The morning times., 1895-10-06


Joe Choynski, Jim Hall, Bob Fitzsinmons
and other champions, have all at one time or
another been treated by me in a medical
way and have made thorough study of
them all.
1t is only necessary here to consider the
mental and physical attributes of two Of
these renowned gladiators, and will con-
fine myself to them. This twain, are James
]. Corbett heavyweight champion of the
world and Robert FItzsimmons, challenger
Of Corbett and middle-wejght champion of
the world.
When 1 say 1 believe Corbctt to be
coward l do not take into any considera-
ton whatever the unmanly assault he
made on Fitzsimmons when backed up by
a number of adberents in Philadelphia
few days ago or his timorous conduct when
dared to an imprsmptu battle by Charles
Mitchell at Miners Theater, two years ago.
These, with other Incidents of similar
nature which have come to my kno Wedge,
merely form links in the chain of argu-
ment which go to prove the theory l have
enumerated.
have made a study of Corbett, the man;
put him through q physical and mental di
agnosis, so 10 speak, and through this means,
and this alone, have arrived at the conclu-
sion given above. Corbett came to me for
treatment a few months prior to his contest
with John L. Sullivan. / am violating no
confidence when | say among other things
he was possessed of an abnormally high
strung nervous system, which l discovered
+, ha tf,a IF his Urp0fpSt mower and
at the same time weakness. This nervous
energy gave him wonderful quickness of
hand and eye and nimbleness of foot, yet
II detracted from his physical strength. As
a crisis of any kind would approach Corbett
would become so nervous that he actually
seemed on the verge of prostration. He re-
minded me for all the world of that Hercu-
lean oarsman, Charles z. Courtney, of Ith-
AGA, N. Y, late trainer of the Cornell Col
lege crew. Courtney, who was at one time
invincible, IL will be remembered, would be
overcome with nervous prostration as the
hour approached for contest with foe
man worthy of his steel. This was notably
the case in his races with Hanlan at Chau-
tauqua Lake and at Washington. With an
adversary whom he knew positively he could
defeat he would not experience these pros
trations. So with Corbett. When he was
going up against Joe Brady, the Port Costa
giant; Dave Campbell and clumsy chaps
IKE them Corbett would never be unduly
nervous, but the moment he faced an oppo-
nent whose courage and skill he had reason
TO respect he would be overwhelmed with
extreme nervousness. Excessive nervous
ness causes cowardice, and Corbett' is cer-
tainly afflicted with this disagreeable
malady.
/ am told on the best authority that
Corbett became so nervous and fright
ened as the train bearing him and his
party approached the scene OF the pros
pective battle between Sullivan and
himself that he was overcome with diar-
rhoea and fell a way in his trained condition
from 1876 to 17S pounds. This, too, mind
you, when he knew that Sullivan was a
physical wreck and in noshape to do battle.
The formidable name of Sullivan alone
terrified him. At the opening of the
battle he was painfully nervous and
had to be braced up by mysterious TONES"
1t was only after he discovered that
Sullivan was slow as a cart horse and could .
not possibly hit him that he picked up
courage and went at his man. This was
ditti biit lHilu louhus Ilt Wds NCig oldNc
then and hammered the half-dead old lion
the same as he did that
other dissipated, broken-down old man,
Charles Mitchell, of England.
1 will mention three well authenticated
instances of Corbetts COW ardice and in two
of them can bring abundant testimony
to prove the truth of what i say. When
Corbett fought Joe Choynski in California
he wanted to ''quit" in the worst way in
the 21st round, saying that his hands
panied him SO that he could go no further.
He was even about to pull his gloves off
when his trainer and second, Billy Delaney,
who is still with him, said: my God, Jim,
don't quit now; see, you've got him all but
finished. A few more punches will do the
trick" 1t was true "Game Joe'' was
nearly gone and Corbett saw it. Corbett
stayed and Choynsh was knocked out in
six rounds more. But for Billy Delaney
he would not have won that battle and
would never have subsequently had tie
chance to meet two old physical wrecks
like Sullivan and Mitchell and become
champion of the world. Arthur T. Lumley,
editor of the Illustrated News, who is in
close touch with the principals of the
affair, could If be would tell some spicy
incidents of the affair.
One thing Lumley does tell which he
saw with his own eyes. When Peter
Maher, the Irish champion, whipped Jim
Daily, Corbett's sparring partner, at Phila-
delphia a few years ago, the twain had
some hot words. Friends separated them
and efforts to make a match folio wed.
Corbett, however, wanted no part of the
he was too young and strong
for the man who favors old men. Corbett,
however, spoke bitterly and disparagingly |
Of Maher behind his back. The Irish |
man threatened TO whip him on sight. |
One day while Corbett and Lunlley were |
in the latter's office they espied |
Peter Maher and his manager, Billy Mad |
len across the street and making for Lum- |
ey's office. Immediately a cold sweat |
broke out over Corbett, and despite Lum- |
ey's efforts to restrain him, he rushed |
down toward the back en-
rance to the sanotum so as to avoid meet |
ing Maher coming up the front steps.
Pretty nearly every sportsman win |
recall the last Incident viii relate, |
the meeting between Charley Mitchell |
Ind Corbett, at Miners Theater, on the
Bowery, q few weeks prior to his bat
Tie with Sullivan. Corbett had, as |
Mitchell thought, beat" Paddy slavin