Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-29
COLORED CHAMPIONS
SHREWD AND CLEVER
Little Artie Has Been Told He
Is as Strong as Jeff and
Should Win.

SAN FRANCISCO. May 2S.-Jack john
son, while apparently confident that he
can defeat Jeffries in the big heavy
weight battle July 4, is not inclined to
boast. AS matter of fact, Johnson's
opinion of himself as pugilist has
never been expressed extensively, for the
negro is modest and does not indulge, as
a rule, in wild statemsnts. johnson ap-
pears to have a pretty fair supply Of
horse sense, and is anxious to have the
sporting public regard him with more
than passing favor. He is like big,
overgrown boy with a lot Of money in
his pockets. and nobody around to put
on the checkrein. Money has made him
exuberant OH many occasions, but in
serious mood the gigantic negro has
some good qualities, and is by no means
lacking in shrewdness.
When johnson was asked to say some
thing the other day he replied, after
thinking it over:
There's nothing sure in this world, so
I'd be taking long chance if I told
you that I'd knock Mister jeff out in
dozen or twenty rounds. 1 might make
people laugh If 1 said that Mr. JEFF
wouldn't have look-in. Remember, I
don't expect to lose this fight. but let
me say it will not be an easy. thing to
win it.
Mister Jeffries was great fighter
before he retired, and I feel certain he
is still a great fighter, but / can't make
myself believe he is a better man than
am. and that's why l Will win. when
was examined by DR.. Sargent at Har-
ward College some time ago he said my
physical development was almost per-
Foot nj I strong
as Mister Jeffries. If that is SO. figure
that l will win, because / am younger
and 1 will have the better stamina:
know some good men say Mister Jen Is as
clever as am. but | disagree with !hem;
1 know 1 have better left hand and
can fight on the defensive as well as any
man in the world.
II expect to be able to go long dis
lance to wear Mister -Jeffries down with
out running any dangerous chances and
foolish enough to think that Mister JET
fries will be as easy as Tommy Burns or
Stanley Ketchell, for I know he will prove
much harder to beat. But. honestly. don't
think he will be as dangerous as he was
six years ago. He may come back look
ing fit and strong. but / think you'll
find that he will not be able to stand
the strain and will not show the old
speed.
me to cut him to pieces. and when I
have him beaten to a standstill / don't
think it will be hard to put him out He
mas taken off lot of weight and will
probably fight at 215 or go, but he will
surprise me If he shows strength enough
to go q long distance I expect to weigh
about 200 pounds when ! get into the |
ring, and I'll be in better condition than
ever before. Mister JEFF has a little |
longer reach, but that will do no harm. |
He is half an inch taller and is more |
heavily built. But he never was an ag- |
gressive fighter and he'll find that I am !
harder to reach than any man he has |
ever faced.
II intend to let him do all the fighting |
at the start. for I want to size him up |
for few rounds. l want to be sure |
about his real condition before I take |
chance. If I find I can outlook him and |
an find the proper opening I think can
nit him harder than Fftzsimmons did,
and that shall not be In a hurry, for 1
believe In taking my own time. All I |
ask is a square deal from the referee |
and the spectators. I intend to live up
o the rules in every way and win on the
eveI If I can. II Mister Jeffries can
beat me 1 will make no excuses, for l
have no personal feelings in this matter
md am ready to take my medicine II I've
got to. One thing is certain. Mister JEFF
ries and l are both American citizens,
md no matter which wins, the heavy
weight championship will remain in this
country"