The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-11
NEWS OF THE FIGHTERS
FITZsIMMOys GARDNER MATCH
WILL ATTRACT ATTENTION.
Gardner Will Have Benefit of Youth
-Jeffries to Become a RearI Ac-
tor-HanIon After Corbett.

The twenty-round battle between Bob
Fitzsimmons and George Gardner, to be
fought in San Francisco next month, will
attract a great deal OF attention in the
sporting world. Fitzsimmons has often
been styled as a marvel of the prize ring.
He was the champion until the title was
taken from him by Jim Jeffries. Until that
time Fitzsimmons was the recognized cham
pion. owing to his defeat Of James j. Cor
bett. When Fitzsimmons met Jeffries there
was a wonderful difference in their weight.
In Gardner he will meet a man of equal
weight and the outcome will be watched
with great interest. Followers of pugilism
are better acquainted with FitzsimmOns's
ability than they are with Gardeners. The
latter has won many battles. and his vic
tory over Jack Root by which he won the
light heavyweight championship, stamped
him as a candidate for more honors in the
fistic arena. The public does not know just
how far Gardner can go without losing
battle; it does not know just how good he
is. but in the coming battle with Fitzsim-
mons both men will have to fight their best
TO expect 10 WIN.
In Gardner, Fitzsimmons will meet the
weight or light heavyweight class. Gardner
is said to be as clever as Fitzsimmons,
which is saying a great DEAL and he is
probably a greater blocker. When 1t comes
TO landing hard body blows and short-arm
jabs with telling effect Gardner will not be
found wanting. There Is a great difference
i'm their respective ages, which also favors
Gardner. Gardner is just entering upon his
prime, while Fitz is in the ebbtide of a
pugilists star career Betting on the fight
will probably favor Fitzsimmons, but Gard
ner will have large following. Gardner
stands an excellent chance OF scoring a VIC
tory.
Champion James Jeffries will arrive in
New York the first of this week. Theatrical
architects" are building a play for the
champion fighter. and he will again be a
footlight star. Jeffries does not know just
what he will be up against. as he says he
may be placed I'm vaudeville or in straight
play. II is said he will play in New York
bit stuck on these custom plays, as they
don't look good TO him, and the problem
play is another one he will have to pass up.
JEFF prefers to play role where he can
drop the villain out of a sixth-stOry window.
grab the heroine and cry ME chee-ild.'
The champion will add few thousand
troupe but will be willing at all times TO
make match with any good man who has
championship aspirations.
Eddie Hanlon is regarded as the next
fea therweight champion. James j. Corbett
says the California boy will wrest the
championship from Young Corbett should
they ever meet. and James j. seldom misses
a guess. unless IT is made on Of his own
battles. Hanlon is anxious for u battle with
Young Corbett. and it is now up TO the latter
to give the California man a match. Han
Ion has improved wonderfully since he
fought Young Corbett and 1t would not be
surprising to see him win i'm case the two
meet in a twenty-round fight.