BOXING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 502, 2 November 1909, Page 4

BOXING.

JOHNSON v. JEFFERIES

(By Flaxie).

The question has often been asked and discussed, all over the civilised world, if these two men will ever meet and do battle for the world’s championship. The chief reason is, in my opinion, the fact that the present champion is a coloured man. If he were one of the white race the intense interest taken in the matter would, not be so keen. I am afraid a large proportion of the inhabitants of these colonies at the present moment has a tendency to develop the Yankee hostility against the coloured race, and not give them a fair deal in the struggle for life and ambition in athletics. Why this should be so, T fail to understand. As regards a championship meeting between them, I consider .very remote indeed for the following reasons : Johnson is within one month of being in the pink of condition and since starting his boxing career has not been what an athletic would call out of training. He has fought his way to the pinnacle of fame and at present is the undisputed champion of the world, the fact that a few years back better men scientifically held the coveted honour, does not detract one iota from the credit due | to Johnson for being the present champion. He defeated Burns fairly and squarely lor the title, and the sorry exhibition displayed by Burns is now past hisiory. His next contest was against that clever boxer Jack O’Brien, who failed to make any impression on the champion, although out of condition. Johnson’s next opponent for the championship was that redoubtable and hard hitting light-heavy-weight Stanley Ket chell, a man who in the opinion of supposed experts in America, would simply mop the floor with the coloured man, and did he succeed ? No, but that plucky boxer was counted out iu the twelfth round after being severely punished. The Yankees are now nonplussed and more anxious than before that' Jefferies should meet the big black and endeavour to regain the title lor the white race. And what qualifications has he at the present time to give us the impression, that he is Johnson’s master. True, he is the world’s retired champion heavy-weight, having gained that title by beating that grand old man, Bob Fitzsimmons, when Bob was considerably on the down grade as regards age and activity for ring work. He also beat Peter Jackson, the' cleverest boxer of the dark race the world ever saw, when Peter was dying with consumption. Other boxers Jefferies also beat, but they were not in the same street as the two men mentioned. Jefferies, who, since he retired from the ring nearly 5 years ago, has lived a well-to-do farmer’s life, with the result that his weight has increased considerably. While at that occupation he had published in various newspapers uncomplimentary remarks as regard Johnson’s abilities as a boxer. Jefferies stated on" various occasions that Johnson had a yellow streak as wide as a street, (which is a Yankee term for being a coward). Such being the case, we can rest assured that should a battle eventuate, Jefferies will be in the best condition possible. And that is where the shoe pinches. Can Jefferies after his prolonged retirement get iuto proper condition again. lam afraid not. A young vigorous boxer, who goes out of the game for 5 years, loses that dash and devil in the ring, which is essential in one to become a master of the art of self defence and a world’s champion to boot, he loses the ring craft strategy, footwork, speed and cunning, which is necessary to constitute a champion of the present day. In days gone by the main feature of a boxer’s outfit was to stand punishment. Not so now, the chief object is to avoid punishment and endeavour to score points and substitute boxing pure and simple instead of fighting. When Johnson arrived in America after defeating Tommy Burns, he immediately posted for a match with Jefferies, which will’ prove his earnestness in trying to get this question settled once and - for all. This was not entertained by the big farmer until quite recently, when it was announced that ,£IOOO had been posted by him,. but was not binding and could be taken down at any time. It has also been cabled through that Berger (Jefferies’ manager) had signed articles for a match between the two, but Jefferies repudiates the statement. Th&Se misstatements 'have'"been coming through with such regularity of late that I have come to the conclusion Jefferies is merely fooling with the question, and does not intend to meet Johnson at all. And my candid opinion is, if they do meet, Johnson will win and humiliate Jefferies more then he did Burns, with the result that the Yankees (it fought in'the United States) would not allow Johnson to leave the ring alive.