The New York herald., 1922-08-13
FORMER CHAMPION
WAS NEAR COLLAPSE
Application Of Hot Water to
Hands and Feet Brought
Him Round.
BACKERS HEDGED BETS
Charge That Johnson Double
Crossed the Big Fellow
Will Not Down.
BACKERS HEDGED BETS
BY CHARLES F. MArHIsoN.


There has been much speculation for
years as to what caused the nervousness
of James J. Jeffries on the day Of his
contest with Jack Johnson at Reno,
New, July 4. 1910. All who saw the for
mer champion previous to entering the
ring and just before the contest realized
that the Boilermaker was In an excited
condition. This manifested itself in the
ring when Jeffries seemed about to col
lapse. He finally pulled himself together
and started the bout, but he never had
chance against the negro. and was
sent down for the full count in the flf-
teenth round
It Is questionable IL Jeffrles would
have answered the bell for the first
round had it not been for William Null
doom now Chairman Of the New York
State Athletic Commission. who was
present at the contest Corbett and
Choynski had been dn charge Of the
training of Jeffries, but had been unable
to do much with him. Choynski met
Muldoon and asked him to go and see
Jeff and try to get him into condition
Tor the fight. Muldoon went to Jeffs
quarters and found the former champion
huddled in his chair and in a morose,
gloomy frame of mind
When Muldoon shook hands with
Jeffries he found that the fighters
hands were ice cold. and realized that
his feet must be in the same condition.
with the result that his blood was
centered near his heart. Jeffries re-
fused even to talk, and Muldoon de-
cided that action must be taken to bring
him to normal condition or he would not
be able to enter the ring Muldoon
called for a pail of hot water and in
sisted on Jeff soaking his hands and
feet In it. The effect was to start the
blood circulation and in few minutes
Jeff was in much improved condition.
Warned Bettors to Hedge.
After leaving Jeff's quarters Muldoon
met several New Workers. who were Of
fering to wager 10 to that Jeff would
win. Muldoon assured them that jeff
already was beaten and suggested that
they hedge their wagers.
The charge has been made that john
son got the match with Jeff on the
condition Of lying down. 1t has
Teen asserted that Jeffries, who had
Teen In retirement for five years, and
felt that he could not defeat the negro
on his merits. refused to make the match
I'LL assured that Johnson would consent
to lose. 1t Is declared by those ia
rniiar with the details that the cause
Of Jeff's nervousness was due to a noti-
fcation from Johnson that he would not
Keep his original agreement to 'lie
down" Johnson has never denied
that this was the fact, and his declara-
tion that he sold out his title in the
match with Willard has strengthened be-
lief in frameup and double cross at
Reno.
The first OF tho championship bouts
sponsored by the New York State Ath-
letic Commission will take place to-mor-
row night at the New York Velodrome.
Phil Krug. the clever Jersey middle
weight. and Dave Rosenberg. the rug
ged Brooklyn 100 FOUNDER. will be the
contestants The winner will be de-
clared the champion Of the class and II
Johuny Wilson desires to regain his
title nc can challenge and get bout.
On the following night Danny Frush
and Johnny Dundee will battle at Eb-
bets Field for the featherweight crown,
and the clash should prove interesting.
Kilbane has been informed that IL he
wishes to fight for the title challenge
10 the winner will be acceptable.
Johnny Clark, once a noted light
weight boxer. who died several days
ago in Philadelphia. had a career full of
ups and downs. Although he never made
much money as fighter for the reason
that he lived In an age when boxing
was regarded as a crime, yet later In
life he was In easy circumstances due to
the wealth acquired by his son alfred.
This youngster steered clear OF pugilism
and went into business, gaining a large
fortune. He took good care of his
father. but unfortunately fell Ill and
died while still young and at the height
OF his success. In some manner his es-
tate dwindled after his death, and the
aged boxer was left penniless. Clark
had long suffered from neurltis of the
right arm and this finally affected his
heart and resulted in his death at the
age of 73.
Clark was one of a trio OF English
fighters who settled in this country and
for years tussled over the lightwe'g ght
title The other two were Billy Ed
wards and Arthur Chambers. and the
latter won the championship.
In addition to being a good boxer
Clark was an excellent dancer and his
jigs earned him considerable money lie
was one of the old school fighters, now