The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-26
CANS AND MEL SON
FULL Of. CONFIDENCE
Both Men Discuss Their Fighting
Tactics for The Journal
Readers.
Special to The Journal.

days training yet before them, Mel
son and Cans are in perfect condition
for the contest Labor day. Cans weighs
1873 pounds and experiences no diff
Guilty in keeping that weight, despite
the marked let-up in his work during
weight early in. the week, but at the
slightest let-up in training he takes on
flesh. Today he did very little work
and took things easy the. entire day.
This morning his weight was 1874. Nell
son is a heavier eater than Cans, and
this may be the reason for this ten
dency to take on flesh quickly: It Is
favor, allowing that he weighs the 1873
pounds at the hour for weighing in
on Sept. 3. ".-
A comparison form .of the pugilists
today failed. to reveal apparent ad-'
vantage to either man. Nelson 8 early.
training is strictly in keeping with the.
gruelling methods used in preparing for
heavy work and plenty Of it.. rough
sparring bouts and an unlimited con-
sumption of food at meal time are it's.
principal characteristics. Every morn
ing early he runs from seven to ten.
miles, after light breakfast, and
returns to his quarters for rundown.
He then Tolls around and rests up until
nasium work, punching the bag, skip:
ping the rope, exercising with obi
tension'' and hitting the sawdust bag,
Of his sparring partners, either 7Bob-
by Lundy or Jack Clifford.
Uses His Head.
The significant feature Of his spar,
ring is his marked propensity for rough
work in the break away, holding his
his opponents chest. The move leaves
his arms fairly free and In breaking
away he generally manages to get in a:
stiff body blow.
Nelson's admirers predict great re-
tics Of the Dane in his contest with
Cans, and it does look as tho. the
"Battler' was banking on gaining a
certain advantage from them himself.
The clause in the articles of agreement
forbidding the use of their hands in
the break-away is generally conceded
to be in the Dane s favor in that kind
Of fighting.
The "Battler' when asked for a
statement for tt Q Journ ! as to
what tactics will govern his fight
NThere' IS only one way that I know
how to fight, and that is to fight from
the drop of the hat. I amt got any
tactics I'm going in and mix 1t up
until he or I am out Of the game
Cans Talks as Well.
Cans statement for The jour
n a was made quietly and calmly.
After consideration, said the colored
fellow:
III Forward h b2n{ that sfY a aHw # he edss
fast, I'll go with him. I think I can
settle the question tho, in ten rounds. -
Cans daily work is precision itself.
He does everything automatically,
even studiedly. In running his eight
dian-like stoicism. In the same way
he goes thru his bag punching. Never
for a moment does he rest himself while
at work. When it comes to his three
rounds with "Kid' Simms, he goes at
it in the same methodical manner
The man shows himself every day to be
a veritable fighting machine, working
under full control of his lever-like
brain. Seldom does he land hard on
his partner, tho time after time, the
only too plainly what he might have
done. In his bag punching alone does
he exhibit the powers Of his right arm.
Rarely. during the sparring exhibition
does his opponent reach him with any
effect.
To sum up the chances of the two
men at this stage Of their training is
to concede advantage to the Dane in
an l9-foot ring, which will insure
closer, rougher fighting than in one of
larger diameter. In his thoro mastery
of the tactics Of close, heavy fighting
with the choice Of knockout blow in the
breakaway, in the clause in the articles
which makes this opportunity possible,
since the referee may not use his hands
in separating the men, in his youth and
staying powers.
Cans Chances.
But as against these Cans will pit
his machine-like precision of system in
protecting himself, an agility to keep
out of harm $ way which the other does
not possess, GOODNESS and caution pc
culiar to himself, in experience and
perfect mastery of the art of ring gen
eralship and in the ightning-like deci
sion to land a knockout blow once his
opponent leaves himself exposed.
) Odds in betting this far favor Cans
Small amounts in the poolrooms ar,
laid mainly at 10 to g. Billy Nola1
today said that Kid Herman would b,
! given the next fight if Nelson won, O:
which he has no doubt. He said:
eff Nelson can beat Cans in finist
fight it is foolish to talk Of givins
Britt another chance
Publication Of the story that tn
fight is "fxed for Nelson to lay dow