The San Francisco call., 1909-10-18
RESULT OF BIC FIGHT
HAS SPORTS GUESSING
Johnson Says He Will Keep on Going as
Long as There Are Any Heavies Left
By WILLIAM ]. sLATTERY

Not In years has any fight in or about
this city caused the tongues of the. gos-
sipers 10 wag as they are wagging now
about the Johnson -Ketchel affair of
last Saturday afternoon. Nine out of
every 10 men who saw the contest are
sure that there was some sort of a job
framed UP, but none of them seem to
be quite able to dope it out. Promoter
jim Coffroth, the two principals and
Willis Britt al.e highly indignant be-
cause 'of the reflections cast upon them.
They advance all sorts of theories to
back up their assertions and challenge
anybody to show any clew to a fake.
Everybody is talking about that
mysterious punch which ketchel is
supposed to have foored the heavy
weight champion with. Johnson says
he felt it, Ketchel says he landed it
and Referee Jack Welsh says he saw it.
but outside of these three there are no
affidavit men on the job. If the punch
was landed. it certainly was the fastest
and most deceptive in history.
Promoter Coffroth declares that he
paid Johnson that $4,000 side bet on
Saturday evening after the receipts of
the fight We're counted up. Britt bears
him out in this and Johnson also says
that he got his. but the general public
does not know. and, perhaps, it is none
of the general public's business. The
way the side bet was handled right be-
fore the battle gave rise to many ru-
mors which still cling to the minds of
the fans.
LARGE CROWD PRESENT
The fight drew the largest crowd in
point of numbers in theslocal history
of the game save the Jeffries- -Corbett
battle at Mechanics pavilion in 1903,"
says Coffroth. There were S,400 paid
through the gate at the Jeffries-Cor-
bett affair. Every ticket swas disposed
of and several hundred stood up in the
aisles and in the gallery
COffr0th that the fight drew
S32, 400. The fighters, according to the
articles, got so per cent of this. If the
less than $21 900, while If Ketchel loses
that $4,000 he will have only 81, 700 as
salve for his wounded pride and coun-
tenance, as his share, according to the
receipts, was $500.
Johnson was around in his racing
auto as usual Yesterday. He claims
that his jaw is still sore from the eff
feet of KetchefS mysterious punch, but
otherwise he bears no mark as a re-
suit of the conflict. He was the center
of attraction everywhere he went and
lots of joy to all those of his color
Yes, l will fight right away if I
get good match" says Johnson. II
am in this business to make money
have to keep going: would rather
fight than go on the stage, because
there is more money in it. If they
can dig up somebody to send in against
me, am ready any time, provided
that there is money enough in it.
JOHNSON is ON THE JOB
81 may fight Jack Burns in Los An
geles soon. / have a good offer from
Tom McCarey and If nothing else comes
up / probably will take it. Ketchel
has asked for another match and I
said / would give it to him. But
don't see the use of this. 1 beat him
fairly and squarely yesterday, SO what
is the use of fighting the battle over
again?
I'm the meantime, l am waiting for
Jeffries. He will be here soon, I un-
derstand. Well, let him go right ahead
and talk business with me. He will
find me ready and willing at any time.
This is the match I want, though I
do not think that Jeffries ever will
consent to it. If he ever does, he can
get all the action he is looking for
Willis Britt was rather crestfallen
and downhearted in appearance. He
says that he and his meal ticket came