The San Francisco call., 1897-03-18
CORBE Tt
CLEARLY
TOO BRASH
At First Jim Thought He
Would Easily Gain
the Victory.
OUTGENERALED BY THE
CORNISHMAN.
Mansfield Tells How the Lanky
Bob Easily Fooled the
Californian.
MANY OF THE DRIVES OF FITZ
NOT MEANT TO HIT.
False Swings Cause the Ex.Champion
to Grow Over. Conf fdent and
Careless.
MANY OF THE DRIVES OF FITZ
NOT MEANT TO HIT.
False Swings Cause the Ex.Champion
to Grow Over. Confident and
Careless.

CARSON, New, March 17.-With one
punch-and punch it was in every sense
of the word-Bob Fitzsimmons won the
championship of the world to-day just as
the time dial pointed to clock.
The greatest tistic battle of the age has
been fought. Never before in modern
times was such o contest ever witnessed,
and 1 doubt seriously if we see another
like it. 1t was essentially strife bstween
skill and brute strength and courage.
1t was trial in which the fighter, rs
he is known pure and simple, triumphed
over the finished and shadowy boxer, who
knew every trick and turn in the game.
1t was fight that could not last.
During round after round the man with
the animal instincts led the assault only
to find that he was striking at empty air,
and in return for his efforts was being
treated to tantalizing jabs on the nose.
poked in the ribs and made to bleed and
groan.
For dozen rounds the gladiator who
halls from Hayes Valley made his red
haired and shiny-pated opponent look
like plaything SO easy was it for him to
rap him when he felt so inclined. and it
was money to marbles until the climax was
reached that lie would win in a canter.
Corbett, after a few rounds experience
with the cunning Cornishman, reached
the conclusion that he was not going to
have much trouble in punching out VIC
tory. He found that he could reach his
adversary almost when he chose to and
was scarcely idle second.
He fought faster battle than he should.
Jim has always made his best showings
when he took matters coolly In the ring,
resorted to extreme care and gradually
cut his opponent to ribbons.
But in Fitzsimmons the Californian
found man who WINGED not under the
tattoo that was being beaten on his coun-
tenancs and ribs-a man who kept COM
ing back for more and grinning Historically
over it through mask of gore.
Fitz went into this fight with bnt one
object in view. and that was to be patient
until the proper time arrived for him to
send home such blow as has dropped
many another good man to the resined
floor.
He was patient all through the beating
he received and then took his reward. It
is my honest belief that Fitz deliberately
caused mis- swings and drives to miss his
adversary III OIucT tO Cduso ulm 10 S6g
over-confident and careless. This is just
what happened.
But there is another end to the story.
Fitz was materially weakened at times
during those rounds in which he received
the worst pummeling, but after the
minute of rest allowed between rounds,
would come back ss strong as ever.
This was not so with Corbett. He ex-
hibited no recuperative powers at all, such
as one would have right to expect in
man holding the worlds championship.
His was slow but gradual decline. He
really wore himself out humping a man
he could not hurt, but without knowing
it or believing it, he did not expect the
end when it came.
Fitz, however, saw what was coming
and braced himself for the last grand ei-
tort. Corbett did not have enough steam
left in him to stay the tide and having his
guard beaten down left the opening his
willy adversary wanted and was dropped
like an OK. 1t is not long story, but it
will never be forgotten by those who saw
it enacted.
As regards climatic conditions better