The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-07
TRAINING is TOO FINE
Fitzsimmons Is Said to Be Work
ing Too Hard.
FIGHT MAY BE STOPPED
Devery Says the First Heavy Blow
viii Be the Signal-Gossip From
Both OF the Training
Quarters.
Special Dispatch to the Standard.

Special Dispatch to the Standard
New York June 6.-Although he ex-
presses complete satisfaction with his
own condition, Fitzsimmons seems to
be down too fine to be strong and ready
for his fight with Jeffries at Coney ISL
and Friday night. He says he is weigh
ing 1853 pounds, but when he stripped
at his training quarters at Bath Beach
this afternoon he looked fully three
pounds lighter. He and Julian, his
manager, admit there is danger in too
days, and say that there is to be let
up from now until the night Of the
fight. Despite their assurance of pre-
caution, however, Fitzsimmons boxed
12 fairly fast rounds in the open air
with the thermometer close to 80 de-
grees this afternoon, and the perform
ance, while it had no apparent effect
upon the champion, did not look like
display of good training judgment.
Fitzsimmons is as light-hearted as a
child these days and has perfect conf
dence in his ability to win against the
Californian.
Fitzsimmons omitted his road run and
swim this morning. but did all of his
gymnasium work and had a run to-
night. He also showed the manner in
which he takes advantage in the clinch
by making the other fellow do the
clinching and keeping both of his arms
free to hit. He seems Just as fast on
his feet as of old and he breaks around
and sidesteps like a light weight.
While waiting for the boxing to begin,
Fitzsimmons sat in corner of the yard
near the barn reading a paper.
The great question as to whether
Fitzsimmons has gone back since his
famous fight with Corbett two years
ago must remain unanswered until Fri
day night. He does not look as strong
as he did then, but he and the men who
are handling him say that they are
sure that he is even better than on that
occasion. They are backing that as
serton with money at odds of two to
one and assert that at no time will it
be in jeopardy. They deny that he has
led life calculated to rob him of his
wonderful strength and vitality and
have absolute confidence in his ability
to win. 5.,.. .
The expected conference between
Referee George Siler and the two pu-
gilists to ascertain how the men are
going to fight on Friday night in the
matter of breaking away, etc, was not
held to-day. Sier arrived here in the
afternoon from Chicago and did not
have time to look the rival boxers up.
He will see Jeffries tomorrow after
noon and call on the champion Thurs
day.
Interest in the battle seems to in
crease as the date draws near. The
demand for seats has so far exceeded
expectations and orders for boxes have
been unusually large. So as to accom-
modate every one, the mana cement has
arranged to enlarge the seating capa-
city by adding 35 new boxes, holding
six to eight persons each. To-day
these chairs, which originally were sold
for s25 were selling for $50. Some
sports were willing to give as high as
SIS a chair but could not get them.
There was decided fall in the bet
ting odds to-day.
Jeffries' sponsors are more eager to
speculate, and the fact that he is gain
ing new friends each day has stimu-
lated belief in his chances to a ma
terial extent. At Corbett's to-day. Jim
Corbett bet $1,400 to S2,SO0 on Jeffries,
and Abe Stein of San Francisco bet
$400 to $500 on Jeffries. Fred Block
says he has a commission of $4,000 to
place at good figures. At the Metro
politan hotel Billy Curran, after some
trouble, found taker for $500 to $500
on Jeffries. Billy Gray is also backing
Jeffries. He has wagered $500 to $500
with Lew Dockstader. Anderson of Gin
cinnati has also Wagered $500 to $500
with Dockstader on the boilermaker
Charley White received $4,000 to-day to
place on lanky Bob.