Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-23
JEFF READY FOR, THE FIGHT
Ex-BOilsrmaksr in Fine Shape from
Training.
SURPRISE SPRUNG ON FRIENDS
steps from steamer Almost I'm cOndi-
tion 60 FiEhtAwnI Have Op-
GRAFTON Performed for
Broken Nose. .

NEW YORK. oct. 22-James J. Jeffries
has come back from his European trip
ready and fit. #. is believed. to fight Jack
Johnson for the heavyweight championship
OF the world. In the environs OF Carlsbad,
Bohemia. the one-time hpilermaker is as
serted TO have trained for the fight with
out telling his friends what he was doing.
When Jeffries walked down the gang
plank of the steamship L~usitania, which
arrived today, he looked as II he was in
fighting trim. His solid hulk OF frame was
without, superfuous, flesh and his com
piexion was clear. Sam Berger. his spar
ring partner, and also a host Of admirers
at the. dock appeared surprised at the ply
steal condition OF the retired champion.
"Now'm ready to fight Johnson tomor-
row. said the big fellow. and the sooner
the articles are signed the better. I'll live
up to the Berger agreement but as to
details they can take care Of themselves"
what about JohnsonT' was asked.
J~effries' brown eyes snapped. as he re-
piled: Il care not about johnson. That
negro has made more noise and done less
than any man I know"
Jeffries told how he had brought him
self into fighting condition, but he was a
little %reticent about his weight.
How He Tips beam.
IT weighed under go pounds at Carls-
bad began Jeffries slowly, and the last
time 1 jumped on the scales-it was in
France-I tipped the beam at 22S pounds.
but you can't get me on the scales now
for $40.
How did I get into shape7 It seems the
newspaper men always have me with a lot
= 10 -. - .N
when 1 went way and 1 have not any
now"
To emphasize the point. Jeffries showed
a substantial part OF his vest in his hand
to show how small his waist line had
grown.
Now at Carlsbad did three miles
every morning" continued the former
champion. 'and in the afternoon 1 put in
my time in the gymnasium. The Germans
thought / was crazy when they saw me
running along the highways.
Il did some more work in France and
trained at a place just out Of Paris. 1 had
10 look at the address on a card eveNy
time 1 went out there to work. The
French are crazy over fighting and 1 saw
some bouts there. I also took in some OF
the exhibitions at the National Sporting
club at London. but their advertised heavy
weight contests are nothing more than
m~iddleweight affairs. I have done no box
ing while abroad"
Operation ON His Nose.
Jeffries said he would undergo an opera
ton on his nose in a few days while in this
city. 81 would have had it done in Caris-
bad. but they told me there that the doc
tors here could do It Just as well and
again the prices they wanted were some
thing fearful. My nose is broken and II
interferes with my breathing"
Jeffries said he had talked to no one
while abroad about his fight with John
son and denied he had said that he wanted
a purse Of $4,000 for the mill. Mrs. JEFF
fries accompanied her husband on the trip
and spent some time at her home in
Saxe-Meinlngen. Jeffries probably will
meet Johnson and his manager in this city
early next week. when the final articles
for the fight VIII be signed.
Last-August in Chicago Sam Berger, for
J%effries, signed a preliminary agreement
with johnson for a contest OF any where
from twenty to 100 rounds before the club
offering the largest purse, which was to
be divided on any terms made by Jeffries.
The agreement provided that the fight
should take place with six months after
the signing OF articles.
The retired champion said he had heard
IN Paris that Sam McVelgh in his contest
with Joe jeanette in that city had really
won the fight and It had been fixed for
jeanette to win. Jeffrles added that Nc
Weigh was only a right handed fighter and
would have little chance with johnson.
You want a left hand to fight Johnson. -
added Jeffries as he walked away to Join
an admirIng crowd OF friends on the pier.