The San Francisco call., 1904-11-18
JEFF FINALLY
CONSENTS TO
MEET JOHNSON

Many a wise man will be slightly
startled when he learns that Jack john
son. the king of dark skinned fist ar
lists, viii be given a chance to en-
gage Champion James Jeffries in the
twenty-four foot ring next March. Even
if it does seem a trifle strange it is
true, for the big men have already been
matched to fight under the auspices of
the Shasta Club.
Certain prizehght promoters in this
village have been working their brains
to a standstill night and day trying to
frame up a plan whereby they might
entrap JEFF into match with the big
negro. The champion has been tickle.
He would listen to nothing of the sort.
But tireless work always brings its re-
ward. Jeff has at last been reached
and he now lifts up the barrier which
has for so long held Johnson at a dis
tance-the color line.
1t is said on good authority the men
have even been signed UP and have
agreed upon the terms under which
the battle will be fought. These de-
tails will not be given out to the pub
lie for some little time TO come. but it
is safe to assume Jeffries is getting all
the best of the entire lay out. as he
knows he is the drawing card.
Just what prompted Jeff to cast
aside his prejudice and take on John
son is not known. but it is more than
likely the champion of all champions
sees a little coin will come in handy
After looking carefully over the field
Jeff probably discovered that all the
available talent has either been ex-
hausted or has sought cover. so he at
last decided to pick up few thousand
G
The utmost secrecy has been observed
by those who are engineering the
match. There is plenty of time in the
future to talk of the affair. The bout
viii be fought in Mechanics Pavilion
and will be a twenty-round affair.
Johnson played a leading role at the
training camp of Young Corbett yester-
day afternoon. The figure Of the her
culean scrapper loomed UP conspicu-
ously in the gym and he was voted the
whole show by the assembled guests.
When he boxed with Corbett the pair
presented a sight that was a study in
human makeups.
When the two were in the midst of one
of their Warmest mixups Mr.. Johnson
suddenly went to his knees. a la Joe
Cans. The Denverite came rushing at
him, landing foul after foul on the head
and body. 1t was not difficult task for
Corbett TO miss Jack, for the latter on
his knees was just about the same
height as the former featherweight
champion.
This little side play made quite a hit
with those present, as it was fully as
realistic as the one recently enacted in
Mechanics Pavilion Everybody was
on when the big fellow went to his
launches. but up to that time the
crowd did not know just what was
coming off. Corbett had a. lot of fun
! pushing and huggirg Johnson around
the ring and he worked up a good per-
spiration while engaged in mauling the
big fellow. The rest of his boxing was
: done with Billy Otis and few hangers
on who were aching for a chance to
take on little Willie even for fun
Corbett weighs 1917 pounds and still
INDUCES in plenty Of liquids and foods
that put on weight. He is not worry
ing about making 13O pounds. He is
strong and anxious to work and his
handlers say he is doing more to con-
/ dition himself for this fight than for
any other in which he ever engaged.
He was rather tired after coming off
the road in the morning, for he trav-
eled several miles farther than usual