The San Francisco call., 1907-01-13
Edited by
R. A. Smyth
O'BRIEN DISPLAYS
WIDE RANGE OF
VERSATILITY
Rx p. a. Sn1xtEa


matches in view ranging from the
heavyweight class down through the
light heavyweight to the middle
weight division. he has many other
enterprises to which he is giving his
attention. He has been visiting the
mining camps of Nevada in the in
terest OF a dry concentration. which
he believes will appeal to the miners
in the new land of gold. and he has
leased big hotel here In his Ieis-
ure moments he is writing a book.
and now he has under consideration
an international match with Gunner
Moir.
Jack Cribbins O'Brien's representa-
tive on this coast. believes he will
take kindly to the match with the
English boxer. and there are a num-
ber of promoters who would be de-
lighted to handle the affair There
has been no international match of
Importance here in years. and this one
seems particularly attractive The pro-
posed match between Jenries and
Squires, the Australian. seems to have
vanished into thin air. so the latest
international bout takes on added
interest.
O'Brien is generally quick
thinker. and he is ready with an
answer for almost any question. He
was caught OF his guard by mite
of boy at Tonopah and had the
laugh turned on him before he could
frame a reply to a childish question
The little son of Larry Sullivan was
looking over the pugilistic record
book. and came across the name OF
O'Brien Much of the latter's ring,
activities have been in Philadelphia.
where the referee is not allowed to
render a decision under the law. Look
ing over the long list of fights marked
NO decisions Philadelphia" the
youngster naiveIy asked:
Mr.. oBrien. did you ever win a
hght?"
The laughter Of the crowd drowned
OBrien's answer, which he was slow
in formulating.
From the interest already shown in
the meeting of Cans and Britt in Ne
vada for the lightweight championship
in March it is evident that Manager
Riley has secured an attraction which
will help him recoup the losses sus-
tanned in the fight he promoted on New
Years day. 1t is expected more men
will come from a distance for this
fight than for any since the memorable
meeting between Fitzsimmons and
Corbett ten years ago
The match is an attractive one to the
followers of boxing on this coast. but,
strange to say. the Eastern writers
take anything but kindly view of it.
One man alludes to Britt as the ''hit-
less wonder and asks what the Cali
: fornian has done to warrant the pro-
moters in giving him so important
match. This is answered by the peo-
pie on the ground who say that Britt
is certain to give the champion the
fight of his life.
Before the fight in Goldheld last
September Cans. in discussing the ap-
preaching engagement, said he would
rather fight Britt than Nelson. He ex-
planned this by saying that he knew
what Nelson could do. but that he
would have to be constantly on his
guard with a clever man like Britt. as
ne might land at any time and chance
blow might turn winning fight into a
losing one. Britt has nothing like the
ruggedness of Nelson and must depend
on his speed and cleverness in his
match with the colored champion It
is evident that he has figured out where
he has a chance to win. as he has never
been a boxer who was willing to go
out for the losers end Of a purse. no
matter how attractive it might have
been.
The majority Of the conditions are
in favor Of Cans. He will have no diha-
Guilty in making the weight and he Is
in good ring practice from his recent
fight with Herman. In this he showed
that he retains all the qualities OF a
1 great lighter unimpaired. and the most
critical could not find a flaw in his
condition or in his handling OF him.
self in the ring. He was as quick as
ever, could hit as hard and could block
any blow Kid Herman had in his col
lection
Cans is boxing nightly on the stage
and meets men of many different styles
in his travels about the country. He
thus keeps right up to date in boxing
tactics. being willing to learn from
the merest tyro If he sees anything
effective in his style His marvellous
physical Organization shows no signs
of deterioration and he seems good for
several more big lights
Cans wearing qualities bear testi-
mony to the value of a great defense
to boxer. 1t has been the history OF
the ring that the men who take a lot
of punishment in order to land an ef-
fective blow do not last long. Cans
gained one point when he insisted upon
weighing in two hours before the fight