The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-19
NEWS OF THE FIGHTERS
NO USELESS CHATTER FROM JEFF
RIEs AND CORBETT CAMPS.
Men Are Training Earnestly for Their
Battle On Aug. 14-ROot Claims
Gardner Fouled Him.

For the first time in the history of the
prize ring there has been an absence of use
less chatter from the principals matched
for championship battle. James ]. Jeffries,
heavyweight champion, and James j. Cor
bett. again an aspirant to that honor, are
in training in California for their champion
ship battle, which Is scheduled to take
place in San Francisco on Aug. IA, but the
public has been relieved Of reading accounts
of how they met in a barroom and one of
them refused to shake hands. which mar
rowiy averted pitched battle, etc. The
fighters are devoting their time to preparing
for the coming contest instead of Matching
silly stories to bore the public.
All of the preliminary arrangements for
the big fight have been made, even the Sc
lection Of a referee. When the men met to
decide who should referee the matter was
settled in few minutes; and Eddie Graney
was accepted. Graney officiated at the cham
pionship. battle between Jeffries and F'itz-
simmons a year ago. He Will act in the
same capacity in the coming battle between
Jeffries and Corbett. This is the first time
In years that contest has been pulled off
in San Francisco in which both principals
and referee come under the popular head Of
native sons. Graney, who was formerly
an amateur boxer, was doing ring stunts
when Jim Corbett started out from San
Francisco. He Is now prosperous black
smith. and one of the most popular men in
A few bets have already been offered on
the outcome of the fight, with Jeffries the
favorite at to !. Corbett is so confident of
winning that he has advised all his friends
TO bet on him, and it is believed the odds on
Jeffries will be shortened
Jeffries weighs in the neighborhood of 2e5
pounds and II is said he is having difficulty
in reducing his weight. He is a little slow In
his work, but he is paying particular atten-
ton to foot work and speed in order to be
able to cope with Corbett's speed and foot
work.
Attending a championship fight in San
Francisco is an expensive pleasure trip.
From Indianapolis to San Francisco and re-
turn the railroad fare alone, with sleeper
and meals, will amount TO over $780, and it
will take about ten days TO make the trip.
The hotel and other expenses while in San
Francisco amount to considerable and il is
safe to say that man on pleasure bent had
better provide himself with a bank roll of
not less than $500 before he starts on the
journey. If he wants a choice seat at the
fore il is only reasonable to suppose that
there will be but few people at the fight
from Indianapolis. Local men will stay at
home and content themselves with hearing
the returns of the great battle.
1t Is claimed by the manager of Jack Root,
the Chicago fighter defeated by George
Gardner at Fort Erie. on July 4, that the
moving pictures taken at the ringside bear
out the claim made during and after the
fight that Gardner fouled Root by hitting in
the cinches, elbowing and back-heeling 1t
is said the pictures show Gardner going to
the body at least a dozen times when he
was locked with Root. The pictures show,
too that Gardner resorted TO that most vi
cious and cowardly of fouls, digging his
elbow into his opponents throat and body
on a short lead return. Root does not want
any of Gardeners purse money because of
the alleged fouls, but he does insist upon a
return match, a match brought off under
conditions a bit more equitable than those
which he obtained at Fort Erie, July 4.