Evening star., 1896-12-02
Fitzaimmons and Sharkey Ready for
Their Fight.
FORMER WAS NEVER seen 50 HEAVY
SAYS That It Will Be Short, Quick
Battle.
SPORTING NOTES

SAN FRANCISCO, December 2.-Both
Fitzsimmons and Sharkey have ceased
| training and retired early at their respec-
| tive quarters. fully primed for their meet
| ing in the arena of the National Athletic
Club tonight When Fitzsimmons was
weighed yesterday morning in his fighting
tcgs for the last time he tipped the scales
at exactly 173 IA pounds, and this will be
about his weight when he goes into the
ring tonight. He has never stripped as
heavy in any battle he has ever fought,
but the added flesh Is as hard as nails His
trainers are beaming all over with their
! belief in victory tonight. Hickey is per-
fectly confident. He thinks the affair will
last about three rounds, and that Fitz SIM
mons will put Sharkey out with a straight
punch.
Like all my battles. this is going to be
short, quick co. said Fitzsmmohs. II
suppose Sharkey will play endurance,
but even If he were able to keep away from
| me, which he cannot, l can stand the en-
durance part of IL as long as he can. It's
cinch and l never thought it was anything
else from the day the match was made
Ring experts express the opinion that
Sharkey Is almost in too fine condition. but
say that. owing to his youth and sound
| constitution. the rest he will get today will
counteract any weakness his seven weeks
exercise might have entailed.
believes he will WIN inside Of seven rounds.
He said he was going to put up a fight that
would surprise somebody"
II can hit just hard as Fitzsimnons
can, was the way he put 1t. "and he will
know before the fun is over that he has
| be en- in a fight
AS yet he has not seen Fitzsimmons, and
what he knows of the Australian is second
hand Knowledge. He has read very care
fully every word of the newspaper accounts
OF the Australians manner of training.
| He is perfectly interested in reports he has
| heard of Fitzsmmons' heavy right hand
| 1abs, and 1t may have been just pure chance
| on his part, but the sailor has developed
| his left-arm hitting powers.
Sharkey is the popular favorite while F'itz-
simmons is the choice Of the talent. This was
| conclusively proven at the pool rooms last
| night, for Sharkey money was never lack
ing when Fitzsimmons cash was announced.
| So strong were the sailors hackers that the
odds Veered from even money that Sharkey
would be put out in six rounds to to 10
| that he would stay. Small amounts OF
money were placed on Fitzsimmons at 10 to
and % to 10. but the betting settled at ~
to .. and big money went on in the pool
| room at this figure.
The seating arrangements are nearly
perfect as the capacities of the pavilion will
permit The ring has been established in
the center Of the building. Around it mas
been constructed a quadrangle Of IL. boxes
with eight seats each. Stretching away in
every direction seats will rise after the
order of the modern theater to the number
of 5000 The gallery is similarly arranged.
with the exception that benches will be pro-
vided for the spectators The seating ca
pacity in this part of the hall Is limited to
1900 Over 12,OO of the 1900 seats pro-
vided have been disposed of up to this
morning. 1t Is predicted that the big hall
modate the crowd that will clamor for ad-
mittance at the last moment.