The morning times., 1897-02-21

There is a certain amount of sayagery
lurking within the civilized man that
crops out every time the word fight
is mentioned. And it is this element in
the human composition thatis going pitapat
at the present time, the FitzsImmons Cor
bett contest furnishing the motive power
The present generation of sports can
hardly date their remembrance of ring
battles further back than the Allen Goss
fight and the famous meeting between
Sullivan and Ryan at Mississippi City,
February 7, $50, when John l.. won
the champi onship with bare kuuckles
and started up the ladder OF lasting fame.
Prior to these two encounters, the fight
betw cen John c. Heenan, the American
champion, and Tom Savers, who held a
ike honor in England, was the affair most
discussed by followers OF fistiana.
Allowing the memory t o run back, what
q difference between now and then in re-
gard to public interest and attention to
such events. Inthose days of bare knuckles
and bloody battles, only a small portion
ofthe public was cognizant OF the programs
for pUmmeIing matches. The papers
OF the period treated such happenings on
a parity with dog fights and chicken pitting
and esteemed the news Of an import most
trivial.
Not so now. John L. Sullivan, as n
champion, was a picturesque character.
and today that thousands of dollars are
outlayed and vast space filled by news
papers in chronicling pugilistic events is
due solely TO the history he created as a
fiStic gladiator. His like did not exist
before him and will hard be seen again.
AS q result OF the created interest in
pugilistic events, the whole country is on
the qui vive at this time over the ap-
preaching fight at Carson City. News of
FitZsimmons and Corbett and their minut-
est movements are read with the relish
that a gourmand devours the viands OF
the gods
The aroused curiosity of the public as
to the superiority Of the men will not be
disappointed. That is, unless there is in
terferenee now wholly unforeseen and not
to be anticipated. II really promises TO
be the best regulated ring fightever pulled
off within the ropes.
Both men are training earnestly for the
battle, which will take place twenty-four
days from this date. Fitzsimmons and his
party arrived at Carson yesterday.
Martin Julian, Fits brother-in-law and
manager, seems to be nervous over the i'm
pending hostlities He has issued the fol-
lowing manifesto:
There is one thing ngcertain-Corbettn never
intends to win this fight on the square. 1
have heard from most reliable sources that
there is a movement on foot on the part of
q or tp thn ri ,nci5 IN
a push who Will break through the ropes
ifit becomes necessary to save Corbett, but
you can understand distinctly now that
they will never do it, for have taken care
to prepare for just such an emergency by
sending for a push of my wn, and you will
find the toughest lot of citizens from New
Orleans and Texas near Fitzsimmons'
corner that ever landed in this State, and
Corbett's gang will have lovely time get
ting nto the ring
Another opera bouffe feature of the
preliminary program is the yaporing OF
Tom Sharkey. He predicts Corbett win
ner one day and then switches the opinion
in favor of Fitz the next The last time
he had chance to talk to a reporter he
lashed his tongue around in the follow
ing fash ion: II will teach Corbett a
lesson he will not soon forget. 1 have
something up my sleeve, and it is in my
power to turn Corbett's face to the wall
in every city in the country. If Gentle
man jim does not keep his mouth shut
will show him up in his true eelors.''
WHAT is your opinion of the fight?'
was asked.
'If it is on the square, why, FitZsm-
mons will put Corbett out of business"
was the answer HE is not in the same
class with Fitzsimmons That is my
honest opinion, although 1 made believe
Yesterday that Corbett would win, but /
had reasons for declaring myself.
But, you bet your money that Coroett
will try to queer the whole business. He
does not believe in taking any chances,