The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-23
BOilermRker Declares that He VIII
Sign Articles nt Once for Battle
Next Spring, and Is willing to Go
Into Ring, Winner to Take All.
Wants 10 Bet $4,000 on Side.

and several close friends at the pier.
while the crowd surged around them,
cheering enthusiastically.
Jeffries looked to be in far better con-
dition than when he left here last Au-
gust after a twenty weeks vaudeville
engagement His complexion was clear
and healthy, and as he stood shaking
hands with everybody in reach he looked
as II he was ready to fight at a mo
ments notice. The old paunch was not
in evidence, there was no roll OF fat
under the chin. and the powerful frame
seemed as durable as In the days, six
years ago, when such pugilists as Cor
bett, Sharkey. and Fitzsimmous were
beaten into submission. Jetfs grasp was
Ike a vice, and there were many who
took the trouble 10 inspect the huge
maulers that may soon come in contact
with Jack Johnson's anatomy.
Says He weighs 232 Pounds.
I'm feeling fine" said Jenries. with a
good-natured smile In fact, was
never better. I weigh 222 pounds now,
but ! was several pounds lighter two
weeks ago The increase in weight is
due TO the trip across the Atlantic, dur
ing which could not keep UP my daily
vigorous exercise"
Are you going TO fight the negro %
asked everybody who could struggle near
the boilermaker.
Jeffries lost his smile Immediately. His
face was scowl for a moment and his
great Jaw showed pugnacity as he
growled
III night him sure. and I'll knock him
out quick. Johnson is not such a great
pugilist as some people believe. He's
licked a lot Of second-raters and little
fellows, but II he ever gets into the ring
with me I'll give him a beating that will
settle this question forever He's a
four-fiusher, and is a h OF cham
plon"
When will you be ready to hght?'
Some time In March or April. " replied
the big pugilist. earnestly. II know by
that time I can get In great trim. ard I
intend 10 be right so that there will be no
shp-ups. / am ready 10 sign articles now.
II Johnson was here this moment. I'd
put my name to papers and clinch the
match. but that Will be ali hxed up in
a few days.
VIII Box, Winner Take All.
I will agree to let the winner take all
but as think johnson should be allowed
20 have something TO cover expenses. I'll
agree 10 division OF the purse 70 per
cent TO the winner and q per cent TO the
loser Any legitimate offer from q re-
sponsible club viii look good to me. and
I will also bet $1,000 on the side II
Johnson wants il that way. II isn't true
that 1 said I'd insist on a Sl50O0O purse.
III night for the largest purse that We
can get but it must be hung I'D by a
club that can pull of the fight without
interference I'll agree to any number o,
rounds and will go to a finish There
will be no chance for hitch II johnson
Is on the level for I intend 10 be fair
and mean business"
VIII you get on these scales and
show us how much you weigh7'' asked
! a little man close TO Jenries' elbow
You know, we are from Missouri"
The. former champion turned sharply
on his questioner, and with a flash OF
anger exclaimed:
My word is good. There isn't a man
/ here who can make me get on the
/ scales"
/ In the twinkling OF an eye the little
\ fellow backed away. while the crowd hao
a good laugh. More inquiries as 10 JEFF
| fries opinion Of Johnson served 10 in
crease his apparent anger, until he made
some remarks decidedly uncomplimentary
70 the formidable negro. Their several
! friends quickly changed the subject
Saw COrbett in London.
Il had great time on the other side. 4"
continued JEFF Il saw Jim Corbett in
London, and he agreed with me tina:
Johnson is overrated and a piece OF punk
I spent some time at the race tracks, and
found that the bookmakers were easy
to beat In eleven out Of twelve DAYS
/ won money on the horses, which more
| than paid current expenses. But I had
to tip walters. cab drivers, bell hops. and
other servants until I was weary. You
can Just bet that I'm glad TO get back
to America, the only real country in the
world. / haven't had time 10 talk with
| Berger, my manager, yet but whatever
arrangements he has made about the big
match viii be satisfactory to me-"
JEFF and his party then made a bee
line for a Broadway Hotel, where the
| b0llermaker received another ovation.
The crowd cheered him to the echo. and
he seemed very happy. He said he was
glad to know that Johnson and Promoter
Coffroth were making tracks for this
city, and declared that he would be ready
to make the match at the proposed con-
ference. He called attention to the fact
that he had a $500 forfeit up with a
local stakeholder. and stated that the
money would be transferred to anybody
mutually acceptable to bind articles OF
| agreement Many sporting men called on
Jeffries during the day and evening tc
congratulate him on his decision to fight
again. The big fellows condition and
the fact that battle with Johnson now
seems 10 be a certainty created plenty
OF enthusiasm. 1t was said that Jef
| might appear In vaudeville for a few
weeks after signing articles, but that he
would begin hard training at least three
months before the date Of the mill. He
will probably go 10 California to enjoy
outdoor life for while, and then estab-
lish training quarters at Hardin Springs.
baltimore e OhfO Railroad