The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-12-17
LIKES JoHNsoN's CHANCES.
Vaudeville Gag Will Not Help Jeffries,
Saws Tim M'Grath,

San Francisco, Dec. 11.-Tim Nc
Grath, one of the best known handlers
and trainers of pugilists in this coun-
try seems to think that Jeffres is
taking desperate chances with Jack
Johnson. McGrath has seconded and
supervised the condition of such noted
pugilists as Ike Weir, Frank Murphy,
Billy Murphy, Solly Smith, Dial Haw
kins, Spider Kelly, Mysterious Billy
Smith, Young Mitchell, Danny Need
ham, Kid Lavigne, George Dawson,
Tom Tracey, Dan Creedon, Young
Critic, George Dixon, Joe Walcott,
Battling Nelson, Tom Sharkey and
Johnson. When he consents to discuss
pugilism therefore, McGrath is able
to speak by card.
Jeff is taking pretty big chance
when he agrees to enter the ring with
this big negro, after a life of idleness
for nearly five years." said McGrath
the other day.
"You hear a lot Of fans saying that
Jeff is only three years older than
Johnson and that the negro has been
hitting the high places bit himself.
That may be true, but Johnson has
been fighting right along. Mind you,
he beat good man last month, for
Ketchel was highly regarded as
fighter until the black put him away.
1--WE know that Johnson can fight
right now but we don't know whether
jeff can or not. It's like the fellow
who drank twenty mugs of beer on
a wager. He tried it first. I think
! 1t would be a good idea, therefore, If
jeff tried a few second rate fighters
first.
81 don't like the way Jim has been
vaudeville stage. If Jeff had hung
gun over his shoulder and had gone
off into the California mountains hunt
ing when the public first asked him to
return to the ring, I'd have had more
confidence in him. Instead, he tao
killed. this vaudeville game for the
money there was in it.
"But there's money in it for Jeffries
| II he whips Johnson, for he'll never
die pauper as long as white men live.
He had better forget about the foot
lights right away quick and get back
to the simple life. No man can train
on vaudeville diet.
give bucked that game myself and
| know. How can man train when
he's facing the footlights all the time,
breathing the foul air of the crowded
theaters, sleeping in strange beds, eat
ing badly cooked food and catching
trains at all hours of the night?
Jeff needn't think that he can blow
this negro over. He's got to have the
good old punch, that keen eye and that
old speed. Johnson isn't afraid of
him, so get that out of your head. The
colored man is the best front runner
in the world.
Tf Johnson has the least bit of
confidence he's going to fight like a
wild man, know. I've handled him
and I'm qualified to talk. He will
not have faint heart when he gets
into the ring, because he is convinced
that the humble bee has lost lot OF
his sting,
"This fellow Berger makes me
weary with his vaudeville game. What
does coin amount to in crisis like
this? Berger doesn't care for senti
ment at all. He's trying to grab of
all he can for JEFF and himself, and
then let the big fellow beat himself
Just as old John L. Sullivan did when
Corbett beat him.
Sullivan Just ran himself to death
and Corbett didn't have to hit him
hard to score a knockout. johnson
is Just as clever as Corbett and he's
much better fighter. Take 1t from
me that Jeff will have his hands full
when the battle begins.
HAD Jeffries and Johnson beer
, matched four years ago the sporting
public would not have regarded the
: fight seriously. Johnson would no
; have been looped upon as formidable
! antagonist and comparatively small