The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-08-27
new Y0RK'S WEEKLY
LETTER ON FIGHTERS
"How Old is Ann?" and why is a
Mouse Easy Ones in Compari
son to Questions of the Mod
ern Ring.


though the question, who is the pres
ent champion. Jeffries or Johnson is
going to be asked as often as those
three other interrogatiOns that have
become threadbare by continual use:
WAS John L. Sullivan champion of
the world" rs Tommy Ryan a He
brew" and What constitutes
Knockout" Numerous Wagers are go
ing to be laid on the first proposition.
In fact. the fans have started to bet on
it already. Here goes for the four OF
them: Sullivan was pot champion of
knockout means to be incapacitated
from continuing for ten seconds from
any cause and not necessarily being
rendered unconscious. and Johnson is
the present champion with Jeffries por-
traying the role of challenger. Neither
of the four interrogations can ever be
answered to the entire satisfaction OF
everybody. but the answers as outlined
above seem to be the consensus of
opinion of many of the closer students
of the boxing game and are worth a
wager under almost any conditions.
When Jeffries retired the day of the
Hart-ROot contest at Reno, NeV., July
8, 1905, he relinquished his title to the
winner of that bout. Hart won. he
was defeated by Burns and the latter
lost it to Johnson. the present holder.
Even though Jeffries may have since
repudiated the announcement he made
at Reno. it cannot alter the facts in
the case. 1t was incumbent upon him
to do one of two things. the same as
it is upon the champions of any class
either fight within a reasonable time
or retire. Taking him at his word he
choose the. latter course. During the
four years following his public aband-
onment of the title he reiterated it
times without number by stating. when
sked if he intended to fight again. I'm
through All | want is to DC lct-aloNc.
or words meaning the same y few
months ago he is reported to have said:
Il didn't give the title away When |
retired | took the title with me-.
Such line of conduct would be il
logic al impossible and contrary to
FL, oh r,iO hi n
title is the personal property OF no
mana chattel that he may acquire,
own hold and take into retirement
with him. 1t merely is the distinctive
appellation by which the best in his
class, a claim based on an acknOWl
edged or perhaps an alleged right 1t is
supposed to be won by conquest but
sometimes is acquired by default. for
fixture or bestOwal. 1t is his to use.
enjoy and profit by only so long as he
sees fit or is capable of defending il
against qualified or eligible challengers.
That is the technical side of it.
However, when Jeffries retired he
did not forfeit his right to endeavor -
rewin the championship any time he
cared to. Having once held it and hav-
ing retired unbeaten. he naturally has
the call and his challenge must be ac
cepted by Johnson. His recent state
ment that he will re-enter the ring
will do much to cloud Johnson's tenure
of the title and will create doubt in
the minds of many sportsmen as to
tie latters right to it's possession.
There just one way to settle If clearly
to the satisfaction of all and that is
for Jeffries and Johnson to meet In the
ring. Then the question will answer
itself. Should Johnson win he will be
the undisputed champion. If Jeffries is
there can be no disputing
his right to the title. If by any chance
effries fails TO meet johnson. the lat
ter remains champion and it will be
necessary to defeat him before he can
be deprived of his title except in the