Evening star., 1909-03-10
JOHNSON WILLING
TO BOX JEFFR|ES
SAYS There Must Be Winners
and Losers End.

VICTORIA, b. c.. March 10.-"Jack
johnson, the heavyweight champion pugi-
list, and his white wife, former Phila-
dephia woman, and Sam Fitzpatrick. who
is no longer manager OF the big black
champion. having severed relations with
him, arrived yesterday by the Canadian
Pacific Australian steamer Makura from
Sydney Johnson unreservedly declared
his willingness to meet Jeffrtes or any
other man. In an interview just before
leaving for Vancouver, Johnson said to an
Associated Press representave:
Il am willing to meet Jeffres: l am
willing to meet any man In the world, and
I do not think any one can get a decision
over me. much less put me out. 1t tires
me to hear this talk about Jeffries claim
ing the championship. Why, when a
isn't he. But when champion leaves the
ring he's an ex-champion. Well, il JEFF
fries wants to try and get the champion
ship back. I'm willing to take him on.
NO: l am not making any predictions.
What's the matter. though. In the talk of
arrangements Of a fight with Jeffries?
What will johnson take: In all the
notice 1 have seen It's all what Jeffries
takes. What's the matter with what john
son will take. I'm the champion, amt /?
care what it $50 and 40 Or Is and 25-
but there's got to be a winners and
losers end. That's how 1 met Burns.
JEFF Must See Him.
II knew 1 could get him. and followed
with him at Sydney. to show the people
that l could do it. If Jeffries wants a go.
as the papers say. he's got to see me, and
l,@- - 1@ Y1> -
end"
1t is doubtful. according to the arrange
ments made by Johnson. whether any
fight could be brought on with Jeffries.
ketchel or any other man within six
months. While his plans are not absolute.
he limited at willingness to chance him
If anything big was hung up for a match
with Ketchel.
Johnson intends to devote several months
to theatrical engagement. having signed
with a syndicate in England for the Lon
don halls. and after an English tour, to
visit France and Germany. johnson will
leave the Makura at Vancouver and pro-
ceed tomorrow morning to Chicago. ar
irving there Saturday. He will continue
his journey to Galveston Monday. arriv-
ing at his Texas home Wednesday.
When his attention was drawn to the
Galveston dispatch announcing the forma-
ton of committees to arrange a parade
at Galveston. his eyes sparkled and he
showed his goid-t1pped teeth with grin,
and said:
Tell them I'll be there
Asked whether he intended to arrange
a match with Ketchel he said everything
depends on the offers. It was doubtful
though. he said. il anything could be
brought off until after his theatrical tour.
Denies Australians Story.
Johnson was asked regarding the story
told In New York by George Bernard, an
Australian sporting man. that before the
fight at Sydney. johnson and his mana
ger Fitzpatrick, received an offer of
$1,000 in cash to throw the fight TO
Burns. but they turned the proposition
down. The colored champion said:
II don't think that's right. l don't
know what they might have wanted to
DO. but You see they were afraid to come
near me. and-well, l don't think that S
right
Sam Fitzpatrick. when asked about the
split with Johnson. said 1t had begun
soon after the fight. johnson was a
different man after the fight" he said.
He would feed out of the hand then.
but he Is q hard man to handle now,
said Fitzpatrick. I'VE decided to split
soon after the Makura left. Anyhow, he
don't need a manager now. He has got
Mrs, johnson as his manager"