BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 848, 21 June 1910, Page 7

BOXING.

JEFFRIES AND JOHNSON. THE-GREAT SEA OF SURMISE. According to the Sydney "Referee's" resident American correspondent, } v *ho telegraphs, under date June 13, Jeffries is now a strong iavourite for tlio big. fight, and there is plenty of gold at back'of tho belief that ho will secure the verdict on July 4. "Ever since ho gave an exhibition 01 boxing in this city on May 27 there has been a reniarkablo change of public opinion in respect of his probable fitness to do justice to his reputation in the struggle with Johnson," continues the writer. "It was previously thought that, he could not sufficiently reduce his great bulk, and get spry enough, but now many express themselves quite satisfied on that score. "Jeffries is now a firm favourite at ten to six, ami there is no Johnson money forthcoming afc that price. The white champion is already trained down to ring lines, and so sunburned by his special outdoor exercise?; and recreation that lie is almost as black as Johnson. He will not weigh, but' experts judge his weight to bo two hundred and twenty pounds. When Jeffries last boxed —in 190J-, .against Munro—he weighed two hundred and twenty pounds. Jeffries's work in his daily boxing bouts with Choynski and Oorbett is thought to indicate that he is as clever with the gloves'as ever. 110 does not spare himself. Jeffries is reported to have said:' 'If f lose, the. American public will not be ashamed of the battle I pnt up.' One Jeffries man has bet fivo hundred at evens that Johnson will jump out of the ring before fiix rounds aro over," According to tho "Referee's" correspondent, Johnson is well trained, and looks it. His weight is two hundred and twelve pounds, and he will at two hundred and ten. Ho has Al. Kaufman for jjparring partner, and Delaney, Jeffion'e old handler, has arranged to supervise the balance of his training and second him. Johnson is very confident. He thinks he will defeat-Jeffries in eighteen rounds. Ho Fays: "Jeffries amy bo tho stronger, hut I will make up for it , in scientific work." * JEFFRIES IN CAMP. Jeffries's recent training camp is a | beautiful place, 7G miles south of San Francisco, among giant red-woods, and ■ close at hand trout streams abounding with trout. Every accoutrement is there for training purposes. Jeffries rises at A a.m., and does ten miles over the mountain roads'and back before 7 a.m. At 10 a.m. he plays handball for two hours; at 3 p.m. bag-punching, boxing, and gymnasium work. Ite runs easily one hundred yards in 11 seconds, und his work does not tire him. Ho has not an ounce of superfluous flesh, and is very affable. His boxing skill, says a correspondent in the Sydney "Iteferce/' is a marvel. Great crowds coino in autos. to soq him train, and all are greatly impressed with his 1 wonderful form. An enormous amount of money will change hands, and no event in the history of the United States has caused such excitement. KETCnELL AND LANGFOIU). At tho National A.C., Philadelphia, on April 27, Sam Langfoid, tho Boston black, and Stanley Kctchell, of Michigan, undoubtedly the best.two middle-weights in the States, at. last cam© together iusido

a roped arena. It was, however, only a six rounds contest, and to experienced ring-goers iv-as peculiarly inconclusive and insincere. Tliero was no mark on. either man as they left the ring, though Langl'ord appeared lo lie tho fresher. There was iittlo to choose between them on merits, and though, if anything, Langford had a slight advantage, a draw would liave been a fair decision (say thv published account). The bout attracted a packed house, every largo city from Boston to Chicago being represented, and it is estimated that the box receipts amounted to nearly .£SOOO.