The herald., 1897-03-15

On Wednesday next the flight of the
century will take place, and within
thirty minutes from the time the men
enter the ring, urlesY all prophecies
fail, the question: of supremacy will be
settled between James J. Corbett and
Robert Fitzsimmons. It is expected that
the fight will take place In the forenoon.
Probably commencing at IL or n:30
o'clock, ard the best judges do not think
it will go over ten rounds. at the outside.
But prize fighting. like horse racing, is
a mighty uncertain, quantity. and We
can tell more about the big confest after
the fight takes place. AS the pugilistic
editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer says:
predictions on the Duration OF a
prize fight, especially where two men
are apparently as closely matched as
Corbett and Fitzsimmons, are ordinhr-
lily about as satisfactory to the individ-
ual who makes the predictions as shoot
Ing at the moon with double -barreled
shotgun with the hope of doing the man
iu that orb bodily injury. However, 1
am going to make shy at the Carson
City mill with prognostication. IL the
st. Patrick's day fistic affair lasts fif-
teen rounds 1 will be greatly surprised
If 1t goes ten rounds it will last longer
than expect 1t to. If it is all over and a
winner returned inside Of three rounds
/ will not be shocked.
mo matter who wirs the fight, do
not expect to see long-drawn-out af-
l. I,tttf an q
way to fight, and that Is out in 'front.'
Mind, am not finding fault with the
Antipodeanl for fighting this way, but
the records will bear me out in the state
ment that he has never yet made walt
ing battle. He has never been a laggard
or a runaway in any of his fistfc encoun-
ters since he came to this country. IN
every one of his American engagements
he has always shown Willingness to
carry fight to the other man. He mas
never waited for his opponent to cut the
pace, but has himself made the running.
His longest fight on American soil
lasted only thirteen rounds. 1t took him
that long to whip poor Jack Dempsey.
All the other men he has met except Pc
ter Maher the first time, have been
counted out in less than ten rounds. Ii
may be that he may change his tactics
In his battle with Corbett, but II seems
TO me that the old adage about beirtg
hard matter to teach ar, old dog new
tricks is applicable to Fitz in this In
stance, He has fought out In 'front.' In
all his other battles, and II is, therefore.
fair to presume that he VIII fght the
same way again. II he does this with
Corbett he will either win or get WHIP
ped in short order"
Reports from the rival camps at Car
of he fQVQrQ hlP char
aoter. The fighters, in their so-called
"exclusiye" bulletins, each express the
utmost confidence, and they are backed
up by their respective trainers ana
hangers-on to their utmost ability. So
far about every pug" In the country
has given his more or less valuable opin-
ion as to the respective merits of the two
rnen.but they are so conflicting and there
is such a manifest disposition to hedge
that they are absolutely valueless, so far
as getting anything like a line on the
men is concerned. Corbett and Fitzsim-
mons, with their retainere met on the
road on Wednesday last and for time IT
looked as If there might be some serious
trouble, but after q little jaw-work and
blackguarding the forces separated
without any one getting hurt. This epi-
sode was. perhaps. the most sensation
ar Of the week.
That the men who make living out of
prize fighting, by putting up their money
on the result, place but little reliance on
the utterances of either of the fighters
or their immediate attendants, is shown
by the slight influence on the betting.
Some time ago the most extravagant
talk prevailed as to the amount OF
money that would be wagered on the
result, the more enthusiastic putting the
figures up in the millions. These sahgu-
ine expectations have not been realized,
ana so far the sports have kept their
money in their pockets. In this city Cor
bett has q little the best Of 1t, though
some small sums have been put up at
even money.
The Los Angeles Athletic club contin-
gent left for Carson last night in q spec
lal Pullman, which they Will occupy un-
I'll their return. President John Brink
was In command, assisted by Secretary
Walter McStay. The boys left provided
with everything needed in the way Of
Uolid and liquid refreshments to make
the journey pleasant one, and were es-
oorted to the depot by number Of
friends, who remained with them until
the train pulled out. Their return will
be anxiously awaited, and they will
doubtless be kept busy for some days
telling how the whole thing happened.
In all there will probably be at least
seventy-five Angelenos at the ringside.
One hundred seats were reserved for this
oity and most of them will be occupied.
Los Angeles will be represented in the
shooting tournament by Champion Chick
and possibly two or three others.
The amateur Athletic union recognizes
basket ball as one Of the athletic sports,
and has appointed q committee to take
action with reference to its protection
from certain abuses which have. been
coming into the game. Beginning with
March 1st sanctions must be secured
from the proper secretarieNL of the A. A.
u. for all games. excepting as follows:
First, the Young Mems Christian asso-
Citations connected with the Athletic
league. Second, the intercollegiate and
Interscholastic associations and the
North American Gymnastic union. Fall
ure to secure sanction will make the par
ticipants liable to the same penalties
which occur when athletes compete ia
ana other unsanctioned games; that IL.
they are liable to protest at any future
! games for having competed at unsanc-
Toned games. such protests viii be sus-
kaiped. In some cases pTofeseioualg are
now playing upon basket ball tetms.