The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
GETT|NG ON TO
FITS CURVES
Corbett Talks Confidently
Of the Outcome of a
Match.
he Explains the Australians Methods
and Their Antidote, as Seen
by Himself.

While Fitzsimmons was here he did not
neglect to express his opinion of Corhett,
whom he is matched to meet on March
II. But little, if anything, has been said
of the Calitornian's views of the clever
Australian. In view of that fact and also
since many are still hoping that the con-
test may be "pulled off" on this coast,
the following extract from an Eastern
authority will prove of interest. 1t will
be seen that Corbett is by no means un-
derrated in the Eastern States and that he
is not prepared to be whipped in advance
He also throws little light on his plans
and aspirations for the future. The ex-
tract referred to reads:
James ]. Corbett, who is considered by ma
jority of the good judges of fighting men to be
the most remarkable boxer of modern times,
is not the physical wreck some of his enemies
would have the public believe.
On the contrary, this wonderful young man
from California is stronger, heavier and more
active than he ever was before 1t is true that
he deyotes great deal of time to his stage
work, but he does not neglect the exercise
which has been part of his daily routine sin &c
the idea of developing his muscles struck him
years ago.
Corbett does not work to improve his muscu-
lar system he used to. his ideas are as
much advanced on this subject they are
ahead of the times in connection with glove
fighting Corbett is close observer and a
real fighting genius. His careful studies OF
other fighters help him out so far as primitive
ideas are concerned, for upon slight sngges-
tions he builds many practical plans of attack
and defense.
He is an inventor of blows and readily i'm
proves upon punches invented by Others. But
he is original II any thing. Corbett is as great
q master OF boxing as Padere Wski is of the
piano.
To have astonished the sporting world by
beating with mparative ease the great John
i. Sullivan nigh have satisfied the am ltions
of most athletes. Not SO with James Joseph
Corbett. He is anxious to knock the aspira-
tons of Ro bert Fitzsimmons into a cooked hat,
and until he has had try at the dangerous
New Zealand blacksmith the conqueror of Sui
livan and Mitchell and the others will not be
contented.
Corbett is far too level, headed not TO realize
that Filzsimmons is by long odds the most
dangerous man in the world for him to tack e..
And Cor bett has for nearly two years been
quietly sizing up his rivals ring tricks. He
hopes to surprise Fitzsimmons by his knowl-
edge OF the latter's methods. Moreover Cor
Dett has some new blows which he says are
carefully secreted on the inner side of his cuffs
SO that no one can guess what they are.
'If FitZsimmons Teckons he can play on me
the tricks that he worked on Hall, Maher and
Creedon he'll get left, said Corbett the other
day. Hell get left badly, for 7 m getting on
to his curves every day, sgd intend to spring
some brand-new tactics on him in the bar
GAIN"
q pulley wrist machine His desire is to de-
velop the muscles in his forearms and he has
found this plan an excellent one for the pur-
pose 1t suits his ideas exactly.
Every body understands that fighting men
have changed their styles of attack during the
past few years." Corbett explained, as his at
tendant proceeded to give him an alcoholic
rub. 'Nearly all of the old-time methods
when bare fists did the work have been aban-
doned. In the days of turf fights men were
frightfully cut up and majority of the fights
continued for hours. Playing for punen on
the jaw was not dreamed of. The iugular vein
was supposed to be the spot to try for. Now
it has changed; all the fighters aim for the
jaw.
"Fitzsimmons," the champion went on to
say, "has strange faculty for landing there,
too, but should be sorry to have him hit my
jaw. He'll do it, though, if a chance is offered.
What intend is that no chance will be pre-
sented on my side of the house. But speaking
of forearm development this man Fitz has an
advantage over many of us.
"His experience as blacksmith is response
BILE for this. His forearms are splendidIy de-
veloped, and TO this more than anything else
may be attributed his wonderful hitting pow
ers at short range. He can hit like a mule
kicking without pulling mis- arm back for
SWING. In swinging man leaves himself
open to a cross-eounter or hook punch.
alt was not my good fortune to have big
forearms," he continued. 81 never had any