BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2558, 20 July 1909, Page 6

BOXING.

JEFFRIES AND JOHNSON. Manager Berger, in America recently, had .prepared a speech for Jeffries, and Berger stood in the prompter J s box ready to help Jeff over the jumps. Then Jeff walked out and began: “Ladies and Gentlemen, —I know what you want to hear, so I might as well say it. I’m satisfied after seven weeks’ work that I can get into just as good condition as I ever was, and I’ll fight Mr Johnson.” . That was all. Berger’s manuscript received the blue pencil, not because Jeff objected to it, but mostly because Jeff thought of the last line before he had time to remember the middle of the speech. • The crowd let out a good healthy yelp when the magic words fell from the silent one’s lips. > “Jeff, I’m with you, and from first to last, and I’ll back you for 10,000dols. The day you sign to fight the black champion I’ll place my money and Mr Johnson can cover it as soon as he likes,” said Cohan. Jeff then spoke up: “There sno need of Johnson getting all flared up over the fact that I’ve announced my willingness to fight. He has an engagement with Ketchel that he d better attend to. I can’t be in a position to talk fight, with him or any one else, for 21 weeks, and Johnson can t expect to fight me in October. “My. . theatrical engagements will carry me along. to the latter parte m July. Let him fight. Ketchel m October. Remember, he’s got to lick Ketchel, and there’s no telling what might happen. I hate to have my name linked with the like of such cattle as Johnson, but I suppose the public will demand it. They know, my feelings now, but let him first bring Ketchel into camp.”