Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-20


the bout will be witnessed by an immense
crowd
Two Great Fighters.
When Bob Fitzsmmons and "PhiladcI-
phia Jack O'Brien take the center of the
pugilistic arena at Mechanics Pavilion to-
night II will be clash of the man who has
been called the most wonderful tighte- or
/ the age with the speedest boxer in the
game today AS to the result, the opin-
ions OF light experts here are as widely diff
ferent as the two poles.
Those who favor Fitz point to his excel
lent condition and the fine work he dii
in training so different from his iabored
here two years ago. The O'Brien faction.
while realizing that the Philadelphian has
a big contract on hand. figure that his
youth and wonderful cleverness will be
served and that Jack will get the bigger
end OF the purse.
No definite line on the outcome caa be
gathered from the betting. Harry Coroett
announced today that there was more Bitz-
simmons money in sight. than the hackers
of o Brien had shown disposition to cover.
The Philadelphia was an odds-on favorite
up TO Sunday night. Since then there has
been switch in the betting, owing TO the
fact that several millionaires, inspired by
the glowing accounts from Fits training
quarters, have dumped thousands of dol
/ lars into the pool rooms, with orders 10
place the money on Fitz to the best adj
vantage
III tOFUellS Opl11lOH, ana no man III o{ti
Francisco is in closer touch with the pulse
of the betting situation, Fitzsimmons Will
be favorlte when the men enter the ring.
Last night hackers wishing to invest met
in the pool rooms with the quotation, "TH
lay you to and take your pick"
Both Fitz and Jack predict the fight will
end In a knockout before they have gone
the full distance, and each is confident the
others head Will be resting on the canvas
when Referee Eddie Graney counts the
fatal ten seconds.
May Wear Fitz Out.
The O'Brienites figure on his fight with
Al Kaufman in doping out the victor They
think Jack will jab away at Fitz until he
gets him tired, at the same time taking all
Bob can deliver. just as he did with Kauf-
man. While the ex-amateur of course, has
nothing like the sand of F'itzsimmons. he
has an awful wallop. and O'Brien got the
full force OF II half a dozen times only to
come back as sprightly as ever.
o Brien has no intention OF swapping
punches with the Grand Old Man at the
ring. He has a wholesome respect for
Fitz's sledgehammer blows. although the
Phiiadelphian has been quoted as saying
that he did not find Fitz the puneher he
thought ne was when they boxed In PhiIa-
deIphia. Sports who are inclined to bet on
% Brien. figure that he tried Fitz out In
that bout and feels he can stand him on
Comparisons by experts would show that
o Brien is in the better condition which is
considered only natural Fitz is nearly
ferty-four years of age and O. Bren twenty
eight Al that. Judging by their last public
exhibitions. the Philadelphian has nothing
on fltz In the matter of stamina.
FRS feet We're very bad when he fought
George Gardiner two years ago. Hence his
poor showing. Ruby Robert has paid par
t!cular attention to his pedal extrernities il,
preparing for o. rien. The result has been
very satisfactory. according to the reports
nothing in Bob's closing exhibitions TO in
dleate that he was not able to hold his own
with his youthful antagonist.
one or t1tzs training partners went so
iaf as 10 say that Bob was IN as good COM
dition in every respect for this bout as
he was when he fought Jim Corbett in 1897
u p ,aat Is Isl, the case 1t is figured that Mr..
sound or the gong TO the finish.
Robert Slayer.
In the Corbett fight Fitz took beating
enough from Gentleman Jim TO HEX
three men. and then outstayed him ana
won History may repeat itself tomorrovv
night. u hrien may peck at Robert for
Ten or twelve rounds, and then 90 doun
with an awful crash when Fitz, one of the
greatest generals the prize ring has eyer
known, rounds out HIS plan of fight win,
the haymaAer that brings home the money
one thing Is certain-the six-round bout
between Fftz and O'Brien in PhiIadelnbia
gives no time whatever on the ras,,if ~
toEights battle. During the last few DAYS
each man has made the claim that he was
io'Veu Oh %ndt occasion Both claim they
1eu up on their training with the under
standing the bout was TO be fast exhil,i-
Ton only. Each claims he was double-
crossed by fhe other. Fftz says he was NOT
IN condition. and for that reason D, Brien
had The better of him in the first four
rounds. The Philadelphian, on the other
hand declares he was unprepared for Fifz's
herce attack In the closing rounds. and for
ms reason was IN distress at the finish.
o Brien takes strong exceptions 10 Tsty.a
claim that he knocked O'Brien out of the
ring In the Philadelphia bout The Phiia-
IeipIlans assert that Fitz did not even
knock him down, hut that he slipped twice
on the weS door and went down
lille the battle Is at catch weights
there VIII se only pound or two diner
ence, Il any, In the weights OF the men
when they enter the ring. Both Fitz and
. Brien stated today they will tip the
scales al bstween t61 and 1874 pounds
There Is much more at stahs In this bat