The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-03
Rv TEX RICHARD

Copyright. 1924. In united states ana GreRt Britain. Cuba Japan and South America by Norsh American Newspaper Alliance for The Age Herald.
 Jim Jeffries was not actually knocked down and out by Jack Johnson. In fact, as referee, I did not count him out-made no count at all. This statement is made in answer to several requests I have had to tell just how Jack Johnson knocked out Jeffries on that memorable Fourth of July in Reno. A.
 The end came after it was very ap- parent that Jeffries was beaten. John- son was entirely too clever for him and seemed to have more physical strength. Jack was gradually wearing the big fellow down and had him wobbling about the ring. In the twelfth round, after Jeffries had been knocked down and laid up against the ropes and had showed that he had no more chance of winning, Sam, Berger jumped in the ring.
 That's enough" he said to me.
 Just as he said it Johnson had drawn back for a final blow and caught his arm. That was the end of the fight. Jeffries was standing on his feet. It was scored a technical knockout, of course. In few minutes Johnson would have had him out. Sam Berger was very wise and sensible in stopping 1t when he did.
 
 was a great relief. My job of refereeing had been no trouble at all. The men fought c1eanly and there was little for lsmerfo do except keep them at 1t. l9 The greatest relief, though, was that the fight. at last, had been successfully pulled off. I knew it was financial success before we entered the ring. Hundreds of those holding tickets for the fight in San Francisco had ex- changed their tickets for seats at Reno. The arena was full.
 At the very start of the fight Jef- fries made the mistake in trying to box with Johnson. The darkey was en- tirely too clever for him. Tn the first round, however, Johnson was extremely cautious. He feinted around to be sure of his ground.A For three minutes he took no chances whatever. Johnson was a very clever ring general. He was trying to see how far he could go When Jeffries tried to box him Jack began to grin.
 Johnson Starts Joshing
 As the fight progressed Johnson knew quite well that he was going to win. Then his sboyishness came to the surface. He could not resist making jokes. In one mixup Jeffries missed and Johnson socked him a good one.'
 MT. Jeffries,' said the darkey,> his lips parting in q big grin. "ain't no use | yo' Waterloo! .Jes' go an tell 'em l said so. Yas. sir-waterloo is righti' The Jeffries crowd still had hopes and were yelling encouragement from all parts of the arena. Jim Corbett second to Jeffries, was following every move and making occasional comment Finally Johnson caught his eye, Again he smiled, showed those gold teeth.
 MT. Corbett," he remarked, looking over the edge of the ring, you better come up here and help out Mir lief fries.''
 A few minutes later he spoke to Cor. bett again.
 "Cain't do no good out there, Mir Jim," said the grinning darkey. "This MT. Jeffries needs somebody up here and right now!"
 There. was never a gamer fighter than Jim Jeffries. He gave all he had but he was up against it. I don't know if anything could have saved him there is no doubt in my mind that the stomach trouble weakened him. Hs appeared heavy and slow-moving from the start.
 When it was all over hurried tc