The morning times., 1895-09-15

ship hattie with Sullivan he refused to
follow the usual i.ibit of retiring about
8: he made IL Instead some time after
IL, as he said he did not know but IL
might habituate him to feel sleepy too
early In the EVENING" time. for all he
knew, that on the actual night OF con-
test might find his fortune and the ambi-
ton of his life dependent on the finest
tension of the hair-springs of his nerves.
Looking ahead into such minute details,
such things as appear puerile to ordinary
| people, shoT.s the stuff of which generals
are fashioned.
The science of boxing has been studied
with as much care by Jim as any pro-
fessional man in the same time, has given
to his vocation. Enthusiasm, continuity
and q plastic physique made him yeri-
table giant in the ring 5efore any one haA
suspected ito Supposed to be an ordssary
over grown kid, with nothing more than
knowledge of fancy boxing, he slipped into
the ring with Peter Jackson, in 1891. and
was full partner in the greatest ring contest
between big men in the annals OF puSil-
ism. mo contest" 1t was called, after
sixty-one 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 Fran
cisco, 1t is doubtful if any man could
have taken either OF their places for an hour
without defeat.
If Fitzsimmons has come to be famous
for his abandon in hitting, his lightning
changes of front, his iitheness and darting
of the body, and a capabiiity of mastering
murderous blows from any position. Corbett
is just as famous for his polished mastery
OF all parts of the game, and particularly
for his wondrous ducking and rapid,
graceful foot movements.
Most boxers have set ways of ducking that
the opposite man is soon next to- James
VIII switch his head around flying fists as
If the wind of the glove made cushion OF
the air, that Is always pushing his head
just out of the way of being pinned. Hewili
send his head either way IN a circle from
an incoming right OF left-hander. or he viii
duck under and up into his mans face in q
wink. Such ducking az the big one is capa-
BILE OF has been attained only after years
or special practice. When Jim was young
instructor of boxing in the Olympic Club,
OF San Francisco, a common amusement
with him was to set his juvenile class on
the gymnasium horse one by one and go
through toy boxing bouts with them. Sit
ting down and on a level with each other,
the little fellow would endeavor to strike
the big one in tine face, then the pompadour
would swish round or back. always clear
of the juvenile fist, and the little fellow
would gather more confidence to hit hard
and straight, but still the pompadour would
always be snatched away or to one side.
Much exercise such as this and practice
with all sorts OF boxing opponents, in which
Jim did the getting away and they the find
ing or seeking, furnished 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 is knock
out hitter all the time; he is a magician at
feinting and getting in from a long distance,
and he can knock Corbett out as quickly
as anybody else If he can hit him about the
head At duckins or saving punishment
from his head he is nothing extra. His !
fast finishes of Jam Hall. Dan Creedon and |
others could probably not be duplicated by !
another mar in the world. These have given 7,
him rank to dispute with the champion and I
he is the best man to be had to-day to put |
against him.
Corbett is an all-round master OF the de- /
taken as a whole. than Fitz or anybody else, :
but for reasons already seen he is behind !
Fitz in dangerous and desperate work.. Fitz- |
simmons has shown himself n genius in /
few particulars, while Corbett is reliable !
and steadySoinG from beginning to end. ,
Here are some of the ifs of the proposed !
big combat.
If the fight lasts ten rounds and the phe
nomenaI Australian has not landed knock
out 1t is likely he would not land one in a
hundred years. Jamie will have known all
about his turns by that.
If FitZ is swift enough to catch Jim in a
iuckhe can win in from four toseven rounds.
II Jim is swifter in his ducking than Fitz
In reaching for them he will push the attenu
ated New Zealander all over the ring and do
aiIn for good at leisure.
IfFitz wins he must doitquick
II Corbett wins he must take his time
with such a dangerous fellow.
II Fitz wins he will own two distinct
middle and heavy.
If Corbett wins he will have gained moth
Ing in the eyes OF his enemies and theunthink-
ing, but a whole lot in the eyes OF good
Judges.
If Fitz loses 1t will come easy for him. He
will still be middle weight champion OF the
world.
If Jim loses he will indeed be in bad
way. People will taunt him that he was
by a slender middle weight. He
,ould not hope to get on a return match,
md would have 10 mill with the common |
lerd or get out of it altogether.
JOSEPH H. DONOVAN
OF MINT JULEPS. |