Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-07-24

and with Griffin. He was much fast
err than Tuesday and made very
good impression. George Dawson
said yesterday in speaking of Fitz:
In my mind there is no doubt as
to the result L think Bob will I'M
doubtedIy win. Some might think
this statement is the result of the
enthusiasm that one is bound to feel
when he has been training a man for
a contest of this kind, but my opinion
is not influenced by any such personal
feeling.
Il have looked the situation square
ly in the face and | cannot see how
Bob can lose. In the first place, he
is in better form than | have ever
seen him, before. He has not an all
ment of any kind. 1t would be inn
possible to make him any more per-
feet. In all other contests he has
generally been handicapped by sick
ness or an injured arm or hand and
has not been able to let himself out
to his fullest capacity.
AT the present time he has none
of these ailments. His age does not
cut any figure. He is just as good as
when | first met him and ii is i'm
possible for me to detect any change
believe he is better today than he
ever was, and if Jeffries wins from
Bob it will be because he is a better
fighter than Bob is or ever was"
Jeffries had nightmare Tuesday
night, according to one of his at
PENDANTS who sleeps in the next
room. The first thing that bothered
him was the entrance of black cat
into his room through the window.
JEFF heard the cat breathing heavily
and thought it was someone trying
to dope him. He sprang up, lit the
gas and threw the cat out of the
window. He was no more than fairly
asleep again before he woke his at
tendant by yelling loudly in his sleep.
1t seems he had nightmare and he
gave his version of it to Delaney:
'.You know fellow can't move a
limb and there 1 lay helpless. 1
imagined | was in the ring and l
could see Fitz working in and out
before me. throwing rights and
lefts. | tried to raise my hand and
couldn't. ! tried to run and there
was anchored"
We'll. you needn't worry about
that. for you know, Jim, all dreams
go by contraries," said Al Hall.
I'm not worrying by a long shot"
retorted jeff.
81 had an all round bad night, but
feel as fresh as a daisy and quite
strong enough to give my man his
battle this instant"
The champion left the club at 10
o'clock in the morning and took
good sprint on the road, returning an
hour later. He did little light work
in the gymnasium before luncheon
and returned for the afternoons
boxing about $3.50 o'clock. With the
easing up in his work jeff has begun
to take on weight, which Delaney
has counted on and which pleases
him. He wants him to weigh 217
pounds at the ringside.
81 wouldn't care if he weighed
ton" said his trainer and manager to
some friends this morning, " so long
as he is physically in fine. condition.
The gloves that Jeffries will use in
defending his title of champion have
reached here. There has been very
large sale of tickets at Harry Cor
belts place. Corbett alone reserved
over $4,000 worth of seats for his
friends. He gave in one order of
sixteen $40 seats, which was from
large business house in Montgomery
street.
At this rate all of the best seats
in the arena will be disposed of before
the night of the battle.
In betting circles there has been
a marked increase in the volume of
Fitz money. which was probably due
to his coming to San Francisco,
where sports could see how good he
really looked. Tuesday morning pre-
odds were 10 to 4, but before
niphtfalI sports were betting- 10 to
Az, and there were just a few wagers
made at 10 to 5. Today's odds were