The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-29
Both Are Great Fighters
and a Hard Fought
Battle is Assured.
BOTH MEN READY
FOR HARD FIGHT
Papke Has Beaten Many Minor
Fighters With Ease, and While
Not Skilful as Boxer, Has
Winning Wallop-Win-
ner Must Meet
Sullivan.

MILWAUKEE, WIS, December Is
Bill Papke and Hugo Kelly, who are to
meet In ten-round battle before the
Badger Athletic Club. of Milwaukee,
on Monday night, are both winding up
their training for the event. This
fight which is to decide the middle
weight championship, is the main at
traction for the fight lovers during the
week Of the New Year. and promises to
be the hottest engagement seen In
Milwaukee for many months
On his recent showing Papke APP
peared to many OF the fans to be a
yfavorite over Kelly. and few bets
were made in which the odds favored
the Illinois Thunderbolt. But after
Kelly started training and number OF
the experts visited him in his camp.
the sports came to the conclusion that
Kelly was not by any means has
been. They started to take all the
Papke money in sight. and the odds
receded until Kelly is now a favorite
at. 10 to 9.
Kelly is especially favored by the
Chicago sports, and they are plunging
on him to win. Papke is believed to
be much too young to conquer an ex-
perienced ring man like Kelly. although
they will enter the ring apparently on
an even basis.
In the East. however. there is a ten
dency to regard Papke as the better
man. He has only come into promi-
nence recently, and is as yet unde-
feated. He is about twenty-one years
of age, and Is possessed of all the
fighting strength Of youth. He is a
master OF the present system OF box
ing, which allows the hitting in
clinches. and has shown more science
at this style than all Of the other mid
dleweights. He is built very much like
of boring in the walloping with both
| hands. 49, ne 5znos n.
| Kely's record as a fighter dates back
J for the past nine years, and shows
good work all through. He Is not a
brilliant, scientific boxer, but is hard
| hitter a. steady slugser and very con-
| fident OF his ability.
One thing Is certain, and that Is
that the two men will put up terrific
battle. Kelly has all to lose II he Is
defeated while Papke has all to win
1 II he should beat Kelly down. Papke':
victory would entitle him to the pres
! ent middleweight championship, which
lis now considered toss-up between
Papke, Mike (Twin) Sullivan anc
Kelly.
Both in Fine Condition.
with the day of battle close at hand
! both Kelly and Papke are reported II
fine condition. Neither has mot will
] any accidents while training and boil
| are feeling strong and timber.
They will need all the strength the,
| can get together. for each is about t.
| meet the toughest adversary of hi
career. Visits to the training camps
of the two young men seem to show
Papke in the more comfortable condt
ton. as the weight, 154 pounds. !
catchweieht, for him. Kelly had t.
reduce and is bit drawn and thin
Nevertheless, he says he feels stront
and could make the same figure at thf
ringside, II need be-
It is expected that there will be al
influx OF both Papke and Kelly none!
i when the fight fans from Chicago ant
1 Peoria arrive. 1t Is said that Sprini
Valley and Peoria will go broke II
! case Papke meets defeat.