The herald., 1896-04-12
THE AMERICAN CHAMPION

James J. Corbett, it is stated on ex-
ceAent authority, is trying to arrange
his western trip so that he can return
eastfor the purpose of having busi-
nesslike talk with Robert Fitzsim-
mons Corbett has made several mis-
takes in his life time, and one WAS made
on the night when he turned over the
worlds heavyweight championship to
Peter Naher. He realizes it was fool
ish of him to take that step, but his
most intimate friend explains the situ-
alton in this way: "Corbett is not only
a boxer, but he is also business man.
He is wiling to yield to any demands
within reason that may be made on his
time to the neglect of his business, but
he does not propose to ruin his money
making ability as an actor. Last
year Colbeit exhausted several
months getting ready for Fitzsim-
mons. and every man who knows sny-
thing about boxing knows that Jim
was not only in condition, but was anx-
ious to settle the question of the
championship. Win or lose, he wanted
the case decided. He expected to win,
but he viewed the fight in the light
that it would be better to
lose than have this tiresome rivalry
continue. When the year opened Cor
bett had made all arrangements to go
on the road; his company had been
signed and his route laid out. For him
to default at the last moment meant
the loss of large sum of money, and
besides he wouh sustain loss to his
business reputation if he broke his en-
gagemsnts. His friends advised him
to give up the championship for the
; reason that If h fought Maher and
won he would have to fight Fitzsim-
mons, thus making two fights,
I and On the other hand ii
he fought Fitz with the opening
| of the new year he would have Maher
! following him abou, for the remainder
of 1896. Today he las only one man
to fight, and that is Fitzsimmons.
Fitz must fight hin, or Corbstt uat-
orally becpmes the h3lder of the cham
pionship. Let me sly right here that
there is no, cowaidly bone in Jim
Corbstt's kody, and he does not de-
serve the abuse that has been show
cred upon him 80 unstintedly. Com
pare his record with ,hat of Fitzslm-
mons! Corb,tt never laid down for
$50. The mot credihble fight Of his
life was against Peter jackson, and
vet there is , man that Bob Fltzsim-
mons has said he could not defeat.
The only chan@ that Fltz has to de-
test Corbett IL by q chance blow.
and l think thit is not a very big |
one. Corbstt does not shrink
from it, and it nay interest the public |
to know that Cobett last fall trained |
up to the best coInition OF his life. Of |
course, he was twp years older than |
when he fought Michel. He had de-
Perforated perhaps per cent. but he
was 40 per cent bettr than Joe Choyn-
ski when Joe narrowy missed beating
Fitzsimmons at BostAn. Another thing |
not generally KNOWN is that Corbett
has 8 new punch that is an improve
ment on the celebrabd Fitzsimmons
punch. Il is the sures\ most accurate
blow Jim has ever triedRnd in practice
it has never yet failed y work. Much
has been said against Cobett's health, !
and I desire to say that!while he has
been sick at times, he is eally in first
class health. Last summr and fall he |
had trouble with his knee,but that was
conquered. His stomach never re-
quired more than two or thee days to
get in good condition. ThSe who are
WllllER 10 DdCh Hlh h"vN AOV tho
slightest cause for alarm anGyou have
only to ask one OF his hackers
to know how they feel regaHing him
to get an expression of satA faction.
Tbs so-called dead game spots who
haunt barrooms, wear yellow dNmonds |
and their best clothes at boxinashows
don't like Jim, and they neveA will.
What is more he does not cab for
their friendship. Corbett has always I
been square and honest in his dealings !
with ali men. He has been genepus
opponent; he attends to his Wn |
affairs, and only asks for the sane
treatment in return. Because BIB |
Fiizsimmons has defeated Peter MshAr
twice, that does not prove that no ist
better man than Jim Corbett. Then
is considerable talk about FitzsimNI
mons making Corbett wait two years.
for fight. Well suppose that he did
so? Corbett is the younger man, and
age is telling on Fitzsimmons more
than it is on Coroett. Both men have
fought their best fights, but delay will
be more serious to the Australian than
to the American. As to the busi-
ness Corbett is doing, l can say that
since the late fight he is playing to
more money than had been taken in
sincr the year opened"
OF Double Benefit