The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-03-03
TRAVELLING NOT GOOD
FOR TRAINING puCS
Je1fries Backers Glad That He
Has Quit Stage, for They
Know It Injuries Him.

- Know II 1nJurea Him.
The close of Jim Jcffries' theatrical
Q and the settling down of the big
fellow to hard training for his coming
battle with Jack johnson will be a de-
clded relief to the minds of the fight
fans who 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
Be:ger to the effect that jones ].
a benefited greatly by his athletic
woNx with Frank Gotch and other
Of the troupe, it has proved
q hefd matter to convince the public
that playing one night stands through
OUT the country is an invaluable aid
70 q veteran who wishes to get into
toDnotch condition for what may be
n 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
n temper. make up a combination
calculated to upset the physical stam-
hercules though he may be, is only
human after all. That he is far from
being in shape even to box at a fast
clip is the opinion of fstic experts in
every big city where he has appeared.
Ills bouts with Berger have always
oeen conducted IN q %aeisurely fashion,
ana nave proved rather a disappoint-
ment to those who expected to see the
Jeffries of the old days forcing his en-
ponent Into a rafting pace and show
ing the vim and dash of the athlete
VINO thoroughly enjoys his work. For
~ u be conceded that the ex-cham-
plon spared very much In the style OF
q 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 ,Lef-
frles has nOt participated In q ring en-
counter since the fateful night of Au-
gust 26, 1904, when he put a stop to the
aspirations OF Jack Munroe by effect
lively .sQuelchtng the Butte miner in two
rounds, there is scant room for wonder
Mt his failure to display any astonishing
amount of speed in his preliminary
warming up gallops. Five years of alb
from h squared circle must in
evltaniy slow down any fighter, ever IL
ne mas led q life Of Spartan simplicity
curing the Interval. And the world at
large, at least the sporting portion Of
II: knows that .Jeffries has not done so.
me big fellow was never known to
DENY himself any Of the creature com
forts OF existence: he lived we'll, drank
as much as he thought fitting and. in
q word, enjoyed himself Thoroughly as
q man may be expected to do who
never intends to pick up a challenger,s
and engage in warfare for the
championship crown.
Has Reduced Wsiaht.
Up to the present. therefore, when
snese Things are taken into considera-
tion, Jeff has accomplished somethinr
worth doing BY getting rid Of much Of
idieness added to his belt line. It is n
Tar cry from now to the Fourth of
July, the date set for the contest. but
the time is none too long for the con-
dittoning Of the retired king OF the
heav'es: He must undergo a training
he expects to bring his breathing ap-
paratus up to anything like its old
standard OF perfection, restore elasticity
and power to his mighty muscles and
step into h ring q fit and dangerous
opponent for the willy negro. Nobody
self.
johnson No Baby.
Despite the many Interviews nuh-
.lshed as coming from the EXCLAMATION
IN Whlch he Is supposed to have ex-
pressed himself contemporary regard
ing ~Jonnson's lighting ability, 1t can be
safely asserted that Jeffries does not
nndervalue the prowess of his prospec-
tive antagonist. During his entire ca
reer as a pugiAst he lever made the
mistake of holding an opponent too
cheap, an error which led to the down
iail OF 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 wen Of good third
class rating. Yet he did not neglect his
training on this account, for when he
raced Munroe at Frisco he was IN
superb shape, keyed up to concert pitch
and fit to battle all night IL 1t had been
necessary. 1t is only fair to surmise
that JEFF possesses just as much horse
n today as he did some five years
chances with Jack Munroe il not likely
to be gulled into accepting the much
more formidable Johnson as an easy
money gift.
' .