New-York tribune., 1909-03-10
JOHNSON ALMOST HOMEIGIANTS GET REVENGE
SAYS He Don't Think He Vas Of
fered MOney to ThrO1C Fight.

Victoria e c. March 9.-Jack Johnson. the
heavyweight champion pugilist; his white WIFE
a former Philadelphia woman, who threw in her lot
with him after his fight at Sydney and Sam Fitz-
patrick who is no longer manager Of the cham
pion having severed relations with him. arrived
this morning by the steamer Makrua from Sydney
Johnson once more declared his willingness To
meet Jeffries or any other man. In an interview
just before leaving for Vancouver johnson said
to an Associated Press representative:
7 willing to meet Jeffries: am willing 10
meet any man in the world. and I do not think
any get a decision over me, much less
put me out 1t tires me to hear this talk about
Jehries claiming the championship Why, when a
Mayor leaves office he's an ex-Mayor, isn't he
When a champion leaves the ring he's ex-chan-
pon. Well. If Jeffres wants to try TO get the
championship back. In willing to take him on.
What will johnson take2 In all the notices l
have seen it Is What VIII Jeffries take? What's
the matter with What viii Johnson take? I'm the
champion. I a winner and a losers end l
don't care what il is-6o and "a or - and 25-but
there's got to be a winner and losers end That's
how I met Burns
II is doubtful. according to the arrangements
made by Johnson, whether any night could be
brought with Jeffres, ketchel or any other man
within six months. While his plans are not ahso-
lutte, he finted willingness to change them II
anything big hung up for match with ketchel
Johnson intends o devote several months TO
theatrical engagements. having signed with a syn
dica,e in England for the London music halls, and
after an English tour visit France and Germany.
Johnson will leave the Makura at Vancouver and
proceed tomorrow morning to Chicago, arriving
there on Saturday He will continue his journey TO
Galveston on Monday. arriving at his Texas home
on Wednesday.
Johnson asked regarding the story told in
New York by Australian sporting man that
before the fght Sydney Johnson and his
manager, Fitzpatrick. received offer OF $1,000
in cash to throw the fight to Burns. but they
turned the proposition down The champion said:
I don't think that's right l don't know what
they might have wanted TO do. but, You see, they
were afraid come near me and-wen. don't
think that's right"
Did you go into the Melbourne Hospital a
charity patlent?" johnson asked.
Well this way. had some trouble with
my neck and kind Of thought the Melbourne Hos
pitai the best place go. but I could not 90 there
as a charity patient. Why. I drove there in my
motor car
Did you pay for the treatment"
why, no; il was free hospital, wasn't it? And.
ANYHOW l felt free to 20 there. for wasn't paying
an income tax on the i2lO l getting for my
theatrical work Tommy Burns was getting more.
but ne had moving pictures He was getting ESQ I
kind of thought the income tax sufficient TO
pay for what l got at the hospital I offered to
nav the doctor. anyhow, but he wouldn't take
the money Then I wanted TO send him some silk
socks but he wouldn't take them"
On the way from Australia Johnson took part in
two. concerts on board and warmly appauded.
He PLAYED selections on the bass voL
Sam Fitzpatrick when asked about his split with
johnson, said it had begun soon after the fight.
johnson was a different man before the fight" he
said; 'he would feed out Of the hand then, but
he is a hard man 20 handle We decided to
split soon after the Makura left. Anyhow. he
don't need a manager now. He has got Mrs John
son his manager"