The Butte inter mountain., 1903-03-04

mates at the Chicago meeting this week
that all bets that the American will he on
the island itself will cash. Ii the presi-
dent makes good on this he will surprise
more than one person who has closely fol-
lowed this baseball angle.
Although the contest between Aurclio
Herrera, the popular and hard-hitting
litte Mexican fighter, and Jack Clifford,
the sturdy Cornishman, is two weeks dis
tant, there is much speculation as to the
probable outcome already and quite few
small bets have been made about town.
Opinion seems to favor the little feather
weight, although il is agreed by fair
minded sports that Clifford, by reason
OF his superior weight. should have first
call in the betting. Herrera, though he
has been in Butte little more than
month, has ten times more admirers than
Clifford. This was shown conclusively
when the pair we're introduced at the La
Fontise- Gibbs contest last week On this
occasion the doughty little Mexican was
received with storm OF applause that
few champions get. BY reason OF this vast
sentiment it is more than likely that Her
rera will receive more support in the mat
ter OF backing, although it is not very
probable that the bettors will favor him
in the matter of making him favortc
in the betting. lie will be the bettors'
choice this is a foregone conclusion but
il is more than likely that Clifford will
be the top price, and as near as can be
figured at the present writing it should
be about 10 TO 8 proposition, with Cliff
ford OF the long end or, perhaps, an even
money chance. No matter what the price
may be on either man. there is sure to
| be large wad of greenbacks so down on
the contest. 1t seems just now that
everyone wants to make a bet, and
! it is estimated by men who are well
| posted on such matters that as much as
| $4,000 will be staked on the result of
this contest. Biddy Bishop, who is the
MeXicans manager and adviser, said be-
fore he left for Boulder with his charge
that he had just $4,000 that he would bet
on his man at the prevailing price at ring
time. Clifords hackers have said, too,
that they would bet as much as $4,000 on
their man, and, altogether things look
bright for a big betting fight. Where
much money is wagered it shows the vast
interest excited in affairs of this kind.
Dune Mcdonald will referee the contest.
There was more interest in the Mat
thews- Couhig bout than there has been in
any recent outside contest that was not
for championship. The men have met so
many times with such varying results, that
Mondays victory by Matthews leaves the
situation almost as bad as before the bout
1t makes return engagement between
these boxers very desirable event for
any club the more SO if Couhig can be
induced to work long enough to get him
self into proper shape for a boxer who is
showing the form displayed by Matthews
in his last battles. 1t is possible that
Matty will postpone his trip abroad to par
tcpate in return engagement. lie will
not notice the challenge of Joe Cans. lie
should not. If he is going to fight cham
pions he should meet the title holder of his
own division, Joe Walcott Cans is In
rather hard luck just at this time. II Is
said that he has decided to turn down the
Hot Springs offer for go with Crosby
because of the small purse offered. Les.
than two months ago Cans fought before
Rhode Island club for 5000. Hot Spring.
ought to look good to him at almost an,
price.
Kid Fredericks and Kid Opie have signed