Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-06-06
FITz AND JEFFRIES
Are Putting the Finishing Touches on the
Training For Iheir battle.

NEW YORK, June 5.-Fitzsimmons
and Jeffries have finished all hard
work in preparation for their big fight
at the Coney Island Sporting clue Fri
day night. Their work from now on
to Wednesday will be Of the lightest
kind. Both men have put in weeks
of hard, conscientious training and are
in good shape. FHitzsimmons claims to
be as fit to fight championship fight
now as he ever was in his life.
Jim Jeffries, paced by Ross O'Neil
on a bicycle, walked ten miles on the
stone road at Asbury park early to-day.
Returning, ne went to work in the
gymnasium and it was II O'Clock be-
tore he finished. He used the punching
bag, medicine ball and wrist machine,
jumped the rope, spared a few rounds,
played hand ball and was rubbed down.
The boiler maker remarked to-day:
when the gong sounds on Friday
night at Coney Island there is going
to be trouble"
He is of the opinion that one Of his
famous left hookers will settle the
champion.
AS the completion of his training
approaches Fitzsimmons increases his
work instead of easing up on it.
At $3.50 he ate a hearty breakfast,
after which he punched the bag for an
hour, taking brief periods of rest. He
was remarkably supple and those who
watched him work commented favor
ably on his condition. He took short
walk before luncheon and after he had
partaken of his midday meal, he es
sayed to ride the pony AS he sat
astride of the animal the lanky boxers
toes tipped the ground. The pugilist
had his trousers rolled up at the bot
tom. The pony stuck one of his inshod
hind hoofs into the lap around Fits
right ankle, the result that Fitz was
rolled over in the dust and the pony
ran away. Fitzsimmons was unhurt.
About 3 o'clock the champion donned
his fighting toys and boxed Twelve fast
rounds with "Yank" Kennedy, Dan
Hickey and Jack Everhardt. The last
named made his first appearance as an
opponent to the big fellow to-day, as
hitherto during this course of train
ing Kenney and Hickey have been the
only ones to take chances with the
champion. Hickey took first place and
a lively round ensued. Then came
Exerhardt full of vim and cleverness.
Kenney took turn and, as he is over
30 pounds in weight, he came in for a
large SHARE of damage, as Bob failed
to hand him any love taps. These
three took turns so that FitZsimmonS
boxed four three-minute rounds with
each, with rest of minute between
the rounds. Hickey landed hard
swing on Bob's eye in the tenth, but
had to retire for repairs a moment
later when Fitzsimmons sent left
smash into his right eye, closing it.
Fitzsimmons took lot of knocks
and seemed to like them as he en-
couraged his opponents to hit him as
hard as possible. All three were badly
winded at the end of the work, but
Fitzsimmons showed no signs of wear
mess. After being we'll rubbed down,
the champion donned a blue sweater
and trousers. Then he ate hearty
dinner and as soon as he had satisfied
his appetite, took twelve mile run,
accompanied by two of his trainers
When the party returned to the house
again, Bob went to bed and was sound
asleep shortly after o'clock. He said
before retiring that he would pursue
the same course of training until next
Thursday evening.
Jim Jeffries, who is training at AS
bury Park for his fight with FitZsim-
mons on Friday. put in a good day 5
work and his movements were care
fully watched by number of New
York sporting men who went down to
the training quarters. They got a coed
deal of information about Jeffries' con-
dition and cleverness, and returned to
New York tonight very favorably i'm
pressed with the Californian's skill and
endurance.
Mike Donovan said that Jeffries was
the cleyerest and fastest man he had
ever seen of his size. Billy Lavigne,
who trained Corbett last summer, ex-
pressed similar opinion, and VIM.
Brady claimed that Jeffries' work was
revelation to him.
Jeffries spared with Jim DAILY this
morning and showed himself to be 4
good judge of distance and of time.
He put up stiff battle with all of his
trainers, and they were knocked ont