The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-29
CORBETT DISCUSSES
STYLES OF FIGHTING

L see lot of unfavorable criticism in
the newspapers these days about the re-
cent tight between Jimmie Britt and Bat
tl1ng Nelson, said former Champion
James ]. Corbett recently "The talk in
the main comes from class of people who
were several thousand miles from the
scene OF the battle. Nevertheless they
are more talkative than the ones who sat
at the ringside.
This criticism is chiefly on the ring
methods of Jimmie Britt. Those critics
be classed as a fighter, DESPITE the fact
that he has stood up against and won
the decision from every man he has met
except Cans. and he lost to him on foul.
1t Will be interesting to the readers Of
this column to know how Britt manages
time
"There are two kinds of fighters One is
the man who stands up and takes two
punches to land one
The other is the man who likes to send
nome the waliop as often as possible
without receiving one in return.
punch orPunch Style
Tn I'm the old days of Sullivan, Kilrain,
and during the days of McGovern among
the little fellows. the former class was in
evidence dIs and was always popular.
+o Today, a1"s however, you will find the lat
ing exponent of this style He goes into
the ring always in the best possible con-
dition. Long before, he has decided upon
his plan OF battle.
This is largely true of every other man
in the business today, although many
deny 1T. 1t is the result of ring evolution;
the outcome of ring science.
Britt approaches his man cautiously
No kilograms are sent about his plans.
He acts quickly. Before his opponent has
prepared himself for the fast, quick blows
ne mas received them and Britt is hanging
on. Britt by so doing is saving himself
and making up in headwork what he lacks
IN strength such as comes with years Of
labor in blacksmith shop or foundry
with Nelson. Ring followers claim. and
Britt comedies, the advantage of Nelson
in strength. This had to be Offset in some
manner. and the style Britt adopted was
The result of his plans was that Britt
landed two and probably three good
punches. while Nelson. with his sleep pro
deucing Wallop hanging back. was waiting
son was waiting. Britt landed five punch
es on the spot aimed at, while his on
p,onent , failed to deliver one. At the con-
referee to do? Give the fight to the man
who had done nothing and was probably
fresher because he had been taking beat
ings all his life, OF to Britt who had land
ed five good stiff punches to his on
ponent's one. and displayed excellent ring
tactics and science? I may be wrong. but
if / were in the referees place I would
give the uSnt 10 the man that righJfuliy
won it on points, admitting, however, that
had the fight gone on Indefinitely. as in
the old days, such a man as Nelson pro-
vided he could stand the strain would
probably land the telling punch some
time.
The most peculiar incident I ever ex
per1enced In the ring was pulled off at the
Metropole club, at Providence, R. l., back
in the early 90's. had gone to that city
to srar four rounds at a boxing show and
when arrived found that was expected
to referee some OF the fights. This was
something new to me and I objected b,If
was compelled to do the stunt or returr,
to New York without my end of the re-
ceipts Two green men were sent in for
the windup. At the conclusion of tfa
tenth round one man had the other so
badly beaten that was compelled to give
him the decision to save slaughter. In
stead of counting out the man who was
lying on the floor in a pool of his own
blood, took the other mans hand and
held 1t up, declaring him the winner. IT
was his first big victory and the shock of
being pronounced the winner was more
than he could stand, so he tainted
The other fellow slowly crawied to his
feet to continue the fight He saw his
opponent lying Of the floor like q dead
man. The sight revived him, and he de-
manded the decision
was in q pretty fix. Here was the
winner. unconscious. on the floor and the
defeated man standing on his feet.
The crowd appreciated my position.
and at once declared had done the right
thing, but to this day have an enemy in
Providence