The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-01-19
POOR CONDITION
MAY DEFEAT JEFF
Chances to DethrOne Johnson
Depend on Physical Shape.
FANS ARE ON ANXIOUS SEAT.
Await Favorable Reports on Big Cali
fornian's Training Before Betting on
Him-BattIe Will Surely Be History
Maker With Big Fellows In Shape.

Maker With Big Fellows In Shape.
Pugiiistic fans throughout the coun-
try will be more than pleased when
Jim Jeffries settles down to the hard
training work he has promised to do
in preparation for his fight with Jack
Johnson for the worlds heavyweight
title July next
In the minds of Il great many of
those who follow the game of fisti-
cuffs closely the big Californian will
have more than hard task to fit him.
self for a strenuous battle despite the
fact that he declares he will be able
to do so. There are many reasons why
the fans are on the anxious seat at
the present time and are fearful Of
the result of the conflict on Independ-
ence day. The most important of
these are the reports which have been
coming day after day from the cities
where jeff was performing his theat-
rical contracts. These reports have had
him suffering from various ailments,
principally colds and lumbago, and no
effort seems to have been made to
cover up the fact that Jeff is in bad
physical condition.
Jeffries as well as anybody else
knows the strenuous training program
ahead of him. and he also knows that
he must be in good condition if he is
to knock that black man, Jack john
son, off the throne he now occupies.
That is Jeff's ambition. and ii is the
ambition of the majority of fight fans
to see him turn the trick.
But there is no gainsaying the fact
that the reports of Jeff's poor condi-
ton for the last couple of weeks have
served to arouse more doubt than be-
fore existed in the public's mind as
to his ability to lick the negro. 1t is
true that the Californian has been
training while on the road in an effort
to get into better condition. but it is
doubtful if the benefit he has gained
through such activity has offset the
ailments which he has incurred by
jumping from city to city for his the
atrical contracts.
AS a financial proposition this the
atrical work is certainly reaping
harvest of golden shekels for the man
who is to face the negro. but those
who want to see Jeff defeat Johnson
are not looking at the thing from
financial viewpoint. They want to see
him in condition that will merit their
condolences; then they will be satisfied
to bet their money on him.
With this confidence lacking it would
not be hard thing for even those who
admire JetfrieS to switch their allie
glance to the negro, and there are
great many who doubtless would not
allow their admiration to stand in the
way of their better Judgment when
it comes to the real fight .Jeff's sue
cess as a drawing card as an actor is
not questioned. but If he is not in the
condition of his life' next July it
will not be hard for those to remem-
Der what is written in the past.
AS Il factor in making the fight itself
Tue SuCceSS III SllOulu Dc. uuduCldi duu
otherwise. after the colossal purse that
has been offered by Tex Richard and
John Gleason. the condition of the big
card will cut great figure. With
Jeff really tit it will be IL fight that
will carry thousands of people to the
ringside If he is not in the condition
he should be i'm these same people
might change their minds about at
tending it, And there is where the
promoters would receive jolt
1t has been said before than cOndi-
ton more than anything else will de-
eide whether there is to be new
white worlds champion or whether a
black is to remain the ruling power.
This means Jeff's condition. for it can
be depended on that Jack Johnson will
be ready and fit when the first gong
starts what is expected to be the great
est battle in modern ring history.
When it is said that this contest will
find such prominent place in the rec
ord of fistic encounters the fact is not
overlooked that it might not do so
if James ]. Jeffries is not in fit con-
~lan