can be shouted to him from some one on the ground.” 15