Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-23
FIGHTS IND FIGHTERS.
Jeffries is Still Sore Over That
 Munroe Defeat.

He Says He Did Not Try to Put the
 Young Miner Out - Munroe's
 Friends Claim Jeffries Was Soundly
 Thrashed and Was Humiliated--
 John l.. Sullivan and Jim Corbett
 Rivals Once More-Two Clever Bat
 ties Last Night.
 Helena, Mon, Dec 23. Champion Jetfries, when asked for his version or Saturday nights sensational bout at Butte with Monroe, said: sl would have put him out. 1 had him going and it was only a question of few more minutes. To What do 1 attribute | the first decision ever rendered against me in the prize ring was due? We'll, Ito be frank, 1 was out of condition. That is to say, I have done absolutely mo work since my fight with Fitzsim- mons ill San Francisco. Yet had l had few minutes more to warm up there would have been something do ing and that's no joke. Monroe is 2 good man and if he secures q match with Sharkey, as understand he con- 
 Tor. But all this talk about me allow ing to stay four rounds through pre- Arrangement is all bosh. I never saw him before, but must admit he sur lprised me with his ability to with stand punishment. 1 believe he is 2 fcomer provided he receives the proper training and coaching on generalship He certainly has good punch. Btu if he comes to Helena tomorrow night las I understand he is figuring on doing I will show him q trick or two. I vii finish him in just one round or lay aside all pretensions as forecaster o1 ipugilistfc events. I certainly hope ito meet him again.
 Monroe has announced his intention of challenging Sharkey. He will talk, advantage of the present opportunit. to try and jump to the top rung of th' ladder and will go against Jef19es to morrow night in Helena.
 "Jeffries is formidable beyond doubt" said Monroe. but if I can lane over his heart Eve got the punch tha will deliver the goods all right. There no use of trying. to pit him out witt jaw blows, but if get one good puncl at that heart of his. I'll guarantee tha Ben Monroe quits the mining business that's all."
 Butte, Mon, Dec 23.-In refutation c the assertion that Ben Monroe faile to hit Jeffries, and that the champio could have knocked out the yOun miner easily had he wanted to do S; Monroe yesterday submitted signe statement. The statement was il
 spired by 8 message Jeffries sent eas to the effect that Monroe never h
 him and that he could have easily pJ
 him out. Monroe says:
 "When Champion Jefrries says
 failed to hit him he is attempting 1
 deny what at least fifteen hundre people who say the contest will say
 the truth. At least six times foun
 Ieffries' face, and the fact that it w. : red and puffy will testify as to whetl CT or not I hit him. At the very opel 5 ing of the mill I struck Jeffries squar l ly on the left jaw and jared him col : siderably. Many openings were pr {, sented for possible knockout, but ? was afraid of Jeffries countering m : blow and getting me. I simpl played to last the four rounds, and {. would take no chances whatever. Bo, arms from my wrist mp are skinnt from blocking Jeffries' blows. Je
 fries did his best to knock me out, b / ne could not land. He might ha' been careless in the first round. b after I had jolted him several tim z he waded in. He meant business, aI 7