Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-08

\ Journal representative was on the
train from Brunswick, and enjoyed an
hours chat with the champion. Nat
urally enough. he was willing to speak
OF his success in the ring and on the
stage. yet he was not unduly boast
full. His appearance and manner is
that Of gentleman, and he speaks
quietly and modestly, with a good com
mand Of English.
The champion said that he had been
on the road with the play but a few
weeks and was doing good business
with IT, He said that he thoroughly
enjoyed theatrical work.
OF course the conversation drifted to
ring topics and Jeffries expressed him
self freely on several points. When
asked if he had any plans for pugilistic
work he said: NO. why should ] have
any plans? 1t is for the other fellows
to do the talking and then, when they
talk. business plans can be easily
made"
How do you feel about meeting the
men in the ring who say they would
like to get at YOU
Il am ready to fight any of hem
who have any license to meet me and
who will put up an amount Of sufficient
size to make il worth while" said the
champion.
How much DO you expect a man to
put up?"
Ten thousand dollars was the an
swer. You see there are lot of little
fellows who want some cheap adver-
Using and who would gladly have
their head punched for the sake of
saying they had been in the ring
with me. Now it's Of no use to waste
any time on these chaps. but if there
is any one who wants to make a side
bet of $4,000, and who will agree to a
division OF the receipts on a basis of
Is per cent. to the winner. l am ready
to meet him"
you make no cxceptien?'
mo"
Would you be willing to meet Fitz-
simmons"
certainly. | am Just as willing To
fight F'itz as any other man"
why was it that a fight was not
arranged between you two in the sum-
mer?" was asked.
"Fitz wanted the receipts cut in
halves. | wanted - per cent. to go to
the winner. If he really thought he
could lick me, why wasn't he willing
to risk a division on that basis?
Then again what business had he
debating terms to me? | am the cham
pion and am willing to accept chal-
lenge from him, but it is my privilege
to name the terms.
When asked his opinion Of the Fitz-
simmons harkey fight the champion
said, "Sharkey laid down. that's all
there is to it. Some folks don't believe
it but he did all the same. Sharkey is
through with this business anyway. he
is lobster now
When reference was made to Shark
eys physical condition. Jeffries said:
He is all used up. l gave him some
body blows which fixed him and he will
never recover from them. Sharkey has
been put out of business"
II keep in good condition all the
time" he said and am drinking moth
ing. | would be ready for a match at
short notice. If none is arranged /
shall keep on the stage all winter, as
the company has a long tour booked.
| spent the summer in the west and
umpired many ball games. My home is
still in California. 1 was out home,
last spring
Mr. Jeffries was unwilling to speak
of the Mccoy Corbett affair though it
was evident that he had no very high
regard for those fighters. Such things
hurt the game he said. He said he
regarded Fitzsimmons as the best
fighter living besides himself. He ex-
pressed high opinion of John L. Sulli-
van. so long the champion. He was
and is a gentleman" he said, land has