The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-08
FUssING OVER REFEREE.
Question OF the Man for the Frisco
Bout Unsettled


San Francisco, Sept. S.-The ques-
ton OF referee of the Britt-NeIson
DattIe is still agitating the minds Of
the sporting public
With Jeffries out of the referee prob
lem attention naturally turns to Eddie
Graney who has acted as referee in all
the big ring contests brought off in
this city in recent years. While the
Br1tts have been insistent in their OBJ
Jections to Graney, there is a strong
belief among sporting men that this
avowed dislike for Graney is not sin
cere and that If Jeffries declines to be
further considered Graney will be Sc
1ected.
Nolan. Nelson's manager, is still dis
posed to obstruct matters, but it is
not thought that he has influence
enough with Nelson to effectually
block matters at this point in the
a great deal in the eyes of the sport
ing public by his tactics in refusing to
accept Jeffries after having once ac-
cepted him.
Nolan, Nelson's manager, said late
Thursday in regard to the referee: "If
they try to force Jeffries on us there
Will not be any fight. I've conceded
everything else to the Britts and I do
not intend to concede this referee mat
ter.
81 am even more determined than
before, for I have received many tele-
grams from friends informing me that
trying to bet on Britt. That looks bad
to me.
"I don't know what was said in that
Delaney telegram to Jeffries which
the big fellow so suddenly to abandon
his demand for $4,000. For all
know, it might have guaranteed JEFF
fries 81, 900 if he would come and
Notwithstanding NoIan's stubborn
| stand in the matter, no one thinks at
this time that the fight will be called
off.
Meanwhile. the sale of seats goes on
at a lively rate. There are hundreds
of men from cities far and near al
ready on the scene and the out-Of-tOwn
attendance is very large. There will
be remarkable gathering of sporting
writers and sporting authorities from
all over the United States at the ring
side.
From New York and Boston to the
has sent sporting writers to pass
Judgment upon the merits of the two
sturdy boxers and certainly there will
be no lack of variety in the accounts
of the battle set before the reading
public all over the United States.
Britt and Nelson have practically
finished their hard training. They
have reached the stage where the
question of weight is no longer an ele-
ment in their training and all atten-
ton is being paid to the importance of
keeping ION edge" until the gong
summons them to the fray. Both are
in as perfect condition as it is possible
to put two normally perfect youthful
athletes. The loser of the coming con-
test can never hope successfully to
claim condition as an excuse for de-
feat.
The amount of money in the hands of
| the promoters from advance sale of
seats is now very large and that fact
alone would strongly operate against
any serious hitch in the carrying out of
the arrangements. Manager CoffrOth has
already taken in close to $4,000 and
confidently asserts that when the men
enter the ring next Saturday afternoon
the prize for which they will contest
will amount to $700 900, therecord amount
in the history of ring contests.
The betting remains Interchangeable to
z, with Britt the favorite. There is no
great activity, however, in the betting,
| owing to the uncertainty as to the choice
of the referee.
AS matters stand Britt has decidedly
the better of the argument. He consent
ed to toss a coin to decide who should
judge the contest, and being the win
ner named Jeffries, but now Nolan has
baked. He talks of jobs and other.
foolish things. AS a matter of fact, it
looks as though Nolan has weakened
ION his hand" and is using the referee
| argument so as to have the side bet of
SIC, 900 declared off.
When the match was first made Nolan
thought that Nelson would be a strong
favorite, but now that he finds the odds
decidedly in favor of the Californian
he cannot see his way clear to make the
bet at even money. Both men have al
| ready posted 81, 500 for the bet and if
| Nolan does not come in with the bal
ance he will lose the $1,000 up. It is
said that he will agree on Jeffries if
the side bet is called off.
Nelson tipped the scales after he re-
ceived his rundown Thursday at 135
pounds. He looks well and declares
he is ready to fight all day if necessary.
Britt is undoubtedly in better condi-
| ton than ever before. He looks strong
and carries plenty of flesh. Jeffries ar
rived last night but declined to discuss
| the referee question He said that he
| would officiate if it was agreeable to
| both men.
AFTER LEAGUE FRANCHISE.
President PuIliam. of National, Pre-