Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-07-04

p HE all absorbing topic IN the
sporting world just now IS the
approaching forty-five round
battle between Jack Johnson
and jim Jefries. AS was 70 be eX-
pected. Jefries is the favorite in the
betting az odds Of 10 70 7. but this In
reality is more a question OF sentiment
than cool. unbiased Judgment Men
who make close study OF prizefights
and their form are not so prone TO risk
their dollars on the white man who
has been out OF the game as long 8
Jeff. Then, too. they realize that in
johnson he win face a strong. husky,
clever and hard hitting man.
While the forthcoming fight lie in
many respects the most important ring
battle that has ever been held In this
country, no fight OF Importance has
drawn forth so much unfavorable
criticism. From one angle II looks far
more like a battle for dollars than a
fight for n title. The spirit of COM
mercialism so pervades the whole
scheme that many OF the more sus-
picious have cried "F'ake!" and go so
far as 70 say that II will be a picture
This talk is nearly all rubbish. There
is no such thing as fake" attached 70
the big mill. nor will Il be a fight solely
for the pictures The battle win be
fought on its merits. and the best man
will win. About tho commercial side
OF the big mill-who can blame the
mon for trying TO get all they can out
OF the scrap7 Perhaps never again
WIN such a large purse be offered for
a pugilistic battle. Five years ago
were one TO suggest that any two pu-
gilists would be fighting for a purse
of s101, 600 they would be informed
that an insanity expert was needed.
Not alone is the purse the highest ever
put up for a fight. but IL is expected
that the gate receipts win be a record
breaker, and II is also figured that over
a million dollars viii be bet on the
mill
Best Men Of Their Races.
The night promises 10 be one OF tho
greatest. II not the greatest, in the his
tory Of the prize ring. johnson and
Jeffries represent the best fighters OF
their races, and the result viii depend
on the matter Of condition. II Jeffries
could enter the ring with the strength
and skill that characterized his fighting
before he retired he would lower John
sons colors beyond any doubt But
the wheels OF nature were not made TO
turn backward. and the man who
breaks the laws OF nature must pay the
penalty
Jeffries has been in training for
many months, and his handlers say he
In the Jeffries Of old. ready to put M
the greatest battle OF his career
While the big fellow may appear {,
be IN great physical condition. VIII,
can tell whether he can put up tn,
greatest battle OF his career? Th,
contest alone win answer that N,
doubt JEFF has trained faithfully ant
worked very hard TO attain his pres.
ent good form. but when he battles
with Johnson that vitality which Il
absolutely necessary for any kind o.
an athletic contest may be missing II
other words. In my opinion II has
been impossible for Jeffries 70 bring
himself to the shape he was In wher
he gathered IN his laurels.
Does any one realize what coming
back means2 II Is like trying 10 re.
gain past years. The prize ring ha,
yet 70 see the first man come back
When Corbett beat John l.. at New Or
leans Sullivan was trying to CONS
back Corbett led a merry life be-
tween this time and his meeting with
Fitz in Carson City. He also tried e
come back" and ring history tells
you that he lost his title. Is Jeff diff.
ferent from other men? Hardly. II
makes no difference whether one lead,
the swift. merry pace or takes life easy