Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-10-02
CURRENT SPORTING GOSSIP.
ketchel Must Fight On October 18th
or Forfeit $4,000.

When Stanley Ketchel and his
manager. Wlllus Britt, arrived in
( Frisco Thursday night they lost no
| time in asking Promoter Coffroth TO
! postpone the date of the fight with
| Jack Johnson to October %. Just
why this delay was sought nobody
seems to know unless there is some
/ thing the matter with Ketchel's
hand. which he disabled in the re-
cent bout with Papke. But at any
! rate Promoter Coffroth, after a con-
sultation with Johnson. informed
| ketchel and Britt that the fight
would take place on October II and
/ that III ketcbel was not ready to go
on then Johnson would receive n
$4,000 forfeit which 'COffroth holds.
So Ketchel will have 10 meet John
son on the original date or lose the
above sum, together with a chance
10 win the heavyweight champion
ship. Johnson is very decided In re-
gard TO this matter. He SAYS he has
acted in good faith with Ketchel and
Britt and will be in the ring on the
appointed day ready TO defend his
title. The negro declares that as
this match was made last spring
ketchel has had plenty of time to
prepare for it and is making an un-
reasonable demand for a postpone
ment
When Ketchel left here just after
his bout with Langford had been
called OF he was apparently in
splendid condition. He said he was
absolutely fit for Langford and de-
clared that he could not improve on
his condition for the Johnson mill.
He left this city last Saturday and
did not stop of during his trip to
California. With three weeks left
for training purposes before tackIing
Johnson. Ketchels request for more
time has caused considerable spec-
ulation. AS The\ Sun has already
stated. Britt, IL is said. told a lead
ing sporting man here last week
that Ketchels right hand was
gone and that If he met Langford
the latter would surely win. For
that reason It has been pointed out
that when the bout was called of
ketchel and Britt lost no time in
starting for California.
II Ketchel's hand is really useless
10 is fOregOne conclusion that
Johnson will beat him easily. The
big negro is usually ready to take
advantage OF most anything. and as
Ketchel doesn't appear anxious TO
fight him on October 18th. it Is but
natural for Johnson TO refuse to
make concessions. feeling as he does
pat he will catch the Michigan pu-
ghist under a handicap. Johnson is
after money and KetcheTs $4,000
forfeit is not TO be overlooked by
him Il is apparent therefore that
Ketchel VIII have 10 fight Johnson
according TO the articles Of agree
ment signed last spring.
Johnson says that he is also tired
of waiting to hear from Jemries. He
declares that II the boilermaker does
not come back from Europe within
the next month he viii declare every
thing OF. Johnson cannot be con
WINGED that Jcmrios means to fight
him and predicts that the burly Cal
ifornian when he arrives here will
sign vaudeville contracts that will
carry him through the winter and
spring. Since making a show Of
kaufman Johnsons confidence in
himself has increased wonderfully.
until he is sure that he can defeat
Jenries- In discussing the proposed
big mill the other day Johnson said
that he would agree TO forty-hve
rounds or a finish contest and that
he would tire Jeffries out by the use
of defensive tactics. Jemries cabIed
from Paris 10 a friend here yester-
day that he would sail for America
about the first week In October.