THE DEMON OF THE RING

Chronicle (Levin), 21 November 1946, Page 3

THE DEMON OF THE RING

Jack Johnson, who was killed this year in a motor accident, was the greatest and most amazing heavyweight boxer the world has i ever known, but his cruel and mertciless style of fighting earned him ; the name of the most hated boxer I in the history of the ring. When ,this coloured boxer finally took the count, it was only the love of money , which caused him to sell his crown. j Strange as it may seem, John- ] SOh', the first Negro heavyweight. ['■Ciiamgiori ■ of ,t^iq . world, ; who ha.d: fiiled^so^id'ec'isiW^ly .seyen years, f. elFtbitthei iT&ineg, Jess Williard. ■ CoFsideke'tF as'The; ;white man's only hope of defeating the Negro, Williard surprised the world when he sent Johnson to the canvas for the count. Yet, as the Negro . lay on the mat, he heard every i count of the referee, and it was not Isurprising that when he did raise ! himself he had a slight smile on his I lips. Johnson knew that he was j invincible and yet the power of I power had controlled him. Williard | was as surprised as any man when he floored Johnson, for he knew it I would take a good boxer to beat ; him and at that time that boxer i was non-existent. Jack Johnson was hated because ! he loved to torture his opponents. > He could have won most of his 1 bouts in less time than he did, but he loved to pose and demonsv:ate how easily he could outpoint his opponents, who, after six rounds with him, were little more thah a punch bag. There is 110 doubt that Johnson was the best heavyweight of all times. Stripped and in action he looked like the statue of one of the old Greek wrestlers come to life. There was grace in his walk and his body was that of a well trained athlete.