BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2580, 14 August 1909, Page 6

BOXING.

BURNS WILL MEET LEES

[Peii Press Association. T AUCKLAND, Aug. 13

Tommy Burns writes to the “Star” sporting editor that he is forwarding a cheque for £3OO to cover a deposit of Tom Lees, ex-heavy weight champion of Australia. Burns writes: “I undertake not to knock Lees out under any consideration, but will box him four or six rounds, just to show the public how good a boxer Tom Lees J 9

JOHNSON AND JEFFRIES. United Pkilss Association—Copyright LONDON, Aug. 12. Reuter’s correspondent announces that Johnson and Jeffries signed articles yesterday. Jeffries has started for Europe. The light takes place eight months hence.

(Received August p.m.) LONDON, August 13. Jeffries denies signing articles for a fight with Johnson. The “Daily Mail's” . New York correspondent reports that Berger, Jeffries’ * manager, signed tentative articles. . • •' ’ 1

The real, sentiments of Jim Jeffries regarding the. coming fight with Jack Johnson (says an exchange) are concentrated in his expressions respecting Jolinsqn’s statement that he intended to offer 1000 .dollars to Jeffries to cay '‘Yes” or “No”, concerning a match. Jeffries then said to a press interviewer:— -“Under, those conditions I would be glad to ■ receive Johnson. I would welcome him. If he. comes-to mo with that yellow-hack with all those numbers on'it I will take it away from him. Johnson, however, will keep out of. my way until we meet in the ring. Jack Johnson won an easy victory over Tommy Burns in Sydney.* Just such an easy victory will I have over the negro

fighter, who says he is champion of the Avorld, but lie will be a more marked fighter than Burns Avas. I Avill batter him beyond .recognition. I liavo harboured! ill-feeling for a number of the men I met in battle, but never so. bitter have I been against any other living soul. I’ll batter him into a state pi’ helplessness that’ he Aviil .hevor fight , I’ll shoAV'no mercy. It Avould not surprise mo if I knocked him out in a jiffy—that is, if he’ll stand up and. fight. The club that offers me the best inducements will get the mill.”