The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-14

l
San Francisco. Aug-13-The day befor
the heavyweight championship battle find
both men in the pink of condition ready TO
the fray, and as confident as ever of sue
cess.
! Admirers Of Champion Jeffries and of for
mer Champion Corbett, who have seen tn
! big fellows to-day express intense satisfac
ton at their appearance and say the me,
VIII certainly put up battle that will e,
down as one of the greatest among tn,
heavyweight encounters in the rcped arena
up to this evening the betting has beer
very light. but the long-awaited "loosenini
up will come with the morrow. Jefrrie.
continues the favorite. the prevailing odd.
being II to 4.
JEFF WANTED TO
EAT a WATERMELON.
For just two minutes this afternoon Billy
Delaney thought he was going to lose HI:
big fighter for fair. Jeffries spied a load
OF watermelons when he stepped into the
street after his monday meal. II would
almost forfeit my chance to win to morrow
night to get at the inside OF one of those
melons," said Jeffries.
TT would be sure DEATH" insisted his
trainer.
Jeffries hesitated for a moment and he
and Delaney finally compromised on the
melcn question.
Win tomorrow night and will purchase
the biggest wagonload of melons that was
ever rolled into Oakland" said Delaney.
You're on" replied the champion, glee-
fully. and he added: 81 already feel as
though was placing a bunch of Delaney
melon money under my belt''
The Reliance Club Gymnasium was filled
this morning to overlooking with admirers
Of the big fellow. who had gathered in an
ticipation of the sight of their idol in ac-
ton, but they were doomed to disappoint-
ment as far as a sparring exhibition was
concerned. Kennedy and Brother Jack gave
utterance to long-drawn relief signs when
Jeffries announced that there would be no
more sparring.
CHAMPION TOOK
LIGHT EXERCISE.
To-day's exercise was Of the briefest i'm
agtnable. Jeffries donned his working
clothes. and his first attack was upon the
punching bag. He opened an onslaught OF
blows that only ended when the bag was
sent flying from its fastenings
That will do shouted the ever-anxious
Delaney. and then Jeffries turned his at
tentien to the skipping rope. Several hun
dred jumps were reeled in short order.
Phantom boxing that gave chance for a
splendid display Of foot work followed. and
the morning exercise was at an end.
Its Just little light work to keep linn
bered up for the big event." explained De-
laney.
Jeffries's weight, as indicated by the
marker on the scales of the Reliance Club.
Just after his short exhibition this MORN
ing. was 21s pounds flush. and he says that
is his best fighting weight.
''You might talk from now until the bell
rings the curtain on the last fight on top
of the earth and could say no more than
l have already said about this battle said
Jeffries to-day.
81 have not neglected my training. Every
thing that has been done has been with
full sanction Of Billy Delaney. He il salts
fed with my condition. know was never
better in my life. and II ever expected to
win fight, this is the one. When I will
win it, how will fight. and what round will
answer. can only say I will take the
money at the earliest opportunity. have
figured on every kind Of battle Corbett
can put up, and he will find me more than
ready to carry the milling to him.
IT don't believe that he can keep away
from me for ten rounds. Certainly he can
not for fifteen. but will be there with the
punch whenever the opportunity offers and
at that Corbett and his admirers will know