The Washington herald., 1909-11-06
JACK JOHNSON BALKS
Champion CraWlS Out of a
Match with LangfOrd.
BLUFF OF $4,000 IS CALLED
Joe WOOdman, Manager of Boston
ScrapDer, Accepts Tar Baby's Terms
and Latter Hns "CoId Feet"-Jef-
fries Calls on Old Friend and Says
He Is Confident of Beating Johnson.

| New York. Nov SACK Johnson is not
/ anxious 10 try conclusions with sam
/ LangfOrd He says he does not believe
/ Langford means business, and also de-
clares that he VIII not take part in
James J. Jeffries in the ring. A recapitula-
ton Of recent events will show Johnson's
/ fear OF Langford beyond a doubt. No
sooner had Johnson signed articles with
/ Jeffries than Langford issued a broad
! challenge. Offering 10 fight the big col
\ ored champion anywhere. at any time.
for 5000 a side. also promising 10 hand
over $1,000 extra In cash the moment
! Johnson got into the ring Johnson re-
/ torted with the statement that II Lang
fore would put up $4,000 as a guarantees
! OF good faith he could have a match be
/ tween now and spring. BY naming so
| large forfeit. Johnson possibly be-
/ lieyed that Langford cou'd not raise the
money. and therefore would be compelled
to subside.
But Langford and his manager, Joseph
/ Woodman. spelling for a fight. proceeded
I TO call Johnson's blum I'm the most en-
]
| conquerOr OF Burns and Ketchell that he
stood ready TO make match on behalf
I OF Langford on these terms:
| A side bet OF $4,000. winner take all
! Twenty rounds. before the National
4 Sporting Club OF LONDON. FOR a $4,000
purse preferred.
Joe WOodman Explains.
| Woodman, in explaining this plan. says
that he does not believe two negro pugil-
lists can draw as much money IN this
/ country as in England, where there Is no
/ prejudice against the colored race and
where black sluggers are regarded with
much favor lie also says that Johnson
can square himself with the London club.
/ which he turned down last May. 10y send
\ ing a written apology for his unsports-
/ marlile behavior. ana, Furthermore. that
no club I'm this country viii exceed q
/ $1,000 OFFER. However. II johnson wants
! 10 fight in American. Woodmon says
( Langford VIII accommodate him.
Johnson has tlrned down the London
proposition cold. lie says he has no rea-
/ son TO apologize for anything. and also
states that he would not receive a square
deal II he fought Langford at the Ma
/ tional Sporting Club. because Of the IN
/ feeling that exists against him. Getting
! right down to cases, Johnson makes the
/ surprising assertion that Lsngford does
/ not want % eight him AZ al. and that he
/ Intends TO have nothing further 10 do
with him Langford has received word
! from several OF the California promoters
/ that they are ready 70 hang up purses FOR
fight with Johnson. and II the latter
wiz sign articles the battle can be held
/ on American soil.
/ Johnson's retort Is that LanEford must
/ first beat Stanley Ketchen, who declares
that he viii not re-ents- the ring until
some time next summer, inasmuch AS he
! intends 10 spend a greater part OF the
winter in Florida.
In short. Johnson. It seems clear. does
not want 10 take chances with such n
! dangerous pugilist as Langlord at whose
hands a defeat would nullify the coming
battle with Jehries. This means. prob
ably that Langford Will have 10 20 70
France and England for the winter IN
order 10 get action. he is anxious TO
tackle Jeanette in Paris, and believes
that such a match would draw a heavy
gate.
Jehries called en- his old friend Sheriff
Foley the other day. The latter looked
the boilermaker over with evident sur
prise. and said:
JEFF. you look fit to go into the ring
now. You seem 70 be lighter than before.
Is your wind good?'
7 am as strong as ever" replied JEFF
fries, and my breathing apparatus can
not be improved upon"
"Can you beat Johnson asked Foley.
/ You can bet the limit on me, sheriff, -
replied JEFF with a look Of confidence.
'Tl stop him inside OF ten rounds, and
the job viii be a good one"
Il hope you are right" said Big Tom.
IF you are as strong as you were ten
years ago there's nothing 70 it,
I'm even stronger" was the quick
retort Il wouldn't fight the negro Il !
wasn't That's a sure thing"