The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-03
JUST EFOFE TIE RATTLE
Condition Of the Mea, Bettjng Odds and
Other Preltmtnaries-

San Francisco, Dec. Bob FitzSim-
mons and Sharkey, having ceased train
ing, retired early at their respective
quarters last night. fully pEilned for their
meeting in the arena Of the National Ath
ietic club tonight. When FitZsimmons
was weighed yesterday morning in his
fighting togs for the last time, he tipped
the scales at exactly 1854 pounds, and
this was about his weight when he went
into the ring tonight. He had never
stripped as heavy in any battle he had
ever fought, butt the added flesh was
as hard as nails. His trainers we're
5eaming all over with their belief in his
victory. Hickey was particular conf
dent. He thought the affair would last
about three rounds and that FitzsiIn-
mons would put Sharkey out with q
straight punch.
Like all my battles, this is going to
be short, quick CO." said Fitzsimmons
early in the day. II suppose Sharkey
will play endurance, but even II he were
able to keep away from me, which he
caRlot. / can stand the endurance part
or 1T as long as ne can. II is a cincn,
and never thought IL WIS anything else
from the day the match was made
Ring experts expressed the opinion that
Sharhey was almost in too fine condition
out said that, owing to his youth and
sound constitution, the rest he would
get today would counteract any Teak
ness his seven weeks exercise might
have entailed.
The sailor was also confident of vic
tory. He believed he would win inside
or seven rounds. He said he was going
to put up q fight that would surprise
somebody. Il can hit just as hard as
Fltzsimmons can," was the way he put
II, and he'll know before the fun is
over that he has been in a fight
And yet, however, he had not seen
much of Fitzsimmons, and what he knew
of the Australian was secondhand
knowlsdge. He had read carefully ev-
cry word Of the newspaper account Of
the Australians training. He was par
ticuiarly interested in reports he has
heard o. Fitzsimmons' heavy right-hand
aos, and 1t might have been Just
chance on his part, but the sailor had
developed his left arm hitting power.
That Sharkey was the popular favorite
while FitzsimmOns was the choice of the
talent. was conciusively proven at the
pool rooms hast night, for Sharxey money
weS never lacking when Fitzsimmens'
cash was announced. So strong were
the sailors hackers that the odds were
'veered from even money that Sharkey
would be put out in six rounds to to
10 that he would stay. Some amounts of
money were placed on Fitzsimmons at
10 to 4. and IS to 10, but the betting set
tied at 20 to 9, and big money went into
the pools at this figure.
The seating arrangements were as near
ly perfect as the capacities of the pavil-
ION would permit. The ring had been
established in the center Of the building.
Around II had been constructed a quad
fangie Of 172 boxes with eight seats each
away in every direction seats
rose after the order Of the modern the
atre, TO the number of 5000 The gall
lery was similarly arranged, with the
exceptiensthat benches were provided for
the spectators. The seating capacity in
this part Of the hall was limited to 1000.
Over 1900 OF the 14.0G0 seats provided
had been disposed of I'D to this morn
Ing, and it was predicted that the big
hall would not be nearly large enough
to accommodate the crowd thar would
clamor for admittance at the last mo-
meflt