Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19
TRAINING FOR LONG FIGHT
Britt and Nelson Already Working
Hard for Big Battle.

BAN fRANClSCO, August 19.-With
more than a week gone since the signing
of articles for the Britt Nelson battle
which is scheduled to take place on Septem-
Der in an open-air arena at tolma lust
outside the city limits, preparations for the
greatest lightweight fight in modern pu-
gilism well under way
The men are in training Britt at Shee-
hans tavern on the Ocean boulevard near
the Golden Gate, and Nelson across the
bay from this city, at Larkspur. The club
has started in with its construction work
on the big open-air arena to be erected at
the Union Coursing PAX, at CoIma which
viii accommodate in the neighborhood of
10000 spectators.
When the men enter the ring on admis-
sion day the best opponents of the fstic
game since the day when Frenk Erne
wrested the championship from Kid La
vigne at Buffalo. N. Y, will be seen in
action. The articles of agreement cali for
forty-five rounds Of fighting ''or more"
and the game will practically be a finish
ever hung up for light-weights in the his
tory of the sport, and the side bet of $40 600
makes the stake the greatest ever fought
for
The fact that 1t is game of winner take
all'' makes the match one of the most I'M
usual ever made in this country
This Is Britt's first attempt at fighting
any distance beyond twenty-five rounds
that different method of training will be
necessary to fit him for the coming con-
test. Spider Kelly will be in charge of
BIRTHS training work and has planned the
conditioning of the native son in such a
manner as to develop strong punching
ability Both principal and chief adviser
are fully aware that forty-five round
battle means a fight to finish and that
the man with the better hitting powers
will take the big end of the purse. AS a
boxer Britt has nothing to fear from the
rugged Dane but he is second best when
IL comes to downright punching ability, on
the basis of blow for blow.
Nelson has arranged to prepare for the
big fight at the training quarters of Smil-
ing MetZner at Iarkspur, and his work will
differ little from that in vogue when he
prepared for the former bout with Britt
and his battles with Young Corbett. Eddie
Hanlon and Martin Candle. He Is at pres
ent much the heavier Of the two and will
have to train hard to reduce to the 1873
pounds called for by the articles of agree
ment. signed by the pair Not long ago he
was reported to weigh over $50 pounds,
which would necessitate the reducing of
some seventeen pounds or more. He will
also have to develop a defensive system of
fighting. for In this respect he Is decidedly
weak. His methods heretofore have al
ways been to rush the fighting in every
round. He Is always boring inand rushing,
but against Britt's better defensive tactics
he is liable to wear himself out and pave
the way for a knockout blow.
There is much speculation as to who will
be selected as referee. Both fighters agree
that any good man will do, but when the
evening of August 20 rolls around there is
sure to be heap of controversy when the
men get together at Harry Corbetts to Sc
lect the official The most likely local man
at this stage is Eddie rGaney, but he is
interested in the Colma Club and partner
of Coffroths in business, it Is hardly likely
that he will be acceptable. The kick against
him will come from the Britt end, for both
Nolan and Nelson would be more than
pleased with Graney in the ring.
Up to date there has been very little bet
ting on the battle. The bets that have been
recorded have been at evens, but as yet
there is dearth of Nelson money. The
gambling interests want to see both men
down to real hard work before they risk
their money. 1t is safe to predict, how
ever. that Britt will enter the ring favorite
at about 10 to D or 10 to 8.