Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-06-17
A PuolLisTic ouTcAsT.
Jeffries johnson Fight Has No Present
Scene Of Hostilities.

San Francisco, June l6-TO all in
tents and purposes the Jeffries-J johnson
championship fight tonight is pugilis-
tic outcast as far as California is con-
cerned. 1t is a perfectly good fight
except that it has no scene of hostili-
ties.
The fighters are ready and are train
ing faithfully; there is no doubt about
the purse, for nearly half the money
has been deposited in the banks and
the match has been more widely adver-
Used and has attracted greater interest
than any other contest in recent rlne
history yet it is incomplete IN one es-
sential detail for nobody knows where
it is going to be fought. That 1t VII
not be held in San Francisco or else
where in California, is generally ad-
mitted, conclusion in which sporting
circles grudgingly concur. Tex Rick
ard, promoter of the bout, is SO certain
of this. that he has declared his inten-
ton of suing Governor Gillett and At
torney General Webb for alleged dam
ages sustained because of intervention
While TO legal steps have been taken
as vet against any of those concerned
Promoter Blot Of the LangfOrd and
Kaufman fight slated for Saturday
next is in no better case. He has the
published assurances of the attorney
general that that official will file appli-
cation for an injunction against the
match tomorrow. Blot declares he can
not sec how his 20-round go can be pre-
vented and says he will hold it as
scheduled, but his tone lacked con-
victlon when he said it.
AS to the big fight Attorney General
Webb said today that he would not
bother with an application for a tenn
porary restraining order, but would
ask for a permanent injunction. He
expects to nave his application OH file
within a few days. Richard does not
intend to contest. He said today he
would Immediately transfer the match
to some other state, if the court ruled
against him. He does not look with
favor upon a long legal contest.
Gov. Gillett, whose letters yesterday
to the attorney general created the
created stir sportdom has known since
Jim Corbett defeated John l.. Sullivan,
arrived from Sacramento today. He
was positive in defining his position.
The fight could be stopped and would
be stopped, he declared. He seemed
Indifferent to the opposition aroused
and said so.
The only real action of the day in
the big fight situation was a discon-
certing one for fight followers. Work
was stopped on the construction OF the
arena. The men were not actually
laid off until today. Richard had little
to say today. He is awaiting develop
ments. If his predictions hold good he
will be able to say what town gets the
fight by tomorrow noon. The pro-
motors office has been flooded all day
with proposals to stage his big show.
Reno, Tacoma, JuareZ. Mex. and sew
eral other places have been suggested,
and offers of all kinds came during the
day. Richard said he and Gleason had
not discussed a site for the fight. if
not held here, but it seems very prob
able that the Battle of the century"
will take place in Nevada. The state
laws there are emphatic in permitting
prize fights and the promoters know
it will be impossible to draw a big
crowd unless all fear of interference is
removed.
The situation tonight is just about
where it was last night. Nobody
knows. Everybody is guessing. Rick
ard is the only man who has any real
nkling of what is going to happen and
he won't say definitely what his plans