The Washington times., 1908-01-01
BY c. E. VAN LOAN.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 1.-On the
eve Of the great international battle
for the featherwelght championship OF
the world Jupiter Pluvius threatens -
be among the prominent ones at the
ringside, adding his cooling inhuenct
to the fevered festivities Of the New
Year.
The rain, which fell at intervals
through yesterday. promises to be on
hand for the attell-Moran battle this
afternoon. This optimistic CohrOth is
betting to / that It viii not rain.
However. the sanEUine promoter has
not neglected the ordinary precaution,
and the tight probably viii be held un-
der canvas.
Preliminaries Arranged.
With nothing going on at the train
ing camps, all the preliminaries settled
beyond question of argument, and only
the gong to wait for, the fight fans
spent yesterday in revIling the weather
and discussing the approaching battle
from every possible point of view,
AtteIl is the betting favorite at 10
to s, but these figures by no means
Indicate public sympathy. The men
the stOCky little EnElishman an even
chance TO win the championship FROM
the Hebrew boxer.
The san Franciscans were evidently
much impressed by the clever way in
which Owen Moran whipped frankie
Neil. and, while they COnCede Atteu
has a good chance TO win on points,
they do not figure him 70 win in any
other fashion In case OF a stand-up.
slam bang battle. public sentiment
leans toward Moran.
Good Fight Expected.
The one point on which all disputants|
agree is that the battle will be one Of
the best ever seen on the coast. and
probably the most scientific fight of
recent years.
As to conditions, there is only one
question to be considered. It has moth
ing 10 do with AtteIL He made theI
weight without the least difficulty. He
is as fit as can be- and ready for the
fight OF his life IF Moran wins from
him today, there will be nothing left
for Abe to do but express a panied
admiration for better man. Abe is
ready"
But has Moran found It as easy 10
reach 30 pOunds2 His trainers are nat
uTaHy ClCse-mOuthed on the subject.
but they say Moran has been drying out
TOT three days in order to rid himself
Of the last two pounds.
OF course this may be a story sent
ahoat to affect the betting.
Some Predictions.
This is a fight about which nearly all
OF the prominent sporting men have
decided opinion Battling Nelson, who
announces that he has lust completed
to fight Jack Clifford at
Ogden, is a strong AtteH supporter.
Bat says that he expects Attell to win
by a knockout, and inside of twelve
rounds
4 have been working with AtteH."
says Bat. and you would not believe
that a featherweight could have such a
punch. Talk about being In shape.
Why, I don't believe I ever saw a fell
low in better shape than Attell is right
ROW Ills wind is perfect; his speed IS
dazzling, and his punch surprised me-
been raised. Both men are past masters
Of the rules and both are clean fighters |
Barring a decision, II viii probably be
an easy fight to referee.
AtteH -BioOded General.
IT taere is ore thing which marks At
tell as "a truly great fighter It is savage
speed and cold-bloode5 precision with
which ne finishes a helpless opponent
II is only necessary TO recall the
manner IN which AtteH finished Baker.
Walsh and Weeks. He was all over
Baker like a tiger, but not once did he
miss his mark. Abe might have been
sparring for points, so accurate and well !
timed were his finishing touches.
A right cross to the jaw sent Walsh's |
hands down. Abe walked over. tented /
him with open hand. then shifting sud
denly, sent the left hand crashing into /
the stomach. Nothing could have been
more clean cut and Walsh had no /
chance to recover from the first punch 4
The fight this afternoon should result /