The San Francisco call., 1896-11-25
Billy Jordan Can See But
One Man, and His Name
Is Fitz.
Alex Greggains. Says That the
Cornishma1 Has a Hard
Contract.
1t. Is the General Belief That Fitz-
simmons Has Many Advantages
Over the Sailor.

betting on the FitZsimmOns and
Sharkey fight has commenced in earnest
Yesterday several hundred dollars were
wagered on the result. Fitzsimmons
is a strong iavorite, but it is thought
that the friends of Sharkey will come to
the front pretty strong on the day of the
contest.
Several people interested in manly
sports were seen yesterday, and with few
exceptions the general belief was that
FitZsimmons would win.
James c. NeaIon, the famous handball.
player and aIl-round athlete, said that if
atftzsimmons is as clever as reports state
he should stand all excellent chance OF
winning the purse.
'Of course, if Fitzsimmons adopts the
same tactics as Corbett," said Nealon, II
look Tor Sharkey to win, as he is capable
OF standing rough treatment. Corbett
.made a mistake in undertaking Sharkey
and exchanging blow for blow. The sailor,
think, can whip any man who Will try
that game. l look to see Fitzsimmons
side-step his man and catch his game on
the return"
Billy Jordan cannot see but one man in
the fight. My gracious me, what possible
chance has this man SharKey against that
demon puncher," remarked Billy as he
took an extra pull from 50-cent cigar,
. which he said was presented to HIM by a
eal'butcher from Petaluma. "Why, YOU
should see him punch the bag on Sunday
last. He thinks no more Of smashing the
biggest punching-bag on earth with a
Highlander than / do of eating the finest
porterhoGse steak in the land. So help
me goodness If he ever lands that big
bunch of tves on Sharkey's jaw, which he
Is sure 10 do and in very quick order too
wi 10
deciding who is entitled to the big money
sack. Just wait and see il my words don't
come true. l look to see Sharkey stretched
on his back before the end of the first
round or l will be the most disappointed
man on earth. l tell you, this fellow
FltzsimmonS is a terror, and don't you
forget it, l like Sharkey, but L m afraid
Tom has taken on terrible contract this
time. If it was any other man than Fitz-
simmons the sailor was to meet then |
would have some doubts about the result.
This fellow Fitzsimmons can whip any
man on earth"
Dan Lynch, who is manager and hacker
OF Sharkey, is as confident in the success
OF his ward as a man could be.
They all think that.Fitzs immons has a
soft snap" said Lynch, ''but they will
have good reason to think differently after
the contest is over. Every match that
Sbarkey has engaged in was a foregone
W ny, Tom Will not be in it, vas the talk
OF those wise men who have been guessing
wrong ever since Sharkey commenced
fighting. He was looked upon as a good
chopplng- block ior Corbett and Choynski
but he fooled them all, and he will fool
Fifzsimmons just sure as you live be-
lore they box many rounds. At the pre-
vailing odds | will take considerable of
: the money wagered on Fitzsimmons."
Alexander Gregsains said that he was
puzzled and could not venture an opinion.
"a whole lot of these fellows who pre-
tend to know it all may get badly fooled
in Sharkey." remarked Greggains. II am
aware that FitZsimmons is a hard man tn
whip, but l think he will find that
Sharkey is the hardest game he has ever
tackled. Unless Fitzsimmons can land
on the sailors Jaw, which vulnerable point
Sharkey will keep well protected, 1 have
my doubts of FItz being able to knock
out his man. The only thing am afraid
of is an uppercut. You see Corbett gave
Tom an awful punch in the eye, and il
Fitz can land another such blow on
Toms chin, why 1t will be all over but
the shouting. Possibly Sharkey may find
a weak spot in Bob's body while the latter
is prospecting for the sailors jaw. It's
no soft snap for Fitzsimmons by any
means"
James MARYLAND says that it will be all
over the first good punch that Sharkey
- SeIs III any part OF the race.
Phil Ryan, OF handball fame has an
idea that Sharkey will take his medicine
and will be on deck fighting like an Indian
near the end OF the tenth round.
Danny Neednam says that Sharkey will
bore holes in the Cornishman's stomach
large enough to stick your fist into before
three rounds are fought.
John Ferguson is of the opinion that
Sharkey will surprise the talent.
'.Tnis fellow Sharkey," said Ferguson,
sis as strong as a bull, and although be
may not be a polished fighter, he has q
style Of his own that will puzzle any man.
They say he can't hit; but you will md
that he hits hard and strong enough to
put most fighters to sleep. 1t would not
surprise me a bit to hear of Fitzsimmons
being knocked out"
Coming Matches.