The times., 1897-03-17
GOSSIP ON THE BIC FIGHT
Not Much Money Has Been Wa
gered by LEGAL Sports.
OPINION EVENLY DIVIDED
FitzsfinmoDs Seems to Be the Most
Popular, but His Partisans Want
Odds Against Corbett-Not Over
Thousand Dollars Have Been
Wagered In This City.

Although not inclined to be Sporty in
| the general acceptance Of the word, wash
ington is on tptoe as to the outcome of
the big fight at Carson today, and prob
ably no spot on the map OF Uncle sani's
broad domain viii contribute in proportion.
larger audiences to the bulletin boards de-
failing the scrap as it occurs under the
shadow OF the Sierras.
Around town last night no other topic
was discussed, and from every group large
or small, there noated out such fragments
OF conversation as, .Fitz win do it,, II
bet "Corbett VIII xiii him; what did
Fitz do to Maher?'' "COrbett " i'll wait him
OUT Bet 81 to your S10;'' .-You'u
see tomorrow" Meet ME in front OF
The Times Office and SO on and so on.
So far as personal popularity is concerned
it is so evenly divided between the men
that to draw line i'll favor OF one or the
other would be like splitting hairs. How
ever, close count OF the ballot would
probably return small majority In favor
OF those who champion the New Zealander
The fact that Corbett whipped Sullivan
and shattered n idol has handicapped him
in the estimation of many people, not q
few of whom reside In Washington and
again that he disappointed an audience
gathered at the Grand Opera House while
en- route South to fight Nit chelI is another
act that hundreds have not forgiven. To
fair-rninded folk Corbctt explained the
Grand Opera House fiaSco very satisfac-
torily, but deep-seated prejudice is hard
to dislodge.
The betting has been very light, and it
is very liberal to say that 81 900 would
cover every penny wagered in Washing
ton. BETS amounting to a hundred dollars
have been rare. although q few have been
posted The majority of waeers have beca
from $50 down, at the odds of 10 to Z, the
FitZsimm ons hackers putting up the smaller
amount. The men are so evenly matched
that speculation is tinid. and, while the
sporty contingent would like 10 gamble a
bit. they are little afraid. The condition
of the men and their clean records of vic
tories since becoming important in the
fistic world seems to warrant the slow ness
and caution so generally evinced
The best local authorities on such affairs
viii risk no opinion as to which win win,
but indulge their Judgment in guessing the
number OF rounds. An ex-ficEter said last
follows: IF Fitzsimmons wins he will do
the trick in six rounds Failing to win
before the seventh he will fall victim TO
Corbett, who will handle his man care
fully, and put him out Just whep he pleases
to finish the fight. In other words, Corbett
will make cat-and-mouse matter of the
affair."
a great number of the followers otfistiana
are puzzled as to the advantage to either
man in the rule allowing blows with one
arm free and in the hreakaway. Some say
it will favor Fitz, hut COrbett's admirers
deny it. and point to Fitz reluctance to
agree to the rule. It is something new in
fighting under Queensberry regulations and
the outcome will he watched with great
interest
Not since the SEllivan-Corbett battle at
New Orleans has there been such general
curiosity manifested over sporting event,
endit goes without sa wing thatSt Patrick's
natal occasion will he unusually honored
as holiday in Washington. Following the
editions of the morning papers there viii
he constant dispatches from Carson, and
it will he Ia very pblegmatic disposition
that will he content TO sit at a dreary
desk while the interesting and palatable
bon-mots OF news are floating arounI On
the streets Chief and clerks are liable
Illness and important business
and the wheels of Uncle Sans machinery
are liable TO become clogged until the
verdict is rendered by Referee Siler.