Jack Jeffries Tried To Get His Brother Ko'd Prior To The Johnson Fight.

Jim Jeffries had his autobiography published around 1929 entitled Two Fisted Jeff and ghosted by Hugh Fullerton it alleges that Jeffries was looking so bad in training for the Johnson fight that his brother John[Jack],tried to arrange for Jeffries sparring partner Bob Armstrong to ko him ,believing this would force the ex champ to abandon his challenge to champion Johnson.Jeff recounts in the book how his brother desperately tried to talk him out of going through with the fight but with no success.
Realizing Jeff was set on fighting he hatched a plan with Armstrong whereby Armstrong would ko the ex champ and this would force him to reconsider.
Jack and Armstrong decided on a day and Armstrong made ready to spar only to be told by Jeff that he was too tired to spar and that he would spar no more before the fight.

 

Yes,only Ketchel wanted to do it during the introductions,he was dissuaded only when his manager Wilson Mizner pointed out that they had a good bet down on Johnson.I dont think Stan was the sharpest knife in the drawer.Howsomeever Mizner made sure that Ketchel never got too near Jeff when he and all the other fighters were introduced prior to the fight.

 

I don't think Johnson tried to stop Jeffries until he was sure he had drawn his sting or what was left of it .
Fitzsimmons was of the opinion Johnson could have stopped Jeffries whenever he chose,but Jack was always cautious and never in a hurry to end matters.After the fight he said he had enjoyed himself,no doubt remembering all the insults and snubs Jeffries had heaped upon him.

 

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I have all the reports.Johnson said before the fight Jeffries can't come back I am stronger than him and I've always known I would beat him just as soon as I could get him in the ring." I wasn't in any hurry I was having fun in there,I could have fought all day".
Jeffries stayed strong?
Johnson grasped Jeffries by the elbows and walked him backwards to his own corner, looked down at Jim Corbett laughed and said," where do you want me to put him Mr Corbett".It was a one-sided beating
Jeffries was outclassed in every department, there are tons of news reports from the next morning stating it was never competitive,including one from the referee Tex Rickard who stated Johnson was the greatest fighter he had ever seen.Sorry if this doesnt fit your narrative but those are the facts.
Other boxers seemed to think Armstrong was a good sparring partner.
CBZ

1910-1932 -Armstrong worked frequently as a sparring partner or trainer for different fighters