Pueblo chieftain., 1921-03-19
BY ISAYO.


This story pertains to the Fftzsim
mons Hall battle which was fought at
New Orleans March S, 1898. Hall was
considered by many to be the best
tighter that the Cornishman had ever
met. He had defeated such fighters
as Frank Slavin, Ted Pritchard and
other good men, and he claimed to
have defeated Bob in four rounds in
Australia, although Fitz claimed that
ne had laid down to Hall. In contrast
II is certain that he substantiated this
claim
After he had won the middlewcight
title from Dempsey. and had so hand
lily defeated Maher. his stock as "A
tiShter went soaring, and 1t was "A
theory with several prominent sport
promoters that his next battle would
draw an immense crowd. so they or
ganized the Audubon club and a large
amphitheatcr was built a considerable
distance out on Canal street. 1t was
a great wooden structure, built in
the shape of a circus tent.
The purse Of $4,000 was the largest
amount that any two pugilists had
ever fought for up to that time.
l have stated several times in these
stories that Fitz was never managed
properly after Carroll left him, and
herc was shining illustration. out
of $4,000 he should have gotten, he
received less than 5000. He got the
building, later selling 1t for old lum-
bcr.
But let us go back several months.
to get the inside history OF this IA
nous battle. Jimmy Carroll having
severed business relations with F'itz.
had remained in New Orleans some
time. when one morning l met him at
the Louisville & Nashville railroad sta
ton. l asked him where he was going
and ho replied that II he did tell me
it was not for publication; promising
"A I hns h. "a
he told me that he was going back
TO Australia, and would bring the only
man in the world back to America, who
could beat Bob. l asked him who this
was and hc told mo I'm the greates;
confidence that II was Jim Hall. He
has bea, him once, and he can do il
again said Carroll.
Never having heard OF Hall II would
he Foolish to form an opinion, but
doubted the judgment OF Carroll. There
was ono thing sure. | knew positively
the remarkable prowees OF FItz. and
consequently doubted the Judgment Of
Carroll
Time passed and nothing was heard
OF Carroll. In tho intcrim Fitz had
been able TO get ON few fights and
had put away James Farrell Joe God
Trey. Jerry Slattcry, Miilard Gender
and "A few o,hors. In contradistinction
to the champion OF today. he avoided
no one. He did not coin the phrase
go and make n reputation" he was
In the fighting game and where any
sort of "A match could bc arranged. he
did not hesitate: he fought and he
won.
At last Carroll. was Indirectly heard
from. Hall came to tho United States
under tho management of the famous
Charley Mitchell. puEilist. and Squire
AbhinSdon, noted English sporting
man. Tho Audubon club matched
Han and Fftz, the contest to take
place March s. 1898. As has been stat
cd in these stories OF the CornIshman.
he never was favoritc with the ma
lority. and the Australian fiasco with
HAN IN which the claim was made that
BOB laid down in four rounds, WIS an
incentive for much adverse criticism
IL lasted even until tho day of the
contest. and made Hall n favoritc.
Han stood 6 feet y inch and
fought at about $50 pounds. He was
magnificent specimen of the ath-
letc and wonderful boxer. When
the men faced the referee tho
thought was uppermos; that Hall was
the stronger and better built man. but
TO the keen observer IT was noticeable
that he lacked build where Il was OF
tho most Importance. Thcro was lit
tie advantage to either man,-so far
as rcach and height were concerned.
/ have mentioned tho characterize
tics that real champion must poss-
csS and OF tftz possessing them all
This battle demonstrated his marvel
Gus abilities In judging distance. The
attainment that beat Hall and Corbett.
fit@ssnmons possessed many ecccntri-
cities.-hc cvaded the prescribed