Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-07-31
CURRENT SPORTING GOSSIP
Report That seffries Wants An Inn.
possible Guarantee.


felt 10 bind a match with Jack John
son. He says further that he will be
ready to fight in five months after
signing articles, which in his opinion
viii make good his promises to the
sporting public. But as The Sun al
ready has pointed out: the posting
OF forfeit means nothing. It does
not guarantee a meeting in the ring
unless articles stipulating all condi.
lions are signed and sealed.
Sporting men heard yesterday that
when Jeffries posts his money he
may name impossible terms. II was
said that the bOilermaker intended
10 make il plain that he would not
step inside OF the ropes unless he
received a tremendous guarantee In
cash. In fact. according to a story
prevalent. Jem would not sign ar
ucles unless he received an ironclad
agreement from the promoters of the
proposed mill that he could draw
down 100000. win. lose or draw,
the money 20 be placed in the hands
OF responsible stakeholder before
the beginning Of the battle.
According to this report. which
came from Minneapolis. where Jen's
theatrical contract terminated last
saturday night. the boilermaker said
that Johnson would have 70 make the
best terms possible for himself or re-
fuse 10 Sght. In fact Johnson. so
the story went, should be glad to
get a crack at Jenries for nothing.
with the prospect of winning undv-
ing fame in the event Of success.
IT Jenrles names such extraordi-
nary conditions sporting men will
Jump az the conclusion that he
doesn't want 20 fight and that he
has adopted this method I'm order 10
wriggle out OF his present awkward
predicament. Ia the first place il IS
said That no promoter. however. well
fixed. would OFFER a 100000 guar
antee 20 Jeffries. for the reason that
Johnson would not agree to take part
m mill unless he received at least
half that amount Fight promoters
are business men as a rule and are
looking for profits The offer OF n
$4,000 purse 20 be cut up on "a
winners and losers basis. Il IS de-
clared would entail possible loss
when outside expenses had been
taken into consideration.
Hugh ID. Mcintosh. who conducted
the Burns-JOhnson fght in Austria
Ia, stands ready 20 hang up a $50
600 purse. while 10 rs confidently
believed that James Coffroth. the
Coima promoter. viii make a SINH
lar oner b. a match seems probable
But 70 is not thought anybody else
would be ready 20 outbid these men.
AS the heavyweight titleholder
Johnson cannot be ignored in his
demands. He allowed Burns 10 take
a $4,000 guarantee and drew down
q paltry $4,000 for himself after the
battle in Sydney last December. But
Burns was the champion then and
had right 70 dictate terms. Ac-
cording 20 ring precedent therefore
Johnson hardly Will consent 20 die
tation from Jenries
The negro says he will feht the
boilermaker for $4,000 q side and
the largest purse offered. the money
TO be cut In accordance with an
agreement 20 be made later on. But
his friends have insisted ali along
that Johnson would not agrec to
take the short end. II Jenries really
wants to-hght the negro therefore
ring followers declare that ne will
refrain from making impossible
conditions. that he viii agree 10 bat.
tie for $4,000 q side and the largest
purse available, also that he will in
sist on a winner take all" clause ia
the articles Of agreement. Such
terms, 30 is maintained. would bring
tho negro 20 the scratch and would
disclose the latter's true intention.
Many followers OF pugilism have
held the opinion for many weeks
that Jenries does not want 10 fight
again, that he has been forced into
q ucklish position by his manager.
sam Berger. and that when the time
comes 20 make a match with John
son he VIII squirm out OF the tanCle
the best way he can. II therefore
ienries demands an impossible guar
antee that will bring strong pro
Test from Johnson and will fail TO
attract the attention OF promoters.
these night fOllowrs will sure nod
their heads and say, 1--WE told you
80"
Jefries may be sincere after all
and II he proves that he Is an army
Of friends vii encourage him in his
attempt TO win back the champion
ship. But If he bubbles over terms
sporting men say that only one de-
AUCTION can be made-that Jeffries
has been foOling the public and at
he same time swelling his bank ac-
count in accordance with the oues-
-ionable advice offered by Berger
and others. :.
The rematching of Ketchel and