BOXING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10451, 10 May 1910, Page 1

BOXING.

(PEn Press Association-.) * . Dunedin, May;. 9. The Otago Boxing Association's tournament opened to-night with a good attendance. The following are the results: Bantams —Armstrong heat Gray, Randlc a bye. Featherweights— A Hon beat Duncan, Sutherland a_ bye. Lightweight North., beat Winter, Voting a bye. Welter —Glooson beat Reid, True beat Fogarty. M'Lennan a bye. Heavy—Rcwcastle beat Cooper, MQuarie beat 'Williams, M'Chesney a bye. Novice —Robinson beat Walker, 3! 'Doiigall beat Campbell. Middle— Mathewson heat Nightingale, Finnic beat Stewart, Cooper a bye.

JEFFRIES-JOHNSON DETAILS

After considerable hesitancy, which caused confidence to waver regarding its probability," Messrs Rickard . and Gleason, the successful bidders for the Johnson-Jeffries championship battle on July 4, have pitched upon the Emeryville race-track, across the bay from San Francisco, as the venue of the great contest arranged. Emeryville lies on the outskirts of Oakland, which is about six miles from 'Frisco, and contains the most prominent racecourse west of Chicago. Racing being under the ban in California at present, the track is lying idle, and its owner, Mr Tom Williams, a millionaire sportsman, offered it to Rickard and Gleason on condition that he should have a share in the enterprise. The intention is to erect a huge arena capable of seating 50,000 on the field across the track from and close to the grand stand. This arena- will be so constructed that a good view of the ring in the centre can be obtained from every part. All seats will be numbered, and will be sold at prices ranging from £2 for those in the outermost circle, to £2O for those close to the ring-side. At such prices the receipts of the great fight should reach ihc enormous total of £55,000, greatly ill excess of the guaranteed purse of £20,200 for which the fighters will contest.

Tli e referee v.'ill not be selected until ;i month prior to the contest, but it is thought that Eddie Smith, who has refereed many contests, including the ?iioran-A[urphy and Nelson-Wolgast encounters, will be selected. .Jeffries wiil go into immediate training, having selected quarters near Santa Cruz, a noted health resort on Monterey Bay, where California's first capital was situated. A few of the biggest trees ; in California are situated here, one of them. •"Fremont," having been the domicile of General John C. Fremont, the pioneer of overland travel to the Pacific: Coast. in the earlier stages Jeffries will be assisted by Hob Armstrong, who fought Denver Edward Ala rt in at the Crystal Palace years ago, Gunboat Smith, and 11 is brother Jack, being joined late in Alay by Jim Corbett, '/rank Goich, ;n:d several others. iJi'.ly Delaney, who discovered and developed Jeffries, has positively declined in any way to assist 3)is former protege. As soon as his -trial for assault in Xew York is concluded, Johnson ivil! go to his newly-purchased home in Chicago, and about April 1 begin light training there. According io his present plans, ho will remain in Chicago until ?.lay 1. when he v. ill remove his training camp to some place in California yet to lie chosen. but it is believed that one of the many popular training quarters near Oakland will be chosen. Johnson has played a master stroke by retaining Tommy llyan. exmiddleweight champion, as his chief adviser. It. was Ryan who taught Jeffries the finesse of boxing, and it was due to him more than anyone else that Jeffries succeeded in wresting the world's championship from Fitzsiminons. tie knows every move of the big white man, aiul Johnson could" not have gained a more valuable ally.

The impression still, remains strong in mcricii that Johnson and Jeffries will never meet, but those who are .•.irongost in the belief will retain an open-iniiuloclness, hoping that the signs upon which they base their pessimism have no foundation. Should tiie match eventuate, a fistic carnival the like of which has never before been witnessed will take place during the first week of July.