The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-02
Boilermaker Quits Work I'm
til Day of Fight.
JOHNSON BOXES EVERY DAY
Ex-Champion Unwilling TO Spar,
While the CoIOred Man Works
Every Minute-JefT's In and Out
Style Makes Him Look Faster Than
His COIOred Opponent.
Copyright By Nozth American Company and The
Washincfnn Herald.l
By MIKE MURPHY.

only a stride from the ring IN which they
VIII battle for a title and a fortune next
Monday, I am convinced that Johnson is
in better shape than Jeffries.
There was little to choose between them
when had my first look week ago, but
the negro has proited by working harder
since they shifted camps
Johnson has taken of weight, and is
now down 10 209 This is official. for
saw him weighed. Jeffries does not weigh
less than go, and I think 225 would be
nearer the mark.
This does not mean that Johnson is go
ing 10 win. Jeffries is such q wonderful
man that he may perhaps triumph in
spite Of some disadvantage in the matter
of condition. But that he will have to
carry that slight handicap. I have become
convinced,
Neither man has worked intelligently
since I have had a chance TO watch
them, but the negro has undoubtedly
worked harder. He likes TO box. and he
has done his share faithfully every day.
Jeffries is unwilling 10 box. and has not
done any real work OF this kind on
moro than two occasions since have
been here.
Even on these occasions he did not
force himself half as hard as the negro.
nor has he had the kind OF partners 10
carry him along at the same kind Of
a clip.
Same Programme Each Day.
Again and again his programme has
IN the morning he goes fishing; after din
her he sits around playing cards till
supper time. He goes to bed early and
gets up early. but starts right on an
other fishing trip.
AS I said yesterday, these trips are
on the level. He brings the fish back
with him and none of his trainers and
helpers go along.
Jeffries really does not work. He ex-
ercises. This is unfortunate. for big
man that he is, he takes on weight
quickly
The greatest misfortune Of it all IS
that no one has the backbone TO tell
the boilerma1er Just how vaiueless are
the finishing touches he is putting on
his work.
Nothing in the world equals good.
hard running for taking of fat. Instead
OF running. Jeffries has depended largely
on rubbing. This is lazy way 70 take
off fat and is not at all efficacious.
There IS n mountain near. Suppose
Jefries does not want to box. If he
would put in half an hour day running
up the side OF it. he would get more
exercise and benefit than in all the work
on level roads
It is not pleasant 10 have to write this
way about Jenries, for I am Just as
anxious as any one 10 see him win, and
am still not prepared TO admit that he
is in danger OF defeat. But II seems
shame, when by Keeping up his hard
work 10 the bitter finish he could have
made the victory sure. No matter what
my own feelings. I was sent here to get
the facts. and must write what I see.
I think that Jeffries. like many another
athlete who has had a long hard siege
to get into shape. felt so good when he
came here that he thought il all right TO
let I'D a little in his work. confident that
he was right and good enough to win.
He still looks superb, and has every
confidence; but I think 1t would have
been better to have kept up the grind
tOp-notch until the last day.
Negro Working Hard.
Johnson works as though he had not
time 10 do all he wanted. There is no
doubt about the negro being dead in
earnest now. The work really seems
20 get faster every day. Kaufman goes
at Johnson as though he had a plan
10 cop all the glory that would come
from knocking out the negro. Johnson
IS getting plenty Of practice in warding
or punishment and the fast going in
the actual bout viii not seem dazing 10
him after the preparation he has had.
But Kaufman cannot do any damage.
for It IS a hard matter to get inside
those arms of Johnson's. They seem
TO be everywhere, always just on time.
yet with such a simple motion as to ap-
pear slow Nothing is more deceiving
than the motion of the big fighter; moth
ing wasted, yet always on the spot.
Jeffries VIII use up more vitality in
this fight than the negro. for he works
harder IN his natural method OF boxing
His style puts a much greater strain on
him than the negro's.
That Is why I wish JEFF had punished
himself a little harder in getting ready.
Johnson has studied out every device
for labor-saving IN the ring. He does not
worry himself by moving his hands
needlessly. He saves himself whenever
he can.
JEFF Looks Faster Than Johnson,
Jeff's in-and-out style. feinting all the
time. makes him look faster than the
negro. and faster he undoubtedly is. In
a six-round fight this style could not be
surpassed. but viii it not be firing when
It comes to the long stretch? This oues-
ton is being asked by many of those
who study the scientific aspect OF the
boxing game, and who know that hus-
banding the vitality in long fight means
almost as much as inhicting severe pun
ishment
All the things being equal the man
who makes the least movements will be
able TO maintain his strength the longest.
Jeffries Is rather awkward, and looks
the more so because he erouehes quite a
little with his left arm well out in front.
his head hidden as much as possible be-
hind his left shoulder and right arm.
This is a very good defensive position
until he starts to bore IN. but when he
but that IS because he has such a tremen-
opens up his arms and gets himself into
an easy position for man like johnson
TO slam him. That is why 1 think that
in the early part OF the battle at least
Jefrrtes will have 10 submit to quite a
little punishment
johnson. with his feet fiat on the floor
Goes not hop around at all. His left arm
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