Bisbee daily review., 1910-05-24
CANS DOUBTS IF
JEFF CAN MAKE
OLD-TIME FORM
Light Weight Fighter in Phoe-
nix Battling with Death
Advices Against Betting on
Either Big Pugiiist


Phoenix May 23.-Since the arrival
in this city a few days ago, Joe Cans
the crack little lightweight fighter
has been made several offers by Ioca
theatre managers 10 appear at thei
houses and give q short talk on var
ious subjects OF interest 10 fight fans
aud more particularly the pendin
.Ieffries-Johnson battle.
Cans has been forced to decline
these offers owing to the fact tia
during his illness he almost com
pletely lost his voice and IS Just now
recovering IL.
Cans as mentioned before is a
courteous, intelligent chap and dis
cusses all questions with animation
with the many visitors at his house
When asked yesterday afternoon
what he thought of the Jeffries-John-
son affair. the ex-champion said:
Il think I can make my position
plain by simply stating that ] would
not bet one penny OF my own money
on the fight. Jeffries was without
a doubt a wonderful fighter. and in
the days when he was actively in the
game would nave bet 10 to l on
him to whip Johnson. However, II
is q hard matter for a man to re
main out OF the ring for five or six
years as Jeffries did and then gei
back in shape 70 fight within two Oh
three months.
! In making this statement I am no
talking at random. but am speaking
| from personal experience. II hav
tried it and know what il is. ] don't
4 think Jeffries is near the man tha
he was. and for that reason 1 would
not bet any money on him 10 win
never did have an overly high
opinion OF Johnson's fighting ability
and for that reason would not back
him to win.
Il saw Jeffries when he appeared
on the stage in Baltimore and also in
New York a few months ago when
I went there to post my fOrfit &c
fight any lightweight in the world
He was fat and slow then and II is
my candid opinion that he wont be
near the man he was when re fights
on July e. A great many people
say TO themselves % johnson hasn't
a chance to win. Jeff will kill him.
Now if these same people would stop
to analyze their minds. they would
find that their opinion was simply the
result Of race prejudice.
For that reason say TO the bet
ting public, don't allow your symps-
thies or your race prejudice to run
away with you II you honestly think
jeff viii win. bet on him. but don't
send your money out to back juds-
ment tha; Jeff is a better fighter
simply because lie is a white man. -
After this lengthy statement re
garding Jeffries and johnson, Cans
began TO talk OF other matters and
the name OF Bat Nelson was men
toned. At the introduction OF the
Danes name into the conversation
Cans eyes lighted up and smile
crossed his lips. You know Bat
and we're mighty bitter against
each other at one time. but that has
all passed. Our enmity ended vita
our last fight and we are good friends
now In proof Of The latter asser-
lion Cans produced the following
telegram received a day or so ago
from Nelson.
Baltimore. Nd. Joe Cans. ex-
Lightweight Champion Of theWorld.
Phoenix. Arizona. you arrived
safe and feel like fighting IN a few
months. ! may stop off at Phoenix
on my way TO the coast 10 see the
Ieff-Johnson fight. u you are feeline
light viii box you a few rounds for
/ I'D tines sake. Regards and best
lwishes to yourself ard wife. Bsttlira