The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-04
EVENTS LEADING TO
GREA TEST OF FIGHTS

/, those presented by Tex Richard an
Jack Gleason were selected. and tn
date OF the battle decided on
A long winter passed by and tn
principals finally started training i
the spring. they wasted severa
weeks wranging over referee, an
no sooner were things nicely settle
| than the thundreclap came when tn
Governor of California said that ii
would not permit the contest.
In double quick time the promoter
met and arranged to hold the tight i
Nevada, and Reno was selected 10
this history making contest
Although Jack Johnson had chaI
lenged Jeffries before the latter re
tired from the ring in 1905, the his
tory of the present contest began oil
December 26 1908, when Johnson de
feated Tommy Burns in sydney Aus
tralia, and won. the worlds champion
ship. Immediately the entire sporting
world in one voice hurled the question
viii you. fight Johnson?" at Jim Jeff.
lies, who was living a life of ease or
his farm near Los Angeles. Every one
knew that the big ex-champion was
the only man available to bring the
worlds title back into the white mans
camp, But Jeffries was as mum as a
clam He even refused to talk on the
subject That the question was caus-
ing him considerable thought. how.
ever, was known among his intimate
friends. and within couple of weeks
after the fight he announced that he
would start on a vaudeville tour OF
ten weeks. travelling from coast to
coast. Hope Immediately arose In the
hearts of the fight fans all over the
world. and when the big fighter made
his first public appearance since his
retirement, in the theatre in San Fran
cisco on January Is, 1909, he was again
greeted with that eternal question
Will YOU fight Johnson,
But Jeffries has never been given to
talking freely. He realized that he
had been out of the ring for more than
five years, and while he no doubt had
a strong desire to fight johnson and
regain the title, he first wished to see
whether he could get into condition
before making any rash promises
He left San Francisco and started
East on his tour. and in every town
that he played, he was greeted with
the same question. But the big fellow
stuck to his work. doing his boxing
stunt twice day with sam Berger,
joy for the Fans.
When he reached New York early in
April he was given a great ovation,
and on the 10th of that month he an
nounced from the stage OF the theatre
in which he. was playing that he would
meet Johnson for the heavyweight
championship of the world. The news
was flashed all over the. pugilistic
world, bringing JOY to the heart OF
every fight fan. Johnson seemed de.
lighted with the prospect, and fabu-
lous offers for the contest were heard
on all sides.
On july "a of the same year Jefrries
finished his theatrical tour in Mime
apolis, and Immediately started for
New York. where he posted his $4,000
forfeit 10 meet the big black A
week later Johnson posted similar
amount in Chicago, and for a time it
was thought that all fight negotiations
might be called off, owing to the fact
that Johnson failed to bring his money
to New York.
On August Is, Jeffries sailed for Eu.
rope with his wife. While on the other
side ne took the baths at Carlsbad.
and on his return through France he
made arrangements with jim Corbett
20 help train him for the fight
The first articles of agreement, to
fight were signed on August IL, 1909,
In Chicago, Sam Berger. Jenries's
manager. representing the excnam-
pion during the negotiations
Jefrries returned from his European
tour on October %, and although he
still possessed great deal of fat,
ne appeared In much better condition
than when he left The managers for
both fighters Immediately got busy,
and week later Johnson and Jeffries
met at the Hotel Albany in New York
and signed the final articles of agree
ment, each posting $4,000 more as a
forfeit, Promoters were informed that
bids could be submitted and it was
announced that they would be opened
month later Jeffries at the time
had made arrangements to make
short tour with troupe including
Frank Gotch, the worlds champion
first exhibition would be given in Mad.
ison Square Garden in the latter
part OF November, and that the bids
would be opened at this time. 1t was
then that the hand of the law made
its FIRST appearance in the Jeffries-
Johnson contest. Police Commissioners
Baker. of New York, notified the prin.
4F l..
clpals and their manager that no bids
could be opened lin New York, as it
was against the law of the State But
New Jersey is not very far away from
Manhattan, SO on December promot-
ers and principals, and a number OF
onlookers, journeyed across the Hud-
son 10 Meyerss Hotel, Hoboken, where
the bids We're opened
Five offers were made. most of them
containing six figures The highest
purse was named by Jimmy Coffroth
and Jack Gleason. Of San Francisco,
who offered to divide the sum of sl25,-
600 between the principals. and the
promoters to retain the moving picture
privileges They also gave the fight.
iers two alternatives.
It had been required of all the pro-
motors to furnish certified checks for
$4,000 with their bids. This require
ment was met by ALL but n cor,,htra-