The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-12
SPEED VS.. STRENGTH
Can Jeffries Reach Corbett, or Will
the Latter Get Decision
on Points?
Champion Should Win if He Is in
49,. First Glass Physical
70 49,,
81" Condition.

IL Will Jeffries be able to reach Corbett
and put him out, or will Corbett last the
twenty rounds and get the decision?
That, III the opinion of local sports, is
the problem of the big fight for the
worlds championship at San Francisco
Friday night. 1t is generally conceded
that Corbett will not be able to put the
boilermalker down for the count. Ad-
hitting that the eX-champion has de-
veloped a harder punch than he ever had
before, it Is not believed that he can make
much impression upon the iron jaw of his
former sparring partner. So far as a
knockout Is concerned, Jeffries is popular
ly thought to be invulnerable. If Fitzsim
mons punching jeff at will for eight
rounds. could not turn the trick, say the
fight fans, Corbett cannot be given a
chance.
On the other hand, it is considered
cinch that if Corbett Is on his feet at the
end Of the bout, he will get the decision
on points. This theory is not held by all
the sports. One man made a bet yester-
day that Jeffries would get the decision II
the fight went the limit, and he says he
has plenty more to put up the same
proposition. Most Of the local experts,
however, think that Corbett is certain to
get the decision if the contest goes the
full twenty rounds.
If thoroly reliable information In regard
to Jeffries condition were at hand it
would be much easier to dope the battle.
The reports from the coast have been so
conflicting, however, that the average
bettor has difficulty in making up his
mind what to believe. The news last
night that Fitzsimmons had wagered
$4,000 to $4,000 at San Francisco on JEFF
fries. gave ragement to the support
ers Of the champion. They reasoned that
Fitz, who has been training the champion,
and presumably knows just what his con-
dition Is, would hardly bet his or his
friends money unless he was confident
that Jeff was In shape to make the fight
Of his life.
With regard to corbett there is NO un-
certainty. All reports from his training
camp pronounce the former holder Of the
title In the finest possible fettle, fast and
strong. He Is certainly in as good con-
dition as when he met Jeffries at Coney
Island, and most Of his admirers think he
Is in better shape than he has been within
the last ten years. He has two other adj
vantages. The fight will go only twenty
rounds, instead of twenty five and that
means 20 per cent less chance for Jeff
to reach Corbett. The fight will be In
24-foot instead of 20-foot ring, giving
Corbett more room to keep away from the
champion.
These facts indicate that Corbett has q
better chance Of staying the limit than he
had in his first meeting with the cham
pion, and, as stated above, most fight fans
think Corbett certain to get the decision
If he stays. Altho all these facts presage
a victory for the eX-champion, there are
plenty Of Jeffries men who believe their
favor1tes will be able to reach Corbett and
put him down for the count. Compare
lively little betting has been done here
The Corbett men ask two to one, and the
Jeffries supporters are rather shy about
giving those odds. In San Francisco yes
terday the betting was light also, the pre-
vailing odds being two to one, altho some
bets, notably that of Fitzsimmons were
made at 10 to 8, rumor that the cham.
pion was not well encouraging the Corbet
men to make a better price. In New
York Jeffries men are giving to l. and
the betting has been heavy.
Jeffries yesterday outlined the tactic.
he will follow in the fight. He said &c
will go at him from the start. He can hi
me where and when he is able, but will
keep plugging along, and will get him.
To an outsider this appears to be tn,
only way in which Jeffries can win, and i
insures a lively fight. The champion will
attempt to corner Corbett and give hin
his quietus. Whether he succeeds or no
depends upon the relative speed Of tn,
two. men, and also upon the luck of thu
fight. With all Corbett's science ant
speed, any one of a number Of accident
Il likely to give Jeffries the opportunit,