THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 27, 1989.
CUT, SLASHED, SMASHED, A CHOPPING BLOCK IN CORBETT'S HANDS, BUT
By Leo Fuller
Page
FITZSIMMONS WINS WITH FIRST SOLAR PLEXUS PUNCH
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!
than four hundred assorted weapons Changed Strategy
Pitiless Sun
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to
It
Carson City in the desert state men's handlers pulled them away in fight to the champion, but morcilessly continued to outbox his fue, but now of Nevada, toughest of Western time.
Corbett cut, slashed and smashed. He he fought in bursts of fury, instead of tough towns. Rendezvous for trains thundered into the little town he unleathed terrible smashes to the The odds shortened somewhat, as this A week before the great day, special was a poem of high speed action, and his usual smooth, devastating rhythm. grizzled, iron-jawed miners. from all the great cities of New York, body that caused Fitzsimmons to gasp was to be a fight to a finish. Taverns on every street corner, and on St. Patrick's day, 1897, hun- and groan. By the sixth round, Bob All the time Fitzsimmons aimed and gambling halls in
dreds of thousands milled around the was in a sorry condition. His face, was high at Corbett's head, and higher and every street. The arena was pitched in the cut to ribbons, and the blood poured higher, rose his guard. Through a block. Ramshackle buildings and middle of a race course, and the sun down his chest unceasingly. The odds mask of blood, the undaunted challen- dust deep roads. Lather flecked had scarcely risen before the crowds lengthened, and the gamblers offered ger watched for his chance. horses and shining six shooters, poured through the gate.
five to one to any who wanted to sup- Roaring, drunken, sun-soaked prepared for trouble. He had a verit-
The famous Sheriff Bat Masterson port the challenger!
Surged Forward and dangerous.
At the end of the sixth session. able army of deputies, all armed to the singing right hander blasted into Fitz, alled, Fitz surged forward and started When the Tourteenth round was sign- This was the scene of one of the teeth. They took up their positions at simmons' chin, and he dropped to the one of those right hands for the head. greatest battles for the heavy presented his ticket, he was 'gone over the azure blue sky, while the referee, but that right hand never landed.
the entrances, and so each spectator canvas. Ear splitting yells rose Instinctively up went Corbett's guard, weight championship of the world for lethal weapons. He was given that has ever taken place.
a flagged his hand. His face beaten al was a feint. The receipt for his gun, just as a theatre, most out of recognition, Fitzsimmons gloves, Fitz 'shifted', bringing his right. As Corbett raised his rivals were Gentleman Jim Corbett goer checks his hat.
took a count of nine before rising to foot forward, and moving up close to and Ruby Robert Fitzsimmons, and
Before the big fight there were more face a blazing attack. they both hated each other like stored away for safe keeping.
the champion. Then, like a bolt from the clouds, a wicked right to the heart poison. Corbett had taken the title
and a left larided with crushing force from the mighty John L. Sullivan,
In the minute's rest that followed, to the pit of Corbett's stomach. Mrs. Fitzsimmons, one of the few wo left was an inhuman blow.
That but there had arrived from Corn- ched the arena, that amazing crowd and whispered urgently to her hus- forward. Fitz hooked him under the As the pitiless afternoon sun dren- men present, climbed into the corner Gentleman Jim gasped, and slumped wall by way of Australia, an awk leaned forward eagerly, as the princi- band. From the next round on, ward, lanky, bald headed freckled pals entered the ring. Despite Mas- challenger changed his strategy.
the chin as he was sinking. Like a house man, a physical freak and a great ern desperado Wyatt Earp sat at the bett's head, although he had little hope ing.
terson's vigilence, that infamous West- began to swing a right hand at Cor- sank to the canvas, amid furious shout- He of cards the Pompadour crumpled and fighter. Weighing only about a ringside in the midst of his mob, all of reaching his target, owing to hundred and sixty pounds, he had with their iron ware handy. It was as champion's
the Thus was seen for the first time in miraculous the shoulders and arms of a giant, well nothing occurred to give
cleverness. boxing history the 'solar plexus punch', them Nevertheless, he succeeded in causing and with that incredible smash went a barrel-like chest, set on slim, displeasure! spindley legs.
Fitzsimmons acknowledged the roars to the body.
Corbett to raise his impenetrable guard the world's heavyweight championship Punching like a of the crowd, dressed in a Japanes?
in one of the most sensational fights wild cat, he had taken the middle- robe, and rythmically chewing gum, been lying a battered wreck on the
By rights Fitzsimmons should have ever been. weight title from Non-Pareil Jack He refused to shake hands with
When he had recovered from the canvas.
the Yet he still kept going. Still effects of the blow, Corbett, realising Dempsey. And now he was gunning returned to their corners. Breathless block; and he was taking punches that him, rushed across the ring blindly and cool, handsome Corbett, and they both he was little better than a chopping his prize laurels had been torn from after Corbett's crown.
minutes before the bell; shouts of the would have killed most Fight talks swept the United States bookmakers; the unnatural hush; and positively streamed all over him; he with the new heavyweight king. Still
men; blood furiously, and tried to like a hurricane; thousands of news- then the dramatic clang, and the fight was wide open to the world with no blood-covered, Fitzsimmons lept at come to grips paper columns were filled with specula- was on.. tion and training tales, Into Carson
semblance of a guard; his face was him, and it took the combined strength City, weeks before the contest, poured addagio dancer, Corbett swept into the frightful spectacle.
Boxing superbly, moving like an gashed beyond belief, and he looked a of their seconds to keep them apart, motley crowd. Gunmen, crooks, fray, his wondrous left hand playing a
as they stood hurling insults at each ladies of leisure; hobos, loafers, des- fiercesome tattoo
Only once did Fitz step back, work other. cended in hundreds from the freight ugly face. Fitzsimmons flashed to the to the champion's belly. Corbett gasp. hands, which was a great pity, because on the challenger's his 'shift' and smash home left hook It was years before they finally shook cars; gamblers, faro dealers, card attack, his long arms. sharpers plied their trade freely.
whirring like ed, but made such a splendid recovery they were both magnificent fighters. windmill sails. But, Excitement ran high
tantalisingly, that few noticed that he'd been hurt. And none have ever fought more clean- as the men Corbett slithered around the ring, step- went into training, and on one occa- ping out of danger and hitting with a slowed up. Maybe it was the Cornish- simmons, both of whom have their Yet as round followed round, Corbett, ly and gamely than Corbett and Fitz- sion they met on the road. Insults precision and force that brought roars man's iron determination that weaken- names high in boxing's history. flashed, and the championship was al- from the spectators, most decided there and then, but the Gamely Fitzsimmons carried the ed, his feet became leadened. He still ed his spirit. His weariness increas-
ARMY SPORTLIGHT
We regret that owing to pres- sure on space “Squaddy's" Army Sportlight has been held over. It will appear in all editions of the "China Mail" to-morrow.
FOOTBALL
SCOTS
WIN AT VANCOUVER
1
Interport Swimming Discussed
-ex-
Following a letter received from and were responsible for all the Shanghai Swimming Associa-penses. The Club had decided that tion inviting the Colony to send a all such profits in future should be team to the northern port during placed into a special Interport ac- the first and second week of Sep-count as a provision for future ex- tember, an Interport Committee penses when visiting. Shanghai. meeting was held at the Victoria Recreation Club yesterday evening. Owing to the absence of several Chinese club representatives to at- tend the meeting yesterday another meeting will be calling within the next three weeks.
pro-
As the invitation has been visionally accepted it was decided
ARMY ASSISTANCE
The Army representative Mann thought that the Area Sports Lt.
Board would assist any Army swim- mers chosen to represent the Co- lony.
(COPYRIGHT) To-morrow-Punch Drunk.
BOXING
TO-MORROW'S BIG FIGHT
New York, To-day-Joe: Louis is a 6-1 on favourite to beat Tony Galento, the Newark har-tender at the Yankee Stadium to-morrow night in defence of the world heavyweight boxing champforstlip but Galento is confident and un- worried by Louse's thrus
ish: himin › one-i Schmeling, Jack
Henry Lewis.
Galento weighs nearly 17 stone. -Reuter.
Only two men
Vancouver, June 7. The Scot- tish F. A. team beat Vancouver All Stara by four goals to one here
Inst night. Three Scottish goals were
will be accepted Mr. Lopes said that if the In- for each event and three for the scored in the second half, after the at the meeting to hold swimming terport was to be held in Septem-medley relay and four for the free teams had been level 1-1 at half-gala to raise the necessary funds. lony Championships, to be held bestyle relay. time. Press Association.
OLYMPIC GAMES
Mr. Gittins, who presided, said ber it was necessary for the Co- Mr. S. V. Gitting presided at the that the question of financing the fore that time and suggested meeting and among those present team must be considered from the August 15. This would greatly as-were Mr. D. F. Lopes, M. M. de V. start.
sist the selectors.
In reply to Lieut, Mann, Mr. Gittins said that the selection com mittee would be composed of mem- bers of clubs interested in the In-
yards
Soares and A. 0. Barretto (V.R.C.), Wong Siu-hong (Chinese Y.M.C.A.), Lt. Mann (Army) and R. Goldman: (European Y.M.C.Á.).
It was suggested that the gate receipts from the trials be kept to- London, June 6 The Interna wards the expenses, although the tional Olympic Committee, meeting selected swimmer's club would have in London, decided against includ to bear the major part of the ex- terport. ing field hockey, basket ball, hand-pense. Hong Kong had only to The Interport events will: ball, and women's gymnastics in worry about the passage expense 25 88 follows:
SOUTH CHINA DRAW the programme of the Olympic all other expenses in Shanghai | stroke; 100 yards breast Toke Games at Helsinki next year. N would be borne by the Shanghai 220 yards free style; 440 yards
Rangoon Yesterday. Invitations for Lausanne and De- Swimming Association.
freestyle; 880 yards
South China drew with the troit for the holding of the 1944 Mr. Lopes added that the V.R.C. style; fancy diving from the one Burma team sharing two goala Games were received, but deci- who had organised all the past In- metre board; 180 yards medley re- Sunday. Chan Tak-fai scored for sion will not be made until other terports took all the profits or losses, lay, free style relay and a water South China. Our Own Correspon- applications
and Interpor was held here polo match.
dent.