Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-01-22
Knocked Out by Fitzsimmons
in 13 Rounds.
THE NONPAREIL HEARTBROKEN
A Hurricane Battle Between
the Prize MiddIe-Weights.
The Bell Saved the "Invincible" From a
Straight knock-out--Dempsey Wcpt
Like "a Child Over the Humiliation of
His Crushing Deieat--The Chanpion's
Record.


more champion middle-weight prize
fighter of the world.
Bob Fitzsimmons, the tall New
Zealander, in a single fight has leaped
into the front rank, gaining the title of
middle-weight champion and winning
$4,000. He whipped Dempsey in 13
rounds, before $500 men from all parts
of the county, in the rooms of the Olym-
pic Athletic Club.
Dempsey was outclassed from the
start. The city is ringing with Fitz-
simmons praises tonight, at such good
judges as Frank Stevenson, Jim Corbett,
Billy Meyer, Parson Davis and Others
,of like note declaring him nothing short
lot phenomenon, and voicing the opin-
ion that great many of the heavy
weights have no business with him. He
demonstrated his ability to the satisfac-
tion of everybody when he defeated the
acknowledged king of his class for so
many years with such astounding case.
Dempsey never had the faintest glim-
mer of hope of defeating The big
blacksmith from the moment time was
called for the third round, or the first
round either for that matter, as Fitz-
simmons forced the pace and drove his
man before him with irresistible force.
Dempsey landed often enough to win
Gozen fights, but the antipodean
walked right over the Nonparcl and
struck him two blows for the one re-
ceived in return. His reach was some
thing wonderful.
Dempsey's seconds are censured to-
night for sending their man up like a
beef to the slaughter when he had no
chance OF winning, but this criticism is
harsh, as they were in favor Of throw
ing up the sponge.
1t was Dempsey himself who in
sisted on fighting on, his exhibition of
gameness being such that it will never
be forgotten by those present. When
he could scarcely raise his hands to
level with his chest Fitzsimmons begged
him to stop, and said repeatedly:
Il don't want to strike you, Jack
"Well, would punch you if could"
was Dempsey's only reply.
The southern aid western contingent
have won very heavily over the mill,
but the northern and eastern sports will
have to walk hcme.
He was attended bya physician in his
dressing room. He was a sorry spec
tacle as he lay back with closed eyes,
His nose is broken. His eyes will both
v
The NoIpareil is heartbroken, and
would say nothing. Fitzsimmons will
return to Bag 81. L3uis in the morning
to his wife are child.
Jimmy Carroll was at the telegraph
office before midnight to wire the tid-
ings to his wife and Fitzsimmons family.
There seemed to be an abundance Of
money, and the betting, which had been
languid up to that time, became some
what brisk. Fitzsimmons received un-
looked-ior support, and soon the fact
that some of those who had bet against
him carrier we've hedging was demon
strated beyond the shadow of doubt
In measure they were deceived by
their own short-sightedness. Because
Dempsey had neglected to make rat
tling set-to with Jack McAuliffe at the
Audubon GLIB on Tuesday night, and
had sparIcl so carelessly they were
carried away by the cries of Fitzsim-
mons supports, many of whom had
never seen Dempaey fight, hut who had
been prcseEt when Fit2simmons put
Arthur ur!iam to sleep in short order.
Every one II the north knows that
Dempsey Is rot fancy glove fighter.
lie is ring general and finish fighter,
and it is in srch contests that he shines.
There is NOT q particle OF doubt that
Dempsey played part when he per
mitted McAllitfe to slap him in the
face and rattle his ribs at will on Tues
day night. lie is as cute as fox. and
he knew right well that there would be
plenty of even betting at the ring side,
after his Indifferent showing.
As he left the ring after the exhibition
the Nonpareil winked at Gus Tuthill,
and the two exchanged smile that
meant volumes. Several thousands of
dollars of Dempsey money bet at odds
of 5 to were hedged at even money
before noon to-day by the anxious CON
tingent, the agent of well-known New
York champagne house wearing most
lugubrious countenancc as he tried to
balance his book and find out where he
stood.
1t was hurricane fight from the
start, Fitz forcing the fighting and gain
ing every vantage. Dempsey frequently
clenched and slipped TO the ground to
Dempsey was knocked down, falling
heavily, and but for the ringing Of the
gong at the time it would have been
Knockout.
Round II was butchery, nothing like
il ever being seen in the annals of glove
contests. Dempsey knocked down
seven times. Fitz entreated his plucky
opponent to throw up the sponge, but
Dempsey, although blinded by his own
blood, declined.
Round twelfth was a sickening one,
and there was a sigh of relief when
Dempsey, after being repeatedly tloored,
rolled over and moaned in his agony,
and there was general satisfaction ut
seeing the sponge thrown up at the be-
ginning of the next round.
Dempsey had been sobbing during the
last Few rounds, and when he realized
that he was no longer the Nonparei he
broke down and wept like child. Tut
NIL and McAulilfe raised him as ten
derly as mother would lift her babe
and bore him TO his corner. Fitzsim-
mons, with scarcely mark on his face,
but his body showing ugly red hlotches
here and there, rushed over to where his |
rival sat gasping for breath, and took
the limp hands in his, leaning over and
whispering words of enconrarement |
Fitzsimmons by his actions during the |
entire fight won the respect of every |
man present, and hundreds pressed for
ward to wiring his hand in congratuIa- |
tions. Carroll and other rabid support
ers of Fitz were wild with joy, while |
there was mourning in the Dempsey |