The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-27
GENERAL GOSSIP OF THE
FIGHTERS AND THEIR WORK.
Local Sporting Men Seem to Favor
McGOvern Slightly in His Hattie
With Young COrbett.

| Sporting men in this city who are in
\ terested In the pugilistic game seem in
cilned to favor Terry McGovern in his bat
| tie with Young Corbett next Tuesday. al
though none have made any bets as yet
upon the point worthy of mention. Though
Sorbett has more personal friends here.
seems to be the general impression that
Terry has, shade the better of him.
one explanation for this. doubtless. is the
insight into the champions disposition ac-
| CURED by these same acquaintance when
definite information was given out that his
battle with Dave Sullivan could not take
Young Corbett instantly and joyfully
started out to celebrate the occasion by
, giving giving a little dinner, and his readiness to
break training caused many fight followers
to shake their heads.
They argue that the champions tendency
towards, conyiviality is apt to cause his
downfall, and they point to the fact that
in several of his recent battles his poor
condition has told against him. Corbett Is
same critics. who have seen more Of him
than they have of McGovern, But they
seem to fear that the champions tastes are
apt to run away with his Judgment.
Taking the sporting men OF the city as
whole, 1t looks as II they were about equal
ly divided in opinion as to the outcome with
the shade of opinion in Terry's favor.
One man who selects Young Corbett to
yin however: is H. A: Rodgers, member of
the San Francisco Examiner sporting staff.
He has witnessed every big fight pulled off
on the coast, and has seen both Corbett and
McGovern in several battles. Mr.. Rodgers
is now in this city and comes out strongly
in Young Corbett's favor.
From the manner in which both men
have fought battles / attended" he said. Il
think Young Corbett will win without a
doubt. l have seen the boy fight. and be-
lieve he has McGovern beaten at every
point. He is clearer-headed. can think out
a plan of campaign coolly and come back
after terrific punishment. As a contrast.
Mciovern is hot-headed. Is easily ratified
ana files TO DieCPS under Duni9hnppt
II saw him fight Dave Sullivan. and I
believe to this day that superior hand
had him on the ropes in the fifth. and Ter
ry was swaying and staggering Every
thing pointed to knockout, or. rather. to
beating down of McGovern. Sullivan was
allowed to hang back at critical moment
however. and McGovern recuperated enough
to last the round.
he kept In. of course. l can't say. But it
looked as If he should have done so. 1 saw
t foun ns, GoIoet, ght Broad and the way
tough hitter was mastery. In every fight
believe that Corbett has shown consider
able generalship.
MANY persons consider Corbett's showing
against Boyle. Hanlon and others as derog-
atory to his ability. l cannot see 1t in that
light. 1t merely seems to me to show his
careleseness in not training. When Corbett
can last against that kind of man. although
unprepared for a gruelins battle. | don't
see how he can be figured easy for Meow
ern when he is well trained.-and 1t Is safe
to predict that he will be well trained when
he meets Terry next Tuesday.
IT think the fight will go about ten or
twelve rounds and will end in knockout
for Young Corbett."
Philadelphia Tommy Ryan is in some per-
plexity as to where he stands in the mat
ter of bout in the near future. George
Block is anxious to meet him, according 10
statements he has recently made, and the
Columbian Club of South st. Louis has
offered to put the men on. There Is some
hitch over the weight question. however.
which is troubling Ryan.
IT am willing to fight at 100 or 1872 said
Ryan last evening, land I would like to
have some definite understanding on the
point. am ready to go on one week from