The herald., 1897-02-01
THE RING.

The splendid physical condition Oh
James ]. Corbett was an agreeable sur
prise to his st. Louis friends and admir-
ers, who were led to believe that he was
in a decline, says the Sporting Life. 1t
is the opinion of the sporting frater-
nifty that he showed up in fine form in
his boxing scenes, and that he displayed
the same rema rkable speed which has
always characterized his work. The big
pugilist is stronger and more rugged
than he was a year ago. He played
handbali at the Pastime clubhouse with
Theodore Breitenstein, Billy Joyce, Jack
O'Connor and other ball players, and
none was so quick and active as thie Cal
ifornian. He made friend of every ball
player and sporting man he met in st.
Louis Jim's hat fits him and his heart
is in the right place.
Corbett weighs between ITO and $50
pounds There Is one complaint to lodge
against him, however, and that Is that
he is in entirely too good condition for
a fighter who will not meet his man for
two months. There is hardly an ounce
of superfluous, flesh on his body or face
He ran around the gymnasium with
great agility, and at the conclusion OF
the handball game took a short course
of training with the clubs and on the
bars.
Before leaving st. Louis Corbett ex-
pressed himself as confident Of winning
the fight with Fitzsimmons, and de-
clared that he would enter the ring on
that occasion in just as good condition
as when he knocked out John L. Sulli-
van. Il have been dieting myself and
training moderately ever since signed
to fight Fitz," said Corbett, 'and my
condition is tip-top now. l am just as
fast as when fought Sullivan, much
stronger and a harder hitter. I have not
outlined my plan of battlewith the lanky
fellow yet. In fact, l never know just
how I am going to fight man until
face him in the ring. Then guide my
self according to the other fellows ac-
tions.
Il realize that F'itzsimmons is a. dam
gerous hitter, but have met hard hit
telrs before. 1t is not my Intention to
hold my jaw out and let Robert smash
it at will. I think can hit some myself,
and, if don't miss my guess, Fitz will
feel my glove a few times. 1 honestly
believe that the fight will not last more
than Is rounds.
mo, ! don't expect to retire. After
my fight with Fitzsimmons / will retain
the championship if 1 beat Fitz and give
some of those other aspiring ducks a
chance. am still young man, the re-
ports circulated by certain wise people
to the Contrary Notwithstanding. ex-
pect to be able to hold the title for some
years to come. I will go into active
training in ten days. My season closes
at Kansas City on january go
IF the fight between Fitzsimmons and
myself comes off in Nevada, will train
in San Francisco, or if in Mexico, / shall
go to Ell Paso or some other Texas point.
My trainers will be Charlie White, Billy
Delaney, McVey and big fellow named
Rubin, whom my manager has secured
from Akron Ohio. Rubin is unknown
to me, but he Is said to be a rough GUS
toner to handle, and that is what want.
According to a letter received, huhlin
is the mani need to help McVey out in
wrestling work will be in the best pos
sible condition for this contest, and do
not underrate my opponents ability
There will be no excuses in case am de-
feated."
There are three things not generally
known about Jem Mace, who is now in
this country. One is that he is not a
gypsy as Is popularity supposed. Anoth-
er Is that Jem has a SON who is one of the
most jealous and successful preachers
among the Plymouth brethren of Eng
land. The son has tried to make his
father ''see the error Of his ways" but
so far without success. The other son,
Jem, Is a chip of the old block. The third
Is that old Jem has scar on his upper
lip which has not been seem in this coun-
try, as it is covered by a mustache
This he obtained in his contest with
"Posh" Price Of Birmingham. Price had
a wonderful double step, which Mace
at the time had not learned. He came in
with 1t, poked out his left and the blow
cut Mace's lip clean through, giving him
the appearance Of having hair-lip.