Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-11
THE PUGILISTS.
Fort Erie Club Hustling for
 Gardner and Fitz simmons

GdFUu0E anu ElIA SIHmOuS Sixteen Thousand Dollars Offered for
 the Battle-Jack O'Brien and Jim Jeffords Meet To-night-Jack Root May Go to England-Joe Cans and
 Peter Jackson Booked for Europe. :,
 Jack Herman of the International A. C.. is keeping his word regarding the proposed battle between Bob flfz- simmons and George Gardner. Her man was the first to suggest such fight, and said he would go as high as the next club in order to secure the coveted attraction. The other day Alec Greggains of the San Francisco A. C., San Francisco, after Herman had bid $1O,OO0 for the contest, went Herman $5,00O better. The fighters were notified and agreed that this was a tidy sum to fight for The next day Mexican promoter increased the bid to $25, 5,OOO, but as he refused to divulge the location of the club or say just when they would be able to hold the scrap the pugilists let the offer go. Yesterday Herman revived matters by announcing that he was ready to give q purse of $16OOO for the encounter and hold the mill on Labor day as all ready suggested by Fitzsimmons. Fitz has all along said he would rather fight in San Francisco. He may change hds mind, however, because the purse which Herman offers is a large one and is not likely to be eclipsed by the west ern club. If FitZ makes up his mind and agrees to battle at Fort Erie, he may ask Herman to let him meet Gard ner on a percentage basis. Fitz and Gardner are nearly of one weight and height. Both are ilBitters from way back, and in spite of the difference in age the mill should prove interesting. As this will be Fitz's last battle, win or lose, the meeting will be of added interest.
 A match has been promised to Eddie Connolly with Tom Couhig of Buffalo, and Jack Herman of the International A. c. of Fort Erie has agreed to give a purse as soon as the two come to terms
 Jack Root is considering trip to England. Root has been anxious to 5O SUNOSfu lOI yt5dTS, JUL .OOi1u HUI luu the time. He says that when he reaches the other side he intends to throw down the gauntlet to Jack Pal mer or Dido Plumb.
 The feature bout at the boxing show of the Southern A. c. at Philadelphia tonight will be d six-round wind-up between Jack O'Brien. the Idol of SlowtOWn," and Jim Jeffor1s, the Cali fornia heavyWsi ght- This pair met in Pittsburg for twenty rounds last March and after OBrien got the de cision, Jeffor91s at once started q rough house. and had to be subdued by the police.
 Lightweight Champion Joe Cans has returned to his home in Baltimore af ter a long and successful stay on the Pacific coast, where he won three fights Cans will remain in Baltimore until the end of this month. Then in company with his manager, Al Her. ford, and Young Peter Jackson he will go to England. Cans never has been abroad, although he has nnged to vis- 1t that country for years. Cans has no definite plans for the trip. From pres ent indications his first opponent over there will be Jabez White. The lat ter is at the head of the lightweight di- vision in England and is considered a likely man. White has been talking of coming to America, but may defer his departure in order to meet Cans. As the regular boxing season at the National Sporting club does not begin until next October Cans will have to wait until then if he wishes to meet White. White, it is understood, will not fight before any other club. Even if<Gans does not do any fighting he will not lack in the way of engage me1rts on the other side. Several agents of the London falls are ready to give him a large salary to show in exhjbition bouts with Jackson Under these circumstances Cans could easily make enough money to more than pay his expenses until his fight with White is held. After taking in England Cans will make tour of Ireland, Scot lard and Wales, and will then go to Paris, returning to America probably about Christmas