The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-03-23
JOHNSON FEARS
JEFF CAM TRAIN
Black Offers To Bet $1,000 That the
Boilermaker Cannot Get
in Condition.

John Arthur Johnson, champion. ia
not worrying over any thought that he
may lose his crown IA a aoming com
bat with James j. Jeffries Nor Is
John Arthur worrying much over the
outcome of trial he must face 81
New York this week on charge OF
beating up one Norman Pinder.
But there Is some trouble on the
mind OF the black champion and he
let II out of MS system yesterday
when he again. and wiki some EN-
phasis, repeated his offer 10 bet 81 1000
anu POSSIBLY more. that James J Jei.
ifies does not appear in the ring vita
aim on July next.
ana IL WAS In no spirit OF bragga-
doclo that Johnson offered 10 lay
against the chance OF a meeting. He
was simply explaining his own feel
inss IN the matter and these same feel
inss are shared by a multitude OF tight
ians who are afraid there will be no
championship battle between the bolt
er-maker and the black.
Il do not wish 10 offer any reflection
on Mr. Jeffries when | say | believe
ne VIII never meet me. explained
Jack. IL would sound foolish for me
70 say that have any idea that he 5
afraid. We all know that he has
becn great fighter But ne is not the
Jefries that once fought so we'll |
nave heard from men who have known
MN Well and who have been close
TO him for several months. | have
not heard single sincere person
quoted as saying that Jeffrles was
back in condition.
Il am sincere when | declare that
| do not believe he ever can get in 10
condition 10 put up a hard battle. and
EeIleVe even my worst enemies Will
DO me the Justice 10 expect me TO put
UP a good, hard fight with any man
that may meet.
I am ready 10 concede that NJ
Jefries was thoroughly in earnest and
had every intention OF 1ghting when
ne signed articles in New York. He
was Just back from good rest In
Europe and no doubt felt tEat he could
come back 10 something Ike his old
form. / now believe he begins to real
ize more md more every day that he
Is no longer man 1T 10 engage In a
championship contest Long before
July ! believe the announcement will
come from his camp that he cannot
20 through with his part Of the con
tract and do justice to his friends He
knows that possibly hundreds OF thou-
sands of dollars Will be wagered ~
his friends If he goes into the ring
with me. and h. will declare all Ell.
gagements off before he will throw
these friends down by going into the
ring in no condition 10 give his back
ers an honest run for their money"
Richard and Gleason need not re
losers to any great extent II Jeffries
fails to keep his engagement. accord
ing TO a suggestion made by Johnson
There Is still a good contest n
sight for the championship" said
Jack. There is certain to be a de-
mand that | meet san ->angford He
lis given credit for being one OF the
hardest hitters in the world and for
being good and clever fighter
Whether | ever meet JefIries and
whether | win or lose there Is still
good match 10 be made between
Laugford and myself II there Is nc
championship bout between JefTries
and me on July then | will meet
Sam LanEford and it ought 10 be a
better fight than the other.