The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-09

SpringfnesS have much to do with it, In
a word. a fighters reach is simply the
distance at which he can deal an effect
i've blow and recover his balance.
To compare the tactics of the two men
isn't an easy matter. Fitzsimmons has
no particular style. When he went
against Dempsey he was much the
same as the old Australian bruisers, an
adept with the long, straight left, the
timely right cross and the heart punch.
Since then his boxing has lost it's in
diVlduality- But he has become a pack
age of surprises. No two of his finishes
appear to be alike. To the uninitiated
he seems to be awkward and shambling,
but there is purpose in every ungainly
move.
He is the most dangerous man in the
world at close quarters His knees sag,
his feet become entangled and he cow
ers and covers himself.
In reality he is all eyes and fists and
woe betide the man who tries to crowd
him. Maher tried it down on the Rio
Grande and, while doing so, left an
opening that Fitzsimmons was quick
TO discover. AS a matter of fact, the
Cornishman had simply houndered and
fumbled until that very opening appear
ed. Then a lightning gripped glove
followed by a rigid, f1inty forearm went
through toward Makers chin. There
was a sharp sounding tap as when
bone meets bone, and the big Irishman
lay Quivertng on the floor.
That FftZsimmonS can encompass an
adVersary's defeat in other ways than
by rapping him in the jaw was proven
at Carson City.
Jeffries is a free-arm fighter of the
dashaway shoot His best hold is a left
rip, such as Dixon used with great ex-
ecution in his palmy days. He is also
very handy with the right at the ribs
He gets beneath a left lead remarka bly
quick for a man so big and pOnderous,
but it is doubtful if he will rely much
on his ducking when opposed to a
double-jointed, back-action smiter like
FitzsimmonS. He is quick on his feet
gritty and aggressive. and his most
serious drawback is the disposition of
his hands to cripple at critical times
Condition is a ticklish subject All
fighters look well in training. 1 have
yet to meet one who did not own to
being better than ever on the eve of
an encounter This time-honored as
sertfOn is supposed probably to awe
the other fellow.
In the present case both men appear
to be in excellent fettle. F'itZsimmons
in my judgment, will weigh about los
pounds in the ring, and Jeffries about
21O. This latter is quite "take-off''
for a man who is accustomed to fight
ing at 20 pounds, and it may be that
big Jim will lose some of his steam if
the night is hot and battle long drawn
out.
The writer does not look for long
fight. Each man is a willing perform
er, and the result should be arrived at
before half the scheduled number of
rounds has been completed. 1t will be
~ AleoAAC DiOW lIIdI Will SeIIle either
man. Jeffries, with his massive Jaw
and thick ribs.is built for heavy wealth
er. AS to FitzsimmOns, the hardest
smaSheS seem to glance from his shut
tle-shaped head and wedge-shaped
frame like waves from the hull of a
Whaleback.
To conclude: On one side there is a
seasoned s1ugger; a student among
fighters; a fellow who is crafty and as
cold as a frog in action. On the other
a husky, inexperienced young giant
whose very eagerness may prove his
undoing. All things considered. it looks
to me as if Fitzsimmons should win.