The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-07
WITH THE BOXERS.
inclination 10 Ridicule the Coming
Corbett-Jefries Fight.

Followers of glove fighting are now en-
gagged in heaping ridicule on the proposed
pugilistic encounter between James Cor
bett and James Jeffries for the heavy
weight championship. When the match
was first made il was not taken seriously,
for the reason that Corbett had pretty
well convinced experts that his best days
as a pugilist were at an end. With chal-
lenges from Fitzsimmons, Sharkey, and
Rubin ignored. Jeffries was accused of
making arrangements with Corbett for
gate money. picture taking" contest, In
which he would practically have sure
thing. The champion s manager, william
A. Brady. was also accused OF making TINS
match in order 10 keep Jefries out OF
grueling encounters. SO that he might not
lose his magnetism on the road 1t was
originally planned to have the fight next
September. but the date was Unexpectedly
changed TO March, the explanation given
by outsiders being that Jeffries was not
drawing the looked-for gate receipts in
the theatres Of large cities.
Stories of lob" have been in circula-
ton for some time. The statement that
Corbett is 10 receive the referees decision
and Jeftries is 10 get all the money. though
denid with emphasis by those directly in
terested. can be heard in any of the local
sporting resorts. Men who bet heavily on
fights refuse 10 believe that Corbett has
chance to win if the battle is on. the level.
They say that if the eX-champion could not
stand the "gaff'N with Fitzsimmons ana
Sharkey. he certainly cannot make an I'M
pression on Jeffries. who has summarily
beaten both of the sterling pugilists. Cor
6
worked eonscientiously for both Fitzsim-
mons and Sharkey. Jim has been taking
evceIlent care of himself during the past
wear. and probably believes he can fit him
self for Jeffries, with such completeness
that he will have a look in. But even
should Corbet enter the ring in prime
shane EXPERTS say that he will be unable
TO hurt Jeffries with his blows which he
cannot make as powerful as the ones
rained upon the present champion by the
Cornishman and the sailor. Then again
Jeffries' bulk. weight. strength, cleverness,
and tremendous hitting power are believed
10 be a combination that Corbett cannot
possibly break up. No stock is taken in
the prediction that Corbett will be able
TO stay away and thereby get the decision
on points. for the critics are pretty sure
that Jeffries will not hesitate 10 force mat
Kid McCoy's announcement that he will
fight no more does not surprise the know
ing ones who patronize glove contests.
The walloping that he received at the
hands of Choynskis not long ago is believed
to have had something to do with his de-
termination to quit the ring. Choynski
wanted a return match, posted $500 for
felt with the Broadway Athletic Club. and
waited several days for an answer. Nc
Coy came to time with the winner take
ALL dodge. which effectually blocked all
chances Of a match. Prior to his meeting
with Choynsli, and just after his signal
victory over Mshers Mccoy showed an ca
gerness to meet all of the heavyweights,
including Jeffries and FitZsimmons. After
his bout with ChosBxki. however, Mccoy
possibly thought that if he remained in
the arena be would strike much harder
game and therefore. with good sense, he
decided to withdraw. AS middleweight
exclusively, Mccoy could give cards and
spades 10 any man in that class, barring
perhaps FitZsimmons. a meeting with
whom would have been one of the best fis-
tic magnets.
Jack O'Brien's failure TO meet Frank
Erne again cannot be explained by mis- in
innate friends. O'Brien's fine showing
against Erne- at .Coney Island several
months ago convinced many that the local
pugilist had an excellent chance to be-
come the lightweight champion. Although
Referee Siler called the bout draw at the
end of twenty five rounds, a majority of
tn spectators thought that Erne had been
bested. especially for the reason that he
was knocked down twice with clean stom-
ach blows and was also outfought to such
an extent that in the last round he was
hanging on in the clinches. Many persons
say that Jack was afraid to meet Erne
again. but this is hardly probable. The
most plausible story is that O'Brien has
suffered a physical breakdown, due to
entertaining. and that he went to Hot
Springs to rest up. 0'Brien has been fight
ing steadily for the last tpree years, and
his rise from the ranks has been rapid.
Those who know him do not believe that
he can be Justly charged with eowardice.