The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-04
JEFF Will HAVE
TO DO FAST WORK

i That James =. Jeffries will have the
/ fight of his life against Jack Johnson
and that che Californian will have to be
physically perfect to down the black
\ is the opinion of no less an authority
that Billy Roche, the well known San
Francisco referee. Roche has seen the
negro champion in two battles On the
coast, one with Al Kaufman, the other
with Stanley Ketchel and he declares
that Johnson won both bouts wich.nli
even extending himself. The negros
true ability is not realized. declares
Roche with emphasis.
Johnson simply toyed with Kauf-
man and probably could have stopped
him in their ten-round bout had he at
tempted to do So" said Roche while in
Milwaukee last week. "The belief pre-
vailed that the negro was saving his
hands, as he did not wish to injure
them in advance of the fight with Ket-
chell, for whom the black once enter
tanned wholesome respect. Kaufman
was absolutely bewildered by the speed
shown by the negro.
"Johnson's battle with KetchelI look
ed like farce after the first round. The
glove upon the negro. Johnson's long
left kept Stanley continually at bay.
He did not attempt to force the fight
ing, but ] do not believe he stalled for
the moving picture, as many have
claimed. Jack did not intend to take
any chances. There was too much at
stake for him, so he fought careful
battle. believe Johnson was clearly
knocked down in the twelfth round. but
the fall was helped by the fact that the
blow caught him off his balance. He
did not show any signs of distress, and
when he arose he was on guard for
that last fatal rush of the white boy.
His first punch after that showed the
power he possesses. 1t was enough to
put Ketchell down and out, but he
whipped over another for good measure
while Stanley was falling.
Has Great Speed.
81 have seen johnson in training also
and must say his speed, strength, and
skill are really wonderful. He has inn
proved greatly in his method of fighting
and right now the negro is at the very
height of his physical powers. The
stories that he is dissipating are not
entirely true. He. likes a good time,
but he is wise enough to realize that he
cannot go in for excuses.
+, "Jeffries will have to be at his best
TO beat this black boy. Right now,
Johnson should be the logical choice
among the betttors. Jeffries appears in
good condition and believe that with
Careful training he will get back into
the form he possessed five years ago
Many claim that 1t is almost impossible
for an athlete to come back after years
Of idleness, but 1t must be remembered
that JEFF has never been given to dts
sipation. He has lived easily, and grew
fat and slow as result bur his months
of light training are having their effect.
He looks great at this time.
"If JEFF is in shape the coming fight
will be the greatest in the history of
the prize ring. Johnson has never
shown any evidence Of the yellow
streak some people have credited him
with, and he can be counted upon to
tackle Jeff at any style the big fellow
wishes to cur out. 1t will be a fight
from start to finish, and / hope that
JEFF returns the winner but right now
I would not predict that he will"