The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-02-20

Then in March, 1897, he lost to Bob Fitzsimmons at Carson City Nev. In his defeat there were enough human and dramatic fac tors for a play-a tremendous bal- lyhoo, long count, the presence or bad men" with six-guna at the ringside ito see that everything went right" a famous clinch in which Ruby Bob saved himself by wrapping his legs around Corbett's knees, and a lucky haymaker that became famous as the ''solar plexus" punch.
 After the fight was signed for In New York, the principals set out to find a place to hold it. Dan stuart made an attractive offer for the bout to be held in Dallas. Texas, but after the arena had been almost completed, the gov ernor refused to permit 1t. Governor Objects
 Corbett was invited to hold the bout at Hot Springs. Ark. The governor ruled against 1t, but local authorities assured Corbett that he could go ahead safely, and Jim arranged to build some stands with his own money. However, when Fitzsimmons tried to cross the border he was halted by two delegations - governors special deputies and the sheriff from Hot Springs.
 Fitz faced a dilemma. If he &C., cepted the escort of the sheriff, he risked arrest by the governors deputies. So he chose their pro- lection instead, accompanying them to Little Rock.
 Corbett was furious when he heard of Fitz's decision. He blast ed Fitz in the newspapers-and Fitz blasted back. Angry at being chased from state to state, Jim re- tired, handing the title to Peter Maher, the Irish champ. Then Fitz beat Maher.
 Free For All
 One evening in a Philadelphia hotel Fitz and Jim met-and Jim twisted Ruby Bob's nose in the lobby: A free-for-all that made good copy for the sports writers naturally ensued.
 Public demand for a bout be- tween the two men increased, and finally Dan Stuart made another offer for the fight, this time at Carson City.
 An odd angle to the training camp activities was that Jim Jeff ries was engaged as rubber and trainer for Corbett. Jeff was given the job of keeping one of the champions legs in shape, a diff ferent rubber being assigned to each arm and the other leg. Jeff was 8 big willing fellow, and often boxed with Corbett during the training period.
 Gunmen Present
 There were two gangs at the ringside that March afternoon. Tn Corbett's corner was delegation of six-gun manipulators headed by Wyatt Earp, noted as "the quick est man on the draw in the west" Behind Fitzsimmons was an equal ly large delegation led by Bat Mas terson, on whose gun were IS notches whittled memorial to men slain in lawless mine camps.
 The fight appeared to be Cor bett's. right up to the 14th and last round. He dealt Fitz terrific punishment. In the sixth round. Fitz, groggy from body blows, dropped to the floor. Crouching. he wrapped his arms around Cor bett's legs.
 There was a situation for George siler. the referee! Corbett called to him to count If he al- lowed a foul. guns would roar across the crude ring. If he broke Fitz's grip on the champions legs, there would be just as heavy a barrage.
 He hesitated for just few fleet ing seconds-then Fitz let go and sat down. And Siler began to count. At Siler's mine" a re- freshed Fitzsimmons arose. After ward, Corbett insisted that Fitz was on the floor fully IS seconds.
 As he got up Fitz covered. Cor bett tried to pry him from his shell, but he stayed the round. Corbett had shot the works on the chance for a knockout. When he came out for the seventh he was tired. But he continued his pun ishment of the freckled Welsh man, who kept trying continual ly for Corbett's body.
 Was You There Shar.be?
 Fitzsimmons tried desperately
 
 for a punch that would land ef- fectiyely. He swung from the floor with lefts and rights. stalking his chances on one wild shot find ing its rcark.
 Finally one did. A long swing caught Jim in the pit of the stom-. ach. Corbett, still conscious, went down, He reached vainly for the ropes. and fell on his face. Bob Fitzsimmons was the winner and the new champion.
 When Corbett finally was able to begin breathing again, he was like a tiger. He rushed at Fttzsim- mons, demanding another hght But after that, Ruby Bob let Gen. tleman Jim strictly alone.
 Next: Corbett meets the man nc once hired as rubber.