Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-26
MORAN IS EAVOR|TE
over bat NELSON
Carded to Go Twenty Rounds Today
and the. Outcome Is Very
Much in Doubt.
BELATED RUSH OF MONEY
MAKES THE ODDS 10 TO s
"Battler" Must Win if He Hopes to
Tackle "Ad" Wolgast Again
Englishman Confident.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, November o.
4 sudden change in the overnight bet
ting has made Owen Moran an S-to-1O
favorite over Battling Nelson for their
fight this afternoon in Coffroth's open
air arena here. Wagering on the contest
all along has been at even money, and
the unexpected shift of odds has caused
the fight fans to engage in much spec
ulation over the eleventh-hour turn of
sentiment. Betting Commissioner Tom
Corbett says q belated rush of Moran
money was the cause.
Today's fight is looked upon as an
elimination contest for a chance to chal-
lenge for the lightweight championship.
1t will be twenty-round bout and Benny
Selig will referee.
Both the Englishman and Nelson are
expected to extend themselves to the ut
most to win, for defeat means to Moran
a severe setback i'm his fight aspirations
and for the Durable Dane a probable
quietus to his fistic career.
The pair are thought to be evenly
matched, and fast, clever encounter is
anticipated.
James w. Coffroth, the California fight
promoter, has treasured Frisco sporting
men that there will be no interference
with the battle between Nelson and Mo-
ran. The bout is described by Coffroth
as boxing match for scientific points,
and it is said that Gov. Gillett of cali
fornia is satisfied that it will not be a
prize fight or he would have issued an
edict before now.
If Nelson wins he will demand another
battle with Champion Ad Wolgast. IT he
loses he will. go into retirement or con-
tinue fighting second and third raters,
provided he needs the money. Nelson was
beaten into a helpless condition by VOL
CAST nearly a year ago after long. Cruel
ing encounter, but although he admitted
defeat when the referee interfered to pre-
vent an inevitable knockout. he could not
get rid Of the idea mat he might turn the
tables In another mill.
Resting for nearly six months. there
fore, Nelson began to lay plans to regain
his lost championship when he got into
harness again last summer and arranged
a bout with q fourth-rater named Monte
Dale. He won this affair with ridiculous
ease, even though he was far from being
in proper condition, and at once proceeded
to California, where he met Sam F1tZpat-
rick's protege. Anton Lagrave. in fif-
teen-round contest. Lagrave. just out Of
the amateur ranks, did SO well that the
best Nelson could get was draw. his
showing being SO poor that many cr1tlcs
declared that he could never come back.
confidence in himself and lost no time In
signing articles for today's fight with
Moran, and, increasing his work gradual
ly, he succeeded in putting himself in tip
top condition He was on edge last sun
day and sent word to friends in various
parts of the country that he would surely
win, a prediction, by the way, that was
ridiculed by Wolgast. who hasn't fought
first-class man since he whipped the
plucky Dane. Nelson in making this
match with Moran stipulated 1873 pounds
ringside, a condition that was readily &C
cepted by the rugged Englishman. who
was strictly a featherweight until re-
Gently, but is now bent upon winning the
weigh less than 40 pounds today. it is
said, while Nelson will scale few ounces
under the American lightweight: limit.
Moran is two years younger than Nell
son, the latter being twenty EIGHT. The
Englishman is a finished boxer OF ten
years experience as a professional. He
has never suffered a knockout and has
been defeated on points only twice, by
Digger Stanley and Joe Bowker. on the
other side, both contests taking place in
1903 Moran has since squared accounts
with Stanley and has boxed two draws
with Bowker. He has also defeated Monte
Attell. Jim Kendrick. Al belmont
frankie Neil, Eddie Hanlon. Tommy Muir
ply and others. in addition, to boxing
draws with Abe Attell and Pal Moore
More than two years ago Moran made a
show of Wolgast In a six-round bout. but
the latter was nothing more than a novice
at that time.
Moran challenged Nelson repeatedly
when the latter was champion only to be
colby turned down. He was always con-
fident that he could beat Nelson. and is
absolutely sure of winning today. either
on points or by a knockout. Moran Is
Nelson's superior as a boxer. He is
faster on his feet and is a solid hitter.
He Is also as game as they make them,
and Is at his best when the fighting is at
close quarters. Nelson, in order to beat
this robust Englishman. will have to pos
sess all Of the old strength and stamina,
together with knockout wallop. for it
is generally conceded that If the bout
goes the limit he will lose it on points.
Moving pictures OF the battle will be
taken and hurried east for reproduction in
about q week.