Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-11
JEFFRIES HAS MANY OFFERS
Has Choice Of the Bunch if He Wishes
to Box.
JOHNSON BREAKS AGREEMENT
His FIIppant anu of Brushing
Aside Arrangements Made by
Former Manager Not Liked
by the Public.

NEW YORK. April lo.-If there is any
real intention on the part Of any of the
higher class boxers TO fight. Jeffries has
his choice of a match with Johnson. Kauf-
man, Langford or perhaps even Ketchel.
Neither of the latter two has made any
great pretense that he would like to fight
J~effries, but II the former champion we're
so mindod as to try his hand at boxing II
is not likely that either of them would
dodge the opportunity to make some
money and try to demonstrate his superb
GRITTY.
IL Johnson has any overwhelming desire
to enter the ring he can accept 2 challenge
from Lsngford, Kaufman or Ketchel. He
might also accept one from Jeffries, pro-
viding Jeffries was agreeable enough to
make one. Jeffries has not shown that
he is likely to be a challenger.
Kaufman may accept a challenge from
Langford or Ketchel II he desires to do
so, or may challenge them II he is so in
clined; or he may challenge Jeffries or
Johnson. He Is not very likely to seek
out Langford, as there would be less to be
gained than with a match against either
J~effries, johnson or Ketchel, IL he could
make one.
Ketchel will probably have to make his
match against any one of these men if he
secures q match, as none of them, with
the possible exception OF Kaufman, has
shown any notion of going out of his way
to get in a fight. Ketchel is looking for a
little higher game than Langford. although
1t is not certain that LAngford might not
make as creditable a showing as any Of
the others.
Since Johnson has made his appearance
in the United States the heavy weight sit
uation has resolved itself into a talking
fest and 1t is likely TO remain one so long
as there is any money to be made in vaude-
Vile.
Big Talking Fest.
There are plenty who believe that John
son should go about his business of fight
Ing and live up to the agreement which
he is alleged to have mace with the Ma
tional Sporting club of London That was
to have provided for a match between him
and Langford. His flippant manner of
brushing aside any agreement which may
have been made when Fitzpatrick was act
ing as his manager carries very little with
it except censure for his disregard of obli-
cations which he owes the public. His
treatment Of his former manager was bad
enough without assuming an overlooking
attitude against those who support ath-
letics of his calling.
Not a few believe that Jeffries has no
intention whatever of returning to the prize
ring. He says he wants to be sure of him
self before he considers such a proposition
seriously. lie is not apt to put himself in
condition very rapidly by appearing at
vaudeville exhibitions.
johnson will try to keep in the public
eye just as long as he can use Jeffries
as an excuse for delay on his part in max
ing a match with anybody else. If JEFF
fries hangs out for a year on two John
son may have to fight OF be forgotten, and
after that beaten. a fate which will come
to him-sooner oE later in any event.
Kaufman seems to be sincere In making
some kind OF a match with somebody.
Ketchel Is not averse to e Sight, but pre-
fers it with Johnson, so that In case of
victory he can jump into the championship
without any intermediate conflict.
Judging by the present outlook. no one
will fight so long as johnson can protest
that he wants to meet Jeffries, and JEFF
fries can think It over" In the mean
time the friends of Lsnsford believe that
If Johnson finds the theatrical business
bad and decides to go to England he will
lose his title before he has a chance to sail
back to America.