BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2559, 21 July 1909, Page 2

BOXING.

JACK O’BRIEN GOT IN ON JOHNSON. London “Sporting Life,” referring to the Johnson-Jack O’Brien battle at Philadelphia, says: “In connection with this contest, which was purely an exhibition, an amusing ‘inside’ story reaches us which strikingly illustrates how ill-advised Johnson was in parting with his.late manager, Sam Fitzpatrick, and endeavoring to conduct his own business. “Neitheit ‘Fitz’ nor any other man who made liis principal’s interests his first consideration would have allowed himself to be overreached in the way Johnson is said to have been in his match-making with O’Brien. The story which reaches us is to the effect that O’Brien, who is as clever at finance as he js with the gloves, approached the management of the National Athletic Club, Philadelphia, where the bout took place, and struck a bargain whereby, if he could arrange a match with Johnson, lie (O’Brien) was to receive 75 per cent, of the gate receipts and pay out of it whatever Johnson was to get as his share. “Having thus fixed his part of tho business with the club, O’Brien went over to Pittsburg, saw Johnson, and made him an offer of £IOOO guaranteed whatever should happen, and whatever the gate receipts might be. It looked good to the champion, and he took it. Now, doubtless, he feels that he has been badly ‘stung,’ for eleven days ago, so our story goes, the advance bookings for the match had reached nearly 23,000 dollars. The ultimate gate would amount to something like £5500.;/ Now, figure it out. O’Brien takes as his share about £4OOO, out of which the champion of the world gets his paltry £IOOO, whilo the cunning O’Brien gets away with the handsome surplus! Jack Johnson badly needs a manager.”