Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-25
ODDS ARE LOWER
Though Fitzsimmons is, Slight
Favorite With Local Fight
Followers.
HIS AGE PROVING HANDICAP
Rock Island Experts Interviewed as
to Result Of Meet
ing.


whether or not Bob Fitzsimmons, the
grand old man. of the prize ring,
will shed his bath robe in the squared
circle once too often. Tonight will
also decide whether or not the prize
ring has seen the last of the lanky
ex-Australian, as a defeat at the
hands of George Gardner, his oppo-
nent, will put him on the retired list
and deprive him of the pleasure of
again meeting his old time rival, Jim
Corbett, or anyone else for that mat
ter.
y week ago close students of the
sport leaned heavily toward Fitzsim-
mons and offers of 10 to that he
would win went begging. Within the
last few days the betting, by easy
stages. grew closer, and yesterda 10
to on Bob was the prevailing price
Local fight spectators generally take
their quotations from the telegraphic
reports. and these figures are the
market price at San Francisco.
This change in the betting is at
tributed to the respective conditions
and ages of the men and not on their
known abilities as fighters. 1t is
generally admitted Fitzsimmons is
the. more proficient in all the finer
points of the game, besides which he
is much harder hitter. These fac
tors should make him favorite in
the betting. His age is his only hand
leap, and, as he is only a few days
n ha
ago, when the odds favored him at
to ,. he must have gone amiss in
training.
Views of Local Experts. ....
Local critics on matters pugilistic
were interviewed by The Argus.
Here is what some of them said:
Chief of Police Miller-We old fell
lows must sick together. OF course
| am backing Bob. Believe he will
give that young Gardner walloping
he'll remember the longest day he
lives. If Fitzsimmons wins he has
promised to stop off and attend the
policemen's ball enroute to his home
in the east.
f. a. Head-The fellows who are
giving odds of to 1 on the Cornish
man are not taking any chances. He
Will get away with the fight hands
down.
DR.. G. L. Eyster-Gardner's youth,
agility and staying qualities are liza
BILE to cause the downfall of the old
boy. Gardner is my favorite.
Abe Rosenfield-The boy with the bald
nut. He will allow Gardner to keep
him company about six rounds, and
then watch the latter's balloon go up.
Johnny Jones-That young Irish
man looks good to me. Fitz is get
ting too ancient to fight.
August Lamp-It's going to be a
close race, but my dope is that Bob
will carry off the long end of the
money
E. T. Dolly-There's nothing in it.
Fitz in a walk
III. w. Crawford-If L were a bet
ting man, and 1 owned the Burlington
road, l would be willing to put it up
the Rock Island that the fight would
not last over eight rounds. Fitzsim-
mons will win.
F. H. Plummer-Gardner will prove
a surprise party, I am thinking.
Richard Pearce-The boy with the
polished roof suits me. 1t will be
over in eight rounds.
Old sparrlDg Partner Talks.
w. H. Lange-I've considered the
Fitzsimmons end at 10 to shot just
like getting the greens from home.
See, | know that old boy personally.
He has got a left hook that is a ter
rifier to every man who ever got in
side the ropes with him. Back in 1891
l acted as sparring partner for the
old man in st. Louis and Hot Springs.
L knocked him out Internationally
one day and forthwith resigned from
his employ, for 1 did not intend let
ting him have another crack at me-
Had a wire from him this morning in
which he hunched me to raise money
on my South Heights holdings and
put it all on him.
Myer Loeb-Fitz in 10 rounds, and
perhaps better than that.
Country Sentiment Divided.
Taylor Ridge, Nov. 25.-(Special.)-
Edgington township is solid for Fitz-
simmons. w. F. CRAWFORD.
Yuma. Nov. 25.-(Special)- 1.-The fell
low Gardner is quite a favorite in
these parts. Fact is, 1 haven't had
much time to study the men since
Deneen visited the county. Tell you.
he's got a sight of friends about here.
WILLIAM PAYNE.
Milan, Nov. 25.-(Special.) Pretty
hard to tell who has the pole out
our way. It's about toss up be-
tween the fighters, so far as | have
been able to learn. Personally / be-
hlieve Fitzsimmons will win out.
III. L. FRAMING.