Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-21
JEFF WILL RE.ENTER RING
Former Champ Will Make This An
nouncement Tonight.
READY TO FIGHT IN TEN MONTHS
Proposes TO rake on the winner Of
the JOhnsOn-ketchel Match
johnson welcomes the
Chance. 2

NEW YORK, April D.-James j. Jeffries
will announce tonight that he has reclaimed
the title of heavyweight champion pugilist
of the world and will be ready TO defend
it against all corners i'm ten months or a
Year. Jeffries in a statement says he is
convinced that he will be able to get into
good fighting condition. For some weeks
the former champion has been touring the
country giving snarring exhibitions and at
the same time e~ndeavoring to ascertain IL
his four years retirement from the ring has
impaired his fighting ability.
Jeffries in a statement today. says;
Immediately after my exhibition with
Sam Berger. my sparring partner, tonight,
1 will go before the footlights and announce
to the audience that 1 have decided to re-
enter the ring again and defend my title
of heavyweight champion against any mar
in the world. II Jack Johnson IL fortunate
enough to beat Stanley Ketchel next Oc-
tober I will tight him before the club that
offers the largest purse.
Il have come to the conclusion that 1
can get back in my previous good form
which is responsible for my making this
announcement 1 will be ready TO fight
again in about ten months or possibly a
year, but 1 will fight just the same"
Jeffries has been out Of the ring for four
years and during that time has taken on
flesh. Until Jack johnson captured the
title OF champion from Tommy Burns the
return of Jefries to the squared circle had
not been thought of either by the retired
champion or the pugilistic fraternity. The
demand OF the public that Jeffries fight
again following the Burns-Johnson battle
became so insistent that Jeffries, who had
declared he was through with the boxing
game. told his friends II he could get into
his former fighting condition he would meet
johnson.
Jeffries for several weeks has remained
non-commital. so that some OF his ad-
mirers despaired OF ever seeing the big
fellow put on the gloves once more.
Jeffries wants the fight to take place In
this country and has underconsid Iteration an
offer from a fight promoter for a cham
plonship contest SOM time during the Seat
tie exposition.
Hugh Mcintosh OF Australia left for Eng
land last week and doubtless will renew
his offer for a fight at Melbourne. A
championship fight I'M the states along the
Atlantic seaboard is not possible under
existing laws and fistic followers in the
west will have to journey westward.
Jack Johnson is now touring the country
giving sparring exhibitions. He weighed
here the other day anu tipped the scales
at 30 pounds. He is matched to fight
Stanley Ketchel at Colma, Cal, on October
IL. Jeffries weighs about $50 10 2o pounds.
johnson Ready for Fray.
PITTSBURG. Pa, April 90r-Jack john
son. heavyweight champion Of the world,
said today that If Jeffries was in earnest
and would post a forfeit, he would cancel
all fighting engagements and welcome tho
chance to meet the former champion in the
ring.
II will BE- the proudest man in Pitts
burg" said johnson to the Associated
Press today. III Jeffries will show that he
means business by covering the $500 which
I have posted with a New York paper. MY
money is ready and the moment he makes
his announcement I will cancel all fighting
engagements and get ready for him. My
match with Ketchel and all other matches
I have were arranged with the understand
ing that I would cancel them II 1 had a
chance to meet Jeffries."