The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-22
'FRISCO'S PRIZE FIGHT.
coRBEIT AND JACK SON STILL AT
TIN THE 49Ta ROUND.

AAN IOA II ~ ~ MI
Corbett Opened Up by Aiming His
Blows at Jackson's Stomach-The
Negro Handy With His Guard
Several Rounds Fought Before They
Got Down to Hard Blows-Consider-
able Science Shown by Both-rhe
Victor Gets $4,000 and the Van
ouished Slugger $500.
SAN FRANCISCO. CAL. May 21.-No
pugilistic event ever took place on the
Pacific coast that created more interest and
excitement than the great heavy weight
battle between Jim Corbett of San
Francisco and Peter jackson Of Aus
tralia, which was fought ct the gymnasium
Of the California Athletic Club tonight The
purse was a large one. $4,000, $500 of
which went to the loser. The wonderful
degree of interest in the match was due not
only to the merits and prominence of the
two principals, but elso to che fact that the
contest would open the way to setting the
question Of the championship Of the world,
for it was generally understood that the
winner would eventually meet Frank
slavin or any other man who might come
forward for championship honors.
BOTH IN FINE CONDITION.
The condition of the men was all that
could be desired. They had tr aimed hard
and carefully, and it was the opinion that
neither man had ever before been in better
form. jackson was the heavier, but in
every respect it was generally admitted
that one man possessed little or no advan-
tage over the other. Both were recognized
ss game fighters, possessing wonderful
ability and woncerful quickness. Neither
belonged to the ''slugger" type of pugilists.
JACKSON THE FAvoR1TE.
The colored mans ring experience was
far greater than Corbett's, and it was prob
ably this fact as much as any that made
jackson the favorite in the betting during
the week before the fight at odds ranging
from 10 to 6 to 10 to 8. Some comment was
elected by the fact that Jackson sprained
his ankle some weeks ago and it was still
slightly swollen tonight, but it had caused
him no inconvenience at all during his train
ing. There was real fear expressed that it
would give him trouble during the fight.
HEAVY BETTING.
A large amount Of money was wagered on
the coast during the last two days The
pool rooms and other sporting resorts were
crowded, and there seemed no end Of either
jackson OF Corbett money. The contestants
were required to be in the club rooms this
evening at o'clock, though the fight was
set for an hour later. The California Ath-
letic Club last night appointed Hiram Cook
referee. jackson was seconded by Sam
Fitzpatrick and Billy Smith; Corbett's
seconds were John Donaldson, Billy Delaney
and Harry Corbett.
APPEARANCE OF THE ROOMS.
The appearance Of the California Athletic
Clubrooms was the same as on other occa-
sions when similar contests have occurred
there The flooring within the ring was
covered with padding, over which heavy
DARK colored felt was stretched. A new
feature at this contest was a ten-second
clock which was called into use
whenever a knock-down occurred. Soon
after 6 o'clock the crowd commenced
to gather IN the street outside of the club
house, and an hour later it was well filled
with stragglers, who had come there to get
a good position, in the hope Of receiving
early information from within the gymna-
sium. By Z o'clock there were probably
200 people in the club room, and from that
time on they continued to arrive as fast as
the officers at the narrow entrance could
admit them
Twenty policemen were in attendance to
preserve order. Some of these were in the
building and others were stationed on the
roof or in the streets. The press circle was
rather crowded, the regular press stand
having been removed, but half dozen
Western Union operators and several cor
respondents occupied a platform in one
corner of the gymnasium above the gallery.
The representatives of the local papers
were obliged to hold their paper in their
hands and take seats in the body of the
hall.
THE CROWD IMPATIENT.
As O'Clock approached every one in the
hall showed eagerness to have the principals
appear, though it was yet an hour before
It would be time for them to enter the ring.
The California Club some months ago
abandoned its commodious quarters
which it occupied during the time
When pUgilistic encounters were
more popular here. The seating ca
pacity Of the gymnasium now in use
Is not more than 1000 or 1900, but soon
after o'clock this evening nearly every seat
was occupied, and in the street outside the
crowd was almost as great. The best of
order prevailed, though within the building
there was continued hum and murmur of
excitement and occasional calls for the
preliminary boxing exhibition which was
70 precede the principal event.
ARRIVAL OF THE FIGHTERS.
jackson and Corbett arrived at the club
rooms about o'clock. They entered the
building without attracting much attention
and went to their dressing rooms i'm
medlately. The betting this evening con-
unued at the same odds in Jackson's favor
winch had prevailed during the past tweaty-
Tour hours. One hundred dollars to $50 and
SlVO to sos were the usual figures.
THE MEN ENTER THE RING.
1t was some minutes after 9 O'Clock when
jackson and Corbett. with their seconds,
entered the ring. Both principals were re-
ceived with cheering. During the few
minutes that followed while the gloves Of
the men were being adjusted every eye
IN the building was turned on them
ana there was a general expression of
commendation at the elegant form they
presented. The weights, as far as could be
obtained, were, jackson 1877, CorbetJ 1S5,
though it was claimed by some that
the difference was even greater than
that. After the gloves were adjusted
the men advanced and shook hands. Time
was called for the first round at $50 o'clock.
Up TO the ninth round the men fought very
cautiously, with clinches in nearly every
round. No heavy hitting was done and
neither man showed any sign Of being the
worse, neither was there any apparent ad-
vantage to either.
coRBETT AIMED FOR THE STOMACH.
Corbstt made Jackson's stomach his
principal point OF attack, but Jackson