The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-20
BIG FIGHTERS
WAIT FOR GONG.
Fitzsimmons and O'Brien Give
Out Their Final Victory
Talks.
Journal Special Service.

San Fra ncisco, Dec 2O.-When Bob Fitzsin-
mons and philadelphia jack OBrien take
the center of the arena at Mechanics pavilion
tonight it will be clash of the man who has
been called the most wonderful fighter OF the
age with the speediest boxer in the game today.
AS to the result the opinions Of fight experts
here widely different as the two poles.
Those who favor Fitz point to his excellent
condition and the fine work he did in training.
so different from his labored efforts when he
fought George Gardiner here two years ago. The
O. Brien faction, while realizing that the Phila-
delphian has 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. ys-t + ~ ..
F1tz Money Plentiful.
No definite lire on the outcome had been OBJ
tanned from the betting. There has been switch
In the betting over the fact that several mil
lionaires, inspired by the glowing accounts from
Fitz's training quarters, have dumped thousands
of dollars into tue poolrooms with orders to place
the money on Fitz. p
Corbett's opinion. and no man :, in this city is
in closer touch with the pulse Of the betting sit
uation, says Fitzsimmons will be the favorite
when the enter the ring. s..-....
Last night hackers wishing to invest Were met
with the quotation: "rn lay you four to five
and take your pick 7. ~. e.. - T
Both Fitz and Jack predict the fight will end
In knockout before they have gone the full
distance. .a, ~ -. $40, - 49,. 49,.
That Kaufman Battle. Il
The o'Brienites figure on his fight with AL
Kaufman in doping out the victory. They think
Jack will jab away at Fitz until he gets him
tired, at the time taking all Bob de-
liver. just he did with Kaufman. While the
ex-amateur, Of course, has nothing like the skill
of Fitzsimmons. he has awful wallop and
o Brien got the full force of it half dozen
times only to come back as sprightly as ever.
O'Brien has intention Of swapping punches
with the grand old man Of the ring. He has a
blows. altho Jack has been quoted as saying that
he did not find Fitz the puncher he thought he
was when they boxed in Philadelphia. Sports
who are inclined tosbet on O'Brien figure that he
! tired Fttz out In that bout and feels he can
stand him out. - ...
Comparison by experts would show that
O'Brien is in the better condition. which is
considered only natural Fitz is nearly 10 years
old. To judge by their last public exhibitions
the Philadelphia has nothing Fitz in the
matter Of stamina. . ~~..'.
| Ruby Robert has paid particular attention to
| Fits pedal extremites in training for O'Brien
| The result has been very satisfactory, according
| to the reports from Fitz's camp. Certainly there
was nothing in Bob's closing exhibitions to in:
| Gicate that he was not able to hold his OWE
with his youthful antagonist. 3 :
Fitz in Good Shape.
One Of Fits training partners went 50 ia,
as to say today that Bob was in good condi
ton In every respect for this bout as he wa:
when he fought Jim Corbett in 1897. II that II
the case, it is figured that ME-. O. Brien will have
his hands full from the sound Of the gong t
the finish. -"
In tho Corbett fight Fitz took beating enough
from "Genteman' Jim to lick three men,, ant
then outstayed him and won. History may re
peat itself tonight. O'Brien may hammer Rob
ert for ten twelve rounds and then 60 dow
with an awful crash when Fitz one of the great
est generals the prizering has ever known, round
out his plan to fight with the haynaker tina
brings home the money. ..
One thing is certain-the six round bout be
tween Fitz and O'Brien in Philadelphia give
no line whatever on the result Of tonight's bat
tie. Each claims he jobbed on that occa
sion. Both claim they let up on their strainin
! with the understanding that the bout was to b
, a fist exhibition only. Each claims he wa
double-crossed by the other Ftz says he wa
! not in condition and for that reason Brien ha
: the better of him in the first four rounds. Tn
Philadelphia boy, the other hand, declare