This link shows that Johnson agreed to defend his title against Jeannette on Sept 25th 1912, but the promoters, the McMahon brothers could not come up with the $$$$.Johnson claims the forfeit $$$$ held in case of the fight being called off. Johnson had placed $5,000 up front as his forfeit, but the NY Boxing Commission had vetoed the fight. Johnson also states the talk of him being offered $50,000 to fight Langford/McVey in Australia is just that talk, and that he wants forfeit money up front,stating he has." been in the game too long to travel to Australia for nothing". Johnson asked for $15,000 to be placed up front as a forfeit before he made the trip down under. http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AAIBAJ&pg=4912,4443607&dq=joe+jeannette&hl=en
I saw this a long time ago. Now you are in some trouble as there were many offers that exceeded this amount to fight Jeanette, Langford or McVey. How come Johnson did not sign off on them? This sounds a bit like Dempsey signing papers to meet Willis in a fight he likely knew would never come off. Just a way to keep ones name in the papers if you ask me.
I am in trouble? How?:huh Johnson posted a cash forfeit and the fight was set, even down to the date and site. The New York Commission vetoed the fight , neither Johnson's, Jeannette's ,or the McMahon Brothers fault. Johnson had no trouble getting his name in the papers he was mobbed wherever he went, he went into hiding a few times to get away from the constant pressure of celebrity. This content is protected N .Y. crowds waiting for Johnson's train. This content is protected Dempsey never signed to fight Willis ,he did however sign to fight Wills ,Wills manager could not come up with the binding $$$$, which gave Rickard the convenient out not to promote a fight he really did not wish to, because of the behind the scenes political pressure that was being exerted on him. Wills walked away with big $$$$ for signing that document , very expensive publicity if what you state is accurate ,which it is not.
Actually, Willis was clamoring for a fight with Dempsey. When Dempsey rebuffed his pleas, Willis' manager could only comment, "What you talking about?" This content is protected
Of course you also have to factor in that Johnson was charged with the Mann act violation around this time, as well, no? He didn't fight anyone in late 1912 or for almost all of 1913.
The White Slave Traffic Act came into being on the 1st of June 1910, 3 days before Johnson humiliated Jeffries. On October the 10th 1912 Johnson signed a $55,000 contract with Hugh McIntosh to defend his title twice in Australia his challengers were to be Langford in Sydney on Boxing the anniversary of Johnson's title win over Burns 6 years earlier .After Langford, Johnson was to fight McVey in an unspecified Australian location. Johnson was also in talks with Jack Curley to fight Jim Flynn, possibly in Paris. Everything was put on a the back burner when Johnson was charged with abducting Lucille Cameron and holding her against her will, the charge was brought by Cameron's Mother. McIntosh washed his hands of the promotion when wheels were set in motion to charge Johnson for violation of what had now become known as the Mann Act. Johnson was arrested ,charged, and subsequently bailed for $1,500 for the abduction of Cameron McIntosh stated in print that Australia would no longer be intrested in the two proposed title defences. WW. Naughton the editor of the influential Police Gazette , jumped on the band wagon, denouncing Johnson as the vilest ,most despicable creature that ever lived. The fact that Mrs Cameron had several times visited her daughter and attempted to persuade her to leave Johnson,[ Johnson actually met her train and drove her to Jack Curley's home where she was staying with Curley's wife.]without success ,was conveniently forgotten.
