The San Francisco call., 1910-10-26
LA GRAVE BACKERS
BET Confidently
Supporters of Durable Dane
Surprised by Flood of OPP
posing Money

Antoine la Grave promises to be
more heavily backed next Monday
night when he goes in against Bat
Ting Nelson than any other young
man who ever started out on his boxing
career in this city. Already the
Butchertown friends of the aspiring
lightweight are on the job with their
money to back their champion, and
they all seem to mean business, too.
Headed by La Graves two brothers,
both of whom are bosses in the Butch
ertown yards, a large club of La
Graves admirers have Clipped In and
raised a purse of $4,000, which they
want to wager on their mans chances.
This money was turned over to Com
missioner Tom Corbett yesterday after
noon with instructions that he place it
at the best odds.
The wagering opened up yesterday at
odds of 10 to in favor of the Dane.
This came as a surprise to the fol-
lowers of boxing. here, all of whom
felt certain that Nelson would s-be at
least a 2 to 1 shot over the young
novice. Therefore, this 10 to money
which La Graves friends sent in was
very eagerly sought after by the Nell
son contingent.
Under ordinary conditions Nelson's
price surely would have been as good
as to 1. but the coin which the La
Grave hackers collected and sent to the
front made a great difference. 1t is be-
lieved that another roll will be coll
lected In Butchertown before the bout.
as several of the boys out there are
anxious for some more action.
Although Nelson's friends seem con-
fident enough that their man will be
returned the winner still they are not
so certain that he will hatten the shifty
Butchertown lad For this reason it
was 10 to last night that La Grave
would stick the Is rounds. and there
were but few Nelson takers at this
tempting price.
La Grave certainly is getting away
to a good start. He has plenty of ad
mirers and hackers, who look upon
him as the very man to take Nelson
down the line. He has everything in
his favor, and If he is right thereis no
question but that he will furnish a
great surprise to the veterans when he
shapes up before the Durable Dane on
Monday evening.
The Butchertown boy went Il rounds
during his workout over at San Rafael
yesterday afternoon, four each with
Jack Robinson. Young Kid Mccoy"
and Joe stanton. He handled them all
in rough manner and they were
pretty well used up at the finish. La
Grave weighed 1854 pounds. showing
that he will be able to make the
weight, 133 without trouble.
II have not touted my friends to bet
on me-" said the Butchertown lad, but
they all seem to think that I have q
grand chance, so I am glad that they
are with me SO strong. L have never
yet lost one for them and I don't think
that I will lose. this one either. I can
go Is rounds just as fast as I can go
10, so I am not worrying at al1'
Among Nelson's noted visitors yes
terday were Supervisor Pugh, Pro-
moters Coffroth and Griffin, Pete Ma
rino and Emil Hildebrandt. Pugh
brought out a large crowd Of friends
and presented them to the Battler, who
played the host during the afternoon.
Nelson went four rounds with Eddie
Dennis and Marty Kane. Each was a
full three minute affair, full of action.
The Battler looked to be in good shape
and within striking distance of the
weight.
Coffroth and Nelson had a long talk
relative to a match with Owen Moran
next month, and if he gets away with
La Grave the chances are that this will
be the card for the fans.