The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-06-22
RENO PICKED BY
RICHARD FOR
BIG FIGHT
GOIdfieId Made Offer of $780,
600 for the Battle
LOCATION FAVORED RENO
Long Ride Across Desert Considered
Too Big Hardship for Fistianic
Fans

Reno, June 22.-The Jeffries-John-
son fight seems certain of fulfillment
on July 4, with this city definitely
fixed as the battle ground, with as
surance from Gov. Dickerson that no
attempt to interfere will be made by
the state authorities and with prep
arations already under way for build
ing the arena. Gov. Dickerson de-
clared yesterday that he would not
interfere with the fight. No further
complications are anticipated and
Promoter Tex Richard last night
promised himself the first quiet pill
low that he has had since Gov. Gil
lett issued his ultimatum that the
contest could not be held in Califor-
MIA. The selection of a site for stag
ing the big fight was made yesterday
afternoon. 1t is a rocky field in East
Reno about mile and a half from
the heart of the city. II Is familiar
in ring history as the scene OF the
Hart and Root contest of July 4,
1906. 1t is regarded as an ideal
place as it affords plenty of ground
for a spacious structure. On one side
II is fanked by the tracks of the
Southern Pacific railway and on the
other by trolley line.
Contractor Mclaughlin went over
the place yesterday with Richard and
the Reno fight committee and immed-
lately began to carry out pans al
ready prepared for the construction
OF the arena. A building about 800
feet square modelled along the lines
of the structure begun in San Fran
cisco will be put up. It is hoped to
lhaye ii completed by the first of next
month.
No change win be made in the or
iginal arrangement of seats. Plenty
OF lumber is said to be available. An
other selection made yesterday after
noon was training qarters for John
son. tom" Flanagan the champi-
on's manager. after looking over sew
eral sites, finally settled on n road
house three miles southwest of Reno
known as "Rlcks resort" According
to Flanagan, It is an excellent place
for training camp and affords all
necessary facilities. Jeffries will be
stationed at Moana Springs three
miles south of Reno. Nothing Is said
to be lacking at this place that could
be desired in connection with q
lighters camp. Natural hot and cold
springs. an open air pavilion already
provided. comfortable sleeping quar-
ters and nearby fishing streams and
lakes are among the inducements Of
fered.
A double fight will be Renos offer
ing on July 4, II Sid Hester succeeds
in carrying out his plan to stage the
Langford- Ketchel fight on the morn
ing of the big battle in the same are
ma. Hester was busy yesterday en-
deavoring to arrange for a permit ant
in looking over numerous sites fol
training quarters for his fighters
Richards announcement OF the selec
ton OF the battle-ground for the JET
fries and Johnson contest was made
In the form of signed statement al
follows: IL have decided to hold thu
Jeffries-Johnson fight in Reno. II
making the selection | wish to Civ,
my reasons for so doing. Goldhelt
made an offer which was hard to turn
down. They are the gamest lot o
men | ever saw. This morning a con
mittee of Goldheld business men of
fered to take me to a local bank anC
guarantee me 100000. | decided OF
Reno, however. for several reasons
In the first place did not feel tina
fight fans of the East and Yves
should be compelled to take that ex
ira IL hour ride across the hot des
ert to Goldneld. Then again tn,
people from San Francisco can &c
here on the morning OF July 4, ant
leave the same night in order to b,
back to business Tuesday morning
For this reason | think probabl,
one or two thousand will come from
San Francisco that would not go 4
Goldneld. The Reno people hay,
done all they could. They will bull,
a suitable arena and pay for tn
$4,000 license for me +"