Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-29
RICHARD EXPECTS SNAP
AS REFEREE OF Big FIGHT
Says it Does Not Require Experience-John-
son Boxes for Gov. Dickerson-
Jeffries Disappoints Neva-
da's Chief Executive.

| RENO, New, June 29.-PromOter Tex
Richard is not greatly concerned over
| the momentous role he Is to play the
afternoon of the Fourth and he asserts
with convincing earnestness. that he has
no misgivings whatever regarding his
| ability to referee the big fight.
why, l haven't given the subject a
single thought he told a group Of news
paper men last night. The. job will be
a snap. With seasoned fighters like JEFF
fries and Johnson to deal with it will
be the easiest thing in the world to take
care of the referees end. l have been
assured by both men that they are en-
tirely satisfied to have me in the ring,
and they will do everything they can to
smooth my way .
Some one asked him If he had ever
presided over big ring event before.
Richard Knows Game.
Nothing very big the promoter
answered. "but don't think for a min
ute that I'm not wise to every angle
Of prize fighting. I've followed it prac-
tically all my life, and if there is any
body that knows any more about the
ms and outs of the game I'd like to
have him named. People come to me
ana say III IOOllSn 10 TAKE on tHlS JoO
because I've not had much practice.
Well, they don't know what they are
talking about. If man knows fight
ing as well as know 1T. there's no
reason why he can't jump in and take
charge Of a big fight, even il he hasn't
had much actual training. AS far as. l
personally am concerned, 1 don't be-
+ lieve in working up as referee
through little fights to big ones. I'd
rather begin at the top
DOWN.
jesting amendment of bystander,
but Tex, though he laughed with the
crowd, did not seem to catch the point
of the joke, and he nodded assent.
There are many who declare that the
| appointment of Richard was mistake,
owing to his admitted inexperience as
an arbitrator of contests. Even his
| critics. however, appear to be satisfied
| that when he enters the ring the pro-
moter will do the right thing as he sees
| it and will endeavor to give each con-
testant a square deal.
Arena Nearly Ready.
Preparations for the fight are nearing
completion. and by the end Of the week
probably nothing essential will remain
to be done. Remarkable progress made
| on the construction of the arena has
silenced the doleful predictions of pessi-
mistic fans who were fearful that the
| time, and it has banished all doubts OF
there not being an ample number of
seats for the crowds expected to pour
into Reno between now and the day of
the fight.
| Great care is being exercised by the
| contractors against the danger of fire
and three night watchmen were appoint
| ed at the beginning of the work, prn-
| cipally for the purpose of guarding
| against tramps whose carelessness with
lighted matches might prove disastrous.
| This fear of confagration has
weighed heavily on Richard. and last
night he made trip to the site to assure
| himself that the necessary precautions
| were being taken.
| Upon entering the Enclosure he was dis
concerted by the fact that sign of a
patrol was visible. For five minutes or
more he stumbled about the plank
strewn arena, and almost fell over a
"watchman'' peacefully slumbering on a
| bed of boards Search disclosed the other
two likewise enjoying calm repOse.
Richard promptly discharged all three
and hunted around until he found another
| trio to take their place.
Gloves for Fighters.
| Tho 0Ioyoc tn no worn nv the fighters