Al Kaufman

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mattdonnellon, Mar 27, 2013.

  1. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Reading up a bit on Al Kaufman lately, here is a report on his title clash V Johnson.

    THE SAN FRANCGISGO CALL, SEPT 10, 1909

    "Jack Johnson's heavy weight crown was not a bit tarnished yesterday
    afternoon by any of the feeble, childlike efforts which the supposed challenger, Al Kaufman, put forth. The men stood up before each other for
    10 rounds in Jim Coffroth's Mission street arena, and Johnson spent, the
    most of his time in making a plaything of the giant California blacksmith.
    There was scarcely a spectator in the big arena outside of Kaufman and
    his most intimate friends who did not believe that the black champion could
    not have brought over the fatal punch, but Johnson lived up to his past
    record as a non aggressive performer, and thus the bout went the scheduled
    distance.
    It was a one man fight from the time the gong sounded the beginning
    of the opening round until its expected clang told the multitude' that the
    mill was over. Repeat the name -of Johnson for 10 rounds, with a little
    additional emphasis and force in the third, sixth-and tenth, and you have
    the story of the battle. Kaufman may be entitled to some credit for going
    the route with blackjack, but none of us know,whether or not,the" same
    Jack willed it this way. Surely, he had chances enough to stretch the husky
    native son on the broad of his back, but he did not accomplish this feat, so
    the critics still have an open field left. They are all entitled to ask the
    reason why. Johnson is the only man who can give the correct answer.
    Had Kaufman been instructed to fight right into the hands of the burly
    Texas giant he could not have accomplished his end any better. •Johnson could not have hoped for a man to come tom,him in a more inviting manner than did Kaufman. It's hard to imagine a fighter of the latter's known. class and style endeavoring to stand up and box with Johnson, but this is what he did during the better part of those 10 rounds"