The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-07
SPORTING NEWS.
FitZsimmOns- Rubin Fight Ex-
cites Interest.
Belief Expressed That Austral-
ian Has Gone Back.
is STILL CONFIDENT.
Says He Can Easily Defeat
Akron Giant.
One of the Best FiStic Battles in
Prospect.
Is STILL CONFIDENT.

New York, Aug. 7.-Fitzsimmons
realizes the Importance of a victory
over Gus Rubin in their fight at Madi-
son Square garden next Friday night
and he is undergoing a careful and
systematic preparation for the bout.
At his Bergen Beach training quarters
the former terror of heavyweight
fighters boxes every day with Bob"
Armstrong. Sharkey's former sparring
partner. and Knipe, the amateur heavy
weight champion.
Good judges who have seen Fftzsim-
mons exchanging blows with Armstrong
believe that the Cornishman has gone
back According to the critics in Ques-
ton, he has lost much of the speed that
used to characterize his efforts in for
mer battles. His ability to avoid blows
seems to have decreased rather than
improved.
In several bouts with Armstrong the
big colored fellow has managed to land
often and with effect on ''Lanky Bob.
When Fftzsimmons' attention has been
called to his apparent loss OF form he
has explained it by saying that the
wrestling mat which he stands
when sparring is responsible
Despite the unfavorable comments of
the critics. FitZsimOmnS expresses the
greatest confidence in his ability to de-
feat Rubin. He says that he feels bet
ter today that he has for two years
and his strength fully equals that dis
played by him in his championship days
as a fighter. Although Fitzsimmons'
right hand is a bit crooked, owing to
surgical manipulation, he says that it is
just as serviceable in developing q
Knockout blow as it ever was. In adj
ditiOn to his Sparring bouts, Fitzsim-
mons also does considerable road work,
takes wrestling exercise and also makes
horseshOes and shoes horses.
The training of Rubin, who is looked
upon as a possible heavyweight cham
pion. is interesting. The big Akron
giant who has always shown more or
less nervousness in fight, displays
none of this timidity in his exercise
bouts. Since he has been in training at
Bath Beach Rubin has spared con-
siderably with Tommy West, Mat
ty" Matthews and George McFadden-
Although the three men mentioned are
smaller in stature and lighter in weight
than the Ohio boxer, all are hard hit
terS and in their several bouts with
Rubin have tried hard to place Gus
in the land of dreams and shadows
None of them has succeeded in accom-
plishing his purpose and few of them
have been able to get by Ruhlin'S
guard with effect.
In countering, side-stepping and lead
ing Rubin has shown increased clever
ness and remarkable confidence for
him. He has on several occasions got
ten by McFadden's guard. McFadden
enjoys the reputation of being one of
the cleverest blockers in the ring and
Rubin feels greatly encouraged in con-
sequence of his ability to land on so
clever a defensive boxer as the New
York pugilist.
In sparring Rubin has given particu-
lar attention to straight left-hand jabs.
1t is evident from his style of boxing to
date that he intends to fight a steady
battle with Fitzsimmons, relying great
ly upon left-hand jabs to beat the Cor
nishman into a condition warranting
the use of the right hand for knockout
purposes The Ohio man in his talks
with friends has predicted victory for
himself inside of ten rounds.
In sizing up the two fighters and their
chances experts have come to the con-
clusion that Rubin is the more scien-
tific fighter, "Fitz' the better Slugger
and harder hitter They think that vic
tory will be determined very largely on
the amount of confidence Rubin dis
plays when he faces the former heavy
weight champion.
If Rubin is at all nervous they pre-
dict a quick victory for F'itzsimmons,
who is one of the most cunning and ex
perienced fighters in the ring today,
but should Rubin put up a steady bat
tie the experts believe he will win after
a protracted contest Fitzsimmons
friends regard him a sure winner.
They say that every man who has
stood up straight and fought Fftzsim-
Ruhlin they say, cannot employ the
crouching tactics used so successfully
by JeffrieS when he won the champion
ship from Fitzsimmons.
Whether the theories of the experts
or Fitzsimmons' admirers are correct
tween the big fellows is certainly very
promising, and it is probable that the
winenr will know that he has had a prize
fight when it is all over.