The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-08
FIGHTERS THINK IT'S A FAKE.
JOHN LIS ALLEGED CHALLENGE
NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

An Opinion That the Ex-ChnmpiOIH
sullivan Would stand no show
with Modern Thumpers-EvoIu-
tIOn of the "New'' PUgiIism-Ths
Great Fight TO Be Won by the CooI-
est Head and the Newest BIotvss
VIII Bob "Get In" on Jim f--If ha
Does He May Quit winner.
Carson March 7.-The only items of
news which kept the sports in Carson
alive to-day was John L. sullivan's re-
ported challenge to the winner of the Corr
bett-Fitzsimmons fight. 1t led to dis
cusslon Of the relative merits Of Sullivan
In his prime and the foremost pugllist %
to-day.
According to my notion" spoke a wells
known authority on boxing and boxers,
John L., at his best, would stand mo-
show to-day with either Jim or Fitz. Like
everything else. boxing has developed
The ponderous sluggers are no longer in
the game The pugilist nowadays fights
with his head and feet as well as his
fists He does not batter his forearms
parrylng blows. The side step as prac-
ticed now does away with much of that.
Take Corbett and Fltzslmmons. for exam-
pie Their trunks appear to be set upors
socket at the hips, and they swing to
either side like blades of grass.
III neither of these two men lose their
heads, this battle will be fought almost
entirely with new blows 1 have BEEN
watching both of them at work every day
for week. Next time you visit Corbetr
Just observe his arms move He Whips
his left around with circular motion,
sweeping II in like the closing Of knife
blade When leading he does not draw
back an inch, but shoots his glove at his
opponent without betraying the slightest
intention Of his movements. His feet are
always planted firmly and his body goes
forward with every blow just far enough
TO measure the distance and not too far
TO jump back out Of danger. His foot
work Is marvellous. In ten days / have
not observed him TO stumble or overbalance
himself
''Fltzslmmons' style Is peculiar. Mo-
body can initiate him. with his arms rigid
and his head well back he crouches low
and watches for an opening. When the
opportunity comes, up go his shoulders
to protect the chin and he literally pushes
his glove at the man before him, straight
ening out his knees and giving the full
weight OF his body TO the blow. Bob re-
quires less latitude In which to hit than
any man living The blow that knocked
out Peter Maher, Travelled less than -
foot His main strength appears to be in
the forearms and he can hit terrific jolc
or bat at any distance. Everybody knows
what a "hook' he Is capable of landing.
"Do l think he will get in ON jim?
That's hard to say. If he does he will
~ uI, ,t.,a f.
Jim be doing In the mean time. OF
course, one or the other of the fighters
may get ratified and forget all about his
pet blows. The one who does viii be a
lobster after March H."
Sullivan's alleged challenge was not
taken seriously by either of the cham
pions. They both laughed it off as
Jest.
Fitzsimmons shouldered a gun this
morning, and tramped about the FOOT
hills looking for jack rabbits. He came
home empty handed. put on his Sunday
togs and set out for the state penten-
tlary, where he attended service, after
wards taking a hot mineral bath. His
days work was all crowded into the
morning hours, and consisted OF light
sparring. wrestling and bag punching. He
played draughts with the reporters all
afternoon, and declined to show himsele
to callers.
over at Corbetts the order of the day.
was reversed. Jim attacked an accumula-
ton OF letters after breakfast and replied
to all those deserving answer. He posed
for a few photographs while at work and
appeared 10 enjoy reading his corresponds
ence At the solicitation of Charley
White, who Is his chief adviser at present.
Jim cut his work down in the afternoon
After the punching bag was fought for
twenty minutes, IL rebounded badly and
frequently he gnashed his teeth and beat
II about as though he thought It was tftz-
simmons head McVey Woods Edgren
and Jeffres stood UP for three rounds
each with the gloves. and two games OF
hand ball finished the evenings work with
Jim scarcely putting at the end.
Mayor Yerington, City Marshal Kinney
and the committee of citizens appointed
TO receive and care for visitors, issued u
card 20 the public to-day announcing that
board and lodging might be secured for
any number of guests at moderate prices
The committee has on its list many COM
Portable rooms at from 81 to 81 per day.
and good meals can be obtained al a uni
form rate Of 50 cents each. Strangers may
rely upon hospitable reception and de-
cent treatment.
The weather conditions are unchanged.
IL showed at intervals during the day, but
towards evening the sky cleared and a
hard frost set In. The roads are abomi-
nable.
major portion of the Comstock mines, has
given orders to close up shop on March IL.
in order TO permit the operators to attend
the fight. The stand taken by Mr.. Sharon
has had the effect OF completely sitting
the cries OF the opposition. Harry Cor
man, the resident owner and manager OF
the properties, has declared his properties
closed March II In order to let his men
attend the fight.
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