The San Francisco call., 1909-01-15
FIGHT FANS AWAIT
THE ARRIVAL OF
JEFFRIES
Big Fellow Promises to Be the
Center of Attraction
Next Week
By William J. SIaftery

Dy " AAAf0AA 0A8L~SAV y
The most talked of man in pugdom
today, James ]. Jeffries, is due Saturday
morning from Los Angeles to prepare
to open his sparring engagement at the
Wigwam theater Sunday afternoon
Though JEFF is coming on an extremely
tame and nearly featureless mission
his presence in the city will cause more
comment among the followers Of the
boxing game thar any other event
which the sport has known In month";
jeff will be the whole attraction and
the betting as to whether or not he
will ever fight Johnson promises TO
grow more lively as the days are reeled
off.
The reports of the retired champions
activity which have preceded him from
the southland have caused the entire
boxing colony of the nation to awaken
Everybody is anxious to see the big
fellow, to determine for themselves
whether or not he will loom as he did
of old. VIII he ever get in fit condi-
tion to face the new champion? This
is the question that they are all ask
ing.
Local sports have planned a great
reception for jeff when he opens at the
Wigwam. The entire delegation, head
ed by Jim Coffroth. Tom Corbett, Colo
mel Brady and a host of others. win
be there in the front row, ready with
the glad hand of welcome as the hu-
If 1T does nothing else 1t should re-
mind jeff of the good old days when
he did not say mo" no matter who
stepped forward.
While big James was uniting in his
best licks In the south, making ready
for his return to the footHghts, his
overlooked no tricks. Sam was out ana
al the grind every morning for week
at a local gymnasium with the result
that he succeeded in taking off several
unnecessary pounds, and improved his
footwork.
What a time JEFF is going to have
answering the questions of all comers!
he will have to put up a bold front
and talk Johnson TO them until he will
feel like smoke himself 1t will
not be at all surprising If he switches
will meet Johnson, Just TO develop
something new. Anyhow, he Will have
his massive hands full.
Coffroth will be one of the most
eager spectators in the house when
jeff makes his bow. Should the ex-
master of them all suddenly decide to
change his mind and do more fighting
1t will be of greater Importance to
Cohroth than anybody else, for il one
man figures to stage the match in this
city he is looked upon as the very man.
man.
Berger should prove very apt
sparring mate for Jeffries. A big clever
young fellow, with plenty Of speed and
a good knowledge of the game, he has
and Jen along, provided that he does
not try to sneak one over on big Jtm.s
jaw, and nobody believes that Sam is
thinking OF any such trick.
Joe Woodman, Sam Langford's man
ager. has not heard anything further
from the National sporting club Of
London regarding the proposed John
son-Langford match next May. Wood
man wired the British promoters yes
terday, asking for further information
and terms regarding training and tray-
cling expenses and until he gets a reply
there will be nothing stirring.
Il am in no hurry to leave San Fran
CISCO" said Woodman last night II
came here with the intention of re-
naming all winter and unless 1 get
very alluring offer l would prefer to
wait for a match for Sam in this city.
May is long way on. and IL left TO
my own resources 1 will be able to get
Sam several goes by that time
Ollie Cornet, the coming young mid
die weight, is anxious to get on with
Terry Mustain before Lercaris club on
the night of the Murphy-Powen battle.
His manager. Steve Douglas, has put up
expects favorable reply. Cornet.
though little more than a novice, has
shown a lot of class in his few trials.
He is a willing fighter and terrific
puncher, and if given the opportunity
should develop fast
This is a good attraction for Lercari.
He will have to put on a couple OF
additional goes to help the main event
out a bit. and as the fans here like
TO see big fellows who are ready to
mix it, the promoter should do all he
can TO give them plenty of action, even
if the class is lacking.
All the local followers OF the game
seem willing to bet their shoes on
land, whom he meets in a 10 round mill
before Tom McCarey's Pacific club in
Los Angeles this evening. The betting
here is something like 10 to on the
stockyards champion, but as there is
no Hyland money in sight the boys
have done little good for themselves.