The Washington times., 1903-06-09
JEFFR|ES A FAVORITE
IN BETTING At 10 To 5
COrbett Has Many Friends,
and May Win on Points.
MUST KNOCK MAN OUT TO WIN
If Gentleman Jim" Is on His Feet at
End of Twenty fifth Round
He Will Win.

The first betting on the heavyweight
championship battle between James ].
Jeffries and Jim Corbett, which takes
place. IN San Francisco in August, was
recorded last week The odds show the
champion a pronounced favorite at 10
to g. This was to be expected. for the
big boilermaker is considered better
now than he has ever been before.
The stories of the champions dissipa-
ton are not considered seriously by his
| friends, and they seem to have as much
confidence in his ability as they had
after his first victory over Fitzsimmons.
Jeffries has always entered the ring
in good condition. This fact was en-
phasized in several of his battles, which
required him to go the limit. In his
bout with Sharkey at Coney Island, the
champion fought twenty five rounds
pretty long distance for a man of his
weight Still, at the expiration of the
final round Jeffries was prepared to go
further.
Not only did he battle twenty FIVE
rounds. but the conditions under which
he fought would have been sufficient to
force one to quit The several hundred
arc lights which hung above the ring
almost melted the spectators, yet the
two game heavy-weights fought for
more than an hour and a half. Again,
Jeffries took his time when he fought
Corhett. the battle going twenty-three
rounds before the champion managed to
get home a knockout blow.
Must Knock Man Out to Win.
While Jeffries has proved himself
good long distance fighter. he will have
20 change his tactics I'M his coming bat
tie with Corbett if he wishes to retain
the title. With both men on their feet
at the end of their coming twenty
round battle. there are but few. II any,
who do not believe the decision Will go
to Corbett. In fact, many believe that
this will be Corbett's only hope to keep
the champion off for the limit and win
OF points
Corbett lacks the knockout punch
which Jeffries possesses. but as for
science and footwork, the former cham
rion is in a class all by himself. He
has already shown his ability TO ward
on Jeffries for twenty three rounds. and
with the same tactics when they meet
on the Coast.
While the general impression prevails
that Corbett cannot land e very hard
blow, there are good judges who believe
that he has enough force to bother the
champion by his clever jolts and jabs
Had Him Groggy.
welI-known sporting man who wit
messed the last battle. in speaking of
the coming championship mill, said the
other night: "Corbett may not have a
knockout punch, but he can neverthe-
less hit a terrific blow. This was shown
in his go with Jeffries at Coney Island.
He hit the champion repeatedly. and
toward the nineteenth round Jeffries
appeared to be in a groggy condition o.
course, Corbett was too weak TO finish
him. but had it been earlier in the
contest, when Corbett had all his
strength, he would surely have put the
big fellow away. Corbett has a better
chance than many individuals seem to
think. You must remember he is the
hardest man to hit in a twenty-four foot
ring. 1t is easy. enough for Jeffries to
knock out man whom he can hit. but
it is different when you lead and fail
TO land Jeffries missed many good
wallops at Coney Island"
1t is the punch that counts good
many times, but Fitzsimmons had the
punch, and in both of his battles with
the champion he did not stay any longer
than Corbett did IN his one session
-fff, alb TNrNfA n c
Fitzsimmons stood up and took the gaff
in an effort to land. II Corbett fails to
win he Will at least keep Jeffries busy
while the go lasts. 1t may be a short
or long battle. Whichever it is it VIII De
a pretty contest TO witness, for there Is
no love between these rival heavy
weights.
According to a letter received from
Corbett by a friend In this city the
former champion is well pleased with
his present condition and he looks for
ward to a successful encounter In part
Corbett says: Everything out here Is
familiar TO me and altogether / really
feel at home. I am well pleased with
my condition and by the time of the con-
test l expect to be in superb shape !
I think I have II on Jeffries this time.
Unless he is at his best when we come
together I don't think the bout Will go
very far. I am going to fool lot OF
those fellows who think | am all out. AS
matter of fact l think / am better
than ever before. When ] face Jeffrics
in the ring I will be so per cent better
than when l last fought him at Coney
Island"