The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-12
WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
George Gardiner has had the rays of the
calcium focused on him for the last six
days. Even Bob Fftzsmmons, who started
an entirely new series Of verbal attacks on
other pugilists. after reaching Frisco. was
not able to take the center Of the stage
from the Lowell man.
Gardiner has announced that he intends to
follow Fits example in a pugillstic way
that Is, he intends to try and make a clean
sweep Of his class, afterward branching out
into the heavyweight bunch. 1t is to 10
hoped that he does not intend to follow
Fits example in all things-although It
may be remarked. parenthetically. that ex-
perts have drawn comparisons between his
battle with Bob Armstrong in Philadelphia
and that between Fitzsimmons and Jim Hall
in Australia.
Gardiner is undoubtedly great fighter.
For man Of his lanky build, he is prob
ably the most wonderful mixer at close
range that has been seen in years. 1t would
be nothing to wonder at IL he developed ex-
ceptional skill at long-range nightingale has
length Of reach for that. For a man Of his
build to succeed in developing his close
range work to a high point, however, is
the remarkable feature.
1t is to be regretted that his record has at
least one blot on it-that same unlucky
match with h clever lever fighter b.f
days of his career without such mark on
his escutcheon.
Bob Fitzsimmons seems anxious to meet
him. II that pair get together, fur should
fly. Fitzsimmons ought to have a good
many fights left in him still, to judge from
his work against Jeffries. and Gardiner
could make no better move than getting q
match with the Australian.
This may be doubted by some who favor
the managerial policy of going. out after
easy money and easy marks. The fact re-
mains. however, that enough money would
be attracted by such a fight to make big
rht raaet a even wad esn or
credit for Gardiner than series of vic
tories over dubs who would go up to get
knocked out for a little money.
If Gardiner could manage to defeat Fitz-
simmons, his fortune would be made. He
would have to be considered in the list of
eiigibles for. the heavyweight champion
ship, as well as for the light heavyweight
title. He would stand to lose comparatively
little by defeat by Fitz-he would stand to
win much by defeating him.
If the fight is arranged for September,
as there seems strong prospect. it should
prove the battle Of the year. next to the
Corbett-Jeffries affair Of August.
corbett is working faithfully by now.
There can be no doubt Of this Every &C
count from San Francisco shows that the
former champion is going through his
training with the greatest regularity and
the only danger Is that he will overdo the
thing. He overdid his training once before
when he met Fitzsimmons-and that prob
ably cost him the heavyweight title. "
daily as 70 how
the champion should train. Jeffries wants
to get out in the mountains, hunt and
great strength. Delaney wants him to cut
down weight and TO develop speed. And
Fftz has a set of theories which may Or
may not help the champion out.
Jeffries now weighs close to 245 pounds,
5s to He weighed
expects to enter the ring weighing about
20 pounds. and even then he will have
bett. The latter is trying to, get up to 1870
pounds. but experts believe that he will be
closer to 1so-possibly lS4 or thereabouts-
when the men enter the ring.
Corbett has expressed one theory which
has caused some alarm among his support
ers. That is, the idea that he is capable Of
gene. the finish is not far to see. Every
expert in the country Is agreed that Cor
man like Jeffries speed is going to count
70. much
Should Corbett forfeit any of his rapidity
weight. the affair should all be over except
for the cashing in-on Jeffries. As II stands
at present. with Corbett admittedly the
quicker of the two, his case is by no means
In bout Of the length of the champion
ship hght-twerty rounds-he should be able
to sprint around. jab Jeffries up and make
a good showing generally. The old question
then arises-can a referee be found who
would give away the championship on
ring,
II will be time to ask this question when
Corbett outpoints the champion. however.
II late reports show that Corbetts speed Is
anywhere near its former notch. his
chances of staying the limit are good. And
II he stays the limit, 1t is almost GER
tainty that he will have done the most
pointing in that period
Johnny Regain has once more worked
hin self back into his old-time FORM In his
workouts, shown IN the local gymnasums,