The Portland daily press., 1898-09-05
THE BRUlSERs.
They Have Begun the Talk Which Pre-
cedes the Fight.
DOWNRIGHT, 1898. }

(OOpyFlSuV, IOWA
The unavoidable postponement OF the
contest between Corbett and Mccoy owing
to the recent tragedy in the formers
family has tended to increase public IN
terest in the forthcoming encounter. Inc.
fact that the proposed affair has signln-
can't bearing on the heavyweight cham
pionship Of the world, because the win
ner will probably meet Robert Fitzsim-
mons, who has virtually promised to give
the oonqueror chance to gain the title,
makes it only shade less important
than real championship contest.
Both men are at work in preparation
for the event. Corbett is at Asbury
Park, where also is Fitzsimmons with
his family. Mccoy has chosen as train
ing spot place on the south side of Sara
toga lake. Governed by his experiences
at Carson City, Corbett is not overdo-
ing matters and thus rendering himsel
lab 10 to become stale before the contest.
McCoy's efforts are devoted to building
himself up and Strengthening every fiber
Of his body.
There is wide diversity of opinion as
to the out come of the affair, and the ad-
mirers of each man rate their favorite far
ahead of his adversary. asked Sam
Austin the we'll known writer on sport
ing topics and referee, what in his opin-
ion would be the tactics of the two prin-
cipals when they met in the ring.
"There is no doubt" he replied, "that
it will be one of the most scientific of the
great boxing contests ever witnessed, for
both the participants are masters OF the
art. / expect that the first halt dozen or
SO rounds will be very fast with Corbett
doing all the leading. for it will be his
endeavor if possible to bring the affair to
an end early. Mccoy, ON the other hand,
will confine his attention to holding his
opponent OF. Then when he has tired
him, or rather Corbett has played himself
out, as he did in the first six rounds of
his go with Fitzsimmons, Mccoy will
really start in to be aggressive. Corbett
proved at Carson City that, although he
was vastly cleverer than Bob Fitzsimmons
and could land his blows whenever and
wherever he wished there was not suffi-
cient force behind them to do his oppon-
emit much harm, so that when he had him
almost gone he couldn't cliuch matters
with an effective blow. Corbett has not
the stamina to last long, and it is of this
fact that Mccoy intends to avail himself
if he can do so.
I asked Mr.. Austin whether it was true,
as sometimes stated, that Mccoy is a
disciple Of the Corbett school of sparring.
"No," was the reply. "Corbett is I'M
doubtedly the cleverer boxer, but his style
is very different from McCoy's. Corbett
when facing an opponent, stands in the
regulation position SO often seen in Pic
lures of him and generally affected by
boxers for many years. Mccoy, on the
other hand. differs from Corbett even in
this matter. He leans more toward his
adversary and holds his arms very far
apart, so that to novice or uncritical
observer it would appear that he had NO
guard at all but it is splendid pose
nevertheless and less firing than the
other.
| MCCOY is, first of all, defensive
| fighter, and he has evolved the safest and
easiest method of warding off every posi-
| BILE blow that may be directed at hi IN,
whether cross counter with the right
for his jaw, straight jab with the left
for the face or an attempt for his wind
with punch on the solar plexus, Mo
Coy is one of the easiest boxers in his
attitude in the world.
"Corbett's greater age other things
being equal, should be an advantage
rather than the REVERSE" was the answer
my next query. Continuing, Austin
said: ga boxer should not reach his
prime till he is S. The reason so few are
any good when they arrive at that age is
because they have killed themselves as
rule by dissipation. But take man
who has lived clean healthy life, one
who does not drink, smoke or chew to.
bacoo, and you will find that between 35
and 40 are his best years. Joe Choynski
| is good proof Of this fact. He is man
who INDUCES in none of the above men
toned vices, and now at 50 he Is improv.
ing every day. Corbett, however, showed
| in his go with Fitzsimmons that he had
not the stamina, as I have before said,
for q long encou inter- and so, though he Is
stronger than Mccoy by reason of his
age. it may not benefit him much in the
event of this affair lasting many rounds.
GAS to which on form, judging by
records, should win, 1t is hard matter
to Judge, but my opinion of the result Is
that the contest will be close and fast al!
the way through with the decision tass
for the referee to figure out at the end Of
the affair as to which has the better of
it,"
In reply to my question as to whether
the only advantage possessed by Mccoy
on paper over Corbett, that of reach,
would avail him at ALL Mr.. Austin re-
piled that as regards their measurements
there really wasn't much to choose be-
tween the two men. They will probably
enter the ring within ten pounds of each
others weight, Corbett's superiority IL
this matter beingsoffset by McCoy's great
or length of reach. In other matters they
arc so nearly euua1 that the difference i