The San Francisco call., 1906-10-29
OcnAf Min -Tnncb
WAGERING ON BIG
FIGHT Is SLOW
TO BEGIN.

Although the Berger Kaufman fight
was touted several weeks ago as one
great layout for the man who likes to
have a little bet down on the outcome
Of pugilistic mixups, the wagering still
seems far distant Though a great
deal of interest is being manifested
by the fight fans in general, none of
them seems to be at all inclined to
take a chance with his money on its
outcome.
This seems very strange as the
battle is but three days away Gem
orally the sporting fraternity is either
talking betting or coming through
with the real coin a week or two be-
fore an important mill Is to be brought
of. But this time II is different
Everybody seems to be sticking around
and waiting for the other fellow to
start, but so far he has not started
A great many men who announced
when the match was made that they
intended to bet on Kaufman are hold
ing off because they do not think that
the young blacksmith has trained hard
enough for trying encounter. They
argue that ere man enters the ring
for long and strenuous battle he
needs at least two weeks of the most
tedious and exacting work
Every one who has seen Kaufman
perform at his Golden Gate gymnasium
is Of the opinion that he looks fit. but
the absence of sparring partners and
hangers-on leads them to the belief
that he is not doing enough work to
fit himself for a meeting with Berger.
Most Of them shake their heads in a
wise manner and tell you that they
will keep off this one and take a chance
when the next big match is made.
1t is true that Kaufman has not
worked as hard as.<he might. He has
spent but two weeks at his quarters
and during this time has done his work
gradually. never knocking out any
sparring partners. breaking any punch
Ing bags or saving any young and
beautiful heiresses from being run over
by hanson cabs. Therefore, the bet
ting public has not warmed up to the
former winged 20" heavyweight as it
might have had he been working on
the lines laid out by Jim Corbett,
Tommy Ryan and other press-agent
pugs.
Billy Delaney and Kaufman may be
right in their version that too much
work is not beneficial to a man like
AL, but at the same time the old way
brings the money into the box office
and starts the bettors going The fans
like to see a boxer working as hard
as he can. 1t all creates notoriety-one
of the essential things in connection
with modern ring affair.
There is no question but that Berger
has trained long and faithfully. For
more than month Big Sam remained
faithful to his vow that he would work
as he never worked before. Anyone
who has been in the vicinity of Billy
Shannons place near San Rafael will
vouch for the fact that Sam has paid
strict attention to business. Anyone
who sees him now will also see at a
glance that he is fit to go any distance
with any sort of a foe
Both men worked out before full
houses yesterday. They spared,
punched the bag and danced around
like a couple of stars of the ballet 1t
was practically Berger's last day of
labor. Today he will do a bit of light
work and tomorrow he intends to bid
Shannon farewell and come over to his
home in this city to spend the rest of
the time before the bell rings.
Kaufman probably will work out
some more today and tomorrow. How
ever, 1t is not expected he will take
any chances of hurting himself. for
he says he is right and so does his
manager, Billy Delaney.