Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-20
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Britt and Nelson Pinned for
Tonight's Hard Fight.
FORMER FAFORITE
THE "BATTLING' BOY WILL BET
LARGE SUM ON HIMSELF.
Good Games in Bowling Leagues-New
Orleans Races-Lush to Coach
Yale Team.
FORMER FAFORITE

A special from San Francisco says that
Jimmy Britt. who is to meet Battling
Nelson in twenty round fight at the Yose-
mite Athletic Club in that city tonight. is
the favorite in the betting at odds of 10 to
8. Everything is in readiness for what Is
expected to be fast lightweight battle.
Britt and Nelson have practically finish
ed their work and are only waiting for the
sound of the gong to face each other. Britt
visited the theater Sunday night. 1t was
late when he retired and yesterday morning
he was catching up in sleep
After he was up and had light breakfast
he took walk through Golden Gate, which
was all the work he did. He weighs just
1917 pounds. There is now no question over
the required weight of each man.
Both fighters are as fit as the proverbial
fiddle They are expected to go the route
as we'll as they ever went it in their lives.
Each thinks that 132 pounds is the weight
at which he is strongest and can do his
work with the greatest ease. Each has made
play out of his training, and. as result. at
neither camp has there been any or the
peevishness generally shown by one taking
off weight.
Nelson is full of that confidence that goes
a long ways toward helping any man to
win a battle. There is no more work for
him to do and not an ounce of flesh to be
lost. In fact, 100 pounds was what he scaled
even last Sunday. His preparations are all
made and he. like Britt, has no other work
to do than walk across the country.
Teddy Murphy, manager of Nelson. has
$1,000 to bet on his boys chances. Nelson
has always backed himself in his fights, and
will bet more this time by far than he wag-
cred when he met Young Corbett." There
are indications of heavy betting at the ring
side.
Among the visitors at Nelson's quarters
was Harry Corbett He saw Nelson box
and later said he was undecided as to which
fighter to bet on. In fact. he felt that 1t
would be advisable not to bet, inasmuch as
he had never been called upon to make a
decision in any previous bout in which both
contestants seem SO evenly matched as they
are in this contest.
Britt is wonderful little fellow" said
Corbett, but we haven't taken Nelson Sc
riously enough His record is far better
than BrittS, and 1 don't suppose that peo-
pie see 1t yet Britt is a grand little fighter
and l admire him as much as any of them.
but you can say for me that 1 can't pick
winner here
Nelson is fellow that cannot be stopped
and II he can get to Britt there is going
to be a close struggle He's on top of his
man all the time. taking punches that
would put an ordinary man to sleep right
away, but on him they don't seem to take
effect. Yes, Britt is the cleverer Of the
two. and If he can keep away from Nelson,
should outpoint him. but you see that $
where the hitch comes in. They can't
keep him away and they can't stop him.
I'd toss coin if 1 had to bet"
Britt will have Spider" Kelly for one of
his seconds. When Britt fought Young
Corbett" Kelly had system of signals,
and 1t is more than likely that Kelly will
devise some plan by which Britt tonight
may know when TO let drive with either
hand or to clinch.
Il will win in twenty rounds, If neces-
sary,' said Britt last night. Il will do my
best to knock Nelson out. 1 know he is
dangerous man and can take punching,
but after he has assimilated some of my
lefts and rights on the body he will go to
the floor, just as Erne, Cans and the rest
of them did. l will be strong at the weight,
and have every reason to feel that 1 will
beat Nelson
The sale of seats is unusually large. There
Is every indication that Britt and Nelson
will fight before a $4,000 house: Billy
Roche of New York will off1ciate as ref
cree. He has talked with both men and
they understand the rules. Roche says he
has warned Nelson against Quitting and
Britt against fouling
Young Corbett'' is doing light work, and
will go into the ring tonight and challenge
the winner,