BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2618, 28 September 1909, Page 6

BOXING.

AUSTRALIAN FINALS POSTPONED

United Press Association —Copyright. (Received Sept. 2S, 12.40 a.m) SYDNEY, Sept, 27. Owing to the inclement weather the boxing finals have been postponed.

JEFFRIES ON JOHNSON

HAS 400 BETTER PUNCHES

The Sail Francisco “Examiner” of August 5, contains the following message : NEW YORK., August 4.—Jim Jeffries got to talking over his state of mind"at the Hotel Albany to-day. ‘•'l want as big a purse as possible to fight for, of course,” said he. “I’m a business man, ahd I want a side bet from Johnson, if I can get it. And as big as he can cover. That’s business, too. But what I want most is to get that big buck in a ring. I want to get to him, that’s all. ITi fight him for no side bet at all if I can’t get him any other way.” Someone asked Jeff if h« was sore at Johnson. “Well,” he finally said, “well, 3 m not going to say, 'l’m pleased to meet you’ when we get in the ring.” Everyone has read of Jeff’s magnificent condition. But it still comes as rather a surprise to see what a big man he is, now that he has got rid of that pantry. Lots of other people weigh 230 pounds —mostly cutlets. But Jeff’s weight is mostly bone and muscle right now. His wrists are as thick and hairy as a government mule’s leg. H;s eyes’ are clear and bright, and his skin smooth, and lie moves like a dancing master.

“That nigger can never lick me,” he said as dispassionately as though he were discussing the chances of fussing between two strangers. “Did yon ever see him fight? Well.. I. have—two or three times. He stands flat-footed a s a washerwoman. Let me tell you, no man on earth who stands flatfooted can ever lick mo. They’ve got to get up on their toes to do that. The man who stands flatfooted in the ring is licked before he ties a glove, if tlie other man is anything near his equal.” Now, that may sound like boasting. A s a matter of fact, it wasn’t. It was given as the calm and well-considered statement of a inan who has made pugilism a business, and in that business ha s made a success.

“Then Johnson has only one punch,” said he. “That is it,” he illustrated by a slight movement of his hand. His big, mossy mitt did not travel half a dozen inches, but it made the idea clear.

CAN HIT FROM ANYWHERE. “I have* four hundred punches and every one of them better than his best. I can hit anywhere from anywhere. Short or long range, from the hip or the shoulder or anywhere else. I have two good hands. He has one. I can send ’em in from away off, or. pound ’em in with two inches play. Johnson can’t. , “And you fellows call him clever,, he continued. “Johnson is not clever. Ho i s good at blocking, yes. But his

footwork is that of a man that stands flatfooted and has his one punch. I’m not holding him too lightly. I will train for him until I am in absolutely, porfect condition, and I’ll lick him. But he isn’t really a dangerous man — like old Fitz, for example. That old man was bad —b-a-d—as long as he was on his feet. You never cared to give him an inch. When he was right he could lick a field full of Johnsons.”

Someone got to talking of the traditional hardheadedness of the negro. The suggestion was made that Johnson could not be hurt if he were hit on the head.

“Hit him on the head, on the body, on tho - shinbone—anywhere,” said Jeff. “Hit him hard enough and lie’ll feel it, no matter where it lands.” “Wnere will the fight be?” was asked.

“I cannot answer that question,” said Jeff. “That’s up to the clubs. Of course the club making the best offer—tho responsible clqb, of course — will get the fight. I’m out for the velvet now. I want money. I’ve got all the glory I can get out of this business. I don’t want ever to fight again, but it seems th.fit I have to. The white people malcei me fight. It will never do for a negro to hold the heavy-weight championship while there is a white man to fight him for it. I suppose the fight will be in California. There is not a hall out there half big enough of course. It will be held in an open-air arena wherever it may be, and that means it will have to be in good weather. But all that on tho club.”

DOESN’T WANT TO SEE JOHNSON

“Johnson says he wants to meet you before you sail, and talk articles to you.” “What do I want to talk to that big black for?” aske«§ Jeffries, half angrily. “Wliat is there to talk about?” “You know no articles that might be signed now would be worth shucks until tlie club has made its offer. I have ray money up as a forfeit, and so has Johfison. But that don’t mean anything yet. I put it up to show tlie people that I in earnest, but I could take it down to-morrow and it wouldn’t have any bearing on the fight. The first thing to do is for a responsible club to make us an offer that is mutually satisfactory. Then we can agree on the articles, and then we must put up our forfeit. And that forfeit will stick. But money posted now doesn’t bind anyone to anything, for there is no agreement to be bound to.”