The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-25
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE FIGHT.
FitxsimmOnS AMI Jefries Both Hax e
Arguments in Their Favor.


Arguments in Their Favor.
San Francisco, Cal, July 24.-James
]. Jeffries of California, champion
heavyweight pugilist of the world, and
Robert Fitzsimmons, who has hopes of
regaining the championship honors he
lost to Leffries at Coney Island three
years ago, meet in the arena of the Ma
tional Athletic Club tonight to con-
test again for the supremacy. The
men are matched to box twenty rounds.
If present arrangements are carried out
the boxers will face one another short
ly after o'clock. According to reports
from their respective training quarters,
Jeffres and Fitzsimmons are both in
irst-class physical condition.
From the hour the match was made
Jeffries has been a decided favorite
over Fitzsimmons in the betting. Those
who have sta1ed their money on the
champion have in mind the fact that he
did the trick once and can do it again.
Besides the champion has a most de-
cided advantage in regard to age and
in addition he is taller, heavier, and
has slightly longer reach than the
Cornishman. 1t is conceded by all fol-
lowers Of the game that Jeffries has
improved IN science since he won the
championship. He is no longer the
free-arm fighter of the dashaway
school. His best hold is left rip, such
as Dixon used with great execution in
his palmy days. He is also handy
with the right at the ribs. He is quick
on his feet, gritty and aggressive, and
with his many natural advantages it
IS difficult to figure out how the Cor
nishman can withstand his sledgeham-
mer blows. In the old DAYS .Teffries
slashed out in a wholesale way, paying
little regard to pugilistic economics. He
had a habit of striking with the big
joints of his thumbs. AS consequence
he frequently crippled his hands early
IN the contest. and for the balance of
the time he was as helpless as dis
masted vessel wallowing in the trough
of heavy sea. During the past three
years, however, he has met and defeat
ed a number of good men, and in adj
dition has spared a lot with such past
masters of the craft as Tommy Ryan,
and it IS but natural that he should
derive benefit from keeping such good
company. 1t may be safely assumed
therefore that Fitzsimmons will to-
than the Dugilist at whose hands he
met defeat at Coney Island.
Fitzsimn,Ons an Exception.
With these facts borne in mind it is
difficult to figure out how the Cornish
man has any show to lower .Teffries'
colors. But those best acquainted with
ring matters know that Fitzsimmons is
no ordinary mortal. He has outlived,
In an athletic sense, all the middle and
heaVyWeights of his generation. lie
has reversed the rule by building up in
muscle and substance when symptoms
OF physical shrinkage might be looked
Tor. He is to all intents and purposes
late Towering plant, and it is just
possible that the respite of two years
since he did any fighting has benefited
rather than injured him. While shrewd
bettors naturally favor the champion
there are many who would not be sur
prlsed If victory perched on the ban
ners of the lanky Bob. For Fitzsim-
mons is a man of surprises. On more
Than one occasion he has turned APP
parent defeat into victory. BY his tao
ties he has kept opponents away from
MN when they might have finished
MIN. Others he has led on only to put
them hors de combat when they least
expected it. He still retains that fam
Gus cd Knockout blow. Unless he
has retrograded more than critics sup
pose, he is still one of the most Ian
gerous men in the world at close quar-
tiers.
While apparently awkward and
shamDling in the ring, in reality he is
all eyes and fists, and, possessing force,
no one knows better how to apply 1t.
AS regards condition. both men APP
pear to be in excellent fettle. While
their modes of training differ neither
nghter has left a stone unturned to
harden himself for the contest. A
long fight is not expected. Each man
Is willing performer and the result
should be arrived at before half doz-
IN rounds have been fought. Fitzsim-
mons realizes that his only chance
rests in keeping away from the big
hampton long enough to get in that
one Knockout blow of his. And 1t will
nave to be a hard blow at that for
JeHries, with his massive jaw and
mick ribs, is built for heavy weather,
ana above all he possesses recupera-
I'VE powers which Fitzsimmons natur-
ally lacks because of his advanced
Years.
How the Fit hters Compare.
Following is the comparative phys
'4Qe Of the two fighters
Jeifries-Hight. feet liz inches;
Calt, liz inches: thigh. 25% inches;
vast. 34iz inches; chest, II inches;
neck Tx inches; biceps, Is inches;
eight about 30 pounds: age. 20.
tzsimmons-Hight, 5 feet Tx inch
calf 1874 inches; thigh 20 inches
alst, % inches; chest, ~ inches; neck,
inches; biceps. "a inches; weight
0''ut 1855 pounds; age. 20