The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-03
Record Wagering on John
SOn-Jeffries Bout.
CAPABLE REFEREE ASSURED
~ Two Men Are Used, One WIFI BE
an Eastern Man-ThOuSands Of Dol
lars at StRke-Fight Must BE Won
by Knockout TO Avoid Discussion.
Difference of Opinion.

on July 4. the contest for heavyweight
ring supremacy Will be one of the great-
est events upon which sportsmen have
wagered in many years. 1t is believed
by those who carefully follow the trend
Of such matters that the amount of
money which will be in the hands OF
shareholders when the pugilists enter the
ring viii run into many hundreds of
thousands OF dollars. The worldwide
Importance of the battle and the inter-
national reputation of both Johnson and
Jeffrles, il is expected, viii lead 10 wagers
from all parts of the world.
The bout set for Independence Day con-
tains so many angles which have never
been present in previous ring cumbats
tkat there is a wide diversion Of opinion
as to the ultimate winner. Jeftries in his
prime as a pueilist was considered to be 1
absolutely invincible. Fighting at a time
when the heavyweight ranks contained
e most formidable list OF competitors,
he twice went through the list sweep
ing all before him in his climb to the
championship. This record. which has
not been exceued in modern pugilistic
history, gave him a following such as no
other fighter has ever had. The admira-
ton which his performance aroused
among puglllstIc enthusiasts has never
been dimmed.
Jen the FHvOrite.
To a great extent it holds good to-day
despite the fact that Jenries has not
fought contest of any Importance in
almost half a decade. In what little
wagering has been done on the coming |
contest he has been pronounced favor !
tie and the prediction has been made that !
he VIII enter the ring a TO 1 favorite !
over the negro. This belief is said to be !
based upon the idea that Jeffries' ad- |
mirers, remembering his ability in the /
past, viii back him regardless of state !
ments that may come from his rivals |
training camp. In order 70 make wager I
ing brisk there must be, OF course. plenty /
Of backing for both pugilists. and judging /
from reports from various parts OF the |
country this viii not be lacking.
The situation was summed up by q /
well-knoWn Broadway sportsman and /
bettor when he said the other night;
There viii be all kinds Of betting on /
the big Emeryville fight and just as soon |
as the men begin TO train in earnest you
will see the money go up in big wads. !
To my way Of thinking sentiment viii
go a long way toward securing a big
backing for Jeffries, but the wise money
win be on the negro. I know a lot of
men who can't see anything in this talk
of Jeffries Fegaining his great fghting
form of few years ago. When the time |
comes they win be at the rlngside ready |
to gobble up all the TO money in sight |
If anything like those odds prevail on the |
day Of the fight"
This same difference Of opinion ex- /
tends into the ranks Of the pugilists. It |
IS possible TO start an argument at any /
time or place where boxers gather by |
introducing the subject OF the Johnson !
Jeffries fight and the probable winner. |
Jim C0rbett, Tom Sharkey, Frank Gotch, |
Battling Nelson, Ad Wogast and many |
others have gone on record as predicting |
a victory Tor the Californian. Johnson's |
side Of the argument has been taken by |
owen Moran, Tommy Ryan. Joe Cans, |
Stanley KetcheI, Bill Papke and others |
just as numerous as the Jeffries contin- /
gent 1t is this very difference Of opinion |
both among pugilists and pugiIlstic fol- |
lowers that points to the big battls being |
a record breaker from a wagering stand |
point.
Many In attempting to forecast a win |
ner introduce their statements with a pro- i
viso relative to tho referee or the pos |
sibllity Of the affair being fought under |
an agreement between the pugiIists !
Those connected with the promotion of |
the battle have stated emphatically there /
need be no grounds for doubt or sus- |
picioR on either point. Tex Richard has I
already gone on record as favoring two |
referees for tho contest, one or both 10 /
be in the ring. His partner. Jack Glea- |
son, is understood TO be strongly opposed |
10 such an innovation He bases his OBJ |
jections on the ground that with two men |
arbitrating the contest there is a posi-
hility of wrangling or confusing which |
might mar the bout.
As the matter stands at present Jack
Welsh is the leading candidate for
referee. in case one arbitrator is chosen.
Should it be finally decided that two
referees are essential the second man will |
surely be an Fastener. and the names of
Charley and Johnny White Of New York
have been mentioned. Both are equipped
by experience for such position and
have the confidence Of Eastern fight fol-
lowers. There is some doubt as 70
whether Johnny White would of1ciate
because OF his business duties,
Any one Of the trio mentioned has
established a reputation for fairness in
deciding boxing contests. and would I'M
doubtediy prove acceptable to a majority
Of those who win wager on the battle.
The responsibility of the position is such
that no competent referee will accent the
office until he has given the move con-
siderable thought. With thousands OF
Aollars at stake and the eyes Of sports
men in all parts Of the world fixed upon
the principals and the third man In the
ring, the position viii be one that is not
10 be assumed offhand. Unless the fight
IS won by clean knockout, the discus
sion which viii follow will blast for all
time the reputation OF the referee should