The San Francisco call., 1897-03-18

times to the once that the Cornishman hit
him, but Fitzsimmons' blows were hard
and telling. Time and again Corbett put
his left on his opponents face and alter
mated by planting his right on Fitzsim-
mons ribs. Time and again Corbett
beautifully ducked away from wild swing
ing blows, which had they landed would
have quickly brought the battle to an end.
AS clever tighter and great ring general
Corbett stands. to-day at the head of
the pugiIistic army, but physically he has
seen his best days and cannot possibly 60
o hard race when forced to cut out lively
pace
After The sixth round, when Corbett had
Flizsim mons almost out, he seemed to go
to pieces his blows lacked steam and he
was putting after each sharp rally. As the
battle wore on Corbett toed the scratch at
the commencement of each round looking
like man in distress. He knew that his
vitality was waning. and he nursed what
ever little strength he possessed in tapping
his opponent on the nose. from which the
blood was flowing fast. Occasionally he
grew courageous, and on receiving blow
from his antagonist he would rally and
smash Fitzsimmons several times in
return on face and body. but the Cornish
man. although frequently retiring to his
corner in weak condition, would invar-
iably come to time at the sound OF the
gong as fresh as if ne had just com mmenced
the game.
Fitzsimmons' recuperative powers are
extraordinary, and it is his wonderful
vitality and ability to take punishment
that wins him his battles. He cannot hit
q straight blow--at least he did not land
a straight lead during the fght--but his
swings and crooks are terrific. Some of
the swinging rights that Corbett warded
off with his aims left marks On those
mem bers. and, no doubt. Corbett much
preferred that they were ducked than
stopped. Another thing about Fitzsim-
mons that puzzles many of the best
judges of pugilism is his awkward and
shuffiing style. In fact, he looked like a
raw recruit before the scientific and pol
ished Corbett; but he is fighter and the
other man is the cleverest exponent of
the game.
informed Professor Walter Watson Of
the Olympic Club, who sat next to me
during the contest, that Corbett (that was
after the second round) was not anything
like the man who faced Peter Jackson
about seven years ago in the old Califor-
mia Club. He did not seem to have that
ability TO send forth swift blow from the
shoulder which he was possessed of then.
The fact of the matter is that Corbett has
lost vitality, and although he may look
perfectly sound and trained to the hour
he is wanting in something, and that
something is constitution, which once
lost can never be recovered. He retains
his remarkable cleverness, however, but
in prize-hghting cleverness and speed
4 must be supported by physique which is
sound, or at least not so far impaired.
1t was sad sight to see Corbett when
hewas knocked down in the fourteenth
round struggling to regain his pins. With
his left hand placed over the spot on
which Fitzsimmons had planted his big
right-hand glove the defeated champion
made O desperate struggle to rise, but the
effect of the blow was too much. The
damage was done and Corbett reeled back
against the ropes, where he was counted
out. NJ. j. GEARY.