Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-11
CHANGE DAY
OF BATTLE
BURNS AND CANS TO MEET ON
SEPTEMBER 27
DATE MAY BE CHANGED LATER
TO FIT CONDITIONS
Ben SeIig, Cans Manager, Would Not
Stand for Battle This Month
as He Feared
Injury
BY j. G. GRIFFIN

BY j. G. GRIFFIN
Ben Selig wandered down from Frisco
yesterday and changed the date of th'
Burns-Gans fight, which was scheduled
on its first postponement to occur on the
sd Of this month. Selig would not take &
chance with his man so near to the date
Of the Gans-Britt mill, and he finally
pressed the point until the 9th of Septem'
ber was agreed upon.
Even this latter date is not positive
as a new set of articles will be drawn
up today. Selig and McCarey are both
favorable to it, however, and in all prob
ability the battlers will step into the
Maud Junction ring on the last Friday
night in September.
AS was stated in The Herald yesterday
morning, Seligs objections were the only
thing which could prevent the fight from
being held on the night of the 23d OF this
month, the date agreed upon by Burns,
Cans and McCarey at their meeting Fri
day. Tne negro's manager was emphat-
ic in the statement that his man could
not battle so short a time before he met
Britt in San Francisco. The latter battle
occurs on September 9 and Selig says
he is afraid Joe may hurt. his hands or
become otherwise injured.
The meeting yesterday, at which ii was
decided to hold the Burns-Gans battle
over until after the negro had met Britt
was short but vigorous. Selig came in
on the mornings Owl and Immediately
notified McCarey that he would consult
with him in the afternoon.
The champions manager was on time,
but Cans himself was not present
Neither was Jimmy Burns nor his repre-
sentative, and Burns was later notified
by wire of the result of the conference.
SeIig Posts Five Thousand Dollars
Selig started the argument in regard TO
a change in date by stating that he had
posted $1,000 dollars in San Francisco to
guarantee that Cans would not fight after
the 18th of this month until he had met
Britt on Admission day. OF course, no
one in this vicinity had heard of this
additional forfeit being put up but Ben
insisted that such was the case.
McCarey held out for the date agreed
upon Friday by Cans. HE was willing
enough them said the local impresario,
land said that If there was nothing in
the articles with Britt to prevent him
from doing SO he would be glad to fight
Burns on the 23d.'
'Well, 1 can't let himG replied Selig.
II have posted my money and was noti-
fed that this mill here was off, so Cans
will not be allowed to fight on the date
he himself selected. l am his manager
and no matter what arrangements he
made with you they won't 60"
Finally Selig took McCarey aside and
earnestly explained to him the points in
his argument favoring a postponement.
The local promoter was finally persuaded
that he could make more money and that
the fight would draw much better after
the Britt-Gans affair than before.
One of Seligs arguments, which will
probably appeal to the sports who are
anxious to see the battle, is that Burns
will have time in which to get in perfect
shape. The lightweight's recent indispo
sition, while 1t did not affect him much,
was serious enough to break UP his train
ing, and the week or two which will
elapse before he goes TO work again will
help a whole lot.
Both Cans and Burns expected to meet
this month and with such an understand
ing each man repaired to his training
camp and went on with the grind yester-
day. The arrangement made Friday was
satisfactory to both and they figured that
there was no time to be lost in getting
ready for the mill.
Before Selig's arrival at Arcadia yester-
day Cans tore off several miles on the
road and was planning to do some boxing
in the afternoon when Seig informed him
that he was not to fight. Then the cham
pion lay around for the rest of the day
and did not come into town until after
everything had been settled by his man
ager.
Burns Moves to Beach
Burns, before he heard the news that
he was granted five weeks grace, moved
his camp from the East Side club to
Santa Monica where he established him
self in the North Beach bath house. He
was going about his business when Nc
Carey informed him that there had been
a postponement and to knock off train
ing for few days at least.
Burns was apparently satisfied with the
arrangement which had been made, and
will rest and knock around the beach
until next week. when he will once more
buckle down to the grind of reducing
his weight. He will come to the city
today, but will stay only long enough to
sign a new set of articles
These articles will be drawn up this
morning and will at once be signed, as
Selig is anxious to conclude the business
without delay. He has engaged tickets
for himself and Cans on tonight's coaster
and will go directly to San Francisco
or Alameda, and will not come here until
two weeks before he meets Burns.
According to Selig, there will be no
hitch from now on for the fight before
the Pacific Athletic club. Ben figures
Britt the easiest kind of picking for the
dusky champion and stated yesterday
that he thought Burns was much harder
game than the latest conqueror of Bat
Ting Nelson.