The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-09
CAN C0RBETT DEFEAT JEFF?
BELIEVES HE WILL WIN THE
Rig FIGHT on POINTS.
Champion Has Greatly Improved, and
With FitzsimmOns Behind Him Is
Confident the AHaIrNiN BE short.

Robert Ftzsimmons has declared with
striking emphasis that Champion Jeffries
will stop the renewed aspirations of Jim
Corbett inside of ten rounds in their coming
battle at San Francisco Tommy Ryan,
who trained Jeffries for his first fight with
Fitz, but has recently joined Corbett's
camp, has stated with equal postiveness
that Jeffries will lose his title because he will
I've outpointed in twenty rounds by the
greatest boxer in the world. Both Jeffries
and Corbett are confident of winning and
the sporting men all over the United States
who take interest in these championship
affairs appear to be about equally divided
as to the outcome.
Jeifries will weigh go pounds, or close
to It, when he answers the first clang Of the
gong In spite of press agents stories OF
bear bites and other calamities that have
befallen the big boilermaker. it may be
said that he is in superb condition Those
who have taken the trouble to find out just
how fit Jeffries is declare that he will provo
TO the world that he is so per cent. better
in every way than when Corbett stayed
twenty-three rounds before him at Coney
Island.
When Jeffries whipped Rubin in Frisco
year ago last November, in Jig time, Billy
Madden quickly admitted that JEFF had
improved wonderfully and was practically
invincible. In his fight with Fitzsimmons,
who could probably stop Corbett quickly
if they should come together tomorrow,
.Jeffries displayed rare skill in point of
science and phenomenal speed for his bulk.
Fitz, with his terrific blows, could not
stagger the champion, who, on the other
hand, slowly but surely beat the Cornishman
down and out. Fitz had fifty pounds the
worst Of the weights and was stopped in the
eighth round Corbett, never FitS's equal
in hitting or in gameness, will weigh 1888
pounds when he throws aside his sweater
and toes the mark, giving difference OF
thirty-four pounds to the boilermaker.
How does Corbett expect to beat Jeffries,
therefore, in his improved condition? Cor
bett says that he has sacrificed some of his
speed to develop strength and a punch,
He is undoubtedly the fastest man in the
ring when it comes down to leg work and
fancy boxing. but he cannot hit. In fact,
he never was a "knocker-out." With in
creased strength he never can hit with
Fitz. that is certainty. But he says he
expects to stop ,Jeffries with a blow on
the point of the jaw, when the Champion
has never been knocked down, much less
made groggy by such burly fighters
ss Fitz, Rubin, Sharkey. Choynski and
others.
Corbett also believes that he can stay
twenty rounds and win on points. lie
bases this belief on his battle with Jefrries
at Coney Island. II will he remembered
that for sixteen rounds Corbett made the
Champion look like big numbering novice
He danced about the ring as If he had
springs in his heels throwing in jabs with
either hand and getting away from JEFF s
heavy, ponderous swings with remarkable
agility. Corbett simply put it all over
JEFF. hitting him in the face and body almost
at will. Jefrries. with Billy Brady behind
him. did not know what TO do Ire stood
In the middle OF the ring and looked at the
lightning movements of Corbett in astonish
ment He had never seen anybody so
swift Of foot before His own leg worl,
was snai-like in comparison, and the Cham
pion soon realized that he was ridiculous
object
II was in the ninth round that Colbctt
came so fast that he had Jeffries in a corner
before he knew it. The pompadour boxer
landed stiff jolt on the jaw. Jeffries