The Big Fight.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 861, 5 July 1910, Page 3

The Big Fight.

Jeffries Knockedhout in Fifteenth Round. Johnson Leads Throughout. We received tlie following message at 11.45 this morning : “ Johnson wins.” A later message states that Jeffries was knocked-out in the fifteenth round, and that Johnson had the best of the fight throughout. Reno, July 1. Mr Dickerson, Governor of Nevada, watched Jeffries and Johnson train. He says the negro is the superior boxer, but that Jeffries is the harder hitter.

Fitzsimmons and Tommy Burns have arrived. They' favour Jeffries’s chances. They believe the fight will last over twenty rounds. Burns says:—“ If Jeffries is in condition he can’t lose. The negro is a clever boxer, but no fighter.” Mr MTntosh, the well-known fight promoter, picks Johnson to win.

Charley White, of New York, has been chosen as substitute referee to Rickard, the actual referee. George Handing will be the official timekeeper. All is ready for the fight.

Jeffries and Johnson finished their training on Thursday, and will rest till the fight. They have posed for moving pictures. Both men did light training, and then put in several rounds of fast boxing on Wednesday and Thursday. Jeffries is in excellent mood. He says; “I am ready for the fight. I will rush for a knock-out as soon as possible. I am prepared to take plenty of punishment, but will give more, in order to finish quickly.” Johnson is confident. His golden smile is omnipresent. In his boxing exhibitions bis defence was perfect. He blocked all attacks, and showed himself fast. Jeffries was slower, but surer, and gave a harder punch. Jeffries weighs from 220 to 225 pounds, and Johnson 2091 b. Physicians examined both men, and found them in excellent condition.

Visitors are rushing to Reno, and all the old fighters have arrived.

Betting is light, with the odds on Jeffries, who is favourite. Some wagers that Jeffries won’t win inside fifteen rounds, and some bets that he won’t win inside nineteen rounds have been taken.

The fight starts at 1,30 p.m., San Francisco time.

The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent states that Jeffries’s measurements are as follows : Chest, 46 inches normal, 51 inches expanded ; 16J inches biceps ; inches forearm. He is 20 per cent superior to Johnson in strength. Dr. Porter, Jeffries’s physician, after examining Johnson, remarked that he was a magnificent example of an athlete, but physically he cannot compare with Jeffries. Johnson’s heart and lungs are weaker, and he has also a long stretch of body unprotected by bone and muscle between the hip and the lowest rib. Jeffries’s waist development is such that when he contracts his muscles it is impossible to insert a finger in his body. Furthermore, his ribs form a bony encasement protecting all the vital organs. Jeffries is in perfect physical condition inside and outside. Corbett is enthusiastic over Jeffries’s splendid condition, Johnson is grateful for the spiritual encouragement of the negro pastors. Hundreds of Pullman cars have been side-tracked at Reno, aud are used as hotels, beds being unavailable.

Johnson yesterday boxed before a kinematograph, the two opponents chiefly clinching and

posing. There was a vast crowd of onlookers, consisting of miners, ranchmen, cowboys, cowgirls, and gaudily-dressed Digresses. Johnson’s wife, who is a white woman, was also present.

Johnson has backed himself for another £4OO, remarking—“l will worry Jeffries for fifteen rounds, and then knock him out. But I would sooner be a dead man than let Jeffries beat me.” Jeffries’s preparation has finished. He now spends his time fishing and card playing. He says;— “I am dead sure to win.” Johnson scales 20g1b., and Jeffries is about 161 b heavier. If he proves the winner, Jeffries will receive over ,£30,000, and if he loses ,£20,000. If Johnson wins he will get £27,000, or ,£17,000 if he loses. Reno, July 3. Jeffries had a lengthy conference with Abe Attell, who seconded Jack O’Brien against Johnson. Attell suggested methods of defeating Johnson. Jeffries’ masseur states that Jeffries spends 2J hours daily on the massage table. He is the first pugilist to train with the object of loosening instead of hardening his muscles. Twelve million negroes await the result of the fight with intense interest. . The Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, has notified the

managers of theatres that if bulletins as to the progress of the fight are read in them, whites and blacks must not be admitted to the same theatre.

The promoters of the fight announce that 2000 women are buying seats. Children under ten will not be admitted, and those between ten and fifteen must be accompanied by guardians.