The San Francisco call., 1908-05-24

The remarkable athletic deteriora-
tion of Jimmy Britt. as shown in his
recent fight with "Packey" Mcfarland,
has created much discussion on the
question of physical condition and the
age at which the powers of an ath-
lete begin to wane. 1t Is evident that
there is no hard and fast rule in this
that those who take part in severe
competition too young fairly burn up
their energy, which never seems to re-
turn in the same degree.
Britt is only 29 years old, and yet
he was able to make no stand against
his younger and freshsr opponent The
californian took part in his nrst pro-
fessional fight wnen he was 23 years
OF age, so that his active ring career
covered a period of but six years, al
though previously to that he had
poxed as an amateur. While a pro-
fesisonal he took lot of sensible ex-
ercise at the Olympic club and in the
open air, but these did not safeguard
MS condition, and before he realized
that his athletic powers had waned he
made the match which ended forever
his career as boxer.
Eddie Hanlon is only 23 years old at
this time When ne was but 1s he
from Young Corbett had he been prop
erly advised in the ring. Instead of
being sent in to force the lighting
throughout he was held back. and thus
infrequent rally to recuperate. Han
Ions last appearance In the ring was
his meeting with Dick Hyland. He
still retains hope of getting into form,
but In the face of other examples 1t
will be difficult for him to do so.
JEFFRIES RETIRED EARLY
Big Jim Jeffries retired when he was
29 years old, and that was four years
ago. He had nearly made up his mind
to re-enter the ring to meet Squires.
a N
many of his other match making VEN
lures, and lost the opportunity, which
then fell to Tommy Burns. Had
Jeffries met Burns a year ago the big
fellow would have been an overwhelm-
ing favorite in the betting. If they
were matched now Jeffries would
choice. Burns would be the better
man physically. but it is believed JEFF
fries immense bulk would take all the
fighting spirit out of Tommy.
Bob" fitzsimmonS has been the ex-
ception to the rule about the age of
fighters. He won the championship OF
the world from Jim Corbett at Carson
when he was So years old. Corbett at
the time was 81 years old. Fitz was
As years old when he appeared for the
last time as a principal in a fight He
was 40 years old when he made such a
sensational showing against Jenrtes In
the ring pitched in a tent at Valencia
and Fifteenth streets.
Jack Dempsey was born In 1852 and
took part in his last fight when he was
33> years old. This was with Tommy
Ryan at Coney island in January, 1895.
He died in November of the same year
Joe Cans, who is without doubt the
best preserved man In the ring, was
born In 1874. OF his "a years. II have
been spent in the ring. He won the
lightweight championship from Frank
Erne on May IL six years ago at Fort
Erie In one round His present form
was shown recently in his fight with
Unho1z when he showed all his won
derful skill and hitting powers. Cans
has never been severely punished.
Tommy Ryan was born in 1870 and
entered the ring when he was is years
old. He quit the game in 1907 when
he was 81 years old.
George Dixons career in the rine
covered a period of 10 years. He was
born in 1874. had his last fight in 1906
and died In 1907.
OTHER SPORTS EASIER
In other lines of athletic endeavol
men take part until they reach an ad-
vanced age. The explanation of this
is undoubtedly that in some games an6