The Daily Missoulian., 1910-01-16
TEX RICHARD MAKES
MOST POSITIVE
STATEMENT
SELECTS SALT LAKE AND WILL
FORFEIT PURSE iF AUTHOR
tiles INTERFERE.

Salt Lake City, Utah. Jan. f5.-Tex
Rickard. the principal promoter of the
Jeffries-Johnscn fight came out flat
footed tonight in a statement declaring
that the contest would be held in Salt
Lake City on the Fourth of July. next.
This statement is made in such posi-
tive terms that the fight fans here
are celebrating tonight and money is
being freely offered that the fight will
ther and voluntarily offered TO post
the entire purse in the hands of
Stakeholder Tim Sullivan. and in the
event of his failure to carry out his
part OF the contract, authorizes SUI
liyan TO pay the entire sum over to
the fighters. In this connection Rick
ard says his only interest in the al
fair is the pleasure and excitement in
cdent TO it and be gives this as his
only reason for entering the promo
ton of the contest.
After q three-hour formal meeting
which followed all day conferences and
looking over propositions and guaran-
tees. the Announcement was made on
the authority of Riekard himself that
the Jeffries-Johnson 4s-round boxing
contest would take place In Salt Lake
City. Tonight Rickard mailed the
following letter TO Big Tim" sullivan
of New York City. who is acting as
stakeholder:
Letter to Stakeholder.
You. as official stakeholder of the
Jeffries-Johnson contest on next July
I. and ! rs partner with Jack Gleason
Of San Francisco. Cal, as promoters
OF the 45-round boxing contest. wish to
notify You that the battle will take
place in Salt Lake City.
Il wish further to notify you that
stand ready any time to post the en-
tire purse with you. and in the event
of official interference. or through any
cause or fault of the Utah authorities. I
the boxing contest being stopped, !,
authorize you to pay over the entire |
100000 posted with you. to the proper !
representatives of James J. Jeffrics |
or lack Johnson.
''tSigned) TEX RICHARD"
Rickard gave out the following state /
mcnt: From the very first was in /
favor of salt Lake City as the scene I
OF the contest between Jcffrles and !
johnson. In naming Salt Lake City |
am not overstepping myself. My |
agreement with my partner. Jack (.
Gleason. Is giving me the privilege !
of naming the place of holding the !
event. BY this power. ann naming
salt Lake City. or a spot in its i'm 4
mediate vicinity.
II came over from Ely. New, TO be |
present at today's conference. The
representative bankers, business men .
anu professional men at the meeting /
assure me of the positive guarantee
10 hoiu the meeting in Utah. Their !
word is good enough for me.
My Announcement brands as lies the /
libelous and malicious stories sent out i
iateiy saying that was holding Il big |
stick over San Francisco to offer me
a bonus in order 10 hold the bout
there. and further stating that Salt
Lake is impossible for the meeting
place between Jeffrics and johnson.
Right here l wish to state that 1 am
not broke. Still l would much prefer
being broke to telling the lies that /
have been circulated about the hand ,
Besides my partner in many OF my
deals. Mr.. Ole Elliott. stands ready
to part with $4,000 Of his own money !
which he places at my disposal
wish to announce positively that
Salt Lake Is the Place.
Converting the available places for
holding the contest. Rlckard said he
had considered several propositions
the saucer race track. the lagoon am
pitheater, the Saltair pavilion and
several others. None has been decided
upon. Rickard said he had not Sc
iected anyone definitely and might de-
eide To build brand new one.
Rickard and a number OF business
men were in conference nearly all day
Following which the above statements
We're made. Concerning the matter
oi authorities interfering. very little
Is heard. II is announced that the
event Is To be u boxing contest of a.
rounds and the state laws of Utah
DO not prohibit boxing contests. Govern
Or Spry Is now I'm the east and there
Was no word from the executive re-
sarding his stand in the matter avail
able
III was announced tonight that the
fight would be held al Saltair. on the
shofe OF the Great Salt lake. Tex
Riekard and a party Of businessmen
visited Saltair this afternoon and aft
er considering other places available :