The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-20
VIII Defend Reclaimed Title
Against All Corners.
FIGHT IN 10 MONTHS.
Is Considering Offer to Fight
at Seattle Fair.
He Would Doubtless Meet Jack
johnson at That Time.

New York. April 20.-James Jeffries
will announce tonight that he has re-
claimed the title of heavyweight cham
pion pugilist of the world and will be
ready to defend it against all comers
in ten months or a year. Jeffries in
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 sparring exhibitions and at the
same time endeavoring to ascertain IL
his four years retirement from the ring
had impaired his fighting ability.
Jef in a statement today says:
After my exhibition with Sam
Berger, my sparring partner, tonight, I
will go before the footlighs and an
nounce to the audience that I have
decided to re-enter the ring again and
defend my title of heavyweight cham
pion against any man in the world If
JACK johnson is fortunate enough to
eeat Stanley Ketchel next October /
will fight him before the club that Of
fers the largest purse
Il have come to the conclusion that
can get back in my previous good
form which is responsible for my MAX
ing this announcement. L will be ready
to fight again in about 10 months or
possibly year, but 1 will fight just the
same"
JEFF 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 Jeffries to that
squared circle had not been thought
of either by the retired champion OF
the pugilistic fraternity. The demand
of the public that Jeffries tight again
following the Burns-Johnson battle
became so insistent that Jeffries who
had declared he was through with the
boxing game, told his friends that If he
could get into his former fighting con-
dition he would meet Johnson
Jeffries for several weeks has re-
mained noncommittal so that some of
his admirers despaired of ever seeing
the big fellow put on the gloves once
more.
| sJeffries wants the fight to take
place in this country and has under
consideration an offer from a fight
| promoter for championship con-
| test sometime during the Seattle
exposition.
Hugh Mcintosh. of Australia. left
for England last week, and doubtless
will renew his offer for fight at Mel
| bourne. A Championship fight in
the states along the Atlantic sea-
! board is not possible under existing
| laws and f1stic followers in the east
will have to Journey westward
Jack Johnson is now touring the
country giving sparring exhibitions.
1 he WefEleQ mere the OtneT DAY, ana
| tipped the scales at 21O pounds. He
| matched to fight Stanley Ketchel at
| Colma, Cal, on October IL. Jeffries
weighs about $50 to 260 pounds.
| johnson Is Willing.
Pittsburg. April 20.--Jack johnson,
heavy weight champion of the world.
said today If Jeffries was in earnest
and would post a forfeit he would
cancel all fighting engagements and
welcome the chance to meet the for
mer champion in the ring.
'I will be the proudeat man in
Pittsburg," said Johnson to the As
sociated Press today, 'if Jeffries will
show that he means business by COW
ering the $4,000 which 1 have posted
with a New York paper. My money
is ready and the moment he makes
his announcement 1 will cancel all
fighting engagements and get ready
for him. My match with Ketchel and
! all other matches / have were ar
ranged with the understanding that
could cancel them II had a chance
| to meet Jeffries.
But Jeffries can not reclaim his
championship. He can only fight for
it, 1 am glad he has made up his
mind to meet me and II he means
business he should post $4,000 or
cover the $1,000 have posted in New
! York nv tomorrOW morning"