The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-15
CORBETT AND FITZsIMMONs.
Distinguishing Traits of the Two
Fighters and Their battle Records.

NEW YORK March H.-Whether pugil-
ism be manly or brutal. whether 1T be
elevating or degrading. the fact remains
that the greatest pugilistic contest of the
century is to be held in Carson City, New,
on the 18th of March. This contest will be
between two athletes OF worldwide
celebrity who have never been beaten.
Both are heavy weights and both are in
the prime of manhood. Both Corbett and
Fitzsimmons are top-notchers. and the very
best OF their class OF this there can be no
possible doubt. Yet their methods and
manners of fighting as different as day
and night. So are their methods and
modes of living and training.
In few words II may be said that Cor
bett trains hard and furiously and as
though his life depended on il. Yet IL can
not be denied that he loves his work from
first to last. Fitzsimmons trains easily and
steadily. as blacksmith shoes horses.
Whatever feelings he may have as to the
result OF his contests he shows no signs of
nervousness. unless an infraction of the law
Is i'm contemplation.
With the advent of Corbett and Fitzsim-
mons the days of the champion heavy
weight slugser are gone. The plunging
pugilist Is no good when ptted against a
man with stif straight counter hook
ing cross. Peter Maher has found this out
by bitter experience. When he rushed bull
fashion against Joe Goddard and was
put out in short order he was a slugger
pure and simple.
Since then Maher has copied Corbett and
FitzsimmOns induStri0usly. and has pr0flted
amazingly IL is a favorite saying of Cor
oett tnat man VINO can danee Vel mas fis
favor. The art OF side stepping when your
opponent PUSHES is great thing in itself
Both Corbett and FltzSimmonS are on the
very top wave of pugilistic excellence, al
though they have their difference I'm style
and execution, Fftzsimmons has a longer
reach. which he DISCUSSES with the most
subtle pugilistic art when In the ring. He
leads short repeatedly to delude his oppo-
nent.
Corbett in action is far different from
Fitzsimmons. He Is ever en- his toes. He Is
the REORGANIZATION of speed and quickness
He holds his head well forward, as though
inviting attack. Rush him once and he Is
not there: rush him twice and he steps
aside like lightning, and down you go with
a punch in the jaw.
You do not know where that punch came
from: you only know that it landed And
whoever says that Corbett cannot hit
knows not whereof he speaks. He could
not hit over hard when he fought Sullivan.
but now he can hit hard and often
The advantage which Corbett has over
the average pugilist is this: Most boxers
go into the ring and fight until they can
fight no longer. Then they become boxing
instructors. Corrctt became boxing in
sfructor while re was little more than an
amateur For years his sole occupation
was staving of the attacks of strong and
aggressive men. He gave up his life TO IL
He Eret successfully hundreds of men, with
hundreds of methods of attack.
Thus his defense became perfect. | Won
der If any man can name n time when
fCorbett has been punched hard in the face,
had black eye, or been knocked down,
outside of his fight with Joe Choynski? He
was a novice when he fought the great
Peter jackson, and was white in the face
when he entered the ring; yet for sixty
rushed in vain. Ii may be true that Corbett
was hghting for a draw. but IL Is, never
theless. muck to his credit that he got one
The style of lighting used by Corbett and
Fitzsimmons Is as different from the Old
style as a clog dance is different from
foot movement Tactics are continmaIIy
changed. as occasion may demand.
There will always be arguments as to
straight or the refund hitting. 1 do not re-
member to have ever seen anybody
Smoked out with straight right. When
Generally speaking. the straight left is
used 10 repe the rushes OF an antagonist
and the hook. either left or right TO
simmons hook whenever their antagonist
ducks This ducking is pretty trick
which is very popular with English boxers
II is more or less of an instructive move
ment and If it comes shade too late Il
means disaster.
Neither OF the men has what NAV be
termed favorite blow in lighting OF
course they believe in certain hooks and
certain punches. but their favorite blow il
always the one that knocks the other fell
low out.
Corbett never draws his arm back when
delivering blow. Fitzsimmons's arm is
drawn back but not over four inches and
here is where much of the discrepancy of
their hitting p;wers comes in. Both men
use the full front position with the left
well extended. after the manner of SulIi-
van
F'ftzsiThmonss trump card is to hit and
keep at II. Corbetts favorite scheme is 10
nit, get away, recover quickly and then
follow IL up In clinching Corbett bears
with ooth arms on his opponents arms
forcing them down until he has a chance
TO get away before his opponent has a
chance to get his hands up.
F'itzsjmmons does not clinch closely. He
holds off at half arm as much as possible
ploW that would paralyZe the strongest
man living. IL was in a clinch that he
Knocked out Peter Maher i'm Mexico
F1tzsimmons has the advantage OF reach.
Corbett of strength.
Fitzsimmons has the advantage of hitting
powers. Corbett of quickness.
Fttzsimmons has the advantages that 90
with steady quiet life; Corbett has the
advantage OF strength and science
And twenty rounds is tremendous hand
leap for any living pugilst III Fitzsinn
mons can carry his handicap he is certain
~ a marvel. III Corbett can oyercome E,itz
simmons reach, hitting powers and condi
ton. he is a wonder.
Following Is the records of the two mon.
JAMES j. CORRETT