Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-24

champion TO Bob F1tzslmmohs. MS
story follows:
"On the day of my fight with Fitz-
simmons, we drove to the scene OF the
contest. 1t was In sort of valley
surrounded by snow capped mountains
and a truly ideal spot.
When | arrived at Carson City |
learned that Fitzsimmons' wife was
going TO be in his corner. What a
woman she was, She is dead and
gone now: and. although she said
many unkind things, and flung num-
berless taunts at me. to which / could
hot reply, | have no hesitation In say
ing that she was the best friend Bob
Fitzsimmons ever had.
There she was in Bobs corner.
did not approve OF her being there.
for / hold that prize-ring is not the
proper place for woman. But who
could help admiring her love and de-
votion to her great freckled faced hus-
band Yes; when she died, Fftzsim-
mons lost his best cbum.
in his corner, my opponent had
his brother-in-law. Martin Julian, a
couple OF other men, and his wife.
ner there was discord among the jeal-
Gus trainers, and had more trouble
with them than | thought l should
have to defend my title of champion
of the world against Fftzsimmons.
The great fight started. And 1
made up my mind that was going
to carry Fitzsimmens along faster
than he had ever been carried be-
fore Fitz had to settle himself be-
fore delivering a blow, whereas ! was
like a phantom, fitting here and there.
and thinking my speed and quickness
would so mix up Fitzsimmons that
all the calculations would be knocked
out of him.
so went right in at the beginning.
and started the aggressive tactics.
Just as soon as he would get settled
] would not fight him; | would get
away. and then rush back, hitting
him every time | struck at him.
Speed, speed, speed. 1t 10 telling
its tale see the fight over again
as | write. land again and gain on
his body; his face is punched almost
beycs~d recognition
speed, speed, speed. Surely it is
leading Fitz down TO his doom. The
sixth round. hit him a terrible left
hand hook on the jaw. Down he goes.
Surely, think, the fight is mine! |
am still the worlds champion,
Can he get up? A woman dashes
to the side OF the ring 'Bob-Bob.
she shrieks Get up Her voice
rings above the turmoil. beseeching.
praying. commanding the man on the
floor to rise and continue the grim
struggle.
The woman is in a frenzy Of de-
.spair as the still figure makes no
move. 'Bob-Bob! Get up,' she walls
again And, in some mysterious man
rer, her supplication seems TO- pene-
;rate through the mist which envei-
Opes his brain. and Fitzsimmons rises
TO his .eet.
Il am Tary. know that F1tz Is
never more dangerous than when he
seems licked because / have seen
him win four or five fights after he
has apparently been beaten.
I've re.at it again. determine 10
keep away from him until I see
clear opening. There it is. go
punching away at him for every ounce
7 am worth. VIII ne never give inf
What xameness; what ability to take
punishment, | have never seen the
like OF 1t before. He takes all ! can
give him, and then comes back for
more.
Round after round passes, until, In
the fourteenth. I begin to get more
confdept Fitz is getting little SLOW
err I am feinting to get Fitz to let
a right hand swing go. He has done
this so times in the fight with such
force that 1t turns him completely
round. So far. have jumped away
to avoid the punch. and have not
been able to get back in time to do
any harm
The Great Swing
But I think the next time I VIII
simply fling my head back, without
moving my whole body, so that shall
be right on the top of him when he
turns round
well. this great swing comes a,
la.t 1 sir,nnlx thrnz ont nv sfomach