The Washington times., 1909-12-04
Local Judges Are Confident
California Fighter Will
Come Back"
is FAST ON FEET
AND WIND is GOOD
Looks Much Older Than When
He Appeared Here
Before.

Lovers OF pugilism in this city are
today discussing jim Jeffues. his con-
dition. the coming fight and the proba-
BILE chances Of the man who is TO up
hold the white mans burden in a west
ern arena, on July 4.
To attempt 20 form s definite opinion
OF the physicsl fitness of any athlete
On his performances in a short gym
nasium workout 50 as unreasonable as
e Is unreliable Even more unsatis-
factory Is endeavoring to foretel tae
shape a fighter is TO be in when ne en-
tiers the rim 10 defend the world s
title at q date still six months in adj
/. vance.
Il The consensus OF opinion among those
. who seem particularly we'll qualified 10
! judge and who saw Jeffries work last
night at Convention Hall, is that the
fighter is in surprisingly good condition.
and that when he jumps through the
ropes 20 meet Johnson he viii be ht 90
4 give another exhibition Of the work
which has won for him the right 20 be
considered one Of the grandest fighters
in fistiana's history.
Seems To Have Aged.
While those Of this opinion are in an
overwhelming majority. there IS. never
theiess. lacking that unanimity Of pro-
Jenries feeling that would have made
him a pronounced favorite had the bat
tie been fought before the Californian
went into voluntary retirement
Apparently as fast as ever in foot
work. trained until but little surplus
flesh remains on his giant frame, and
having improved his wind until he went
through his performance without the
least evidence Of fatigue, JeGries Ger
tainly seem to have aged considerably
since his last appearance in these parts.
While a comparatively young man.
he has not yet reached his thirty-ffth
year. Jim Jefrries has. from a pugilistic
viewpoint. about reached a point in his
career beyond which bat few athletes
ere able 10 continue the pace they set
IN their younger days.
Jeffries IS today a grand fighter, a
superb specimen OF man, and, incident
ally, a most pleasant person tu meet
Reports Of his finding q impossible 20
reduce his weight without iDp1irinC his
strength have been grossly eIaEger-
ated.
when he stripped last night and brought
10 its feet one Of the greatest rhruuEs
that ever attended an indoor athletic
event IN Washington
Is Popular Here
Before the champion had an oppor-
tunity 70 80 on viii his work deafen-
ing cheers had removed Whatever
vestiEe q doubt might nave existed as
70 the popularity o. the man ln the
Capital.
Judging from his appearance. there
seems 20 be ID reasonable question that
when be meets johnson. Jeff-les viii De
in the best physical condition possible.
and II this Is true Ee should be- me
popular choice bT liberal margin.
But whether bis pronounced superiority
in brains. nerve, and general ability
VIII overcome wF-afeFer bad effect he
may have from ais lcus rest when be
made no system attic effort t0 ma lu-aiu
his condition. Is q question that r-Iv-
go unsettled until the afternoon Of July
4. 1910
Surely there was nothing last night
20 weaken the conviction mat when the
referee starts 20 count q fatal teu l1
the championship battle Jerrles VIII be
the one VINO IS being CLceTeG
After the PERFORM 81 fast night Jr<-
fries, Frank GOtch, tlld Dr. Roller were
guests At an informal luncheon and
smoker at the Presa Club JeGrIes ez-
pressed his confidence iu his ability 20
win the coming fight. and also lls pleas
ure at meeting the Newspaper men. TJr.
Roller gave an interesting talk on anna.
7eur and professional arI-efes. IT. *.