The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-08
SPARED WITHOUT STRIKING.
Fftzsfmrions's Latest Innovation at
His Training Exercises.

BY W. W. NAUGHTON.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL
New York, Aug. "A sparring rylG tch In
which never blow is struck would not
appeal TO the general run OF ring-goers. On
the contrary. it would invite derision.
Still, large assemblage became amazing
ly interested in an affair of that kind at
Bergen Beach to-day. 1t was what the mu-
sically inclined might call Il song without
words. The petulant poke of the padded
fist did not enter into it at all,
The principals were FitzSimmonS and
Armstrong-blonde Bob and black Bob.
Gus RuhIin SO close at hand, Bob is daily
impressed with the necessity of keeping his
arms and knuckles in working order As a
precautionary measure he has dropped box
ing from his daily programme.
Phantom fisticuffs has taken its place
an1 to-cay saw the beginning. of the new
lent set-to was simply something which af-
forded both men an opportunity of doing
fast foot work. To the practiccd eye It
was great deal more
Armstrong is clever. daShing boxer
with good aim and wonderful reach Fitz-
simmons possesses the same qualifications,
order. 1t was Armstrong; straiyhtaway
methods against FftZSimmonS'S knowledge
of the tricks of the trade.
Inc mock battle was active from the
Jump: IT was whirl of undelivered blows
and folis for blows, and it held the atteu-
ton OF the watchers through four three
minute rounds.
Gloves were halted frequently within an
inch of the face. Cross-counters were with
held, when intent. apparently, on banging
against ear or chin, and heart punches
came to a sudden stop a wee bit shy of the
mark. Each man made mistakes at times
and looked as embarrassed as If aroused to
neck. " Wv
Fitzsimmons laid all kinds of snares for
his dusky colleague. He side-stepped and
shifted and baked, but the other Bob, bent
browed and alert wheeled and skinned and
kept the tricky Cornishman at bay. At the
very end of the bout Fi.zsimmons tri-
umphed. He left an opening. but it was only
a a 81 ruse: Around came the colored fellows S
left for the seemingly unprotected head.
HAD contact appeared inevitable he would
nave taken rap, as usual, but this time
the head wasn't there. 1t had disappeared
elbow. 's' i'''
At the same instant Fitzsimmons's sweat
sodden glove rested against Armstrong 5
You fell into trap that time" said
f!.t!z:sSllmmons US eNultingly.
That's what 1 did, murmured ARM
strong, abashed, as he made for his chair
1t was fast exhibition, and both men
were were streaming with perspiration at the
When you're boxing you can hold on and
rest rest awhile" explained Fitzsimmons. I'm
,, ms KIND OF thing. though. you have to
Keep going. Fftzsimmons then went in
hauling with Geoff Thorn. When it was ali
oyer oyer Bob breathed easily and naturally.
EgiGently his wind" is in perfect shane
ne Wnole man, in fact. shows evidence
oL careful, systematic training He is
snamn.ng, fiat-muscled wight as he glides
arter stt,,,, mis- opponent. but once there is a
sIipplng match the latent strength ap-
pears. His bceps become fiinty mounds. his
torearms suggest thick wire ropes and on
MS oack and over his shoulder blades sin
eWy strands and bulbs stand out so thinck
ana tangled that one wonders where he
stores them In times of peace.
FROM the character of Fitzsimmons's ex-
ercises 1t Is evident that he is going to
make more careful fight than he did with
Jeiiries There will he no walking up to
the cannons mouth this time and enduring
a sfllIlns fire in the hope of getting in one
lin, at that. but he will go with his head
luii OF defensive Ideas. with his knowledge
OF ducking and drawing away revamped
and III the full determination to smte
without being smitten.
y he may have some difficulty in Turing
ne VIII not remain within range while
thinking UP something new. He will be as
sh1tty t1tzSimmonS ever peered over
d glove. Otherwise, 4 whole lot of gilt
edge practice and coaching has been
thrown away.
The training of both men has practically
ended, and during the few days that re-
main each will confine himself to suficien.
exercise to keep on edge.
tltzslmmons was waited upon by the
moNing-picture man this morning. The
CorniShman swan, threw the medicine ball
SPARED with his partners and performed
other features before the camera, the pur-
pose being to use the pictures as preface
to the views which are to be taken on
the night Of the fight.