Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-06-26
Bat is Worried
Over JeffrieS;
HopesHe'll Win
Durable Dane Doubts that Big Scrap
per is in Shape-Thinks He
Laid Off Too Long.


NEW YORK, June 25-Now that the big
fight is only few days off the different
pugilistic celebrities are beginning to air
their positive views as to the question Of
whether Jeffries will win over the big
Galveston negro when they finally meet In
the prize ring Already q number have
been quoted on the principals merits and
condition and the latest to add their mites
are Battling Nelson, former lightweight
champion. and Terry McGovern, another
one-time titieholder. A majority OF the
white boxers are of the opinion that JEFF
fries will have little trouble to win. This
is natural. Nelson, however, is not so en-
thusiastic
According to the former lightweight
titleholder he is not so sure that Jeffries
will have such an easy task TO defeat Jack
Johnson. Nelson says he favors Jeffries
and wants to see him be the victor, but he
thinks that II the Californian is TO win he
viii have to fight harder and faster bat
tie than any OF the others of his ring
career. Nelson says that Jeffrles. at his
best. would have the time of his life TO
defeat the negro. In recent letter Nelson
stated his views, which follow in part;
you tell me the big fellow looks great
and seems to all outward appearances, to
De BOOds en- nelson Virtues. WELL 4
hope they round him into good condition,
but l always have my doubts about a man
coming back after a long period of idle
ness 1 hope Jeffries is in shape so that Il
will be good fight for the public to look
at. as II is entitled to a lot Of considera-
ton in this matter 1t is paying the bills,
you know, and ought TO get a run for 1t.
Here's a point that lot of the critics
seem to rave overlooked. 1t is not five
years since Jeffries laid off, but seven.
| 1t Is true that he boxed Jack Monroe the
second time in August, 1901, but he didn't
train for that contest. He didn't have to
be in shape, and knew 1t, because Munroe
was so thoroughly frightened when he
made the match that he was licked then.
'"The last time Jeffries trained and got
into any kind of shape was for his second
battle with Jim Corbett, decided in August
| 1903. That makes the duration of his re-
tlremept close to seven years, and is a
long time for a man to lay off, and ever
II Jeffries looks fine now and does work
enough to kill a horse every day it is nc
sign that he is going to stand the gafi
when he gets in with Johnson.
Sentiment should be cast aside in this
battle. because a fighter is a fighter wher
he enters the ring, no matter what his coloi
may be. Perhaps a lot of people dom
like johnson, and. perhaps don't, but tina
isn't binding my Judgment, 1 know hin
to be fighter through and through anC
Jeffries would have had his own trouble
with him at any time. Jeffries never dix
care much about boxing him at any time
and / doubt II 1t was altogether becaus
OF his color. Naturally, It would be bette
commercially for the white man to win
but 1 doubt IL there is any agreement 1
there is Jeffries isn't in on it.
TEX Richard makes a mistake in beinl
referee He has not the experience, thougl
he is an honest man, 1 believe. Eddi
Smith of Oakland, even IL he did call m
, the loser with Woigast, is the man for tn
, place. as he is honest and in his hear
fair"
The once Terrible Terry McGoverp l
more optimistic as follows;
DO I think Jeff will win? Now, let m
tell you thing or two. There's been
lot of talk going around as to whethe
! Jeff can come back The big fellow. t
my mind, is going to surprise them ALL
think he is going to defeat Johnson in sue
a manner that the negro will have no oC
: casion to come back for more. Jeffrle
has an awful waliop. II he lands it in tru
: style he'il cave in Jacks ribs.
"Jeffries is down to good weight nov
= and II he can continue to show the sam
speed with johnson when they meet as h
has at Rowardennan, there is no questio
T In my mind as to who will be the winnel
Y The negro is a good man; but it's q cas-
) of him meeting a better one"