Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-07-05


the world.
James j. JeffrieS of California; win
ner of % championship fights, the man
who never was brought to his knees
before by blow, passed tonight into
history us broken idol He met ut
ter defeat at the hands of the black
champion.
While Jcffries was not actually
counted out, he was saved from this
crowniag shame only ~ his friends
pleading with Johnson not to hit the
fallen man again. and the towel was
brought into the ring from his corner
At the end Of the 18th round Referee
Tex RiCkar1 raised the Negroes arm
1nG the great crowd filed out sum
and silent.
Jeffries was dragged to his corner.
bleeding from his nose and mouth
and dozen cuts on his face He had
a black. closed eye and swollen fea-
lures and he held his head in his hands
dazcd and inoohorent
Johnson walked out of the ring with
out a mark on his BODY except a slight
cut on his lip. which was the opening
Of wound received in training
Ring experts agree that it was not
even a championship fight. Jeffries
had q cnancc in the second round
PERHAPS. hut after the sixth it was
plan that he vas weakening and was
oItclosard At every point. and after
the 18th round il was hopeless.
It was the greatest demonstration
tht ring has ever seen Of the failure
81 {; fighter 10 come hack after
Year OF retirement. The youth and
science Of tic black man made Jeffries
loo, ike a novice. The great Jeffres
was ike ~ log, The revilod Johnson
WaS like a black panther. beautiful in
his a'ertness and defensive tactics.
Jeffrics fought ny instinct it seemed.
showing his pluck IN every round. but
he was only shell Of his old self.
The old capacity to take n terr;bl"
heating and Lore in until h landed
the knockout blow was gone.
After tie third round Johnson treat
cd MS OPT onent almost as joke. He
smiled and blocked playfuily. wardng
off the bear-like rushes Of Jetfries with
marvellous skill.
Gut of the sea Of opinions and argu-
merits that surrounded this fight and
made it the talk of the world. these
facts stand out.
The fight was "on the square" OF
this there is no doubt
There was no evidence of the ia
nous yellow streak in Johnson.
johnson proved himself so absolute
ly Jeffries' master that experts such
rs w. Corbett. the Australian sporting
writer and ring expert, saws that Tom
my Burns put mp better fight against
johnson and the black man was only
playing with his opponent
The end was swift and decisive. 1t
looked IS though Johnson had been
holding himself under cover all the
resi- Of the time and now that he ta
measured Jetiries in all his weakness
he had determined to end the bout at
once.
Jeffries had lost the power of de-
fence. A series Of right and left up
percutS delivered at will sent him
staggering to the ropes. He turned and
fought back by instinct and because
he was dying hard.
With the exception OF a few rounds,
tn" fight was tame. Jeffries did not
have the power to hurt Johnson after
he had received blow after blow on
The Jaw and his strength was ebbing.
But even before this stage. Jcffries
rond not reach the black The blows
neariy always landed, minus nearly all
their sreed. tt was like hitting
punching bag.
JeffrieS crouched at times hut dur
ing the fight he fought standing up
right most of the time and working
with something Of his old aggressive
. ,x,:xl
clnch after .Ieffries had failed to land
on the body
Johnson cut loose and before the
spectators We're prepared for the fin
ish he hal sent Jeffries down with
lightnng-li like left and right blows on
the jaw Jeffries slipped and fell hall
way through the ropes on the west
side Of the ring. Those under him saw
that he had lost his sense Of surround
ings and that the faces at the ring
side We're blur to him. His time had
come, He was feeling what lie had
caused others to fee! in the days of his
youth and power.
johnson came over to the spot and
stood poised over his adversary. ready
for left hook If Jeffries regained his
feet
Jim Corbett. who stood in JeffrieS
corner all during the fight, telling
Johnson what fool he was and how
he was in for the beating of his life.
now ran forward with outstretched
arms. crying. "Oh, don't Jack. don't
hit him.
Jeffries painfully raised himself to
his feet. His jaw had dropped. His eyes
were nearly shut and his face was
covered with blood. With trembling