San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-03-17

friends. FitZsimmons is in good shape
too, | am told, and / am glad he is,
for | wish to win this fight strictly
on its merits. do not want to do any
boasting now. ! will do my talking
after the fight"
Everybody knows whether the man
is in condition." said Charley White,
the head trainer, " and you can judge
from that whether am satisfied with
my work. When / took hold of Jim
/ said / would put him down at the
ringside in as good shape as man
ever fought in and l have kept my
promise. As to his winning, of course
l believe he will win. Fitzsimmons
is a great fighter, but COrbett is a
greater one and to-day he will prove
that we have not Overrated his abili-
ty."
white expressed my sentiments eX-
actly," said Billy Delaney. I'VE are
proud of the condition in which we
have put our man and we expect a
few hours hence to be proud of the
condition in which he put out Fitz-
simmons, for Jim is going to win"
The numbering three-Seated coach,
which for months has done duty in
bringing visitors to the camp, had been
drawn up before the hotel veTanda,
the four horses eager for the start.
"All ready" said White, and Cor
bett ran nimbly down stairs and took
his place on the back seat. White fol-
his place on the back seat White
with the collar of his red sweater
turned up to his ears, followed by
Brady, McVey, Delany and Joe Cor
bett took the other seats.
1t was but a little after 8 o'clock
when the long bearded native who
sat on the box yelled out to his horses
and the drive to the arena began. n
carriage containing JeffrieS, Wood
and other attaches of the camp, had
already started and a procession of
carriages! carts and mounted men
followed the coach on the tOw-mile
drive through the little city and out
to the arena. The COrbett party was
rather quiet during the ride. Jim
lay comfortably back on his seat, no
trace of excitement or uneasineSS
appearing on his face.
Il am glad it will soon be all over"
he remarked once or twice as he no
ticed Il familiar land mark. He then
added with confident smile; when
| we come back we will have the I'M
disputed championship with us"
Joe Corbett and McVey were the
liyeliest members of the party, but ev
en- they were more quiet than usual
| AS COrbett was recognized as the
coach entered the town he was encOur
aged by shouts from his admirers anC
| when the arena was reached the
crowds about ii cheered Justify as the
| party left the vehicle for the dressing
roo. No time was lost in stripping
the fighter and giving him a vigorous
| rundown. After a short rest he again
donned his fighting costume, this time
with the belt which his wife had
made for the occasion. 1t was OF
red. white and blue silk, with a green
buckle. At one side hung a green
silk rosette and streamer. DO
look readyY' COrbett asked, as he
drew himself to his full height.
81 should say you do" said Delaney.
II am glad it's FitzSimmons you are
after instead of me-"
COrbett drew his bath robe closely
around him and sat down to await
the call to the ring, exhibiting not the
least nervousness.
You can see how he feels" said
Brady. He is sure of winning this
| fight and that is half of the battle.
He is the better man and he is bound
to win"
FITS RIDE TO THE ARENA.
Fitzsimmons and his trainers were
I'D at Z o'clock this morning and Bob
took a short walk before breakfast,
"to start the blood going" He did not
work after eating, remaining in the
open air bareheaded, moving around
quietly. talking with Julian and his
assistants and playing gently with the
dogs. The conference with his train
ers and helpers was not long, as all
the needed advice as to fighting Cor
bett and meeting his methods OF at
tack had been given during the prog
ress of Fits training.
81 would not take $19,g99 for the
purse this morning." said FitZ. Il
will have it all before night. do
not believe the fight will be long
one. Five rounds is my limit. |
think can land in that time and if l
do that will be the end of the gentle
man who has no manners and Ouly
pretensions. He may hit me as many
times as he can. believe | can stand
all the punishment he is able
to give me and be able to put him out
when l get a chance. Come around
when it is over and you will see what
shape l am in"
"Corbett won't be in it," said Julian.
I'VE don't like Siler's ruling about the
clinches and break-aways, but we al
ways get the worst of it. And we will
have TO stand it this time as before.
Fitzsimmons is fit in every way. He
could not be in better condition. He
is not as heavy as COrbett and his vic
tory will be all the more creditable.
He will be the greatest fighter in the
world-a wonder-befOre nightfall and