The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1909-08-12
JEFFRIES TALKS
ABOUT JOHNSON

got to talking over his state of mind
at the Hotel Albany today.
81 want as big purse as possible to
fight for, of course" said he. I'm a
business man, and ! want a side bet
from Johnson, if l can get it. And as
big as he can cover. That's business,
too But what / want most is to get
that big buck in a ring. want to
get to him, that's all I'll fight him
for no side bet at all if | can't get
him any other way" Someone asked
Jeff if he was sore at Johnson.
Well" he finally said, well I'm
not going to say I'm pleased to meet
YOU when we get in the ring"
Everyone has read of Jeff's magniti-
cent condition. But it still comes as
rather a surprise to see what a big
man he is, now that he has got rid
of that pantry. Lots of other people
weigh 230 pounds-mostly outlets. But
Jeff's weight is mostly bone and mus
Gle right now. His wrists are as thick
and hairy as a government mules leg.
His eyes are clear end bright and his
skin smooth and he moves like a
dancing master
THAT niger can never lick me- he
said as dispassionately as though he
were discussing the chances of fussing
between two strangers.
Did you ever see him fight? Well,
have-two or three times. He stands
flatfooted as a washerwoman. Let me
tell you, no man on earth who stands
fatfooted can ever lick me. They've
got to get up on their toes TO do that.
The man who stands flatfooted in the
ring is licked before he ties a glove,
if the other man is anything near his
equal"
Now, that may sound lige boasting.
AS matter of fact, it wasn't. 1t was
given as the calm and well-considered
statement of a man who has made
pugilism a business and in that bust
ness has made a success.
"Then Johnson has only one punch"
said he. THAT is it," he illustrated by
big, messy mitt did not travel half a
dozen inches, but it made the idea
clear.
CAN HIT FROM ANYWHERE.
Il have four hundred punches and
every one of them better than his best
L can hit anywhere from anywhere
Short or long range, from the hip or
the shoulder or anywhere else. have
two good hands. He has one. I can
send 'em in from away off, or pound
'em in with two inches play. Johnson
can't.
And you fellows, call him clever,
he continued. johnson IS not clever
He is good at blocking, yes. But his
, footwork is that of a man that stands
fiatfooted and has his one punch. I'm
not holding him too lightly. I viii
train for him until I am in absolutely
perfect condition and TIL lick him. But
he isn't really dangerous man-likt
( old Fitz, 70 reXample. That old mar
was bad-b-a-d-as long as he wa;
on his feet. You never cared to give
him an inch. When he was right hi
could lick a field full Of Johnsons."
Someone got to talking of the tradi
tiOnal observation-disclosures of the negro
The suggestion was made that John
son could not be hurt if he were hi
on the head.
Hit him on the head, on the body
on the shinbone-anywhefe, sal,
jeff. "Hit him hard enough and he'll
feel it, no, matter where it lands"
Where will the fight be-" was ask
ed.
Il cannot answer that question" sal
jeff. That's up to the clubs. G
course, the club making the best one
the responsible club, of coufse-wi
get the fight. I'm out for the velVe
now. I want money I've got all th
glory l can't get out of this business
don't want ever TO fight again, bl
il seems that have to. The whit
people make me fight. 1t will neVC
do for negro to hold the heavyweight
championship while there ia a viii
man to fight him for it. I suppose IL
: fight will be in California. There
= not hall out there half big enoug
= of course. 1t will be held in an opel
: air arena wherever it may be, al
= that means it will have to be in goo
- weather. But all that depends on Il
= club"
: DOESN'T WANT TO SEE JOHNSON
IT johnson says he wants to meet W
: before you sail and talk articles
n you"
n What do / want to talk to that b
g. black for?" asked Jeffries, half angl
d ly. What is there to talk about?'
l. you know no articles that might
% signed now would be worth shucks u
" til the club has made it's offer. l ha
my money up as a forfeit and so h
se Johnson. But that don't mean anythil
'r yet, I put it up to show the peoI
lie that / was in earnest, but I could ia
lie it down tomorrow and it wouldl