Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-11
HERMAN Debating
TERMS TO CANS

TONOPAH, New, December 11.-Kid Her
man, the Chicago lightweight fighter who
fights Joe Cans for the lightweight cham
pionship of the world here on New Year
day, Is now debating terms to the cham
pion.
When Cans condescended to take on Her.
man, he agreed to split the purse of $4,000
so that Herman could get 5000 If he lost
and $4,000 il he won, terms which no
champion ever allowed challenger before.
One might think Herman would be salts
fed, not to say grateful. but now he comes
out with an ultimatum to the effect that
unless Cans weighs in at 1873 to the ounce
two hours before the fight as per the ar
ticles, he will refuse to accept the forfeit
of s., 600, as it is rumored Cans intends he
shall, but will call the fight off entirely.
There seems to be an impression among
sporting men, who are not thoroughly ac
quainted with the conditions surrounding
the signing of articles for the Gans-Herman
contest, that Cans is going to come in over
weight and forfeit 5000 out of his end Of
the purse. This impression is erroneous.
as it is settled fact that Cans must make
the required weight (133 two hours before
the contest opens) or there will be no fight.
This Is the ultimatum issued by Manager
Nate Lewis with the sanction of Kid Her
man, and he has the proper backing with
which to make such a stand.
The peculiar clause in the articles in re-
gard to the making of weight and the for
felt to the club of 5000 by each of the
fighters in case of non-appearance contains
more than one "nigger in the woodpile." .
When the first press dispatches went out
after the signing of the articles it was
thought that Cans had the privilege of ap-
pearing al overweight, and that Herman
correct. The fact was overlooked that
should Herman refuse to fight Cans at
overweight, the Casino Athletic Club will
claim not only the 5000 forfeit money be-
longing to the Kid. but will also collect
the $1,000 which has been deposited by the
champion for appearance.
With these facts it is easy to see that
Cans must meet the required weight or he
will be out IS 600 OF course, Herman will
be out like amount also, but the Chicago
lad and his manager are ready to forfeit
this amount rather than give the champion
all the best of 1t.
The articles were so drawn practically by
compulsion of the club, as Manager Riley
refused to agree to anything but that each
fighter would forfeit 5000 in case there is
no fight. Riley would not agree to one
fighter drawing down his appearance money
in case he was ready to go on and his oppo-
nent refuse to fight, but insisted that the
club be given both appearance forfeits i'll
case either man failed to fight 1t was this
point that furnished food for hours of
discussion, and which was agreed to by
Selig and Lewis only after it was seen that
there could be no fight unless Riley had his
way.
1t is hardly anticipated that Cans will
try to come in over the weight specified,
as any hitch in the holding of the fight
will mean a great deal more to him than to
Herman. Cans Cancelled theatrical engage
ments, which mean the loss of several thou
sands of dollars. Adding to this the IS 600
he would forfeit If Herman refuses to fight
1t can be seen that declaring the fight of
would mean a big loss to the champion.
For this reason there Is little doubt but that
Joe will be at weight and that there will
be no hitch in pulling off the battle