Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-05-20

60 some" / made up my mind right
on the spot that the champion wouldn't
and me lacking. After a quiet talk
with Corbett, Delaney asked the news
paper men and the rest of the staff to
go up to the hotel and leave him alone
with me. There was some argument,
but Jim insisted. He explained that
he wanted to have a private tryout
and see how we would work together.
In the next few minutes got a new
idea Of what a champion should be
like. Griffin was clever enough when
he fought me, but he was nothing be-
side this Corbett. Jim danced in and
out so fast that 1t was hard to hit him
at ALL He ducked under swings easi-
ly and bobbed up again unhurt. He
jabbed me and jumped away before l
could get him. Now and then he tried
to feint me out. but l never did fall
for feint, even IN those days. When
man feints at me l just walk into
him, and he can punch away If he
pleases.
At the end of our bout / was pleased
enough with myself. Corbett had
landed on me almost whenever he
wanted to- but he hadn't shaken me
with his punches didn't feel like
trying to get away from him. ! had
worked fast. and ! noticed that when
went after him he took pains, as
rule. to move out of the way That
showed me something didn't need
to back away even from champion
like Corbett And he had to back
away from me. SO all ! needed was
to develop fast footwork and some of
his skill in hitting and I'd have at
least an even break with him or any
one else. determined to get that
speed before left Carson
From that afternoon ! knew the big
gest honor In the ring wasn't beyond
my reach. | thought the whole thing
over Here was chance for me to
work three or four weeks with the
master boxer of them all There was
no need for hurry. I'd take my time
and learn all could I'd be patient
and let Corbett hammer me as much
as he chose. but every day I'd tuck
some new information away in the
back of my mind. Then when the
championship fight was over I'd 20
out and meet all the heavyweights
whip them one by one and finally fight
Corbett or Fitzsimmons laid my
plans right there and kept my mouth
shut
When went to bed that night l
dropped off 70 sleep in couple of sec
onds, as always do slept without
moving until Billy Delaney came and
shook me to wake me up for breakfast
When we all sat down Delaney turned
to me with a solemn look on his face
and said:
You're a nervous big fellow. aren't
yoH?"
why. no" said, I'm not nervous"
"You don't want TO be nervous just
about boxing with the champion" he
said. not paying any attention to my
denial you aren't going to be hurt
much You ought 10 try to get in
some sleep Don't lie awake all night
because if you do you won't be strong
enough to give Jim here any work"
II don't lie awake minute" de
clared. feeling that Delaney wasn't
giving me good reputation.
Then why did you get up in the
middle of the night as If you couldn't
sleep and slI in the window for cou-
pie of hours?" he went on, more SOL
emnly still
81 didn't" ! said
managed to get away with six or
eight soft boiled eggs and as many
chops. with vegetables of one sort or
another ! looked mp for a moment
while in the act of reaching for anoth-
er chop
Don't you feel little sick, JefT'
Billy asked solicitously why don't
you brace up and try TO eat bite or
two? You can't give Corbett any work
on an empty stomach"
Here the whole crowd began to
laugh, and | hurriedly came to the
conclusion that they were having a
little fun with me, They were all just
ordinary men II they were in cham
pion's camp instead of in boiler shop
That day Corhett and boxed again.
Delaney aud Charlie White were
coaching me and telling me what to
do, for they wanted me TO fight as
much like FitzsimmOns as possible.
They had me shift my feet around,
pull my left hand back little and let
drive with it for Corbett's ribs, The
first time did It the champion step
SaR htgA