Evening journal., 1918-11-18
JEFF ONCE STOPPED
French CHAMPION
Heavyweight Ch mpion n
Won With Right to the
Jaw in 1899
DANCING TACTICS
PUZZLED AMERICAN


Two championship battles that never
have been recorded In favor OF Jim
Jeffrles were won by the boilermaker
during his European tour In 1899,
shortly after he had snatched the cham
pionship crown from the head OF Bob
Fitzsimmons. Jeff won the sayate
championship Of France and also en-
phasized his claim to tho worlds title
by stopping Jack Scales, who was re-
garded as the champion Of England at
the time.
Jefries was unquestionably the first
boxer OF prominence 10 prove TO the
hand and hoof fighters Of France that
their system was Ineffective against
straight Queensberry tactics, and while
Kid Mccoy and others later on tri-
umphed over the savate experts. yet
Jef seems TO have been the pioneer. At
any rate after his victory over the
Frenchman who held the savate title
Jeff was proclaimed the champion Of
the world at that style OF contest Jeff's
European tour. which was undertaken
chiefly for recreation, was under the
supervision Of John 5. Barnes, a West
ern sporting man.
After sparring in London music halls
for several weeks. Barnes and JEFF
moved over TO Paris, and the champion
and his brother Jack boxed in a theatre.
The manager Of the theatre then ap-
preached Barnes and asked If the
American champion could be induced
20 meet lie Blanc. the sayate champion
OF France. The manager said lie Blanc
weighed but il0 pounds, but had re
grand keek." 70 was explained 10
Barnes that Jeff could box American
style, while the Frenchman would use
his feet or his hands, as the occasion
seemed TO require.
Jeff was a bit dubious about facing a
man who was privileged TO kick his Op-
ponent on the Jaw, but on being assured
that lie Blanc wore soft shoes the Los
Angeles giant finally consented TO
60 on.
Jeff said he thought 80 would be good
training for his match with Sailor
Sharkey, which was made before Jeff
left for Europe and for which the sailor
already was industrlOusly preparing at
New Dorp, Staten Island.
Barnes and Jack Jeffries were in Jeff's
corner on the night OF the contest, and
when Le Blanc came forth for combat
he plroutted like a ballet dancer, max
ing feints with his toes in the general
direction Of Jeff'S Jaw.
Assuming the crouch that had been
taught 10 him by Tommy Ryan, the
shaggy Jefi peered from beneath his
bushy eyebrows and circled about 20
keep the Frenchmsn from getting in
close enough to kick. The Frenchman
stood up on his toes, and with folded
arms gllded about the stage. but did
not start anything Of an offensive na-
ture.
Jeff then decided 10 try and draw the
Frenchman in close enough for a wal
lop, and made a series Of feints with
his left. The Frenohman took fright
and caracoled about the stage making
two complete circuits OF the enclosure
st a safe distance from the American
thumper.
JEFF dropped his hands and laughed
at the antics OF the savate expert. Then
the American began feinting with his
left and the Frenchman suddenly made
an antelope like leap clear over Jeff's
head, and in the act managed 20 kick
the boilermaker so hard on the jaw that
lt was heard all over the house. The
Frenchmen were enthusiastic over this
feat and predicted their man would win.
lie Blanc's seconds claimed first blood
for their man. as the sole Of the French
mans shoe broke the skin on Jeff's
Jaw.
After having scored the first blow the
Frenchman then did another toe dance
and JEFF made a rush at him. lie Blanc
executed a rapid turkey trot out OF
danger. and then as Jeff paused in his
pursuit the Frenchman again tried the
flying leap trick. But this was Just
what Jeff had been looking for. Step
ping forward the American sent a right
uppercut that landed on lie Blanc's chin
Just as he was beginning 10 soar in the
air. lie Blanc hit the floor like a bag
Of oats and was dragged away 10 his
corner.
The boxing officials Of France there
upon declared JEFF 90 be the savate !
champion. Desiring TO see the Amerl- |
ran In a contest under Oueensberry
rules, Barnes was asked II Jeffries would !
box Jack Scales. champion d'Angleterre, |
poids lourds. or the heavyweight cham
plon OF England.
As Scales was but a third rater, who |
had acted as Jeff's sparring partner in |
England, the American said he had no |
objection, and Scales accordingly was
invited to come TO Paris and fight for |
the worlds championship.
There was big crowd TO see the bat |
tle, and JEFF treated Scales tenderly un- |
I'll the third round, when he jabbed |
him violently on the nose a number Of |
times.
"Hi say" complained Scales, III e
ITS me again that way shall jolly well |
chuck IT,"
In the fourth round JEFF floored Scales |
twice, and after arising the second time |
the Engllshman said:
Els too bally big, and e can ave
the championship"
Jeff could not get any one else 90
fight him in Europe and so returned TO
America. where shortly afterward Tom
gave him a desperate twenty
1--WE round battle at Coney Island.
10 was not the victory over Scales
shat made Jeff champion Of the world.
Previous to beating Fitzsimmons for
6e American title Jeff had knocked out
Peter Jackson In three rounds at a time
when the negro was the possessor OF
the championship OF England and Aus
trslia. True. Jackson was a she'll OF his
former self at the time Jeff beat him,
but at that the negro was probably the
superior OF Scales. u
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