The San Francisco call., 1910-07-03

TEFFRIES was first heard of by the general pub
lie as clever and willing youngster who had
entered the Corbett camp at Carson City to help
- prepare the champion for his battle with Fitz-
sinmons.
At that time Jeffries was a big, good natured
STRIPPING so awkward that he almost fell him
self in the mig. His strength had been developed
in boiler factory and he had been with Corbett
long before tie champion learned that it danger
Gus to give the lad an opportunity to land one of
his ponderous swings.
Jeffries always was willing to take punishm ent
and never lost his temper when Corbett in practice
kept a rat-tat-tat his head body He never
tired. He kept walking into the champion and
showed a power of resistance that amused and in
terested thes observers. Corbett was then being
trained by William Delaney, who also took the young
giant under his protection Delaney in Jeffries
promising material. Jeffries, egotstical soon
learned that the champion could not seriously hurt
him and futher, that while il was difficult for him
to reach Corbett it possible for him to tire the
champion out and finally land punch that might
work disaster.
Jeffries sat in Corbetts during the fight
with Fitzsmmons watched every move of the two
gladiators and the next day left Carson City con-
vinced in his mind that he could whip either
the old the champion He conhded his con-
fidenoe to Delaney, who so far as TO say that
with proper training Jefries might be made into a
champion and cautioned him to say nothing to any
body of his aspirations, and the two then began a
campaign of preparation that lasted for more than
years.
Jefries' first efforts in the ring were barely good
enough to make him worthy of the consideration of
the public. None of his opponents could hurt him,
but on the other hand he lacked speed and had not
vet learned how to plant his blows heavy though
they were in a manner bring victory Little by
little the big fellow taught how to handle him
80 r. n. 4 :
trainer Delaney, thought him worth tryout in the
best of company.
An invasion of the planned, double
match was arranged, Jeffries undertaking to stop
Bob Armstrong and Steve O'Donnell each inside of
10 rounds in the same ring Armstrong succeeded in
staying the 10 rounds with Jeffres who had the ex-
of having broken his thumb early in the
The bout with ODonnell was called off and Jefries
returned California having established little rep
utaton for himself Jeffries' thumb was broken as
result of his lack of knowledge as to how to land
blow. The accident real benefit to him. as he
took up again the task of learning how to handle
his fists so as do the damage to another and
the least to himself.
In due season a match made for Jeffries with
the champion, Robert Fitzsimmons, and the now his
toric contest was held at Coney island June 1899
Few believed that the big fellow would have chance
to wrest the title from holder In fact the great
majority of the opinion that the fight would
merely give Fitzsimmons another opportunity to
demonstrate his superiority all other pugilists
THE CONFIDENCE OF JEFFRIES
Jeffries, however, held contrary opinion. Not for
one moment did he doubt his prowess. Delaney
also believed in him and they succeeded in convincing
those who helped the big fellow to train that he had
more than an even chance with Fitzsimmons Tom
my Ryan, who had succeeded to the middle weight
championship when Fitzsimmons stepped into the
heavy weight division, and who of the Graf
tiest of ring generals, engaged to teach Jeries
Of the finer points of fighting, and entered his train
ing camp Allenhurst, N. J. Jeffries occupied the
same cottage that Corbett had lived in when prepar
ing for his battle with John L. Sullivan
Fitzsimmons, always careful trainer, engaged