The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-28
Sporting Men From All Over the
Country Hurrying to the Con-
necticut City to Witness the
MCGovern-Corbet Fight
MEN BATTLE FOR
THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Both Reported in the Best Pos
sibIe Physical Condition and it
Seems to Be a Question of
Which Fighter viii Stand the
Long Strain Better

Hartford, Nov. 27.-The fight for the
featherweight championship Of the
world between Terry McGovern of
Brooklyn, the present holder of the
title and Billy Rothwell, better known
as Young Corbett" of Denver Col,
Which is to take place tomorrow after
noon before the Nutmeg Athletic Club
has caused an unusual stir in this city.
New England folks are always noted
for home gatherings in the celebration
of Thanksgiving day, but all trains
were uncomfortably crowded this at
ternoon on their way eastward. The
congestion Of passenger traffic ended
when the trains reached Hartford de-
pot, where sporting men from Boston
and New York as well as many from
southern and western points leaped
from the trains and scurried for ac-
commodaions in the hotels in the vi
cinity.
All were eager to see the fistic battle
and many of them failed to find room
| in the big hotels. They were a good
humored lot, however, and managed
to get quarters convenient to the club
| house. satisfied with the assurance
| that they would be enabled to see a
ring contest which would settle, proba~
| bly, for many a moon, the person on
whom the public may look as the
champion of the 1875 pound class in
| fistic circles.
The present holder of the title, Terry
McGovern, is looked upon, not only in
this country, but all over the world,
as being invincible.
So many excellent reports of the fit
ness of Young Corbett" to tackle and
possibly capture the title from the rug
ged little champion, have been current
that opinions of staunch adherents
of the champion have been slightly
shaken. None of the New York con-
tingent here has yet shown any weak
ness in this respect and many of them
are flashing money on the McGovern
side with very weak responses from
the opposite camp. In fact the betting
on the mill is extremely light consid-
ering that a worlds championship is
in the balance.
That the contestants are pretty
equally matched as to height girth
and age, there is no question, but the
word stamina sticks out very prom
Iinently and there the doubt lies. Every
one who has seen McGovern fight
knows that the champion is a rugged
intrepid two handed boxing machine,
and while the newcomer has shown a
world of cleverness on nearly every
essential point, no one seems satisfied
that he is up to a gruelling mix up.
When seen at his quarters this even
ing, young Corbett' was enjoying a
lsupper, which was large enough to sat
isfy the appetite of a hard worked
farm hand. He %as dressed in dark
tweed suit with the fringe Of a white
sweater peeping above the vest He
looked like a mild hammered student
just enjoying a brief vacation and
showed no signs Of nervousness.
'I feel fine" he said in answer to a
volley of questions. 81 am away below
the limit or I would not be eating so
heartily" he continued.
II will weigh in all right at 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning and / am not I'M
derrating my opponent when I say
that I believe I will win. I will go to
bed at o'clock tonight as I always
read myself to Sleep
Won't you wait until McGovern ar
rives; his train may be late owing to
the holiday crowd?" he was asked.
mo. don't think So" was the re-
ply. Il will see him tomorrow when
We weigh in and you can look for me
here in the dining room at $50"
The little Western lad then left the
room and as he went he was the recip-
lent of many wishes of good luck"
from several of those who were near
| by. His manner and bearing since his
| arrival here have gained many friends
for the Colorado boxer, but there is an
absence of certainty in the amount of
sentiment which he established among
those who know a fighter from a
| boxer.
| Terry McGovern, with his manager,
| Sam Harris. and a retinue of trainers
and rubbers. arrived from New York
at 1890 tonight. The party was made
| up of Charley Mayhood, Danny Dough-
erty Terry Lee, Charley Kelly, Thomas
Feeny and Patsy Kflcoyne of Cleve-
land who is the mascot Of the party
They were accompanied by a host Of
New York sporting men, vino ran
around the neighborhood with wads Of
bills in their hands looking for Corbett
money
1.-TWO to one on MeGovern," was their
cry. but there was no response.
McGovern got away from his party
very quickly and was soon in his
apartments at the Heublen Hotel.
where he will spend the remainder of
the time between now and o'clock
tomorrow afternoon, when he win be
called to the ringside. In a hurried
| conversation. McGovern said
"I am in perfect shape. I am not
worrying about all the reports of Cor
belts fitness. Let him be good and fit.
| I'll be the same. There viii be no
trouble; you'll see a good fight, and I