The evening times., 1899-11-02
THE HEAvYwEIaHTs READY.
sharkey and Jedries Both Appear
Confident of Victory.

Confident of Victory.
NEW YORK, Nov. 2.-Everything is in
readiness for the battle for the heavy
weight championship of the world at the
Coney Island Athletic Club tomorrow be-
tween James Jeffries and Thomas Sharkey.
Both fighters feel confident of victory.
Long and arduoas preparation has been
undergone by both men FOR the contest
which ranks in Importance with any Of
the fistic encounters previously held. With
only two battles OF any significance to his
credit, one Of which was the defeat OF the
present challenger, and the other a victory
over Fitzsimmons, Jeffries' rise to the pin
nacle of pugilistic honors has been sudden
and recent. Sharkey's claim to recognition
depends mainly on his defeat OF Kid Nc
Coy, as his victory over Fitzsimmons in
San Francisco is not regarded by Eastern
sportsmen as other than a robbery" and
the decision which he gained over Corbett
was not clean-cut, owing to the interfer-
ence of Con Mcvey.
Unpleasant rumors of police interference
have been set to rest by the statement of
Chief of Police Devery. The chief says
that the Coney Island Athletic Club. being
regularly incorporated organization un-
der the provisions of the Horton law. and
all other requirements of the act being
complied with, he sees no cause for inter-
ference. The assurance undoubtedly eased
the minds Of many bettors and has in
creased activity in the placing of wagers.
In Sharkey, Jeffries meets a man whose
style is particularly his own, and whose
tactics, for that reason. cannot be counted
upon beforehand. The champions own
style is not easily defined, although in his
battle with Fitzsimmons he proved that he
possesses sound boxing abilities. hard hit
ting qualities, and a reserve force which
has not yet been drawn on. Since his con-
test with the Cornishman, Jeffiies has had
the advantage of further instruction at
the hands of Tommy Ryan, whose shrewd-
ness and knowledge Of the game undoubt-
edly did much to develop Jeffries' latent
ability. 1t was feared by the champions
friends that when he met Fitzsimmons,
the craftiness Of the undoubted master Of
the art of ring generalship would be too
much for the practically untried and mex
perienced youngster who confronted him.
Carefully coached, however. and aided
throughout the battle by good advice. of
which he proved himself cap3b'e of follow
ing, the Californian won his victory. He
will have the advantage of the same clever
handling tomorrow night, and he has had
in the interval between his championship
victory and the present contest additional
instruction. which should prove equally
profitable
The sailor is scarcely to be considered
o. the same class with the former cham
pion as willy tactician. Sharkey, how
ever, may prove to be an infinitely more
puzzling proposition, by reason Of the utter
absence of well defined tactics. His we'll
known bulldog rush and hard hitting abili-
ty make him very dangerous. He is likely
to astonish the experts by an unexpected
move, which may send him to the front In
pugilism. He has proved himself In pre-
vious battles and in the fight with Fitz-
simmons at San Francisco to be capable of
taking the hardest punishment. while his
recuperative powers have been fully dem
onstrated.