The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-16
Negro Paraded Streets Smiling
With Confidence.
Kstche1, Giving Away Weight,
Is Not Afraid.
Statistics of Fighters.
Ketchel.


to Colma today. With all chances for a
hitch in the great championship battle
between Jack Johnson, the negro
heavyweight title holder. and Stanley
Ketchel, the n1iddleweight leader, ap-
parently set at rest by the assurances
! of the principals and their managers.
attention of the fight loving public be-
came focused upon Promoter Coffroth's
arena.
Mission street, the great thoroughfare
leading to the ringside. was alive with
gayly colored automobiles Colma-
bound for the spirit Of the Potola fes-
tival already has spread over the city
and the night today is looked -,pon as
a fitting curtain raiser to week of
excitement. Street cars decked in bunt-
ing and flags long before the noon hour
carried heavy loads of men on their
way to the bleachers. Before the gates
opened at IL O'Clock there was a long
line in waiting. There was every indi-
cation that Coffroth would come up to
his expectations of a $4,000 house.
Sporting men are here from all parts
of the country.
Johnson's "GoIden Smile"
No work was done in either camp
yesterday. Johnson showed himself in
the downtown streets. driving his au-
tomobile and smiling his golden smile.
He talked with easy assurance and ap-
peared to have no shadow of doubt that
he would pass the crisis in his career
as a fighter with flying coIors.
Ketchel was out for short run on
the road. His manager said he was not
doing any worrying over the outcome.
Both men are reported to be in the best
kind of shape.
Great Battle Expected.
Fight enthusiastics and trainers who
have watched both men at their work
expect to witness a great battle.
Johnson's chances are told in his su-
perior weight and reach, while Ketchel
has hard blow and a gameneSS that is
devoid of fear.
Statements made by the principals
on the eve of the 2O-round battle indi-
cate the confidence felt by each.
81 expect to win of course" said
Ketchel. 'I haven't a bit of fear of
Johnson, although appreciate his abil-
ity as a fighter. / will go after him
i'll what looks the best way, but never +
plan fights in advance l am in the
II will win this fight and ther 1 Will |
go after Jeffries.'' said Johnson. IF
I can get Ietchel in the first round /
knock him out, for I want to make
people understand what a chance 7
have to whip Jim Jeffries.' /
AS there is no weight making condi-
the ring at 3 O'Clock sharp. The pre-
liminaries start at las O'Clock.
Big Difference in Weight.
When the two champions enter the
ring the difference in weight will be
around 25 pounds. Ketchel thinks he
will weigh in at IT'S. Johnson's mana
ger said that he was willing to have
Johnson weighed in the ring and that :
the figures would be between 1874 and
1876 pounds
In the betting johnson still holds
10 to favorite with even none on
Is rounds. There is a healthy Ketchel
support.
Betting Is Light Today.
The flood of money on the cham
pion has not materialized this morn
ing and the betting remains with the ;
negro on the long end.
The official weights of the two
fighters were announced several ,
hours before the contest was sched-
uled to begin. Johnsons manager {
declared his charge stripped at 1876
while KetchePs handlers an
nounced that the latter would enter
the ring weighing 176 pounds.
Nothing New, Says Jeffries.
London, Oct. 16.-Before leaving
for Liverpool from whence he will
sail today for New York James ]. JEFF
fries said there had been no develop
ments regarding his prospective fight
with Jack Johnson