The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-31
THE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT.
What Experts Think of the Chances
of Jeffries and ShnrLey.


world will be decided in New York on Fri |
day night, when James J. Jefferies and |
Thomas Sharkey viii meet in the ring and |
settle the dispute as to who is the better
man. The battle was to have occurred A
week ago but owing to an injury in the
arm received While training Jeffries asked
Tor a postponement, which was magnaui-
mously granted by his sailor opponent
who could have claimed the 50, 800 forfeit
II he had been SO inclined. The sporting
editor OF the Pittsburg Dispatch thinks
this was good business move on the part
of Sharkey, as he viii receive much more
than that as result of the fight no matter
how 1t goes. Besides. the sailor has
grievance to settle with Jeffries. and MOTH
ing viii be more to his liking than to again
be in the ring with the man who got the
decision over him in the 20-round fight at
San Francisco. The Dispatch man says:
AS 20 the final result, 1 like the chances
OF Jeftries, as he has most all the ad-
Vantages over Sharkey. His greater hight
and reach certainly will prove big things
in his favor, but there is a question as
to whether the champion Is so shifty as
the sailor. Many in the East claim this is
so at the present time, but there are Just
as many who doubt 1t. In their previous
fight, Shdrkey showed great ability in get
ing the fight was nothing more than
foot race all the way through
Sharkey declared that ne was not in con-
dition at that time, and that he entered
the ring far from being fiji to do so. He
also claims he has greatly improved since
then, which no doubt is very true.
This also can be said of his opponent
When Jeffries was in Pittsburg with the
atrical company JUST previous to his fight
with Fitzsimmons he made a very sorry
exhibition OF boxing on local stage He
appeared clumsy on his feet and did not
use his hands in very fine style. What
change was wrought in him in two
months under the training of Billy De-
! laney and Tommy Ryan, The man who
appeared in Pttsburg and the one who
took The laurels from Fitzsimmons seemed
like two different persons. At Coney Isl
and Jettries was as shifty as a jumping
jack, and used to the best advantage all
the tricks that could be called TO his aid.
He went in in calculating way, slight
~ nervous at first though, and gradually
felt his way along until ne had Fitz where
he wanted him, when the knockout was
landed. Jeffries took no chances until he
had seen that he was safe He was great
ly aided by his opponent, too, as the Aus
tralian through judgment to the winds az
ter mis- first knockdown and fought almos,
like novice. This was what caused the
reports that it was a case of laydown with
FftzsimmOns.
With Delaney to coach him it is prob
able Jeftries win adopt an entirely differ
ent style with Sharkey than he did with
Fitzsimmons. In the coming fight the
low crouching position that proved so
much an advantage against Fitzsimmons
Will not do against the sailor. The lat
ter too, will be able to land many body
blows that were missed by Fitzsimmons.
AS TO standing punishment, both men
! a. Qln al a1Vt
proved more than has Jeffries that he is
there in that respect. In his fight with
Mccoy the sailor was down several times
in the early rounds, but il did not cause
him to become discouraged, and he finally
won in seven rounds. Jeffries has the
reputation of never having been knocked
down.
Although to me it looks like victory
for Jeffries, l do not think there are
enough advantages on his side to warrant
the odds of 10 to 8 and 10 to that pre-
vail in the betting. The short end seems
to be a very good bet Form playing on
pugiist lately has been given several
black eyes, as also has il in horse rae
ing, the most notable examples being on
the Harlem track.
Jeffrjes' recent European trip is claimed
to have been detrimental to his coming
fight. AS is well known, Jeffries had
good time while away, and although not
very SlIOuS Oil QiSSlpdllISs ne HAS Idtl
trouble in getting down TO his fighting
weight, which is in the vicinity of 20
! pounds. The injury to his arm also may
| prove disastrous to him, as there is
| likelihood that it may become disabled
early in the battle, even if 1t is now in
! as good condition as ever, which is
! claimed by the champion
| Everything considered, the battle prom
ises to be a hard one. with the chances
! in favor of the present champion But
! Jeffries will have no walkoVer. The con-
fdence of both men will assist them con-
! siderably, while the prestige Jefries
enjoys as champion viii prove an added
| advantage
What COrbett Says.
James ]. Corbett is quoted as having
made the following forecast of the fight:
There are many persons who have watch
! ed the progress of Tom Sharkey during his
brief career who cannot understand the
| sailor success.
Some claim that It was simply through
luck that he succeeded in many Of MS
battles, while others say he has never been
up against hard game.
Both of these ideas are erroneous ard
by following them no one can get true
| line on the man VINO hopes 10 win the
championship next Friday night
Within the past two years Sharkey has
engaged in several important mat hes, and
! in each instance GIOMtu ~ NC AeAAAAs ~
or. OF course, l do not mean to say that
! Sharkey is a very scientific fighter, but
he does possess the necessary science to
guide him through a contest at critical
stages.
Sankey's success, to a great degree l
believe lies in the fact that he is natur-
al fighter one in which instinct alone
plays an important part
The game Of self-defense is born in him.
and when the gong rings everything else
is forgotten but the man who faces him
inside the ropes. In other words, Sharkey
is typical fighter in every sense Oh the
| word. <. +, -.
While believe that luck figures In prize
| fights at some times, man could not
work himself to the top OF the pugilistic
ladder through mere good fortune.
| 4 reversal must come some time, but Il
has been more than luck with sharkey'
He has fighting ability.
A fighter must be prepared to meet any
and all emergencies, whenever they arise.
| c.harl,av 81 far has proved himself equal