The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-19
NOT AFRAID OF C0RBETT
FITZSIMMONS RATHER EXPECTS A
STREET ENCOUNTER WITH HIM.
The Ex-ChampiOn a COwardly Cur,
Says He-No More Prize Fight
ing for the Champion.

Robert Fitzsimmons, champion pugilist of
the world. arrived in the city yesterday
morning for an engagement at the Grand
Opera House He is in the best of health
and spirits Yesterday afternoon he busted
himself in seeing that everything was put
in readiness for the night entertainment
and then went to the Empire Theater with
Martin Julian, his manager. Toward even
ing he was found at the Denison House.
Mrs. Fitzsmmons was not with him, and,
in reply to a question concerning her, he
said:
MRS. Fitzsimmons gave birth to boy on
the 18th. She usually accompanies me and
1 hope to have her with me before long.
don't know whether he will be pugilist or
not but 1 guess not. The prospects for
pugilism in the United States at present are
exceedingly slim. Only one State in the
Union will allow it by law, and believe it
will be many a year before the people of
the United States will come to look upon
it as a science and art to be tolerated. Foot
ball still fourishes and everybody comedies
that it is more brutal than prize-fghting;
but it is the intent that Injuries the latter
Two football teams meet and the only OBJ
ject in view is to defeat each other for
points. Usually there are few broken ribs
and arms and perhaps a broken neck but
1t is all unintentional and incidental. But
when two pugilists face each other it is
their intention to knock each other out
It is the intent and not the actual result
which prevents the public from sanctioning
it,"
What do you think of the McCoy-C reedon
match?" he was asked.
well, fancy Creedon. Why? Well, in
the first place, Mccoy is not so strong Ad-
hitting that Mccoy is the cleverer of the
two, yet Creedon should win. Mccoy is
taller and has the longer reach, but he is
nevertheless at a disadvantage. Creedon
can take more punishment, and he is strong
er and has the harder punch. But l may be
wrong Prize fighters are no better judges
of prize fighters than outsiders"
Speaking of his show, Mr.. FitZsimmonS
said: Il had play written for me and ex-
pected to take a part as a star. / think
would have done we'll or better than
other champions who have starred, but at
the last moment my manager and l con-
cluded not TO attempt it. The play was
good one by Hal Reed, author of Human
Hearts 1t would doubtless have done well
but am better satisfied as things are. / nave
a first-class vaudeville company with me- |
have to appear only in the last part With
drama ] would have to be on hand all the
time the curtain was up. 1t is much easier
for me, and l have no doubt the Die is
much better pleased to see me in spar
ring contest and in my old role at bag
punching than to see me as the hero of a
drama"
What do you hear about the chance
blow?" he was asked, and this aroused him.
Il have heard it said" he replied, with
some warmth, that Fitzsimmons wins al
ways on a chance blow. That ought TO be
recognized as a mistake by this time Peo-
pie are now giving me credit for general
ship as well as hard hitting" He then de-
scribed the fourteenth round as At occurred at
Carson City, and showed how he had played
for just such a blow which knocked Cor
bett out. But when / knocked him out
he showed the yellow streak" declared the
champion. Here is the position he occu-
pied on the field when knocked him down -
ard FitZsimmons showed how Corbett had
supported himself on his toes and left hand
and then asked the reporter If such posi-
ton did not indicate a full realization of
the senses. ANY man who could hold him.
self in that position must have mad
full control of the intellect .
declared the champion. "and ne
could have reached his knees and