The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-01-07

JrOA-AAt1 otAA SS+~-
 PIexus Punch- What Jim JefTries
 says-HOw the Champion Whipped
 His Rivals.
 The question as to what part of a mans anatomy is best to attack to gain victory in prize fight is ,caus- ing some debate in fstic circles at pres ent. Some pugilists contend blow ac- curately delivered on the jaw or point of chin is the surest way, while others argue that by pounding the body the chances of ultimate success are greater. Bob Fitzsimmons is one of the few fight CTS who believes In the efficacy of body blows to win. Fitz has defeated the majority of his opponents with his so- called shift. which is nothing more than a feint with the right hand and drive in the stomach with the left hand, at the same time quickly reversing his feet from right to left, so as to steady himself to deliver the blow. It was this same shift that caused the defeat of Jim Corbett at Carson City in 1S9I Lanky Bob landed hard in the pit of Corbett's stomach, temporarily stop ping the latter's wind. For want of better name the spot was called solar plexus and the term has been popular with sporting writers in describing bat ties in the ring ever since.
 T have found in the course of my ring career said Fitzsimmons, that the body is the weakest part of a man, especially q pugilist. No matter how he may diet or take care of himself or how he may develop the abdominal muscles, a few well-delivered smashes there will son take all the steam out of him. Of course, there are some ex- captions. One in point is Jim Jeffries. He has body, when in condition, that is as hard as nails. I have landed number of times with all my might on his body, and he never winced. I've pounded his jaw and he did not seem to mind it. But in spite of this believe that the only way to defeat him is by blows in the body. It will be years yet before any one will be able to accom- plish this, however Jeffries is so big and strong that he can stand all kinds |of gruelling, and blow which would easily subdue an ordinary heavyweight, has no terrors for him.
 '"The jaw is naturally a delicate part of person, but it is hard to get at it, specially if your rival is shifty and clever. He will try to protect it at all times and give you his head to avoid being hit there. Now by doing this you have to run the risk of landing on his skull or forehead and suffering broken wrist or shattering the bones of your hand. To land repeatedly on your an- tagonist's head is certain to make your man groggy or dazed in time. But if he is in any kind of shape or if he knows ring tactics and uses generalship ne can recover and come back after the minutes rest between rounds and win out But the body is the great nerve center. Only those of abnormal development can stand constant ham mering in the body. In time the re- cipiert of body blows will be weakened and suffer loss of vitality. But one must have an experienced eye to per- ceive rivals weakened condition.
 There are many pugilists who will not display their weakness. Grit and gameness will enable them to conceal
 the fact that they are all in, but by
 some act they unconsciously betray it.. 1 Then and then only is the best time to | get home a smash on the jaw to win.
 T have knocked out opponents by 1 landing back of the neck and on the
 spine. This is another nerve center,
 land blow delivered hard enough on that spot will jar the brain and render l q man unconscious But it is difficult
 place to reach, unless your man turns
 around to get away from a swing or ducks into it. Landing under the heart
 and on the ribs repeatedly is a good way to win fights. But a clever man
 can ward off these blows In trying
 for these punches you must be careful
 because you cannot help leaving your self open when attacking these spots. Kid Mccoy does not agree with Fitz- simmons in some respects. While he thinks that the body is a good place
 to attack an adversary, he is of the Iopinion that the jaw is the most vul-
 nerable point to aim for.
 Some fighters play for the body be- cause the range and margin are larger than the jaw or face" he said. But a good swing on the jaw or mouth is the best spot to land on in my estimation. These are openings that I am always after, and such blows will win nine times out of ten. I'll admit that none Iof us like to get hit in the body, espe-
 cially if your digestion has been im- paired some time or other during your life. Jabs and hooks and well aimed 3swings will do the trick; at least, ]
 have always found it so.''
 Jim Jeffries has not settled views on the question. He says that the best
 way to win fights is to punch early and
 often. Before ngaging in mill with
 a rival" said the champion, q have nc fixed ideas just what plan of action ] lam going to take. My only aim is tc win and I go ahead to the best of my ability. If after getting home a good blow I discover that my rival has been weakened I keep begging away. Ii
 does not matter to me whether it is or the body or jaw. I just continue un- til the victory is mine. If I know tha-
 the man l am facing is of a nervous
 temperament usually attack his body These blows will rob him of his speed and make him a mark for finishine knock later on in the encounter. IT my fight with Tom Sharkey at Cone1
 Island l played for the ex-sailor's