Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-07
HAS THE ADVANTAGES.
Weight and Age Augur in Jeffries' Fa.
vor Over Corbett.

VoF OVeF Sorpett.
Chicago, Aug. 5.-With the fight for
the heavyweight championship but
little over week distant, Jeffries
weighs 22O pounds and Corbett tips the
beam at 1856. The men will enter the
ring at approximately these weights,
and the challenger will thus be giving
the champion thirty-five pounds. Be
sides the handicap of weight there is
one of age. Corbett is SO years old and
Jeffries only Is. To these advan-
tages for Corbett might be added
strength, hitting power and ability to
stand punishment. Can the man whom
they crowned worlds champion at New
Orleans nearly eleven years ago over
come all these handicaps and regain the
title?
SO far as known but very few bets
have been made in Chicago on the big
fight. There has been none of the dis
play of money that marked the cham
pionship fight at Carson City. When
the betting men do get started they will
make Corbett a long shot, and those
who back "Pompadour Jim" will likely
do so because they like a long price
No matter how many friends of Corbett
would like to see him win. there are
few of them that have yet declared
their belief that he can
Corbett made a wise remark the
other day. II have about twice as
much speed as Jeffries," he said, land
about one-half as much hitting power.
In all my training my main idea has
been to gain strength. If I get enough
of it will whip Jeffries sure
Corbett is probably stronger now
than he ever was before in his life. but
he is not built to carry the strength of
Jeffries. When Corbett and Sullivan
fought the latter had the strength, but
he was out of condition. Jeffries will
not be in the shape that Sullivan was
Before he met Sullivan most people
thought the big fellow would kill Cor
bett, but Jim wore John l.. down to
nothing and won. He can hardly hope
to do the same with Jeffries. In 1892
it was young fellow against a worm
out man. Next week Corbett will be
on the old mans side of the argument
The wheels that grind out heavy
weight championship fights have |
moved faster sixe Jim Jeffries in 1899 |
became champion of the big fellows |
than during the reign of any other |
champion since the Marquis of Queens |
berry rules We're adopted by American |
The first championship |
battle between big fellows under the |
new rules was that between John L. |
and James ]. Corbett, and took
place at New Orleans on September I.
1892. Sullivan. then champion under
he T,nn6Oy1 rrion rir rry1nc |
% defeat in the twenty-first round
'orbett. the new champion. did not
lefend his title until January, 1894
when at Jacksonville, Fla, he beat
charley Mitchell in three rounds. He
vas next matched to fight Bob Fitz-
simmons but the affair fell through,
he authorities driving them out of
very state in which they intended to
itch the ring. In the fall of the fol-
owing year COrbett, after witnessing
Peter Maher dispose of his sparring
'artner, Steve O'Donnell, in one round.
nnounced his retirement and donated
he championship to Maher.
The latter as champion then matched
With Bob Fitzsimmons. The fight took
lace in Mexico on February Il. 1896,
1tzsimmons winning in the first round
'orbett then regretted honoring Maher
s champion and boldly stated he was
till the top sawyer Of the heavy
'eights. and, as champion, was
1atched to fight Fitzsimmons. This
honorable battle took place at Carson
1ty, Neb.. on St. Patrick's day, 1897, !,
nd resulted i'll the defeat of Corbett in =.
ne fourteenth round. Fitzsimmons
-rutted as champion until June 9, 1899, y
hen he fell victim to the prowess Of !.
'ffries. Since becoming champion
effrtes has defeated Tom Sharkey, Jim
orbett. Gus Rubin and Bob Fitzsim- !
IONS. thus showing, including his first :
ght with Fitzsimmons, that he has !
lgaged in more championship battles
ian all the other champions combined. |
hat he will do after he defeats Cor
EFT on August IA, should he do so
mains to be seen.
r D,,s% To-, L