The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-27
LONG, LANKY FITz
GREATEST OF ALL
CONTINUED From FIRST pageo
that pugilism is strenuous profes-
sion.
nnhr unh.a curcer

iNupS DODS CHrcCr.
A glance at their records makes
evident that old Bob Fitzsimmons was
tho wonder of fighters OF all ages. nov
only as workman. but so far as en-
durance is concerned. The frcckled one
fought his first battle when twenty
seven years old he won the middle
weight championship from Jack Demp-
ey at twenty nine. defeated Jim Cor
bett Tor the heavyweight title at thir-
ty-nVe and held II until he was past
thiry-seven. He lost to Jeffries, but
came back" year later. and made
chopping blocks of Gus RLhlin and
Tom Sharkey.
Fitz did not know when to stop Only
couple OF years ago he took up the
game again and lost to Bill Lang, in
sydney. AT that time F'itz was forty
Beven years of ago end had been a
score OF years in harness. Where In
the annals OF iistiana has such q career
been duplicated?
Bob Fitzsimmons's ring life was that
of Eddie Hanlon. OF San Francisco
who probably holds the record for
quick aging. Eddie was nghtinE at
hiteen. was on the down grade at
twenty and was regarded as a good
oid has been" at twenty ono. He
pottered along awhile and dropped
completely out OF the game at twenty
three
How old was Jim corbett when h..
won the championship" was asked re-
Gently
Age of Henvies.
In order - head off similar queries
the following Information Is given:
sullivan was twenty-four years old
"hen he became champion under tho
ola rules. When thirty-four he lost
to Jim corbett under the oueensbury
system of milling. corbett was TWEEN
ty-siN when ne became worlds cnam.
pion. and he held II until he was ti,r-
ty-one. giving way TO Fitzsimmons
RITZ. as already stated, became heavy
weight champion at thlrty-nve. end
enjoyed the distinction for two years
Jim IeHr!es was twenty -FOUR years
old when ne defeated Fltzsimmpns at
coney Island Big Jim retired from
the ring when he was twenty mine and
was coaxed back into the storm reg
Ion, to his sorrow, when he was thir-
TYNE Jack Johnson was thlrty-two
a ears old when he did for Jefr!es at
Fteno.
Age Fnrt In Ring.
Many OF the fighters now regarded
as belonging 10 past generation are
comparatively young men. Take Phil
adelphia Jack OBrlen. for instance
Some OF the New York sporting writ
er5 described tho pitible efforts Of
old Jack" In the recent AFFAIR with
Sam Langford. yet Jack is only thlrty.
three Young Corbett. who was
brigham shining light of the Queens
bury realm few years ago. is hut
thiriy-one, and Terry McGovern. who
is also on the retired list. apparently
is me same age Tom Sharkey cried
enough OF the ring at twenty-nine
bep Nelson who is only twenty-nine
~ present, has 10 admit that he was
no longer tho durable Dane when ne
went under to Adj Wolgast on Rich
mond Field a year and a half ago. Abe
Atteli who is just twenty-seven. Is
evidently OF the opinion that he should
not be asked 20 tackle the younGsters
OF MS class unless he Is we'll paid for
taking the risk
From the look OF things at present
tho promoters VIII try to lure some a.
these old timers back into the eaua
something viii have 10 be done. 70,
thst matter. or classy contests win b.
rev and far between The new men
"ho are worth paying to see. are M.
toriously few.