The Washington times., 1909-04-20
I'LL FIGHT AGAIN"
SAYS jim JEFFRIES
Big Fellow Clears Heavy
weight Atmosphere With
Statement.
MAY HOLD GREAT
BOUT IN FRANCE
Declares He Will Challenge Win
ner Of Stanley Ketchell-J Jack
Johnson Match.

NEW YORK, April 20-Jeffries has
broken his long silence. Tonight, al
the close Of his performance a. the
American Music Hall, he will announce
to the New York public that he will
meet the winner Of the Stanley Ketch-
ell-Jack Johnson fight next October. for
the championship of the world.
Lasf ed to fury by the assertions that
he was "buneoeing the public, with no
iatentio1 of ever again fighting" made
by ssass old manager. Billy Delaney, JEFF
fs7ss took the lid off this morning.
ASe was mad clear through when he
talked and made It plain that he believes
he viii be able to get in as good shape
as he was when he cleaned up Jack
Mup~oe, the last man he entered the
ring With At bis hotel today the big
felIcQ saif:
"Snsm4aiately sfter my exhibition with
my sparring partner, Sam Berger, at
the American tonight, I will announce
to the audience that have decided
to re-enter the ring and defend my title
OF heavyweight champion of the world
against any man. II Jack Johnson is
fortunate enough TO beat Stanley Ketch-
ell next October, I will meet him be-
fore any club that will offer the most
money. I have come to the conclusion
that 1 can get back into my previous
good form. which is responsible for my
making this announcement. / will be
ready to fight again in ten months or
year, and 1 will fight just the same.
Target for "Dehs."
while Jefrries remained mute. there
Of he
reaping a golden harvest by throwing
"defs" at him and performing In pub
lie for good purses.
Now that Jeffries has announced that
he will meet johnson, and he hopes in
his heart that Johnson will win the
match with Ketcheu, some fighters
that Faya been talking the ~foudest VIII
Quit. Sam Langford is the only one
who has been honest in MS declarations.
He has repeatedly asserted that ne
wanted nothing to do with Jeffries In
the ring. while announcing that he can
defeat any of the others who have neen
posing as champions.
The big clubs are expected 10 start
bidding at once for the match. rs stat
tralian promoter. will be back here in
three weeks TO talk business on behalf
OF his Australian club. The coast clubs
are all expected 70 bid and, as result
OF A1t DORnidAAt9 "a 10y foN-tt~ - a
and the fact that finish bouts are al
lowed there. Il IS expected that there
will be a bid from the newly organized
National Club OF Paris.
Jeffries in Training.
Discussing his training today, Jeffries
said:
"SInce I left the coast and been in
du!ging in light exercise to get my wind
back, I have been surprised at the ease
with which l hive gone through the
PAGES. I have taken off twenty pounds
Of soft flesh and replaced II with some
good substantial muscle. All my old
speed and strength is coming back and
I feel so good that ] have decided that
I might as well declare myself now as
any time. But I expect to take II easy
in training until a couple Of months be-
fore the date finally fixed for my Tight
I will keep at the work that strength
ems my wind. That is what ] need most.
I still have the punch and all that goes
with IL, but I intend also to have my
wind all that can be desired so that
my friends VIII have nothing to fear"
At the close OF his theatrical engage
ments Jeffries will undertake lengthy
hunting trip. This is the big fellows
favorite method Of trai'Iing. The New
York sporting public is admittedly elat-
ed today over Jeffries' announcement
and Johnson's next move VIII be await
ed with great interest.