The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
HE is A TRICKY FIGHTER.


New York Sun.
Fitzsimmons, it may be said has all the
nSffers beaten mile when it comes down
TO thickness in the ring. Those who saw
MN indulge in a fake knockout bout with
Jeff Thorne in the Madison-square Garden
at John l.. Sulivan's benefit three years
ago will never forget the antics of the Cor
nishman. But IL was in four-round bout
over in Newark ten years ago that FitZ
gave mis- best imitation of taking. In order
to draw a crowd some local sporting men
Dug up an Irishman named Jack Hickey,
who had just come over from the emerald
Isle with the declaration that he was the
middleweight champion of that country.
Hickey wanted to know what kind or a
fighter Fftzsimmons was and his newly
made friends told him that the Cornish
man could not fight a little bit and was
bluff.
I'll bate the spalpeen!" cried Hickey to
an admiring crowd one day. 'Only let me
at him.
So match was made between Hickey
and Fitz for four rounds at Shooting Park.
Those who had Hickey in tow told him that
the only way to beat Fitz was to. wade
left for the head. They. also told Fitz about
the Ifishman and Bob got into the humor
OF the affair inm sdiately. When Hickey got
into the ring that night he was confident OF
winning an easy victory.
never seen this here Fitzsimmons.
said he to his seconds, but when 1 do III
tell yez how easy it'll be-"
The crowd broke into cheers as Fitz ap-
Feared. Robert wore a scared look and APP
parently was so ratified that he could not
climb through the ropes. One of his seconds
the moment he sat down he was seemingly
Ia tremble
why. the spalpeen is licked now" ex-
claimed Hickey. His knees is knockin'
together and he wants TO quit! Keep him
do him. quick"
Fitz made an attempt to climb out of the
ring. but his seconds dragged him back.
hen Hickey was dead sure he had the
mdch-vaunted Cornishman at his mercy.
FOB knew so little about the gloves that
his seconds had to show him how to draw
, them on. The gong rang for the men to
shake hands. but when Fitz shuffied up
freckled face Hickey refused to shake with
He's coward. begob! I'll soon knock
his red head off,"
The battle began and Hickey sailed in,
| right and left Fitz saw him coming and
turned tail. In moment Hickey was chas-
| ing Bob all over the ring.
| Stand up and fight!" roared the Irish
! man. You're no man at all, at alli Fitz
! turned and clinched. The referee had great
oat to find the Cornishman on the dead
| run.
"Wot kind of fighter are yez?" fairly
ike ms Re Ftp
! In a corner. made no reply When he had
| regained his breath Hickey rushed again
| and this time he planted a right handler on
| the side of Fitzs head. Bob reeled against
| the ropes and grabbed them with both
hands to keep from falling. -
1 AHA, begorra. I've got yez" beloved the
| Irishnan, who piled in with all his
| strength. Fitz was groggy, apparently, and
| Hickey was so excited that he lost his head
| completely. The gong rang just as they
| came together and Hickey, dancing jig
| hurried to his corner in high giee.
| I'll bate him to dith," he exclaimed as
he gared across the ring at FitZ, who
seemed to be in great distress. When the
gong rang again Bob came out OF his corner
like a man seventy years old He shuffieC
along to the middle of the ring and feebly
| threw his arms around Hickey's neck a:
| they clashed.
| stand back" shrieked Hickey, beside
| himself with rage. Fitz drew away anC
ducked half dozen blows. Then he turned
his back and allowed Hickey TO chase hin
| to corner With yell of triumph Hickey
was in the act of raining blows on th'
| Cornishman's head when something hap
| pened. Fitz steadied himself, let go th'
right for a head blow, which pulled vi
Hiekey's guard. and then drove the lef
home to the pit of the stomach with ter
rifle force. 1t sounded like butcher strik
ing a piece of beef with a cleaver. Hicke!
was lifted completely off his feet an,
tumbled over backward unconscious Hi
second instantly threw up the sponge. Tel
minutes later the Irishman opened his eyes
WAS it a house that fell on me-" h
asked, ''or was 1t horse carp