BOXING.

NZ Truth, Issue 217, 21 August 1909, Page 3

BOXING.

WILL JEFFRIES FIGHT AGAIN?

Under the pen-name of "Bob Fleming" a correspondent m a country contemporary discusses the question contained m the above caption as follows : — "Since James J. Jeffries declared himself ready to meet the present champion m a glove contest, spqrtdom has been discussing the respective mer.its of these two forefront exponents of the art of pugilistica. "Whilst believing the ex-boilermaker to have been the toughest proposition that donned mits m the Queensberry realm, it is to be regretted that he has allowed popular clamor, coupled with a gigantic purse, to upsot his resolution to give up the roped arena. "Ever one of the gross sort, it will he indeed surprising if, after four years on Easy-street, lie can get within coo-ec ol his 'old-time form. .Jeffries left the ring with an unblemished and unbeaten record. He fought and defeated every aspirant having any pretensions to championship class while he held the title. "He is often accused of side-stepping Jack Johnson by retiring when the 'big | smudge' hove m sight as a possible opponent. One has only to read the accounts of the flash black's mediocre displays at that ' time, against second-rat-ers of Ihe George Gardiner, Marvin Hart, Sam McVea and Joe Jeannctte type, to marvel how the irresistible smiter come to get cold feet, as some would

have u.s believe, at ihc mention of the name of the Cialveston coon. "Johnson's .showing against Sst. lighter and .stale Hums at the Sydney StaI dium, when lie gathered m ihc right to term himself top-notch pug of the universe, conclusively proved he' was not I the goods. Suieiy it is not necessary to go back to resurrect champions of Ihc past to com 3 and do bat tic with this 'flash m the pan' that at present rules the heavyweight roost. America will no doubt produce, something 'white' at least as good as she has done m the past. When she does there will be a new champion, and his name won't be Johnson. Jeffries' detractors continually harp on the one tune to prove his inferiority to other great fighters. Tom Sharkey is the object of comparison, with Bob Fitzsimmons lying m the back ground. Jeff failed to knock out the sailor, although winning on points on the two occasions on .which they met. Fitz; gave Mr Sharkey a dose of the sleeping sickness m the two instances when they disputed each other's claim. This, according to some critics, makes Fitz out a better fighter than the Los Angelos giant. "These critics convenienth- forget that just before meeting Sharkey Ruby Robert had been knocked out by Jeffries m 11 rounds. One can scarcely be blamed for being a bit sceptical with regard to that little matter ;. because with the same hands thai; were supposed to hay» been so deplorably broken up thumping big Jim Jeffries, the freckled gent bashed out m short order, Sharkey, Ruhlin and other lesser lights m the" pugilistic firmament. Damaged hands seldom become sound again. Why does not Mr Fitzsimmons admit that Jeffries was too big and strong, and could take all the punishment you or- anyone else could hand out to him ? Fitzsimmons was a great fighter, probably the best the world has ever seen at his weight. H;:s mills with Sharkey. Corbett, Jeffries, Mahct, and Ruhlin were marvellous efforts when we take into consideration the disadvantage m wcieWfc he had to contend with. "Nature handicapped Fitz as a fighter. He was 201 b too light. On the other hand Jeffries was abundantly endowed with al! the essentials necessary to . make a champion of champions.. He possessed courage m the highest degree, wonderful strength, great stamina,- a punch m either hand, the speed of a lightweight, a cool head under punishment, and last, but by no means least, 3st muscular ad- . vantage over his next most dangerous rival."