Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-06-16
Tiff IN CONDITION
FOR FIGHT OF LIFE
elc FELLOW NEVER IN BETTER
SHAPE, SAY THE CRITICS.
FAVORITE IN THE Betting
Johnson Also in Fine Fettle, But Wor-
ried by QuarreIs in His Camp-Map
jority Of PugiIists Pick Jeffries to
Win Battle.
By KNOCKOUT.

Jim Jeffres is in condition and ready
for the fight of his life, which, by the
way, he probably is going to have,
when he meets Jack Johnson in the
ring in San Francisco, July 4.
Pugilistic experts from several Of
the big newspapers, old fight followers
and other scrappers have seen the big
that the condition into which Jeffries
has gotten himself is the surprise Of
the ring. When the match was made
many expressed doubt whether JEFF
fries ever would be able to train
down to proper weight and still re-
Chicago, who knows about as much
about the pugs as any other man in
the world, visited Jeff and at once de-
clared him in superb shape. Then
came Tad" another Judge of fighters,
who said the same thing. Bob Ed
stripped for action. Like the others,
Edgren declared Jeffries looked like
the Jeffries who downed Bob Fitzsim-
mons. All were surprised. Other
critics have sent out the same kind Of
stories and agree that Johnson Is 60
ing to have a desperate time keeping
the championship.
Meanwhile Johnson has not been
idle, and it is doubtful if he ever was
in the condition he will be in when he
enters the ring with Jeffries. Things
have not gone smoothly In JohnsOn's
camp, however, and he has had much
to worry him. The trouble he had
with George Little, his manager, has
done johnson no good. These little
worries are bad for fighter On the
other hand, things have been going
along fine in Jeffries' camp, and the
big fellow never was known to be in
such good humor while preparing for
fight.
Jeffries hates Johnson, and never
speaks of him by name. He refers to
his opponent as that coon" or some
thing stronger. A few days ago the
big fellow was chuckling good natured-
ly as his trainers were rubbing him
down.
What are you laughing at, Jim?'
somebody asked.
Il was just thinking how surprised
that coon is going to be when he looks
over at my corner when he goes into
the ring" replied the retired cham.
pion. He has been thinking that he
was going to meet an old has been.
and here am in better condition than
when I quit the ring"
Nobody has been able to get an au-
thentic statement from Jeffries con.
corning his opinion as to the outcome
of the battle Jeffries never was very
laxative, and while always willing to
say that he expected to win, never in
any of his former fights made any pre-
dictions concerning how long it would
take him to. win. One report from
his camp has Jeffries saying he would
put "the COON away inside of eight
rounds, but it is hardly likely that
Jim ever said such thing.
Sam Berger and Jim Corbett say
the fight will not last more than Ii
rounds, with Jeffries the winner. John
son has been quoted as saying he will
take Jeffries measure before 20 rounds
have passed. Following the reports
of his good condition Jeffries became
the favorite in the betting, and two
weeks ago the odds were nine to ten
There has been little betting on the
number of rounds the fight will last
as the sports regard this as hard
match to dope out.
When Governor Gillett got back tt
Sacramento he denied that he had
given out an interview in Chicago say
ing the fight was frameup, and thai
Johnson would not be permitted to
win. The alleged statement by the
California governor did the proposed
battle no good and caused alarm in
the Jeffries and johnson camps. Tex
Richard and Jack Gleason, the pro
moters, feared the effect on the box Of
fee receipts and got busy with offers
to make big gifts to charity If any
body could prove that the battle was
frameup. Now that Governor Gil
lett has denied the interview it Ia
probable that the attendance will not
be affected.
One enterprising sporting editor al
ready has canvassed the most promi'
nent pugilists in all classes, and out
Of % who answered Is said Jeffries
would win, one said he did not think
there would be any fight, one thought
it would end in a draw and five ex
pressed the belief that Johnson will
be the victor. 1t is fact we'll known
in prize.fight circles that one scrappel
never is a good Judge of the ability
of another, even though they have met
and this majority in favor of Jeffrie:
may be taken with grain of salt
so to speak.