Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
THE DAY THEY FIGHT
EVERYTHING READY ron THE MIG
PRIZE CONTEST IN CARSON.
BOTH MEN CONFIl ENT OF WINNING
Experts Examine Each aud Declare
Them I'm the Pink df Condition.
VIII Triumph.


fore the greatest struggle I'm the history
OF pugilism begins were ushered in
lowered skies and a threatening atmos-
phere Fortunately. however the sun
came TO the front. and its glorious rays
dispelled an gloom. The early outlook
had the eject Of making both Corbett
and Fitzsimmons do little more work
than they had intended TO on the day
before the battle. Fearing to take any
chances under existing atmospherical
conditions both men exercised with a
view to keeping their wind up in case
OF possible pOstponement Nothing short
OF rain or snow-storm win bring about
such a postponement, however. and all
indications tend TO show that fair wea-
ther VIII be vouchsafed tomorrow.
SPECIALS ARRIVE
The long-looked-for specials from the
East and West arrived to-day and dis
charged additions TO the crowd. which
already has severely taxed the re-
sources of the town. But the attendance
az the ring-side will not be as large
as was anticipated. Between 1000 and
5000 people Will perhaps. be a careful
estimate OF the number who will see
the meeting of the two men. which it
took nearly two years and the expendi-
ture of thousands Of dollars 20 bring
about.
,isitors kept arriving and departing
from Shaw's Springs and Cooks Ranch
an day. and the roads between Carson
and the training quarters presented
busy scene with their constant streams
Of vehicles of all kinds.
J. J.'S FATHER.
P ] Corbett. Jim's father. arrived by
one of the western specials shortly al
ter noon. William \. Brady met MIN
and drove him out TO the Springs. Where
they found Jim busy entertaining "a num-
Der of friends from all over the states.
For every one the big fellow had
pleasant greeting and "a cheerful conh-
dent word I'm fact. COrbett never
seemed in better spirits since he began
training than he did on this, the eve Oh
tho contest.
WAITED FOR FITZ.
FYtzsimmonss visitors had TO wait some
time before Bob put In an appearance at
the ranch. as he was making hay Whlle
the sun shone. and. taking advantage OF
the bright spell did some jogging along
The road. When he returned and had
rub-dowu he was in evidence, and ms
conversation showed just as much tath
In his winning star as his rival displayeu'
This overwhelming confidence OF both
sides is a biz of a puzzle 10 all the Sports
Il is undoubtedly genuine in the TWO men,
and tends TO still further shake the IDEAS
of any one who is inclined TO waver
about picking the winner. If the victory
nad TO be decided by the amount OF conn
Ience entertained by the rivals, the
referee would have much harder task
than which would be undertaken py
Referee George Sler tomorrow, and the
contest will probably be prolonged TO a
much greater degree than is looked for
under Queensberry rules
FIFTEEN ROUNDS.
The prevailing opinion seems that the
duration will bee limited to fifteen rounds.
Judging by the betting this number is
the favorite while under ten rounds
comes i'm as second choice. No one is in
clined TO think that the battle will be a
long one. The Interpretation Of the rules
which allows hitting i'm clinches and
breakaways appears TO account in great |
measure for the popular idea Of a short |
fight.
Dan Stuart. it is evident assumes with |
the majority. since he has put on the !
two smaller fights 10 follow the big event. |
The betting remained about the same |
all day. There is plenty Of Corbett money |
Sin sight but Fitzsimmons' cash is not |
forthcoming in sufficient quantity TO |
make the pencillers change the odds Of |
6 l-2 to 10 on the Californian. Paris mu- |
tuals. with COrbett. Green. and Hawkins |
as the pick of the combinations, were |
very slow. and there were scarcely any |
buyers for Iitzsimmons. Smith, and Fla |
herty.
NOT A DAY OF REST.
II was not quite the day Of rest at the /
f-fr.
both men laid up considerably. and dis !
pensed with the sparring end of the pro- /
gramme entirely. Corbett played three |
games Of hand-ball, and then took a |
turn at the punching bag I'm the morning. |
Light foot work in the hand-bal court |
followed. and then Jim was rubbed down. |
After he was dressed he received callers |
and stood chatting outside the court for
nearly half an hour. COrbett was in a /
particularly cheerful humOr and seemed |
much pleased at the number Of his vis-
tors Among those who drove out to the |
Springs were Ida Fuller whose sister
la Loie. is an old friend of the Califor-
man. Billy Woods and Jeffries were
about as cOntented a looking pair as |
could be found In the vicinity to-day |
snce they had a rest from Jims gentle
manipulations. McVey also wore a jaunty
smile.
Later in the afternoon Jim went for a
special walk. and came home with a
series of sprints.
FITZ WORKED, TOO.
At Cooks Ranch. Hickey and Stence-
Der had time TO compare notes on past
injuries as they were not scheduled to
put on the gloves Roeber, however, had
90 push and shove for a few minutes
while the champion tried out his wind.
Bob then took turn at the bag and
sprinted round the yard a few times.
A little road work wound up the proceed
ings.
Both parties turned I'm early TO get
good, long rest before the eventful hour.
According 10 to-night's arrangements.
Corbett win perhaps take a short walk IN
the morning and then drive 10 the arena.
or course. the weather viii have great
deal 20 do with the plans OF both men,
Professor Walter Watson. Of the Olym-
pic Club. San Francisco who IS credlteu
with having brought out Corbetts boxing
abilities was probably the most welcome
visitor at the Californians quarters to-
day.
Come in and take a fash at me, wal
ter" said jim. after a hand shake. your
opinion ought 20 settle the question OF my
condition"
CORBETT EXAMINED.
Watson followed the champions fatherl
T. j. Corbett. into Jim's cottage, where
the examination took place jim stripped
20 the waist and Watson thumped MN
and kneaded every muscle on his trunk
Mr. COrbett. senior. adjusted his spectacles
and watched the process
You're down pretty fine, Jim, pretty
in