BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2600, 7 September 1909, Page 6

BOXING.

THE JEFFRIES-JOHNSON JOKE. JEFFRIES SAYS HE CANNOT GET FIT. From English files it is gathered that the following cablegram was sent from Chicago to the London “Press” last month: £ ‘Following upon Jeffries’ announcement at .Montreal that he will be unable to get into condition to meet Johnson, the latter, at Chicago, has accepted an offer of a £2OOO guarantee to fight A 1 Kaufman for 20 rounds at San Francisco on August 27.” Jeffries’ position, as evidenced by this cablegram, is just no more nor no less than what I foretold in an article written months ago (says “Amateur” in the “Referee”). The big American’s trouble is the difficulty that any man leading the Easy-street life he has led since' his retirement from the championship—first as a half-hearted farmer,, who did little of his own work, and next as a .saloon-keeper for a long time —would necessarily experience in getting back ijto fit once more. But Jeffries, more than most other mortals, might find the task next to impossible, because'ho is so heavily fleshed, and so prone to keep on adding to his already too, too solid stack. The man’s footwork might be fast, jmt his wind would not bold out, and even in the ridiculous one-round exhibitions Jeff has be#n giving - with his sparring partner—Sam Berger—there was surely sufficient evidence that he could hot stay. • And so Jeffries disappears —for ever; —from the championship arena —that is as a. serious proposition—leaving Johnson still the top-notcher, except in,England, where, by virtue of his default in backing out of a signed compact to

meet Langford, the National Sporting Club Championship Control Committee assume that the demon middle-vyeight black has a. better right to the title. Here is a detailed ; account of ; the fierce encounters that wore taking place every night in- America a month ago between “The Minute Men,” Jim Jeffries and Sam Berger:—“‘Silk .Hat Harry,’ our Pennsylvanian correspondent, sends the information. The rounds were never mor* than on* minute each, and the last wao invariably cut short 35 or 40 seconds. “Round One. —Jeff walks to the centre, and the men shake hands. 8011. “Round Two. —Jeff pulls up his tights, gets into position, and—-bell. “Round Three.—Berger groggy, barely able to leave his chair. Seconds lift him up. 'Bell. “Round Four. —Jeff coughs, wipes his face with towel, smiles at seconds. Bell. “Round. Five.—Jeff rushes' to newspaper men at side of ring, and says : ‘This is what I’ll do with Johnson.’, Bell. , , “Round Six.—The men shook hands. Bell.”