Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-10-10

ring contest between big men IN the
annals of pugilism. NO contest, I" it
was called, after 81 rounds Of the most
marvellous exhibition Of endurance,
pluck and ring tactics In the history
Of the fighting world. On that May
night In San Francisco 1t Is doubtful
II any man could have taken eithef
Of their places for an hour without
defeat. .ss
II Fitzsimmons has come to be Ia
nous for his abandon In hitting, his
lightning changes Of front, his 1.-the
ness and darting Of the body and e
capability Of mastering murderonsf
blows from any position, Corbett To-
just as famous for his polished mas
terry of all parts Of the game, and par
ticularly for his w0ndrous ducking and
rapid, graceful foot movement.
Most boxers have set ways Of duck
ing that the opposite man is soon
"next to-" James will switch his head
around flying fists as IL the wind Of
the glove made a cushion of air that
is always pushing his head just out
Of the way Of being pinned. He will
send his head either way in n circle
from an incoming right OF left handler
or he will duck under and up into his
mans face in a wink. Such ducking
as the big one is capable Of has been
attained only after years of special
practice. Much exercise, and prac-S
tice with all sorts Of boxing opponents,
in which Jim did the getting away
and they the finding and seeking, fur
nished him his peculiarly sensitive
head piece. Without doubt, never was
there big man to equal him in saw
ing his head from a crashing blow.
To sum up briefly: FitzsimmOns ist
a Knockout hitter, all the time; he
is magician at feinting and getting
in from a long distance, and he can
knock Corbett out as quick as anybody
else If he can hit him about the heads
at ducking or saving punishment from
his head, he is nothing extra. His
fast finishes of Jim Hall, Dan Cree
don and others, could probably not be
duplicated by another man in the
world; those who have given him rank,
to dispute with the champion, and he,
is the best man to be had to-day to
put against him.
Corbett is an all-around master Of
the defensive art; he knows more
about the game, taken as a whole,
then Fitz or anybody else; but, for
reasons already seen, he is behind
Fitz in dangerous and desperate work.
Fitzsimmons has shown himself a gem
ius in few particulars, while Cor
bett is reliable and steady going from
beginning to end. Here are some Of
the 'ifs" of the proposed big combat:.
If the fight lasts 10 rounds and the
phenomenal Australian has not land
ed q knockout, it is likely that he
would not land one in hundred years;
jamie will have known all about his
turn by that. e
If Fitz is swift enough to catch Jim
in duck he can win in from four to-
seven rounds.
If Jim is swifter in his duckfng than
Fitz in reaching for them, he will push
the attenuated New Zealander all over
the ring and do him for good at lei
sure.
If Fitz wins he must do it quick.
If Corbett wins he must take his
time with such dangerous fellow.
If Fitz wins he will own two dis
tinct championship-middle and heavy.
If Corbett wins he will have gained
nothing in the eyes Of his enemies
and the unthinking but whole lot in
the eyes of good judges.
If Fitz loses it will come easy for
him; he will still be middleweight
champion Of the world.
If Jim loses he will, indeed. be in a
bad way; people will taunt him that
he was whipped by slender middle
weight. He could not hope to get on
a return match, and could have mill
with the common herd, or get out Of
it ltogcther.-Joseph 81. Donovan in
Minneapolis Tribune.