The Detroit times., 1909-04-20
JEFFR|Es ANSWERS
BIG QUESTION
At LAST
VIII Renter the Ring To Meet
Winner Of Johnson Ketchel
Match For the
Title.
Won't Be Ready To Fight For q
Year or so, But Is Sure He Will
Be the JEFF of Old Then.

NEW YORK, April 20.-Jeffries has
broken his long silence. Tonight, al
the close OF his performance ~ the
American Music nall he will announce
To the New York public that he VIII
meet the winner or the Stanley
Ketchel-Jack Johnson fight next oct
ober for the championship OF the
world.
l.ashed TO fury by the assertions
that he was "buncoing the public with
no intention OF ever fghting again.
made by his old manager, Billy De-
laney. Jeffries took the lid on this
morning. lie was mad clear through
when he talked and made II PLAIN that
he believes he will be able To get Ia
AS good shape as he was when ne
cleaned up Jack Monroe. the last man
Re entered the ring with.
At his hotel today the Dig teiio~
said
Immediately after my exhibition
with my sparring partner. sam Der
ger, at the American theater tonight.
| will announce TO the audience mat
Rave decided to re-enter the ring again
and defend my title OF heavyweight
champion OF the world against any
man. IL Jack Johnson Is fortunate
enough to beat Stanley Ketchci next
October I will meet him before any
club that will offer the most money.
have come to the conclusion that
can get back into my previous good
form, which Is responsible for my
making this announcement. | VIII De
ready to fight again In 10 months or
year and will fight just the same
The announcement has clarified the
heavyweight situation. While Jenries
remained mute there was chance Oh
all the aspirants reaplng golden mar
vest by throwing d.Gs at him aud per-
forming In public for good purses
Now that he has announced that ne
will meet Johnson-and he hopes In
his heart that Johnson wins the match
with Ketchel-it is expected that some
0f the fighters that have been talking
the loudest will quit. Sam Langford
is the only one who has been honest
IN his declarations. He has repeatedly
,sserted That he wanted nothing to do
with Jeff in the ring while announcing
that he can defeat any OF the others
who have been posing as champions.
Kidding at once for the match. AS
stated by the United Press 10 days
ago, Mcintosh. the Australian pro-
moter, will be back here In three
weeks to talk business In behalf OF
Lis Australian club. The coast clubs
IRE all expected To bid and, as re-
;ult OF the popularity OF the game In
France and the fact that finish bouts
are allowed there, II Is expected that
there will be bid from the newly or
ganized National club. Of Paris.
discussing his training today. Jef
said:
since left the coast and have
been indulging in light exercise to get
my wind back, I have been surprised
at the ease with which have gone
through the PAGES. have taken OF 20
pounds OF soft flesh and replaced II
with some good substantial muscle.
AL my old speed and strength Is
coming back and feel 80 good that
Rave decided that | might as well de-
clare myself now as any time. But
expect TO take It easy in training until
couple OF months before the date
finally fixed for my fight. | will keep
the work that strengthens my wind.
That is what need most. | still have
the punch and all that goes with II.
hut | intend also to have my wind all
that can be desired SO that my friends
will have nothing 10 fear
At the close OF his theatrical en-
gagements Jeff will undertake a
lengthy hunting trip. This Is the big
fellows favorite method OF training.
The New York sporting public is ad-
mittedly eleted today over Jen's an
nouncement, and Johnson's next move
will he awaited with great interest