The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-20
Believes Jeffries Will
Defeat Fitzsimmons.
Thinks Bob VIII Do Well to
Stay Is Rounds.
JEFFRIES TOO HEAVY.
Champion Has Powerful Force
Behind His Blows.
BOilermaker Warned That Aus
tralian is Tricky.

st. Louis, May 20.-Aecording to James
J. Corbett, former heavyweight champion
Of the world, James Jefries should defeat
F5szsimmons in their coming contest IN the
prize ring. While coneeding Fitzsimmons
a chance if the latter gets in one solid
blow to a vulnerable point, Corbett be-
1ieves that Jeffries' size and strength viii
tell in the bout and that it should result In
favor of the champion within IS rounds
Il think that the men will certainly
fight" said Corbett yesterday. when seen
in his dressing room at a local summer
garden ''as they have done 50 much talk
ing that they will bring public disapprova1
upon themselves unless they get together.
It is certain that the fight will take place
somewhere on the Pacific slope and hope
TO meet the winner some time next fail.
I think that Jeffries and Fitzsimmons viii
probably settle their argument some time
t-Tn piclking a winner of this bout. I will
go to Jeffries without hesitation. He is big
and strong. has terrific power behind his
blows and is just as scientific as b1tzsiIn-
mons. HIS mere weight enables him to de-
liver his blows rapidly, and he can swing
right and left without setting himself as
hard Fitz can send in blow after pois-
ing himself for the punch. On this point
Jeffries has Fitzsifnmons beaten.
Then Jeffries is SO big that he can prop
out that left of his and keep F3tz scuttllng
around at the end trying TO get past u
course, if Fitzsimmons gets to his jaw with
a solid blow there is a chance fer Jeffrfes
to so down and out. l don't believe Fttz
er hard hitters, has set himself to deliver
a blow with all his force And as Jenries
blows if the latter attempt to poise him
self
Hard hitting and cleverness of the de-
fensive order do not go together. II t1tz-
simmons attempts to fight a scientific bat
tie. and I admit that he is clever with his
lists ne viii not be able 70 MT nara enough
to hurt Jim. He must get the proper ball
anee and send IN his blow with all his his
watch FOR this posing on Fits part and
t'As a contrast. Jim can rush in, swing
those big arms of his, and the weight will
carry E1tz over: He does not have to put
any body weight in particular behind his
blows; there is power and weight enough
in his arms alone. I believe he viii be
able to beat down Fitz and keep the latter
on the defensive to go as far as Il or 10
4 am assuming. that Jeffries viii be
careful and Watehful of Fitz when I state
that believe the bout will go any where
near that distance. If Jeffries chooses to
It will be All over with Fitzsimmons very
shortly. The latter'S sole chance will be
to get in a punch to the jaw as JEFF comes
There is one thing about Fitzslmmons'
style which is generally believed but
which is a mistaken impression. This. is
the idea that he win take a punch to give
one in return. 1 have never known F'itz-
simmons to do that, but instead have al
ways found him most careful of himself
Any man who will take punch to give
one is going to come to grief unexpectedly,
as there is no certainty that he will be
able to get in his blow before the other
fellow lands hard"
las 1 said before I am hopeful Of meet
ing the winner of the Jeffries-F itzsimmons
bout IN the fall and have promises from
both men that they will fight me. I gave
both OF them the hardest fight they ever
had and believe I am capable Of doing bet
ter against either than I ever did before.
feel in the best Of trim just now and
weigh $50 pounds. My weight has not var
led ten pounds in the last ten years. I
have kept in first class condition lately
and viii be more than prepared to put up
the fight of my life"