The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-28

with good heart, and in consequence
the eve of the contest finds him bereft
of grossness and as spry as a kitten.
But looks and liveliness are not ev-
erything in a case of this kind. Cor
belts appearance at present tells plain
ly that he has labored as he never la
bored before 1t will be for the fight
itself to make clear whether it was lack
of condition or the fact of having met
better man that brought him defeat
on that other occasion.
While Corbett's we'll wishers are in
ecstasies over his looks, nothing has
developed so far to suggest that he will
be made favorite over Nelson or that
he will sell evenly with the Durable
Dane. The little Denverite has many
sympathizers among those who admire
boxing merely as a sport or pastime
but the hard-headed fellows who weigh
every circumstance carefully, with the
object of raking in a bet, will string
their shekels or Nelson, according to in
dications.
The matter in a nutshell is about as
follows: Among the form students of
the boxing game there are compare =
lively few who believe that it was poor
training that caused Corbett to go I'M
der in the last fight. The majority
opinion seems to be that Nelson lays
over Corbett in staying power and
fighting force, and that what happened
The circumstances are such that if
Corbett wins his victory will be regard
ed as the biggest thing he has accom-
pltshed since he dtfeated Terry Nc
Govern the first time. Some of the
men Battling Nelson has around him
in his Larkspur quarters have been
very diligent handing out misleading
information concerning the Dane s
fluctuations in weight. It almost looks
as though an effort was made to create
the impression that Nelson would nave
very hard work getting to loz POUNDS.
There was a whisper, even, that he
would have to resort to steam baths
and engage the services of a masseur
who made a speciality of running OH
weight. Another story had 1t that Mel
sons left arm was in sueh shape that
he could not raise it to his race
During the past few days more favor
able reports have been forthcoming
about the Danes weight the real truth
of the matter is that there was never
cause for uneasiness. Nelson, who is
growing, had more to take or than
usual when he began work, out his
thorough methods soon mastered the
difficulty. AS for the crippled IeIt arm
Nelson has it with him always 1t IS a
twisted ligament somewhere near the
elbow and the injury was sustained IN
the Danes club days when ne was hght-
ing his way to the front he cannot hit
his left hand to a level with ms throat
that is, by slow motlon-put as ne
himself expresses it, the greatest IN
convenience he experiences IS when MS
necktie comes undone. He cannot retie
it.
Some have known about Nelson's de-
fective left for many moons ana nave
wondered whether the faully conultioh
of the arm may not be respohs.ole' m
directly, for the butting tactics the
Dane occasionally employees when fght-
ing. Everybody knows what rapid,
two-handed workman Neison Is IN tIe
ring, and it is quite posslpie elidt 70
correct the stiIted action of his left arm
he wrenches his upper body ana neaa
and at times butts an opponent unln-
tentionally.
The sporting fraternity may rest as
sured that Nelson will be at weight and