The Washington times., 1905-12-31
Glpe O'Brien the HoOt
For CHALLENGING Jeff
Frisco Sports Consider Jacks Def a Merry
Jest-BergersC COyness Becomes Tiresome.
Jack Sullivan After MiddIeweight Honors.
BY w. w. NAUGHTON.

SAN FRANCISCO. Cal, Dec. 3e.-JacS
O'Brien's challenge to Farmer Jeffries
created scarcely a flicker of interest for
the reason that Western spor.s have
made up their minds that big Jim N>s
retired in true faith. 1t is felt that
there is not the slightest probability OF
a meeting between the dancing Dervish
OF Philadelphia. and the Bear that
walks like a man"
The writer. for one. believes O'Bren
was thoroughly sincere when he spoke
of tackling the ex-champion but it is
evident that the general run OF fight
followers do not view the challenge in
that light.
Now that jeff has passed out of the
limelight, the fighting qualifications
which carried him unscathed through
many a blue-ribbon encounter. seem to
be better appreciated than they were
while the swarthy boiIermaker was still
IN she lists. When anyone talks of chal-
lenging jeff it is regarded either a
piece OF presumption or safe play for a
little cheap notoriety.
JEFF Would Be One to -Four.
The way matters stand very few can
be indnced to discuss the possible out
come of a bout between O'Brien and
JEFF. but from what has been said, IL
can safely be gauged that JEFF would be
a 1-to-4 favorite If the men ever got to-
gether.
In this connection, some remarks by
Billy Delaney Jeffries' old trainer. are
extremely interesting. Moreover. they
express, as far as L can see. existing
sentiment in regard TO the merits OF
Jack AMI Jim.
'it would be a great thing for JEFF. .
said Billy. referring to the possibility
of a match "A thorough course of train
ing right now would add ten years to his
life I'm sure"
But how about the fight itself?" said
n listener who didn't approve of De-
1aney treating the matter as a hygienic
proposition entirely
''WelI." said Billy, drawing UP the
corners of his mouth and closing his
eyes gradually in a broad smile, that
would be a joke"
Promoter James w Cofroth Is one
who does not join in the general pooh
pooling of OBT1en's chances against
Jeffries. Nor is Coffroth thoroughly per
suaded that Jeffries' retirement will
stick any harder than the retirement of
.Adelina Patti. Fltzsimmons, Sarah Bern
hardt or Corbett
Cofroth Smokes Again.
"Just wait" says Jim. the promoter.
The O'Brien star is rising. but
maybe it isn't quite high enough yet
There is no demand for Jeffries-
O'Br!en night yet, out wait until O'Brien
has licked Hart, or put it in the othe-
way walt till Hart has defeated
O'Brien- You'll maybe find then that
people VIII be saying JEFF you mai bet
ter come forth and take whack at this
fellow
JEFF may even say. I won't: I've re-
tired but If the O'Brien-Hart fight is
the kind Of battle that shoves the winner
away up in public estimation, some one
may get to throwing hints that Jeff is
afraid
And what then. do you think?"
We'll. so far as JEFF is concerned, II $
2 waste OF time thinking under existing
conditions. We only know shat ne he
comes choleric when newspapermen 20
out TO the farm TO ask whether his re-
tirement is still in iorce and that he is
becoming furtive. They say he can scent
an interviewer as surely as "A Kentucky
moonshiner cJn spot a revenue officer
The Los Angeles reporters have 10
make up as farmhands i'm order to get
within speaking distance Of him
Berger Too Coy.
When O'Brien returns To this city 10
fight d couple OF months from now he
will have a number OF opponents to
choose from. The three names which
loom up most prominently on the list are
those Of Marvin Hart, Sam Berger. and
Jack CTwinl Sullivan. Ii will be for the
matchmakers 10 decide which - the
trio will prove the best drawing card
Al present il is thought that Berger
ran have the match for the asking
Sam seems TO be slightly nuttered over
the prospect. He likes the 1ghtinS
game. but he hesitates at declaring
himself professional.
His condition OF mind Is such that any
kind Of a statement may be looked for
from him. and there VIII be no raising
OF eyebrows no matter what course he
decides upon.
Berger is undoubtedly a clever boxer
and for this reason "A go between
O'Brien and the eX-OIympian would bc
regarded with favor. As between Hart
and Jack Sullivan. public inclination
probably favors the Boston twin. Fer
that matter more than one local match
maker has already expressed eagerness
10 pave the way for an o Brien-Sullivan
bout. and IL Berger continues his shilly
sbalIyiRg methods practical Mr.. Sullivan
may be O'Brien's next opponent
Sullivan wants 10 fight for the middle
weight title and TO that end has named
15s pounds at the ringsde as the notch
If OBrien balks at this IL will mean
that OBrien Is no middleweight
Billy Delaney has refused 10 send Al