The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-25
SPORTS
ON EVE OF BATTLE.
!. Jeffries and Fitz Tell How They
Will Do It.
BETTING IS STILL 10 TO 4
Lou NJ. Houseman, the Well known
Sporting Writer, Picks the
Champion to Win.

Both Jeffries and Fitzsimmons express
themselves as confident of winning to-
nights contest at San Francisco for the
heavyweight championship of the world
The betting is still quoted at 10 to In
Jeffries' favor. Regarding his plans for
the fight, Fitzsimmons is quoted as foi-
lows:
made a mistake when i met Jeffries be-
fore I won't make it this time. I underrated
his strength and ability. This time am 60
ing to dodge his strength and play to his
weakness.
believe there is not another man in the
world as big as Jeffries WHO can handle him.
self as we'll For that reason L don't know a
man who has chance to beat him In a
stand-up, give and take fight.
But there is way to get him, and know
the way If he rushes at me from the start,
will play for an opening, and once l get 1t
you will see that Bob has the old punch still
with him. Jeffries' Size will not protect him,
for bulk does not cut any figure when gooo
blow lands on a vital spot ] have got that
sort of a punch and am going to use it.
My style Of fighting will depend entirely on
what Jeffries does in the ring. If he makes
me come to him I will do 1t, but after all his
boasts of how easy it will be for him to get
me any time he sees f.. l think it is up to
him to do some of the fighting, and don t
believe the crowd will stand for anything else.
Unless a chance punch Is delivered py ell
ther one of us, I think the bout can hardly
BE- finished in less than ten rounds.
Jeffries Is Confident.
Jeffries will not admit that he can be
beaten. He says:
] never felt better in my life. have
trained carefully; my wind is good; am at
my best fighting weight, and no matter'"hat
pace Fitzsimmons may cut out will be nght
with him from the first sound of the gong and
will surely bring home the money.
Everything about this battle is to my liking.
The referee suits me; I would rather light
FitZsimmons than any man alive, and when l
whip him, as I surely will, intend to keep
right on at the fighting game as long as there
are any aspirants for heavyweight honors
left.
AS to how I will fight or what my tactics
will be- that is something I can say nothing
about until step into the ring. l never
went into a battle with my mind MADE up as
to what I would do. Plans can be maze IN
advance, but they would all go wrong II the
other fellow failed to come at you IN the way
YOU expected. I can only say this: ! Will
meet Fitzsimmons at any game he may
sprins, and the faster he comes at me the
better ] shall like it.
After exercising at the Reliance CLUB
q short time this morning JeHrles spenI
the remaining time before the big batt!e
resting and playing cards with MS
friends. ,,,
Jeffries will have for his seconds Billy
Delaney, Joe Kennedy, Jack Jeffr1es anu
Dewitt Van Court.
Fitzsimmon retired early last night.
Aside from a short walk this morning ne
will spend the day quietly in his hotel.
During the afternoon just enough spar
ring will be indulged in to keep his mus
cles Iimbered up. Behind Fftzsimmons
when he enters the ring will be George
Dawson, Hank Griffin, Jack stetsener anu
Billy Haberty.
Should Fitzsimmons succeed in defeat
ing-Jeffries he will tour the northwest,
but If he loses he will leave after 1e"
days for his home at Bensonhurst.
~ Measurements of the Fighters.