IN THE RING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1407, 6 April 1912, Page 12

IN THE RING.

[Bt "Mebcubt."] Kasier Houday—M'Vea v. Langford, SydThe American correspondent of the "liofsiw" is responsible for the astounding st.ilemriil that (here is a story iillont in "The Stales" that "Jim" Jeffries is hankering for another trial of strength with Johnson and that lm had, at the diilo of tlw departure of the mail, lreen quietly triiitiing- for a, couple of months, lie goes on to say: "Jeffries will neither affirm nor deny the rumour, which, as the sporting world wags, is tantamount io an admission that the report is not altogether baseless. A ].o3 Angeles newspaper man started the sensation by sending out a prow dispatch saying that Jeffries was covertly preparing hiinsA'lf for another attack on Johnson. In one part the dispatch set forth that Jeffries always intended, when furnished with satisfactory proof that he was drugged at ltono, to challenge Johnson to a return tattle for tho championship. Tho inference is that the.necessary proof of 'dope' being administered at Reno was forthcoming, but when it was furnished or by whom is not set forth. Tho Los Angeles 'Examiner' sent a man to interview Jeffries about his alleged return to th» ring, and Jeffries was evasive. This is significant, in view of tho fact that until a ccuplo of months ago it was not necessary to interview him in respect to his pugilistic intentions; he kept vohinteerng the information that he was through with boxing for over and aye, and that the man who approached him on the subject of fighting would run the risk of being molested. Well, ho did not enlighten the 'Examiner' man as to what was passing in his mind, but he did not assault him, and putting this and that together it is within tho bounds of possibility that tho former champion has designs on Johnson." However, even if the foregoing were true thefo is a good deal more required than tho bare "say-so" of "Jim" Jeffries required before another Johnsou-Jcfrries conflict could be foisted on a long-suffering public. Firstly, there is to be found a promoter who would risk his more or less hard-earned dollars in financing such a fishy-looking proposition —for it may be taken as granted that Jeffries will not sink his own private store in the venture, and then would come tho hardest part, to find a locality in which tho law wild nilow the light to take place. The Johnson-Flynn Joke. This latter consideration is entering largely into the difficulties connected witli the final stages of the projected Johnsoni'Tynn niat.'h. American advices now show , that this affnir hns got to Ihe stage when the first deposits have fallen due, pud havo bean, posted. Jiotli Hie principals have put up SUQO dollars to show that their intentions aro honourable, and Ihe pniniter, J. Ciirlcy, hns hoisted ten thousand to proyo his bona fides. The next thing is to find a battle-ground, mid herein lies the rub. It is rumoured that the State of Xew .Mexico has been selected but so far nothing definite has been settled. Corbelt Sums Up Johnson, Apropos of Johnson and his future intentions it is rather interesting to note that everyone does not accept tho champion at his own valuation. Certainly exchampion Jim Corbett does not, judging from the following cablegram published in tho Sydney "Sun" last week:— In an interesting interview .Tim Corbett V-as offered a trenchant criticism of Jack Johnson cf his claim to be a world-beater. "Ko matter how good Johnson may he," says Pompadmir Jim, "and lots say that he is the most wonderful man ever seen in the ring, his record is simply ring history. Wluin did he ever lick? He has only fought name3—not men. There was Jef'rries. When Johnsjn met him, Jeffries was merely a nnnia. There was Burns. Tho police slopped that fight, but anyhow Burns was merely a name, too. Champions before tliwn fought their way up; but after I'itzsimmoiis and I retired no good me.} appeared tn take our places. Johnson is not invincible. The first real man who mtets him—except Flynn—will win."

News of the Lightweights. Two other American cablegrams of interest published in Sydney, run: Los Angeles (Cal.).—"Joe" Rivers, tho Mexican lightweight, defeated "Jack" White, in the twelfth round of a scheduled 20 rounds bout. He led throughout. Kivers will now probably challenge Wolgast for the championship. New York.—Owen Moran is now regarded as a pugilistic discard, owing to his miserable showing against Pal Moore. Tho Englishman landed only one solid punch, while Moore had a clean lead over seven of tho ten rounds fought.