Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1893 — FIGHTERS' FISTS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FIGHTERS' FISTS.

Chamcterlstlr* of the Hard Hitting “Dukes” of Champion Pugilists. To-day, as of old, the gladiators of the world meet in the arena—a fistic one—and do battle. The sport may-

hap is neither so bloody nor so dangerous, yet many a man has been killed by a blow from his foeman’s fist The hands of a pugilist de-

serve and receive the most attention, for on his hands does the brunt of battle fall. A great deal depends on the pugilist himself in regard to making his fist what it should be. Some inexperienced fighters make a fatal mistake in permitting the joints of the phalanges of their index fin-

gers to project beyond the others when they close their hands. This mistake often proves fatal to the

fighter who does so, for in a critical moment the bones are liable to snap. The great danger to the bones is when a fighter lands a swinging blow on the forehead or on the back of the head. In such a case the point of contact is on the thumb and knuckles of the index finger, and they are extremely liable to fracture or dislocation.

The most deadly blows to the one who receives them and ledst dangerop.to the giver’s hands are the blows delivered on the point of the jaw, on the neok over the jugular, in the pit of the stomach and in the region of the heart. A blow on the temple is also classed among the most dangerous, but more than one 5 it has occurred that the man who delivered the blow broke his fist. This accident is due in a measure to the manner in which the blow is delivered, but mainly to the fist not being in first-class condition. The best hands in the world, even when coupled 'With tremendous hitting power, are well-nigh useless when pluck and science are lacking. The sketches represent the fists of men who are champions—mon of might and prowess. They are the men who make the money, hhd by their fists they make it. Who can pick the fist that next year will belong to the only champion, for there can be but one?

Corbett has a long, well developed hand, with long fingers. Under assiduous and careful training his hands have during the last three years grown extraordinarily strong and large. They are w now perfect, and there is little danger of any accident occurring during the progress of a fight Jackson's hand Is somewhat similar to Corbett’s, save that it is a trifle larger and harder. Jackson’s hands are naturally hard and strong, so that it takes but little time to get them into condition. Mitchell is

handicapped in the matter of )dsts. Ills hand Jis very looseJjointed, big and 'fat. This looseness interferes seriously with his hitting power, and

on the eve of a fight ho pays more attention to his hands than anything else. Fitzsimmons has big, bony hands; Maher has a tremendous hand; Jem Carney has a small, womanly hand; George Dixon has a small hand, but hard as nails; Cal McCarthy’s hand is small; Jack Dempsey has a lady’s hand; Joe Butler, of Philadelphia, has the largest hand of any pugilist living; Frank Slavin has a big band, so has his brother; La blanche (The Marine) has perhaps the most perfect hand ever seen in the prize ring; Billy Edwards has largo hands; Choynskl’s hands are both large, the right being larger than the left.

CORBETT'S HAND

MITCHELL'S LEFT.

JACKSON'S FIST.