The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-04
FIGHTERS READY no MEET

FIGHTERS READY TO MEET.
Jeffries, who was a retired heavy
weight champion. finding none that could
beat him, is thirty-five years old. John
son. who became active champion OF
the heavyweight class by beating
Tommy Burns in Australia on Christmas
Day. 1905, is thirty-one years old. JEFF
fries has trained for to-morrOw's event
sixteen months. having 10 overcome all
OF the physical disabilities entailed by
his long retirement. johnson has trained
seriously only about three months. He
was an athlete in training when articles
Of the fight were signed.
Both men say they are ready for to-
moErow's contest Both OF them stopped
the routine OF hard WORK in their camps
near Reno three days ago. To-day John
son did nothing but timber bis fighting
muscles with light exercise at the
weights. Jeffries went out on the Car
son City turnpike in the cool Of the
evening and did several short. sharp
sprints. That was the end. Tomorrow
they will scome into Reno about noon.
ready 10 fight The arena wherein the
contest will be held, which will seat
1900 persons. IL there are that many
wanting seats-was finished late to-
night
Assurance of Fairness.
The last word as to the genuineness
OF to-morrow's battle was spoken to-day
when Promoter Ricksrd~and Gov. Dick
erson both renewed their former pledges
that the fight was to be on the square.
For the thousands at Reno these as
suranees were hardly necessary, because
with every mile separating the Eastern
cities from Reno the sports have left
more and more behind them the suspic-
ions that are harbored there.
Nobody in Reno has breathed a word
about there being a frame-up since the
fighters moved their camps here two
weeks ago. nor has any of the experts
who have come long distances and have
watched both fighters rounding of their
training. voiced even a whisper of doubt
about the genuineness Of the encounter.
Here is what the governor of Nevada
said over the long distance telephone
from Carson to-day:
''May the Best Man VIM
''The laws of the State of Nevada per-
nit of boxing contests such as the JEFF
fries-JohnsOn affair. I have absolutely
no power to interfere with this one but
if I thought for a moment that the con-
test was 70 be a so-called frame-up I
would have it called OF without further
notice. However, firmly believe that II
will be open and above board and, Incl
dentally, the greatest battle in the his
tory of the ring. l hope to be there TO
witness it and enjoy IT, I wish Pro-
moters Rickard and Gleason and the
fighters all the luck in the world. 1 am
not arguing in favor OF nights now, but
I believe that so long as the battle has
come to Nevada it is the duty of each
one CT the citizens of the State TO do
what he can 10 encourage it. May the
best man win"
Tex Richards valedlctory he worded
thus:
Il want to assure my friends that
there Is no possible chance of me side
stepping the issue on the Fourth. II
has been said that I asked for the ap-
pointment Of a secondary referee, so that
I might step down and out at the crit
ical moment and allow the appointee to
finish the work for me- There is no
possible chance of that happenins
Charley White has been appointed as the
auxiliary official who Is 70 step into the
ring in case these big fellows hand me
a package and put me out OF business
] have no reason TO fear that either of
them viii do that but in the event of
an accident coming that might ineapaci-
tate me It Is we'll 10 have the protection
Of knowing that the battle must 20 TO a
successful conclusion. 1 think that It Will
be the worlds greatest battle, and
want TO assure everybody now that II
Is absolutely on the level"
City Hot and Crowded.
To-day Reno is gasping with suffoea-
ton. and the very switch engines that
pant back and forth In the jammed rail-
road yards. trying to shoulder the scores
OF heavy Pulimans back into solid lines
on the spurs, vent hectic barks OF over
strained nerves. Because the avalanche
has commenced. 1t Is as If the whole
s14-so to Saratoga Springs, n. ",
and Return.
Baltimore & Ohio, July TO & valid for
return until July Il and may be ex-