Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-06-09
The Heavyweight Battle Tonight.


New York, June 9.-Some time be-
tween nine and ten o'clock tonight
Robert Fitzsimmons, the champion
pugilst of The world, will meet James
j. Jefiries, of California, in q contest OF
% rounds for the heavyweight cham
pionship, at the Coney Island Athletic
Club. Opinions which have been form
cd and expressed as to the victor are
widely at variance, and who will be
returned the winner is as much in
doubt as ever. The fact that Ft2sim-
mons is now at that time Of life when
increasing years sap the vigor and vi.
tally from the body, has caused many
OF his followers to wonder if he is to
follow the track of fstic oblivion. Re-
ports speak glowingly of his condition
but the doubt still remains. Jetiries,
who aspires to the victor's ]aurels, will
enter the ring with an unbroken string
of victories and with strong conf
dence in his own ability. He is the
perfection of physical condition. The
Californian has everything to commend
him-youtb, health and strengthened
no stone has been left unturned where
by he may gain the victory. The
fighters will take things easy today. A
record breaking attendance is expect
ed. The advance sale of seats has been
enormous and it is estimated that the
gate receipts will range between So.
600 and SS0U00. Jeffries' second; will
be Tommy Ryan, Jack Daily, Billy De-
lauy and Charles Jeff'ries, while Fitz
simmons's will be Dan Hickey, Yank
Kenney, Martin Julian eed Jack Ever
hardl. 1t is generally conceded that
vorite with odds ranging from 10 to {
10 2 to l. Betting has shown decided
impetus today and the arrival Of out
of-town sports has lent spirit of &C.
tivity in all sporting quarters. Chief
of Police Devery, vino recently de-
clared he would arrest the principals
if either of the contestants was knock
ed down, now AYERS that Knockout
may occur before he can stop it, but
that he does not want any one to get
hurt" 1t is not believed that there
will be any police interference.
Asbury Park, n. j., June 9.-Jin
Jefiries and his. party of trainers left
for Coney Island on the 9 o'clock train.
He carried his own trunk down stairs
and placed it on truck waiting at the
door. He conversed with the party on
the porch and told some funny stories.
He sang several rag time songs and
danced clog Some one asked him
what he thought about the fight. He
answered by saying he never thought
of it. "The only time the fight will 10.
terest me-" said the boiler-maker, sis
when 1 enter the ring tonight, and then
| will begin to think about it. Why,
from morning until night the very fact
that am going to fight does not trouble
me in the least. know am going TO
win and that's all there is about it,"
Jeffries walked over to the depot with
the party and before boarding the train
jumped on the scales and tipped them
at 223 pounds. He said that he would
strip to about 215 pounds. He was
cheered IS the train pulled out from the
station, and every one shouted: Good
luck to you, JIM"
Bath Beach, n Y, June 9.-Fitz-
simmons will remain at his cottage I'M.
til o'clock this evening, when he will
be driven over to the club house. FitZ
said this morning II am going in this
fight to win. am not making any
guesses as to how long it will take me
to dispose of Jeffries. know I'll do it
and that's enough. I never felt better
in my life."