The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-02-08

Chicago, Feb. IA special to the
Tribune from New York says:
Within a week. probably next We'd
nesday, Fitzsimmons will depart for
Nevada to make final preparations for
meeting James J. Corbett on March
II, in what is universally admitted will
be the greatest pugilistic event in the
annals of fistiana
Corbett has been training assiduously
for this fight for some months until at
the present moment he is in condition
to do battle for his life. FitzsimmOns
on the other hand, started in to take
exercise, and that of a light character
only ten days or so ago. This delay in
beginning heavy training is in strongly
marked contrast to FitZsimmonS be-
havior on all other occasions, as it has
been customary with him when
matched for a fight to move with his
family and belongings to some quiet
place where he Systematically carries
out a prescribed course of training for
several months before the event. His
failure to act according to his time
honored custom in this, the most i'm
portant battle of his career, has given
rise to much speculation among the
sporting fraternity.
claiming their doubts of the antipo-
deans sincerity. To these cynics it
will be more or less gratifying to
learn, that, first of all, FitZsimmons'
prime condition releases him from a
long siege of heavy training, and,
secondly, that his delayed departure
for Nevada, is due entirely to the
serious illness of a member of his fam
lily, a crisis for better or worse having
been daily expected.
Could these same cynics see Fitz-
simmons, well muff1ed up and wearing
sweaters and cap, followed by his new
pet, Yaraum, the wrestling great Dane,
trudging along each morning to and
around Central park on his twelve
mile jaunt, and returning to his hotel
dripping with perspiration, they would
think differently. And perhaps could
these alarmists follow "Fitz' to his
room in the Bartholdi hotel and see
him strip to the buff for his exercise
with the dumb bells and wrist ma
chine and note his condition they would
hesitate long before again commenting
unfavorably or the Cornishman. Bob
Fitzsimmons is in superb condition for
this fight and he looks il. His flesh is
firm, and smooth, his muscles hard but
pliable, while his massive chest and
back denote great strength and power.
His face and eyes show that he is not
dissipated. In fact he could not posi-
bly, be in any better physical condition
than he is at present, and he knows it.
While he was being rubbed with
alcohol after his bath today Fitzsim-
mons said: 80 the latest cry is that
1 am not training properly. Well, I
suppose that Corbett's friends will
want me to follow their instructions.
1t should be just their pie if l don't
get right and my loss. Such kickers
and cranks [ never heard of. Why,
they will expect me to fight to their
directions soon.
L have heard so much talk lately
about what l am doing and what Cor
bett was going to do to me on March
II, that l often wonder where the tales
come from. Well, L don't care what
people think about my training. l am
going to do the fighting and know just
how 1 should be. | feel great and am
fit TO enter the ring now. My wind is
good and strong, and the only thing
necessary for me is to become accli-
mated to the high altitude of Nevada.
will have four long weeks to do this
before the fight
How do you propose fighting Cor
bett?"
Il don't know, but he does, or rather
says he does. 7 have read where Cor
bett says that 1 am a tricky fighter.
Perhaps l am, but the best trick l
know is landing my fist on the jaw
just hard enough to k men out
and I hope to show NJ. Jrbet. now
this little affair is accomplished. isn't
it nonsensical for him to ak aUout
tricks? What fighter does he know
whom l trickeu unless as l say, he
calls the knockout a trick?"
"Corbett says that you are rehears-
ing several new blows for this fight
Is that true?"
well, he must be mind reader;
where does he buy his information?
New blows for him? Not on his life;
any of the other ones will suit me.
and if | get my right or left to any
part of his pompadour head he will
hit the floor very hard. l don't think
that he will get up either.''
Have you formed any ideas on the
way you shall fight Corbett?"
No, have not; and if L had / would
not tell. 1t is just this way with me.
might make up my mind to do a GER
tain thing in a fight, when a blow from
my opponent or even a feint would
opllge me to change my tactics. When 1
face Corbett my fighting will be gov
erned entirely by his movements.
Il may see my opportunity in the first
round, and then it may take me several
to find his weakness. You may depend.
however, that 1 will find his weak
points. | am just as confident as ever
that l will win
How many rounds will the fight
ast?"
How can 1 possibly tell you? That's
the kind of buster Corbett INDUCES
n, said Fitzsimmons, with a disdain-
ful look. Then, Frightening UP and
clasping his hands, he said:
So Corbett is going to have a doctor
N his camp, hey; well, is not that a.
bit surprising to his friends?
Now there is just one thing that I
am going to insist upon before we
light, and that is to have my physician
examine Corbett. Have my own ideas
Why this should be done. 1 know that
his Nevada law calls for a medical
examination, but l want my own
physician to examine Corbett before
We fight. 1 have had one peculiar ex-
Derience and l don't propose to have
another if can help it,
OH QIJIT TALKING