The Washington herald., 1909-04-21
JEFFRIES WILL FIGHT
Former Champion Wants q
Year to Train.
ALL DEPENDS UPON KETCEELL
Californian Makes His Declaration
from Stage of Theater I'm New
Tork-LOOks in Better Physical
Trim Than at Any Time Since
He Retired from the Ring

New York. April 2o-James J. Jeffries
made the long expected announcement
tonight that ne mad decided 10 reclaim
his title Of heavyweight champion Of the
world, and that he would return 10 the
ring prepared 10 defend the title against
all comers. Jack Johnson preferred
But Jeffries made It clear that he would
not be ready to fight johnson or anybody
else fer at least ten months or possibly
one year.
JEFF stated 10 a crowded house in the
American Theater that he would fight
Johnson before the club Offering the
largest purse. II. OF course. the negro
succeeds In whipping Stanley Ketchell
with whom johnson is matched to box
twenty rounds at COlma. Cal. on oc-
tober u
Ready to Sign.
JeIries explained that ne was ready TO
sign articles for mill with Johnson
whenever the latter WAS ready. but that
in the event Of JohHson's defeat at the
hands OF Ketcheu everything would be
declared of While Jeffries intlmated
that he would consent 20 meet KetcheH
II the latter defeated johnson. his friends
said that the big fellow. under those cir
cumstances. would retire permanently
and allow KetcheI 10 defend the title.
II KetcheH. however. after beating
Johnson should have his colors lowered
by sam Langford. the Boston negro. who
has been sidestepped already By KetcheIL
as well as by johnson and kaufman.
there would doubtless be another popular
demand for JEFF 10 fight. but those who
think they know declared to-day that
the boilermake- would never consent 10
take on LangfOrd because Of the latter's
size and weight
Announcement a Surprise
Jef-s sudden change OF base has come
Unexpectedly It was only two weeks
ago that johnson posted a $3.50 forfeit
and notified JEFF that he could have six
days 20 cover the money binding a match
20 be decided At any time or place the
/ big Californian might select
Jeffries. however. not only refused 10
cover the negrOs forfeit. but also re-
( Trained from even discussing the matter.
Jeffries certainly looks in better ply
I
I since he retired from the ring i've years
/ ago. de has been training lightly for
six weeks.
According 10 his plans Jeffries viii go
/ TO California after MS theatrical engage
ments. and next fall he VIII spend sew
eral weeks hunting in the mountains.
I Then. II Johnson has beaten ketchel. the
I boiIermaker win begin a systematic
course Of training.
Red Tape Involved
+ In that way JEFF says that he VII be
az his best when ne enters the ring. and
I Il he speaks by the card. and johnson Is
/ his opponent, il is freely predicted thar
the latter viii be defeated inside Of q
dozen rounds
But the fact that a meeting IL the ring
cannot be arranged for perhaps a year.
/ with several important conditions hedg-
/ ing il in. has created the impression that
even - making OF a match between
1 Jeffries and johnson at the present time
does not necessarily mean that there Will
/ be a fight.
There's one thing certain. h owever.
Jeffries has been forced 70 declare him
self. and it is now Up 10 johnson to come
! 10 the scratch.