Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-03
IN THE BOXERS CORNER.

Snorfino Neuva s. II ~t f~se1-F3l The departed year has been one of great activity in general sporting and especial ly so in pugilistic circles. The knights of the boxing glove have had plenty to do and they have had no cause to worry about the dullness of which other trades men have had to complain. Let us look back and see what the leading fighters have done during the year. Jim Corbett, the topnoteher of them all, has had but one fight during the year, and it has not added anything to his fame His match with Fitzsimmons last year fell through. most probably owing to the fact that Fitz, while in training in Texas, injured one of his shoulders in friendly wrest- ling bout with Ernest Roeber, and was in no condition to fight at Hot Springs. Corbett and F'itZ are again matched, and in the merry month of March they may decide their vexed question of superiority. Failing to get fight with Fitzsimmons, Corbett went to California, and while in San Francisco he undertook to pest rom Sharkey, the sailor boy, in four rounds. but Sharkey almost made rough ana tumble" go of the remaining ones, ana Corbett came out of the contest with no fresh laurels on his brow.
 Bob Fftzsimmons, after his fiasco with Corbett took on Peter Maher and they met in a ring on the Mexican side Of the Rio Grande on Feb. 21. Maher was al- most blind with an ophthalmis affiiction; nevertheless, he had the best of the first half minute of the bout
 As they were separating from clinch Fitz brought his right over against Pe- ter's jaw, knocking him out instantly. Though Fitz was the victor, he gained very little credit through this encounter. Bob's only other encounter was with Tom Sharkey in San Francisco a. few weeks ago. It was to have been the best of ten rounds. Fftzsimmons had all the best of the fighting and put Sharkey hors du combat In the eighth round. The referee, Wyatt Earp decided that FitZ had struck Sharkey foul blow in the groin and gave the fight to Sharkey. The fact seems to be that Fitz was robbed of his victory. He sued for the $10, 900 purse, but the suit was thrown out of court on the ground that the affair was an illegal transaction, and Sharkey get the purse minus $l,o0o, which he owed to California parties.
 
 Jim Corbett says that he will begin training for his fight with Fitzsimmons about Feb. l. Billy Delaney. my old trainer, will not handle me" said Cor bett, flor he has gone into business in California My work will be done under the supervision of Jim McVey and Char ley White. The latter used to train F1tz- simmons. As the fight is scheduled for March 17 will have plenty of time to get right, if I begin work on the 1st of Feb ruary. I could get into splendid trim in five weeks"
 \ Peter Maher last season, after his easy victory over Steve O'Donnell, whom he put out with three punches, at Maspeth, was presented with the championship by Jim Corbett. Then he met Fitzsimmons as above stated After he had had an easy victory over Paddy Slavin in Madi- son Square Garden he defeated Joe Choynski after a terrific fight of six rounds before the Broadway Athletic club on Nov. IS. Friday he met Steve O'Donnell at Coney Island for the second time, defeating him in 27 seconds.
 Joe Choynski's first fight of the year was with Jim Hall at Maspeth early in January. Hall had him all but out in the ninth round, the gong saving him. Then Joe rallied and he put in the thirteenth round. He next boxed with Kid Mccoy in New York, but the affair could hardly be denominated fight, though 1t was called draw In May he undertook to stop Tom Sharkey in eight rounds in San Francisco, but he failed to accom- plish his task.
 Tom Sharkey's bouts have been few in number He met Alex Greggains, Joe Choynski, Jim Corbett and Fitz, and only the latter incapacitated him. These bouts however, prove that he is 'hard man to lick" He is a rough, unruly fighter. What his future in the ring will be is a question hard to answer.
 
 Frank SIavin defeated Joe Butler, Jake Kilrain and Walter Johnson and made draw with Harry Baker. He was easily bested by Maher, after straning his back. In his crippled condition he fell easy prey to Steve O'Donnell and big Bob Armstrong.
 Dan Creedon beat Jem Smith in two rounds in London, and bested Frank Craig. the Harlem Coffee Cooler" He also defeated Henry Baker and Dick O'Brien in New York. He has not inn proved his standing in the ring much this year.
 Steve O'Donneli, after defeating Owen Sullivan in London, returned to this coun- try. His career is recorded above.
 George Dixon, the colored wonder, has had too much of the fistic game. He boxed a six-round draw with the famed Pedlar Palmer early in the year in Mad ison Square garden, beat Jerry Marshall in seven rounds in Boston, and fought a draw with Tommy White before the Broadway club in New York. Frank Erne. of Buffalo, got a decision over him in twenty-round bout before the same club. George is evidN2tly "staling'' fast. Jimmy Barry. the bantam champion, has done nothing worthy of notice dur ing the year. Australian Billy Murphy is willing 10 DOx nm, put 'PdrSOn Dd- vies virtually acknowledges Billy's supe- riority to his man by refusing to match him against him at over 107 pounds, though he IS willing to back him against Sammy Kelly at 115 pounds.
 Jack McAuliffe has resigned from the ring after defeating Jimmy Fleming Car roll in California. During the year he also beat Gus Brown, Harry Pidgeon and Sam Rodgers. They were not first-raters, however.
 Young Griffo's career was cut short by the New York authorities, and he is now doing the state of New York service. He figured in the ring in several bouts before accepting the hospitality of the Kings County hotel swept by ocean breezes." He fought six-round draw with Jack Everhardt, and beat Sam Tompkins
 Solly Smith has added greatly to his standing by defeating Willie Smith, the best lad of his inches in England. He is now matched to box Tommy White. Dur