Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-03-03
TRAVELLING NOT GOOD
FOR TRAINING PUCS
Jeffries Backers Glad That He
Has Quit Stage, for They
Know It Injuries Him.

Know It Injuries Him.
The close Of Jim Jeffries' theatrical
tour and the settling down of the big
fellow to hard training for his coming
battle with Jack Johnson will be de-
cided reiief to the minds of the fight
rams VINO pin their faith on the ability
OF the giant Californian to win back the
heavyweight championship for the
white race. says the Kansas city Star.
Despite all the assertions Of Jeffries'
astute manager and press agent, Sam
Berger. to the effect that James J.
has benefited greatly by his athletic
woat with Frank Gotch and other
me1bers OF the troupe it has proved
a lad matter to convince the public
that playing one night stands through
OUT the country is an invaluable aid
TO a veteran who wishes to get into
topnotch condition for what may be
the toughest and most trying test of
his career.
Shows Hard Work.
Late. irregular hours, badly cooked
meals, fy-by night whirls across coun-
try and the consequent strain on nerves
and temper. make up a combination
calculated to upset the physical STAN
ina OF a bull elephant, and Jeffries
hercules though he may be, is only
human after all. That he is far from
being IN shape even to box at fast
clip Is the opinion of fistic experts in
every big city where he has appeared.
His bouts with Berger have always
been conducted in leisurely fashion,
and nave proved rather disappoint-
ment to those who expected to see the
Jeffries Of the old days forcing his cp-
ponent into rafting pace and show
Ing the vim and dash of the athlete
VINO thoroughly enjoys his work For
1t must be conceded that the ex-cham-
pion spared very much In the style of
a man who had a disagreeable task to
perform and was heartily glad when
1t was finished.
Long Out Of Ring.
Yet, when 1t is remembered that Jef-
tries mas not participated in ring en-
counter since the fateful night of Au-
gust 70, 1904. when he put a stop to the
aspirations OF Jack Munroe by effect
lively squelching the Butte miner in two
rounds, there is scant room for wonder
at his failure to display any astonishing
amount OF speed In his preliminary
warming up gallops. Five years of alb
sence from the squared circle must in
evitaply slow down any fighter, even if
he has led life Of Spartan simplicity
during the interval. And the world at
large, at least the sporting portion of
II, knows that Jeffries has not done So
The big fellow was never known to
deny himself any of the creature COM
forts of existence; he lived well, drank
as much as he thought fitting and in
word. enjoyed himself Thoroughly as
g man may be expected to do who
never intends to pick up a challengers
gauntlet and engage in warfare for the
championship crown.
Has Reduced Weiaht.
UP to the present, therefore, when
these things are taken into considera-
ton. jeff has accomplished something
worth doing by getting rid Of much Of
the adipose tissue which the years of
likeness added to his belt line. 1t is
iar cry from now to the Fourth of
July, the date set for the contest, but
the time Is none too long for the con-
ditioning of the retired king of the
heavies. He must undergo q training
siege OF unusual length and severity IL
he expects to bring his breathing APP
paratus up to anything like Its old
standard of perfection. restore elasticity
and power to his mighty muscles and
step into the ring fit and dangerous
opponent for the willy negro. Nobody
realizes this better than Jeffries him
self.
johnson No Baby.
Despite the many interviews pub
.isneu as coming from the champion
In which he is supposed to have ex-
pressed himself contemporary regard
ing Johnson's fighting ability, 1t can be
safely asserted that Jeffries does not
undervalue the prowess Of his prospec-
tive antagonist. During his entire ca
reer as pugilist he never made the
mistake OF holding an opponent too
cheap. an error which led to the down.
rail- or many a high class glove artist.
Munroe was undoubtedly the softest
sacrifice that capricious fortune ever
offered up at the Jeffries s..rine and the
then champion knew in advance that
the miner was not even of good third
class rating. Yet he did not neglect his
training on this account, for when he
faced Munroe at Frisco he was in
superb shape, keyed up to concert pitch
and it to battle all night IL 1t had been
necessary. 1t Is only fair to surmise
that Jen possesses just as much horse
sense today as he did some five years
ago. and The man who refused to take
chances with Jack Munroe Is not likely
to be gulled into accepting the much
more formidable Johnson as an easy
money gift.