The evening world., 1903-04-27
MATTHEWS AND
FERNS TONIGHT
Fifth Fight Of WeIter- Weights
Will Be Decided at Fort Erie
and Championship Title Will
Go to the Winner.

An important battle between two
fighters that have at different times
held the title OF welter- weight cham
pion OF the world is slated to be fought
tonight. The men who will clash In
tails encounter are Matty Matthews and
Jim (Rube) Ferns, Of Kansas City. They
will try conclusions in a twenty-round
put before the International A. c., Of
Fort Erie. Canada. This will be tae
NTH time they have met in the squared
circle. Matthews has won two fights.
Ferns one and the other resulted in a
draw. Their battle tonight promises
to be the most vicious OF all they have
are In the best possible shape. Mat
thews will probably win, however, as
he is hghtin& In great form, which has
been shown by the four victories he has
1t5 pounds. Matthews is the favorite in
the betting, the sporting men OF Buff
falo offering odds OF 10 to Q on as
chances.
johnson and Ed Martin.
Jack johnson, the California colored
heavy weight and Acknowledged cham
pion Of his class, who recently arrived
in this vicinity from the coast. will be
matched to-day by Johnny Kelly.
matchmaker Of the Washington
Sporting Club. OF Philadelphia, to- meet
Denver Ed, Martin, Billy Madden's
pig eolored fighter. for six rounds at
t ts latter ais clubs next shoT: which will
two big fellows fought a slashing fast
fight in Los Angeles. Cal, a few months
ago, which was won by Johnson, WAC
twentieth round. Martin is anxious to
meet johnson again, as hd claims he
was unfairly treated by the referees
decision.
Corbett still Training.
Jim Corbett still continues to indulge
In his usual two hours of training each
day for his coming championship battle
with Jim Jeffries. Corbett goes to
Woods gymnasium every. morning.
where he puts in two solid hours OF
Work from 10 A. N. to noon. LCorbett
than he does at present. and with the
six or eight weeks work which he will
put In out on the coast he will put up
island nedteT wit hsh tef than he ns.t dd At consy
go.
Joe Macias. the well-known manager
of pugilists, WHO arrived home from
San Francisco last week with his COL
ored fighter, Young Mississippi" told
the writer in Philadelphia Saturday
night that Young Corbett'' may be
defeated by Billy De Coursey. the CALI
fornia feather-weisht. when he meets
him in a twenty-round bout at Salt
Lake City next Friday night. Mactas
says De Coursey is a strong fighter,
who can deliver a knockout blow with
either hand, and unless Corbett 10 In
good shape to go twenty fast rounds
he certainly runs q great risk Of being
beaten.
O'Keefe to Meet McFaddeu.
Jack o'Keefe. the Chicago Hight
weight. who is the only fighter SO far
that has secured a decision over Jimmy
Britt. the lightweight champion of Call
fornia. has been matched by Mike
Murray, Of the Criterion Athletic Club,
of Boston. to meet George McFadden.
the fighter of this city. for fifteen
at d show TO be given by the
latter club night. O'Keefe
Is considered to be a world-beater by the
sporting men of Chicago. In McFadden,
he will meet one of the stiffest
punchers and trickiest fighters that ever
donned a glove. McFadden knows every
trick OF the ring. and IL O'Keefe defeats
him he won have any trouble In get
ting on numerous matches In this vicin-
lily. They will battle at 1888 pounds.