The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-10
HOW DELANEY FOUND JEFF
First Saw Champion Whipping Bully
in q Street Fight.

New York, Jan. 10.-The re-engage-
ment Of William Delaney to train
Champion James J. Jeffries brings to
light a story that is new to the pugil-
istic world. Delaney. it will be remem-
bered, discovered Jeffries. The big fell
low was a plain, everyday boilermaker
Of gigantic build and marvellous ply
siQue, but Of no ring experience The
champion whipped a bully one day in
a street row in Los Angeles, and De-
laney happened to see how well Jim did
the job.
The veteran trainer. who brought
Corbett to the front, was confident that
in Jeffries ne had discovered a world
beaten, SO he had a cOnfab with the
muscular Californian, with the result
that JeffrieS decided to go with Delaney
on a boxing tour. Jeffries knew moth
ing about the art of fisticuffs, but he
vas an adept pupil, and soon had picked
up enough pointers to enable him to
beat several lesser lights in obscure
California towns. When Delaney began
10 boom the bOilermaker as a coming
man he was laughed at but that did
not weaken the confidence the veteran
trainer felt in the young slugger. 1t
was when COrbett had asked Delaney
to prepare him for his mill with Fitz-
simmons at Carson City that Delaney
saw a chance to bring Jeffries into
prominent notice. COrbett wanted a
hard course of training. and Jeffries
was promptly engaged to come to Car
son City, where he was to box and
Jeffries was good-natured and such an
easy mark, as far az science went, that
COrbett took fancy to him. Jefries
was also game, and received hard
knocks from the man who had won the
heavyweight championship from John
L. Sullivan. One day when Corbett was
feeling good he cut loose at Jeffries and
punched him severely. The latter merely
laughed as the blows were shOwered
upon him. That made .Pompadour
Jim" angry for the first time since the
men had come together.
Doesn't hurt2' asked Corbett testify.
Not on your lifei' laughed the boiler
maker.
Honestly, now. don't my blows
hurt2'' repeated the great boxer.
IT tell you, no" replied Jeffries cooIly.
''rhen. you big dub" exclaimed Cor
bett. IN knock you outl" With that
the champion rushed in pellmeu. He
landed jabs and hooks on Jeff's jaw He
piled in stomach blows and smasheS on
the heart and kidneys until he was
weary. But still Jeffries refused to
even wabble- When Corbett let up the
boilermaSer was laughing heartily at
him. After the days work Delaney
went to Jefries and said: JEFF. those
punches must have hurt you"
On my honor. Bill. I hardly felt
them" was the response.
why, JEFF" said the trainer, he is
punching you as hard as he can, and he
may hurt you. The next time he asks If
his punches hurt, say yes "
III do nothing OF the kind" retortcd
T. big Californian Let him keep on
trying to knock me out, and some Of
these days I'll take q hand in the game
myself"
The next day Corbett again tried to
put Jeh to sleep. The former used all of
his cleverness and strength, but the
boileT-naker was always on deck With
the same old smile. Finally Corcatt,
white with rage. yelled. own up chat
the blows hurti Now don't they2''
NO. they DON'T persisted Jcffries.
Then Corbett started in again to whip
the youthful pugilist. This time JEFF
ries was worked up and fought back.
The mix-up was a corker, and eye wit
neses say that if it had not been for
Delaney, who interfered, Corbett might
have been knocked out. After 1t was all
over, Jeffries had talk with Delaney
things. the boilermazer
said; 'If that man is the champion Of
the world and can't hit any harder than
that, can whip him or any other man,
and I'll prove IL. You match me with
him. and If don't win, III not ask for
g cent"
Delaney however. was too busy with