The San Francisco call., 1897-03-18
WAL TER
WATSON'S
ACCOUNT
Technical Story of the Big
Fight Dictated at the
Ringside.
ACCURATE DESCRIPTION
FOR THE CALL"
At the S'a-t Fi'zsimmons Is
Kissed for Refusing to Shake
Hands.
NOPF, NO PETE. NO SHAKE
HANDS" DECLARES BOB.
Cautious S2arring Winds Up in Swift
Fighting and Jim Corbett's
Defsat
NOPF, NO PETE. NO SHAKE
HANDS" DECLARES BOB.
Cautious S2arring Winds Up in Swift
Fighting and Jim Cor belts
Defsat.

CARSON, NEv., March 17.-At exactly
two minutes before II O'Clock, both men
came from their dressing-rooms. almost
simultaneously. and walked to the ring,
followed by their seconds. Julian was the
first man to jump into the ring, followed
by Fitzsimmons, Roeber, Hickey and
Steiner. Corbett was the first man to
enter his corner, followed by Brady, De-
laney, john Donaldson, McVey and
Woods. Fitzsimmons and Corbetl were
both attired in long dressing gowns. Cor
bett took the southeast corner of the ring
with his back to the sun. He leaned on
the ropes facing the audience and bowed
10 his many friends about him. Fitzsim-
mons paced up and down in the opposite
corner, apparently quite nervous. Billy
Madden, the master of ceremonies, and
George Sier. the referee, then entered the
ring, and Madden walked over to the
ropes on the west side to address the
audience.
Fitz said aloud to Siler: "Why didn't
you get Billy Jordan to be master of cere-
monies?" but SiIer did not reply. "How
are you, Jim," called Harry Veuve from
one OF the boxes. First rate" replied
Corbett, smiling. He appeared very cool
and chatted with his seconds and bowed
friends. Brady tied Corbett's colors to
the post in his corner OF the ring. They
were an American flag and green fag
Fitzsimmons appeared very nervous. He
was rubbing his hands and tapping his
feet on the floor; then he arose and paced
up and down, occasionally glancing over
into Corbett's corner Corbett went to
the center of the ring and danced around.
trying the resined floor TO see if he would
slip on it. Apparently he was satisfied,
for he walked back to his corner and sat
down. There was great uproar in the
au utience, but finally Billy Madden gained
sufficient attention to speak and he said:
Gentlemen, you will please keep order
while this fight is going on for the worlds
championship. If you make noise or ex-
element you interfere with the men while
they are fighting, and another thing there
are ladies present. The officials of this
contest are: Referee, George Siler; Off
ciaI timekeeper, William Muldoon; time
keeper ior Corbett, Jimmy Colvile of
Boston; timekeeper for Fitzsim m ons, Lou
Houseman of Chicago; seconds for Fitz.
simmons. Roeber, Julian, Steiner and
q Hickey; seconds for Corbett, Delaney,
Charley White. McVey, Woods and Pro-
fessor John Donaldson.
He then walked over toward Fitzsim-
mons and said: az now take pleasure in
introducing to you Bob Fizsim mmons,"
then walking to Corbett's corner, he an
nounced flames j. Corbett." The crowd
cheered heartily at the mention OF each
mans name, though probably the loudest
for Corbett. The referee, George Siler of
Chicago, was also introduced. When Fitz-
simmons threw off his dressing gown he
was seen to be clad in dark blue trunks
with red stripe running around the edge.
For a belt ne wore number OF small
American flags stitched together. Corbett
was clad in red trunks with the stars and
stripes draped around him for belt.
The gloves were then fastened on the
mems hands by their seconds. Fitzsim-
mons were colored light shade of green,
while Corbetts were of tan. 1t was plain
to be seen that Corbett had the best of
corners. The sun was directly in his
back, while it shone square in FitzSm-
mons face as he sat down. One of his
seconds, however. kept his head protected
from the rays by shading his face with
large fan. At last the men were ready
and Corbett arose and walked toward
Fitzsimmons' corner, proffering his hand.
Fitz, who was standing at the time,
turned and advanced toward him with
. outstretched hand when Julian quickly
stepped forward and stopped him, at
the same time raising his hand and wav-
ing Corbett back. saying: Nope. no,
Pete; nope, no shake hands. We re-
fuse" The crowd Kissed little at this
display of bad breeding and lack of prize
fighting etiquette, while Fitz and Corbett
turned to their corners. at precisely
minutes past 12 o'clock the seconds and
all but the principals and referee with
drew from the ring and the gong sounded
for the fight TO begin.
Round both meu stepped lightly to the
center and at once commenced fidd!ing for an
opening Corbett smiling and at once
commenced to dance about his opponent.
Fitz set his teeth and waited. Fitz led with
his left and Jim ducked easily. Fitz then
tried feint with his left and Corbett danced
away Both landed light left swings on the
Jaw, barely reaching each other. Corbett
landed a left OIL the body without return
and they clinch. Corbett landed light tap
ON Fi.zs nose without return. Both got
good left-hand counter on the jaw. FitZ leads
and Corbett ducks Corbett leads with his
left and they cilnch and break away quickly.
Corbett lands light left and right on the body.
Fitz tries two swings, left and right, and Cor
bett ducks them both. Corbett lands light
right on the body. They clinch and break
away nicely. Corbett leads with his lett and
Fitz stops it with his right. Fitz leads ana
Corbett ducks Ccrbett lands right on the
body and clinch. Fitz lands lightly on the
body in the breakaway. Corbett lands an
other right on the body without return. They
clineh and break quickly. The gong sounds,
with both men fiddling and smiling. No mis-
chief was done in this round. Fitz seemed to
. be blowing little while Corbett was perfectly
at ease Most Of the blows struck were light