The San Francisco call., 1899-06-04
CORBETT FAVORS
THE CALIFORNIAN n
Predicts That Jeffries
Will Win.
WILL BACK HIS OPINION
BIG FELLOW 100 STRONG FOR
FITZSIhMONS.
WILL BACK HIS OPINION
The Former Champion Believes 1t
Will Be Slugging Match, and
the Heavier Man Will
Triumph.
Special Dispatch to The Call,

NEW YORK, June 3.-Interest in the
coming -Jeffries fight will
be increased by James J Corbetts an
nouncement made tonight that he is
convinced Jeffries will win. Corbett
seemed willing to support his belief in
the boilermaker with cash He offered
to back Jeffries for any amount, pro-
viding odds Of two to one were given
by Fitzsimmons' admirers.
Il have always had confidence in
Jeffries' ability as a fighter" said Cor
bett. The only thing l feared about
Jim was that he might lose his conf
dence as the date Of battle drew near.
Now that l know he is absolutely con-
tident Of success, l have no hesitation
in backing him"
How do you figure Jeffries a winner
over a man with Fitzsitnmons' ring
record?" was asked.
Easily enough" said Corbett. Il
have never considered Fitzsimmons a
clever man. He is a slugger and de-
pends entirely on his strength to win.
outpointed him easily enough, but
am not a strong man. Jeffries is a much
stronger man than i am. He can hit a
much harder blow than l ever could.
Nature has been kind to him. He is
naturally d strong fellow, unlike any
man Fitzsimmons has ever fought"
DO you believe Jeffries is a cIeverer
man than Fitzsimmons?"
Yes, l do, replied Corbett, with en-
phasis Il have spared with both
men, and l think | ought to know
Jeffries can slug just as well as, and hit
harder than, Fitzsimmons. III bet Fitz
will stop slugging before Jeffries does"
Evidently believing he is still quail
fed to battle successfully against
heavyweight pugilists Of the first class,
kid" Mccoy announces he will be at
the ringsde on Friday night TO chal-
lenge the winner of the Fitzsimnons-
Jeffries mill. Mccoy left Denver for
New York to-day He is quoted as say
ing that his health has improved con-
siderably of late and that he feels con-
fident OF success against any man in
the prize ring.
Interest in the coming fight increases
as the date draws near Every day
crowds of admirers of the pugilists
journey TO the respective training
quarters of the principals and watch
their exercise with interest.
At Asbury Park, where Jeffries is
putting on the finishing touches e s
preparation for the battle, there are
numerous visitors. They al GeaHrL
greatly impressed with the furria
boilermaker's chances agaiust the
champion. One of the novel features
of Jeffries' preparation for tha ushi rs
the road work which he does, usee hy
a bicycle ridden by his trainer Eifig-
Delaney. Although Jeffries ioga GOOD
part of the journey. which is us3 a4y
TO Long Branch and return, tueco are
times during the trip when Delaney
makes the wheels of his bicyc fe4oty
at racing speed, and Jeffries mas a 6~
his best to keep within hailinr cisi -.e
of his trainer. Rowing is an. hen ase-
time TO which the California aeVu5-s
considerable attention. Ever aa he
enjoys row on Deal Lake / = a-.,.-
working boat. Jeffries is quit "a ,..rs-
man, and he obtains co s. io be-
benefit as we'll as pleasure from the
exercise.
The particular form of exercise.
however, which has been O. gree II
benefit to Jeffries is his bout with
Tommy" Ryan, the welt =r- s--ie--
champion Dugiiist Ryan, who - ur-
questionably one Of the cleveres'
in the ring to-day, has giv-u lbs
many pointers on the use his harde
and feet. Ryan's work is clearly seen
in Jeffries' improvement.
FftzsimmOns' training O. rtere 81.
Bath Beach are always well latronizs.
The champion has many admI1ers, ana