The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-18
BEFORE THE FIGHT.
Hotels Filled with sports-Lively Betting on
tho Result.

Tho hotels on upper Broadway wero the
sporting mans Mecca yesterday afternoon.
Each train brought fresh arrivals from out of
town. and those who had money to wager on
the McCoy-Creedon fight made a Decline to put
1t down. regardless of finding out In just what
shape tho men really were. The cafes did a
land-ofilce business, and 1t was all that one
could do even to iostlo his way through tho
crowd of sports. or course. the first thing Wis.
itors did was to look up the different exchanges
where the tickets were on sale. All the ad.
mission tickets had been disposed of earlier1n
The day, and the only thing left was a few choice
alacrity, and there WAS no kick at the price.
Interest in ihc fight was not confined to
broadway. 1t was the topic of conversation all
over town, and those who could not see the
mill discussed the probable outcome as though
it was the hardest problem in the world to
solve. Critics who have never seen a fight in
the ring, tried to convince the regulars that
they knew, it all, and pounded out ,egotistisally
don's style and past performances were brought
into the argument by those who admired him.
The Australians friends commended that ne
couldn't lose. MoCoy's champions said that his
long reach. youth, and ability to punch were
too difficult TO overcome, and these would lead
During the afternoon the betting became
livelier. Those who had held aloof all along
invest it ali on the man they had picked to win.
Murphy. Tom Tracy. Ben Falk, and Little
House cato shortly after 4, O'Clock. Dams
visit had been expected and tho would'be, bet;
Of shape he was, He said that he felt well and
McCoy's prowess and ability as IA fighter. Cree.
don looked as II he was in perfect health. He
moved about quickly and seemed to BIO eager
for the fight to begin. After a stay of half an
hour in the cafe. ne went to his room in tho
hotel and retired. He was awakened at z
o'clock and went direct to the clubhouse.
three and four figures. Mccoy ruled as the
favorite, although Croedon gained followers at
every turn. The out, of town sports gavo odds
fused to lay more than SslSo to 500: This was "a,
probably due TO a rumor that Mccoy WAS not
feeling we'll and had u touch OF malaria. George
Manlz, Maurice Herford, Henry Pike, Hugo
Gans's-m%nager; Peter Hammill. and Buck
ford, 1t y said; placed several thousand dol
way, lIughy Behan. Eddie Dealing, "Mystcri.
GUS Billy Smith. and Jack Burke OF Chicago,
large sum 10 a friend to place on Mccoy; j.
Creedon, A. H. sheldon placid $1,000 even
The sports from, Troy. including NJ. Fitz.
gerald, f.. Lovelock, H.. Walker, Damon Me.
Manus, and Con Mccoy, all brought a big batch
of gteenbacks TO wager. Of the result: Eitz'
Jack Smith of Boston bet 5000 to 1910 on
Creedon. He had 10 be satisfied with even
money later in the evening. At the Mctropole
Mccoy money. Jack Adler took % creedon's
end and backed him to tho extent OF 1900.
Billy Edwards accepted all the Croedon money
he had almost $4,000 invested. Later in tho
afternoon Jimmy Hayes lay only even money
on Mccoy. He had about 800 down on him.