James J. Jeffries Tribute at Knott’s!

National Boxing Hall of Fame Honors Champ

Heavyweight champ James J. Jeffries (19-1-2, 16 KOs) will be celebrated Saturday, February 17 as the National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) pays tribute to the late fighter. The event will be held at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.

Here’s my special preview of the day which will honor the fighter known as “The Boilermaker.” He is known for the epic “Jim Jeffries and Jack Johnson” square-off in their historic Reno match back in 1910; his legacy is one for the ages.

The NBHOF’s Bill and Linda Young have many surprises planned at the weekend bash (which is now sold out). There will be a group of veteran boxers in attendance, a Mrs. Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken buffet in Jeffries’ Old Barn (Wilderness Dance Hall), and a historic presentation of a World Boxing Council (WBC) belt during the ceremony.

NBHOF Vice President Linda Young shared some of Saturday’s details with me. There will also be a red carpet entrance, guests from the Burbank Historical Society/Gordon R. Howard Museum, live country music, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and on-stage speeches.

I asked Linda the origins of their upcoming luncheon?

“We were at Knott’s Berry Farm; we were inside the Jeffries Barn at Christmas and we knew about the barn as Bill use to visit there and also when boxing memorabilia was there. We, at some point, we’re talking about the possibility of having an event there but didn’t know if we could? We thought: Wouldn’t it be awesome to have James Jeffries inducted inside his own barn?

“It has been an interesting journey researching the history, visiting the Burbank Historical Society, and calls to Ohio where Jeffries was born. After visiting the museum in Burbank I was so shocked to get a call that they will bring pieces of Jeffries Exhibit. They also are bringing ‘never before seen’ original portraits of the Jeffries family. I asked if there was a possibility but didn’t dream it would happen.”

Visitors will be coming from near and far (Riverside, Banning, Las Vegas, Mexico, etc.) to participate in the Jeffries gathering.

Linda tells me that several VIP guests that are scheduled to attend including a golden trio of noted boxing historians Tony Triem, Steve Lott and Gene Aguilera, WBC boxing official Benjamin Rendon, Frank Stallone, Erik Morales, Israel Vazquez, Gabriel Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, Ruben Castillo, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Art Frias, Frankie Duarte, Raul Perez, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Mando Muniz, Danny Valdez, Alan Santana and more. There will also be representatives from the World Boxing Council (WBC).

“So great to have the WBC to have a belt made especially for Knott’s. We are looking so forward to this wonderful gathering of our boxing family.”

The Jim Jeffries Barn was located in Burbank, Calif. and was moved to Knott’s Berry Farm. The heavyweight passed away in Burbank at the age of 77. But his legacy lives on. There’s a street named after him (near the original location of his property) and an extensive display at the Gordon R. Howard Museum. I visited the museum this past week in anticipation of the National Boxing Hall of Fame awards show at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Check out my photos from the museum and the collectibles honoring Jeffries and his 60-acre ranch and barn.

On February 17, the NBHOF and guests will get to see the barn and all the boxing treasures up close and personal!

Photos by Michele Chong; Flier courtesy of NBHOF