The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-17
SPORTS.
PICK OPPONENT
FOR JEFFRIES
BILLY MADDEN, THE VETERAN
MANAGER, SUGGESTS SCHEME.
Match Marvin Hart and Rubin, Let
Winner Meet Victor in Sharkey-
Munroe Contest, and Final Survivor
Get Il Match with the Champion.

The showing Of Marvin Hart against
George Gardner, former light heavy
weight champion, in the recent battle
at Boston, has inspired Billy Madden
with an idea for picking a suitable
opponent for Jim Jeffres, who seems
destined to rust from lack of exercise
If some new man does not appear who
gives some warrant for the belief that
he can make a good fight against the
champion. Madden figures that there
are four men in line for a fight
against the champion. They are Hart,
Gus Rubin, Jack Munroe and Tom
Sharkey. The latter two are already
matched. and Madden figures that
match between Hart and Rubin
would be a good drawing card. Hart
"a good man, growing all the time,
and a terrific hitter. If Rubin and
Hart could meet soon after the Mum
roe-Sharkey conflict, the two winners
could be matched against each other,
and the survivor of the freezeout
would be the logical opponent OF the
big boilermaker.
Sharkey and Rubin have already
been defeated by Jeffries, aItho the
former put up g. fight which his sup
porters thought entitled him to a
draw. 1t is not likely that either
would stand much chance against JEFF
fries now, for both are popularity sup
posed to have reached the stage where
has met Jeffries once, but the miner
should show considerable improve
ment after he has had couple Of
bouts with men like Sharkey, Rubin
or Hart. Hart is a second rater In
popular estimation just now, but he is
also believed to be coming, and may
develop into first-class man.
The chance of any of this quartet
to beat Jeffries is about one in 100,
either now or in the future, but the
public would like to see another
heavyweight championship battle, and
/, would welcome any chance to see even
a fairly good man p1tted against JEFF
fries. Munroe and Hart have their
future ahead Of them, and it is quite
likely that in two or three years one
of them will be the best in the ring,
aside from the champion. Madden
scheme is the best that has yet been
presented to secure an opponent for
the California giant.
A most inspiring thing it is to see
old Bob Fitzsimmons, who owns to
as years, and is really nearly SO, Of
fering to fight any man in the world.
barring Jeffries. A man Of this age,
not only actively engaged in any
branch Of athletics, but one of the
very topnotchers in his line, is some
thing way out Of the ordinary. True,
fighter does not need to keep his
youthful activity in as great degree
as a track athlete, football or base
ball player. Science and generalship
can be made to take the place in a
large degree of strength and agility,
bit the fighter, as we'll as any other
man, must have strength to enable
him to utilize his skill. The friends
of Fitz are not so confident Of his
ability. They think that another long
snee1 of training WOuld Dut the yeter-
an in worse shape than did his fight
with Gardner. Most followers Of the
game would prefer to see the grand
old man Of the ring retire now for
good, while his reputation is still I'M
dimmed by defeats at the hands OF
second raters. AS surely as FitZ keeps
on fighting, so surely will he meet de-
feat some day at the hands Of a dub
who would not have stood before him
two rounds when Robert was in his
prime.