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On December 26th of 1908, Jack Johnson lifted the heavyweight crown from Tommy Burns in a lopsided fight that was finally stopped in the 14th round. Johnson had chased Burns to England where the National Sporting Club had tried to arrange a fight between the two, but Burns had declared that he would not fight Johnson for anything less than 6,000 pounds. When Burns went to Australia he found a promoter willing to meet that price in Hugh ‘Big Deal’ McIntosh, of Sydney. Johnson was short on cash to make the trip to Australia but Mr. Bettinson of the National Sporting Club, jumped in and advanced Johnson and his manager, Sam Fitzpatrick, sufficient money to fund their journey on the understanding that if Johnson beat Burns he would double back to London to fight Sam Langford.
Eugene Corri recalls that previous to Johnson’s leaving England to fight Burns at Sydney, Johnson promised the late Mr. Bettinson of the National Sporting Club that, win or lose with Burns, he would fight Langford in London the night before the Derby. That was always the night of the year at the Club.
Johnson himself had provided his agreement to this in the following form prior to his departure from England to Australia to meet Tommy Burns for the title.
“Gentleman,
I undertake and agree to carry out my contest with Sam Langford on the 22nd February 1909, on the same terms and conditions as already arranged with Langford, viz., 1000 pounds purse and one third of the interest in any bioscope pictures that may be taken. At the same time allow me to tender my thanks to you for the courtesy you have extended to myself and my manager, Mr. Sam Fitzpatrick, whilst we have been in this country.
I am, gentleman,
Yours faithfully,
J. Johnson.”
However, after winning the title, and reminded of his obligation to the National Sporting Club, Johnson decided that the terms he had previously agreed to were no longer sufficient and declared that he wouldn’t fight at the Club for less than 6,000 pounds. He wrote that the “The offer of the Club was absolutely ridiculous” and that “Being a champion, I don’t see why the National Sporting Club has a right to dictate to me as to how much I shall receive for my appearance and boxing ability. If they don’t want to give me my price, which is 6,000 pounds win, lose, or draw, they can call things off. I am a boxing man and can now get my price and I don’t care what the public thinks.”
Mr. Bettinson knew of course that Johnson could not be forced to carry out his agreement, but also felt that Johnson was determined to wiggle out of a meeting with Langford. While acknowledging it was impossible to say what would have happened had the two men met again, for the representatives of the Club’s part, they believed all the odds would not have been against Langford, who they considered a murderous fighter, equal in cleverness, though not as blatantly as Johnson.
Langford travelled all the way from Boston to enable Johnson to keep his promise. He had been enroute by boat from America when Johnson advised the National Athletic Club he wouldn’t be abiding to an agreement made prior to this departure to Australia to meet Burns. Johnson, when accused of signing an agreement in London to fight Langford, declared he never signed any such document and that Fitzpartrick was the signer. Charles F. Mathison was American matchmaker for the National Sporting Club, and he forwarded Johnson’s denial to A.F. Bettinson, manager of that club. Bettinson cabled this reply: “Jonson’s statement untrue. Contract signed by him. Not Fitzpatrick. Am sending photograph of agreement.” The photograph arrived in due time and was reproduced in The Morning World by it’s sporting editor, “Wurra Wurra” McLoughlin. On arriving at the Club, Langford sought Bettinson and asked “What about this Johnson fight?”
When he was told that Johnson could not be found, a disappointed Langford replied, I suppose you will be able to fix me up with someone. I bar nobody. Anybody you suggest I’ll fight. Size makes no difference to me. The bigger they are the easier they are to hit, and they go down heavier.”
Eugene Corri recalls that previous to Johnson’s leaving England to fight Burns at Sydney, Johnson promised the late Mr. Bettinson of the National Sporting Club that, win or lose with Burns, he would fight Langford in London the night before the Derby. That was always the night of the year at the Club.
Johnson himself had provided his agreement to this in the following form prior to his departure from England to Australia to meet Tommy Burns for the title.
“Gentleman,
I undertake and agree to carry out my contest with Sam Langford on the 22nd February 1909, on the same terms and conditions as already arranged with Langford, viz., 1000 pounds purse and one third of the interest in any bioscope pictures that may be taken. At the same time allow me to tender my thanks to you for the courtesy you have extended to myself and my manager, Mr. Sam Fitzpatrick, whilst we have been in this country.
I am, gentleman,
Yours faithfully,
J. Johnson.”
However, after winning the title, and reminded of his obligation to the National Sporting Club, Johnson decided that the terms he had previously agreed to were no longer sufficient and declared that he wouldn’t fight at the Club for less than 6,000 pounds. He wrote that the “The offer of the Club was absolutely ridiculous” and that “Being a champion, I don’t see why the National Sporting Club has a right to dictate to me as to how much I shall receive for my appearance and boxing ability. If they don’t want to give me my price, which is 6,000 pounds win, lose, or draw, they can call things off. I am a boxing man and can now get my price and I don’t care what the public thinks.”
Mr. Bettinson knew of course that Johnson could not be forced to carry out his agreement, but also felt that Johnson was determined to wiggle out of a meeting with Langford. While acknowledging it was impossible to say what would have happened had the two men met again, for the representatives of the Club’s part, they believed all the odds would not have been against Langford, who they considered a murderous fighter, equal in cleverness, though not as blatantly as Johnson.
Langford travelled all the way from Boston to enable Johnson to keep his promise. He had been enroute by boat from America when Johnson advised the National Athletic Club he wouldn’t be abiding to an agreement made prior to this departure to Australia to meet Burns. Johnson, when accused of signing an agreement in London to fight Langford, declared he never signed any such document and that Fitzpartrick was the signer. Charles F. Mathison was American matchmaker for the National Sporting Club, and he forwarded Johnson’s denial to A.F. Bettinson, manager of that club. Bettinson cabled this reply: “Jonson’s statement untrue. Contract signed by him. Not Fitzpatrick. Am sending photograph of agreement.” The photograph arrived in due time and was reproduced in The Morning World by it’s sporting editor, “Wurra Wurra” McLoughlin. On arriving at the Club, Langford sought Bettinson and asked “What about this Johnson fight?”
When he was told that Johnson could not be found, a disappointed Langford replied, I suppose you will be able to fix me up with someone. I bar nobody. Anybody you suggest I’ll fight. Size makes no difference to me. The bigger they are the easier they are to hit, and they go down heavier.”
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