The Washington times., 1906-12-02

mense bulk.
Jeffries was plainly embarrassed
when the dispute arose over the pneu-
matte belt worn by Burns. OBrien
claimed that his stomach protector
would serve as a cushion 10 the body
punches he Inflicted upon Tommy and
for that matter might turn the wrist
when the blow was sent IN. He swore
he would not box unless Burns removed
his inflated waist band, and Burns, on
the other hand. declared he would re-
fuse 10 toe the scratch rather than fight
without his belt.
Things locked gloomy for A while and
Jenries made the rounds or sporting
critics and sporting notables asking
what they thought should be done under
the circumstances.
7 don't know exactly how to decide"
said Jeffries. NO matter what do ]
VIII he accused OF favOring Ons OF the
other"
What would you think OF the matter
II you yourself were opposed to a man
wearing such thing?' was asked of
Jeffries.
4 wouldn't care a snap what ne
wore' said the big fellow with a look
Of disgust
Soon after that Burns relieved the SIT
uation by dtscarding the belt and Jen
smiled percepubly
The contest was very interesting and
so fast that the attention OF the crowd
was held from start to finish. Burns
showed wonderful Improvement over
other performances OF his that I have
Witnessed His fight with Hart particu-
larly was an inslpid exhibition. He
seemed to BE- leary OF the big Ken
tuckian. He struck out in a hating way
and he grabbed at every opportunity
With O'Brien he fought like a man
whose blood was up and whose courage
and confidence were intact. He hated
O'BTien. and it seems 20 me that il
mightn't be a bad idea for Tommy 20
learn TO detest all OF his future oppo-
nents
Burns was poorly handled To begin
with, his eagerness 10 make a rough,
headsJrong contest should have been
c0unterbalanced by advice from the men
in his corner Instead of that. when
Burns Jumped 10 his feet at the starting
bell Of each round. bent upon making a
cannon-ban rush. some one Of his sec
Onds actually pushed him for the pur-
pose OF adding an impetus 70 the Cana
dams bull-like charges. So vehement
were these pushes at times that Burns
was all but sent on his face more than
once
O'Brien's fight was a marvel Of de-
fensive work He decided early in the
game that he was no match for the
Canadian at free arm work when half
clinched. and he made his feet twinkle
In spelling Tommys scheme Of close in
battling.
Excuses after a fight are not well re-
ceived. but Il IS plain. cold fact that
O'Brien went into the ring with a Grip
pied left arm. He struck the inner side
of the elbow joint against Battling
Swanson's head during a practice bout
al the training quarters, and the injured
member was almost double the size Of
his other arm at the point OF injury
when he answered the gong.
Burns rough tactics made matters
worse for O'Brien, and before the con-
test was half through the PhiIadelphian
could only work a straight left with
the greatest difficulty and with com
paratively little furnishing force
Whether this cut much OF n figure so
far as general results were concerned, is
a matter that IL is not easy 20 decide.
Burns with his immense strength would
have made things uncomfortable for
O'Brien no doubt If O'Brien had been
arm whole. Burns has earned the right
10 be considered IN the first flight of
latter-day heavyweights. such as they
are.
The contest did nothing toward re-
viving talk of a return to the ring on the
part of James J. Jeffries. the general
opinion being that either OBrien or
Burns would be as a child in the hands
OF the big farmer. Pity It is. too. for
Jeffries is really inclined 10 take another
whack at the game.
III tell you how I discovered the fact
When Jeffries first retired / asked him
If he could foresee anything that might
bring him into the ring again at a
future time. He told me that II any
foreigner came to these shores and de-
feated the best of the American heavy
weights at that period IN sight he would
challenge said foreigner TO battle.
Does that stin gO7' / asked Jefr the
night OF the Burns Brien match
1T surely does" said Jef THAT is.
II I am not back in the game before
the foreigner puts in an appearance"
l tried 10 get Jeffries to talk a little
more freely on the subject of his pos
sible return 10 fstcuffs. but he mere
iy smiled and kept his own counsel.
Il know a fellow does not improve
any while laying off, was a remark