The Topeka state journal., 1897-03-17
FITZ RIDE TO THE ARENA.
Crowds Were Out, But Their Were
No Cheers


fore breakfast, ito start the blood go
ing" He did not work after eating,
remaining in the open air bareheaded,
moving around quietly and talking
with Julian and his assistants and
playing gently with Yarrum. The
| conference with his trainers and help
ers was not long, as all the needed ad-
vice as to fighting Corbett and meeting
his known or possible methods of attack
had been given during the progress of
FitzSimmonS work.
Il would not take $14, 900 for the purse
this minute" said Fitzsimmons. Il
Will have it all before night. 1 do not
believe the fight will be long one.
Five rounds is my limit. 1 think can
land in that time, and if I do that will
be- the end of the gentleman who has
no manners in his pretensions. He
may hit me as many times as he can.
l believe l can stand all the punish
ment he is able to give me and be able
to put him out when 1 get a chance.
Come around when it is over and you
will see what shape am in
"Corbett won't be in it," said Julian.
I'VE don't like Siler's ruling about the
clinches and breakaways, but we al
ways get the worst of it and we will
have to stand it this time as before.
Fitzsimmons is fit in every way. He
could not be in better condition. He
is not as heavy as Corbett, and his vic
tory will be all the more creditable- He
will be the greatest fighter in the world
one will acknowledge it. His muscles
are in the shape we want them. He
is not too finely trained-just right
and he can just stand any amount of
punishment without distress. He can
strike a so per cent heavier blow than
Corbett, and one good punch from him
will punch COrbett down and out Fitz-
simmons is a fair, square hghter-one
of the fairest and sQuarest in the ring
today, and though we got the worst of
it by consenting to tricks with which
he is not familiar and has not prac-
ticed we will stand by our agreement
to abide by Siler's decision, as we are
confident F'itzsimmons wifi win this
fight, no matter what Corbett may be
able to do in the clincheS or when he
has one arm free
IF you know anything about fight
erS'' said StenZler, look at FitzsiIn-
mons and tell me if man could be
in a better condition. He is as strong
as an OK and can tire out horse on
the road. If you have seen him punch
the bag and break the rope holding 1T
you can judge of his clevernesS and his
quickness of eye, and what a blow he
can strike. He may be little awk-
ward and ungainly, as his enemies say,
but he has the endurance to stand pun
ishment and strength to fight when
ever he gets a chance to end it. You
will see some good work on his part IN
the ring He is a few pounds lighter
than Corbett, but that won't make any
difference on account of his condition
and the power of his arms He IS
heavy enough to win. He has the
greatest confidence in himself and is
sure winner. l have heard COrbett is
in fine shape, but he cannot be in any
better condition than Fitz. You will
see a great fight-the greatest In the
world-and Fitz will be standing up at
the end
''Fitzsimmons will win said Hickey,
'I don't see how he can lose. No man
was ever in better condition Every
muscle in his body is right and his wind
could not be better. He has purpoSely
let me hit him on our bouts and I have
mind them at all. Corbett may punch
him a dozen times, but don't think he
can hit hard enough to make much or
an impression, as Fitzsimmons is so
perfect that he will be able to recover
quickly. COrbett cannot wear him out.
All Fitz has to do is to land one stiff
jab, long or short and Corbett will not
get on his feet. The blows of the two
men are as a feather to a ton"
MY money is on FitZsimmonS, said
Roeber. THAT shows what I think
about the result. He is all right. He
worked hard and faithfully and could
not be in better shape. He strikes like
a mule kicks. No punishment Corbett
can give him can knock him out. If
Fitzsimmon hits Corbett once, and he
is clever enough to- do it before many
rounds have been fought, you will see
Corbett drop and be carried to his quar-
ters."
The party began preparing a little al
ter o clock to start for the arena, be-
ing due there under the order issued by
Stuart at 10 sharp. Not much prepara-
ton was necessary. FitZsimmons put
on his cap and was ready. He wore
over his fighting costume of green
tights and cOlors suit of light checked
material, a blue sweater and ordinary
Shoes His trainers did not add to their
personal adOrnment, wearing their GUS
tOmary clothes, a red sweater "a pair of
old trousers and shoes to match.
Before leaving the house, Bob missed
the baby and Mrs. Fitzsimmons, the lat
ter saying to him: TN expect to hear
good news from you"
You will,' replied Fitzsimmons.
She had no intention of being at the
fight, but ARRANGEMENTS Ii ave been
made for a courier service between the
arena and Cooks ranch so that she
would know without delay what was
transpiring in the ring. The little par
ty left the ranch in ample time to make
the journey of three miles driving leis
urely. The helpers went ahead to get
things in readiness at the dressing room
FitZSimmOnS and Julian rode in one
buggy and Roeber and Hickey in an
other close behind and within talking
distance.
The road from the ranch to Carson is
not lined with objects of interest. 1t
winds through a mass of sage brush for
half mile or more before the mono
tony is broken by anything worthy of
attention. FitzsimmOnS was in excel
lent spirits and in really good humor,
talking as much as usual to his asso-
ciates and of course abused Corbett,
speaking of the fight as his own. His
confidence seemed to be so great that
there was no need for encouragement
from his companions
I'VE will have the purse coming
back said Fitz.
Sure" said Steiner
How will Corbett get out of town?''
asked Hickey.
I'm box car growled Julian. with
Jim in the middle
All laughed at this aIlusion to a pos
sible funeral. About half way between
Cooks ranch and town the road runs
over a little hill from which can be
sean the inner mart al Ia --o,oh roa