The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-16
CORBETT AND FITZsIMMONs.

The Vigorous Trainin z They Put in Yester.
d.y-Not at all Pleasing to Their Boxing
Mates-Everything Ready for the Great
Match-The Betting Slow.
Carson, New, March 13.-The fnal
work on the arena where Corbett and
Fitxsimmons will meet on ST. Patrick's
day Was concluded this afternoon when
the reserved seats were numbered. The
kaleidoscope was put in place At the
ring side and the arrangements where
by the big mill can be reviewed at lei
sure by thousands are all completed
and only require FINE weather to max
the picture a SUCCESS.
The sun had almost the ferceness Of
summer heat and its drying qualities
| were quickly manifested by the APP
pearance OF the roads. which though
still muddy in spots. were sufficiently
dried off 20 enable both men TO do some
twelve miles OF outdoor work.
The effect OF yesterdays powwow
over Siler's Interpretation OF the rules
was manifest In the work of both men
|, today. Fftzsimmons was particularly
attentive to hitting on the break and
in clinches. and Roeber and Dan
Hickey wore n CORY appearance as the
result of the Cornishman's practice.
, Corbett. too. did "A lot i~n-fghting and
Billy Woods pneumatic device did not
avail him much in the way OF protec-
ton from Jim's shortarm punches.
Corbett's foot work was most ad-
mirable and none OF the squad were
able to make him extend himself. The
Californian's quarters were the Mecca
Of all sight-seers today and Charley
| White had his hands full in keeping the
crowd. OF which two-thirds were wo-
men. from encroaching too much on
the limited space in the han ball
| court.
Fitzsimmons has recovered from the
shock he received when Corbett de
liberately fouled him. according to the
Chesterfield rules, and he was in great
| humor today. He took n good beating
at quoits without a murmur. and ad-
mitted a number Of dead heads to see
him at work. From a short spin on the
wheel, he turned to the punching bag
for ten rounds. winding up with a gey-
ser display Of hard hitting. Ernest
Roeber was the first man up with the
gloves. Bob invited the man from
Hanover to come in and fight and
Ernest accepted the invitation. With
true pugilist hospitality. Fitzsimmon.
| met him at the door and opened a cut
o the Germans ear. Roeber kept
coming in" just the same, and at the.
end OF the third and last round both
men were smeared with blood. Dan
Hickey laughed at Ernest's misery. but
he lost his smile when Fitzsimmons
split open his forehead in n b~reakaway.
Three rounds were all Oar wanted. ard
Stenzeler was thankful when his box-
ing engagement was declared of. Boh's
inside work concluded with a few
games Of handball. He sprinted twelve
miles in the afternoon behind a horse
and buggy driven by his WIFE, and re-
| tired early.
Corbett was even more vicious than
the Australian. He pulled up Jeffries'
lip with a straight left and dashed up
a few hot ones to Billy Woods. spatter-
!, ing Woods mask with blood and split
ting his lower lip. Brother Joe" was
more cautious than the others and kept
at a respectful distance. Jim wore out
Splinter Ryan and Billy Delany on the
road before noon. covering twelve miles
altogether in his mornings walk. He
spent considerable time with the dumb
bells and clubs, contrary to his usual
custom. The wrist machine was not
neglected, and the punching bag was
given an extra whirl. Three fast
games Of hand ball left the champion
III a nice perspiration.
Jeffries. Woods and Joe Corbett. each
spared four rounds and McVey took
his customary training. Jim has the
knack of hitting in clinches down to -
fine point and his boxing compartments
all bear red splotches on their chests as
a result. U~pper-cutting he does not
seem to favor. His arms swing less rigid
than Fitzsimmons' and he keeps well
over the guard in n fix up. The general
appearance won over a number Of east
ern experts who saw him today for the
first time.
AL Smith, of New York. final stake
holde in the big mill, arrived from
San Francisco this morning and head
ed for the Bullion bank. where he de-
posted $4,000 in certificates. This
amount will be handed over to the
winner on st. Patrick's day. After
visiting Shaw's Springs, Cooks ranch
and Stuart's arena, Mr.. Smith dictated
the following interview for distribution
to press correspondents:
The prospects are the most rosy that
ever attended an affair Of this sort. I
find that both of the men are in ad-
mirable shape, and If there ever was a
sincere pair Of pugilists you have them
in Corbett and Fitzsimmons. I find
that they are trained to an edge and
the contest should be a corker. Such
confidence as the men display Is aston
ishing. Of curse. there must be q win
ner and a loser, but If you can find the
latter or a line that would lead to that
conclusion by looking over and talking
to the men, you beat me. / cannot for I
the life OF me recall a contest which \
presents such complex questions as
this In the matter Of calling the turn"
/ went out to look over the arena too,
and found 1t the best Of it's sort I ever
visited. There Is not a seat In the
whole vast structure which does not
present a clear, unObstructed view. The
welter and feather weight fights I look
to for a whole lot Of genuine sport.
The men are 50 evenly matched and
have trained 30 faithfully, that would
not be a bit surprised to see the best
night or the three crop out in one OF
the lesser engagements. With these
conditions, backed up by weather such
as one would expect to find in tropical
lands this time OF the year. I predict
that Mr.. Stuart Will get some returns
for the ceaseless and untiring pluck he
has displayed. IT would take a. whole
lot OF money to induce me to miss the
treat / know Is in store for the lovers OF
the manly art"
The two pool rooms are not taking I'm
enough money to pay room rent. A ia
vorite combination is Corbett. Green
and Hawkins, and the dds against the