The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-04
PUGILISTS IN TRAINING.
nov FTTzSIMMOYS AND JEFFRIEs
ARE GETTING INTO FORM.

Robert Fltzsmmons champion heavyweight
pugilist Of the world and James Jeffries the
gigantic boilcrmaker. who has never been de.
fentcd. and whose best achievement ia a vic.
tory over Tom Sharkey In twenty rounds. are
training hard and faithfully for their battle
which Is scheduled to take place at Coney
Island on June 9. Ftzsmmons Is at Bath
Beach aud JefTries at Loeb Arbor. near Asbury
Park. Atthese resorts they havo The bcncht oil
scn air and country roads. When this m tch was
made the general opinion among sporting men
was that Fitzsimmons had been successful in
picking out another easy mark. This idea was
bnsed upon the showing made ayear ago at the
1enox A. G. Ivy Jcfrries who contracted to
knock out Bob Armstrong and stove ODonnell
one after the other in the same ring. Jefiries
had hard time outpointing Armstrong In a
tcn.round bout and then refused to tackle the
easy O'Donnrll. giving as IN excuse that he
had broken his thumb.
Tho style slowness and general elcrhantlne
appearance OF JefIries at that time prejudced
Il large number Of critical sporting men against
him. and these wiscarres st adhere to the
belief that Jim will be easy picking for "Fitz"
Jcirrios. who Is the biggest pugist In the
profession Just now. weighed 235 pounds
when he tackled Armstrong year
ago. When he puts up his hands
against the triumphant Cornishman he
will scale at about 2U5 bounds. Upon this diff
ference in weight Jelrrtcs says his success de-
ponds and he firmly believes that he will win.
Iizaimmons declares that no will go into the
ring not heavier that 1873 pounds but in the
rival camp they believe that Bob will weigh
close TO 10.
Fitzsmmons has the ring experience. knows
the scientific principles of lighting better. pos
sibly, than anybody. has hitherto been re-
KQrleI of the hardest hittpra In the
world and possesses supreme confidence in
himself Iio has Knocked out more antago-
lists with ono punch than any other fighter
and Is a physical freak. Fitz's back. chest and
arms arc phenomenally developed. while
his legs nrs like ripe stems. His head
s. comparatively small and his neck
IL not Of the bull-likc kind Behind his ire
mendous lung power. however. is the hitting
apparatus. which has put many a man to sleep.
even when the actual Knockout blow Inns not
travelled more than three inches before reach
ing the vital spot
fltzsimmons never was SNOWY boxer. He
does not believe IN fancy foot work and pretty
md s%%iS Sui r sd,q% + sFs'y t! 1%sy
the intentions Of an opponent Is n strong
.b""IImmtt In in n" cnatmli9nt makeup and
sort OF plan that may result fatally.
BOB is more effective at close range than IL
re stahiN away II" hkes lnightinR. and
Thereby looks FOR chances to get in the short
hooks on the Jaw or the straight walops on the
solar pexus that have laid low in the past such
kharkcy, and others lie has wonderful re re-
.,Ielrries Is the biggest fighter physically that
Fitzslnmons has ever met. His measure
mentS are:
Wrist; ~ inches; forearm. 15td; biceps. 10; neck.
%; chest expansion. inches above normal reach,
6lS inches
meets the champion Ieirries vii have at least
20 pounds the better of it. providing Fitz gets
to 10 THIS is an immense advantage. but It
means means nothing if the CALIFORNIAN lacks pus-
%orfhlS as. in ring contest i the P2sssssor
and get away. but Jeffres declares that he
knows how 70 fight and that he will surprise
the nuDlc when he shapes II with the lanky
man. Out on the coast Jefries is regarded aa
u tough proposition He has never suffered
says that he does no, Know %hH qow ans
means. He has met such experts IN the fight
ing line as Choypski, Goddard, jack son. Shar-
n the. past has been sI3S low Ss' Of 'f foot
Gy due to the fact that t"f in W All p Of bis
Laast encounters he weighed anywhere. from
height and carries his weight well, but his re-
CENT cent vigorous training has mad, him lighter
comes increased speed In attack and defence.
There appears to be no doubt about this. espe-
ciAl.I as JSlrl.-" already shows vast improve
ment in form over that displayed by him
when he tackled Armstrong here last sum.
msr Jcnrgs il Intelligent. He can con
and shows beyond peradventure that he
has studied his profession with extreme
hut Is fearless about carrying out his end OF
the c9mtract, L. 10 wiling; ambitious has
appreciates the fact that one good punch land
ca sGuarely on me point OF the. Jaw will sud
m .V AM i'm II MI
thr others but he believes he has n hotter
chance TO cap the champion than others. be-
and endurance.
A reporter Of The Sun spent n couple of days
daily routine OF training. Outside OF Fitasim-
nenS's cottage on Twentieth avenue. Bath
ssanst ts and eSSes WscSns 1924 for
Elmpse OF the Cornishman. 1t was o'clock
1 1ns n w thor a1f B9n was for
horse. httched him to a tw.o;,seated dog cart
AMI AMI n GSt by big %Yank% Kenney.
stantly the lOungerS started up and greeted
ths I lea Ihe Rd%1 lighter warmly ou,,
. Nice day. ain it. lt2i Yer lookin flnel"
say. Say ii NJ how many ,t rounds vii i last !"
because some guys is jealous p
These and tcw other remarks We're an
swSr" d, 1y APE bow, r smile and patronizing
els and blankets, was driven over to Twenty
second avenue and Cropsey avenue. benson
champion Jumped out, of the rig threw his
wraps INTO the scat. and. with couple OF pieces
OF wood in his hands. he set out behind he
carriage; Kenny was on the ground. too. run
ming by FITS side. Iank Is 200 poun der
hEeiy built, and is BobS Sparring partner.
li' 1t NJ hit yelled the champion as the
horse was hurried along Twenty-second ave-
nue. straight for the Couey Island Cycle path.
The roadway is solid macadnm, and Fitz, who
wore heavy. thick soled shoes. ran on il fiat
looted The paco qulckcncd but Fitz hung
on. tho persplrdtion streaming down his
checks from under his golf cap.
Keep right on to Prospect Park ~ was BOb'S
command when the cycle path was reached
! ho hoIse was trotting at strong clip and was
covered with lather. When the park entrance
was reached there was no rest. and tho team
Was quickly turned around.
Now, 20 1t tor all you are worth and SEQ il
you can leave me!' Fitz lot out link in his
leather belt and took in a series OF long
brcaths as ho felt the salt breeze blowing In
his face.
won't do a thing to that lunchl" said Bob
Ia the horse swept around into Twenty second
avenue again. The whip was applied. but
luHelmmun1 increased his speed and held the
team without sign of WEAKNESS. Kennsy Was
soon discovered on fence by the roadside.
ltS too much of Job for me-" he explained
VA laugh a. he climbed into the carriage
'flH 'iS"s It, however," Tho last 800 yards
oi Tao run gave chance to the champion to
snow ms mrttIc. He shot ahead OF the horse