The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-03-10
A CHANCE BLOW
Won Fortune and Fame for Fitzsim
mons at Crescent City Athletic
Club Last Night.
Hall was Laid Out in the Fourth
ROund-SlO,O 900 was the Purse
$4,000 to the Loser.


country. 1t is important because of two
things, one of the fights was the largest
purse ever fought for in ring. The
days of extravagant purses ended to-
night. a magnificent crowd, in point of
size and personnel, saw the great battle
tonight, victory won and defeat suffered
The scene was the most superbly ap-
pointed fistic arena in any land, an
arena that bad grown like the legendary
beanstalk. almost in "A day. Clubs and
managers had tried for several months
to bring the Australians together.
The story of how often they were near
ly matched; what they said of each other
and how their matches fell through,
would make a book of moderate proper
tions. Ultimately articles were signed
and the pugIlists and their friends
gathered III the northwest for the great
struggle. The law stepped in and Its
strong arm parted the gladiators. They
tried again to arrange a match, but it
fell through like others before. Hall
crossed the water and England's middle
weight champion was laid in the dust
by the powerful Australian. A match
between the Australians was then inev-
liable. Fitzsmmons was the middle
weight champion and Hall his only rival.
A dispute over weight was the matter
of controversy. 1t ragged for awhile and
then the champion conceded everything
and match was arranged. The greatest
purse that two men had ever fought for
was obtained and Fitzsimmons and Hall
went their respective ways to prepare for
battle. They are men of somewhat SIM
liar build. Both are giants, strong
healthy, blg-boned, long armed, stub
born, formidable fighters, adopts in sci
enCe, experienced in the ring, and hard
punchers. Each has distinctive style
Each has been regarded as wonder
So closely was the match considered that
for long time even money was waged
on either Today Hall seemed more
strongly favorte and FitZslmmons
only lightly the choice of the talent 1t
was to 10 Hall at nightfall and % to
100 FitZsimmons. The influx of Fitz-
simmons money appearing in the pool
room late in the evening beat down Hall
and made titzsimmons for n timc the
favOrte. Even money was demanded
for Hall and to ) on his opponent
Neither man worked hard on his last
day before the fight. Each hugged his
quar- ers except when FitZslmmons
drove in d carriage to the criminal court
to become an American citizen and Hall
went around to MOreau's 5 to get a 'bltc"
witt Charlie Mitchell. Crowds trailed
at the feet of either. but F'itZslmmons
was more popular The crowd was rep
rcsentative in character and was thor
oughly cosmopolitan. The tough had
place in the gallery and in the lower
seats, but he was undemonstrative in re
spect for the full force of police.
In the, Hall corner were the light
weight champion, McAulitfe, Charlie
Mitchell, Squire Abingdon Kaird aud
John Kline, holding the watch. Fitz-
simmons was attended by his brother,
Billy Fitzsimmons. Martin Julian and
Frank Bosworth, ID. G. OMalley keep
ing time.
The men entered the ring promptly
at nine o'clock, Hall leading the process
sion. Referee Duffy took his position
and both he and Hall were cheered
loudly. Fitzsimmons came in waving
the United States flag and received a
tremendous ovation. President Noel
and chairman Of the contest committee,
Joseph Short, joined the men in the
ring, while Captain Barrett took charge
of the police detail. Referee Duffy
made a neat speech. cOunseling the
usual good order which has character
lied all the contests in the Crescent city.
The men advanced to the center of the
ring, followed by their seconds, where
Referee Duffy cautioned them about
fouls and the usual club rules. During
this talk both principals regarded each
other with an air of supreme contempt.
Their eyes never met during the talk.
Capt. Barrett weighed the gloves, finding
them of lawful weight, handed them to
Martin Julian, who took them over 10
Hall for his choice, and Mitchell selected
his principals gloves. Referee Duffy ali
nounced that the pivot blow was barred
and the men stripped.
Ro,.nd 1.-The usual hhrishaking
marked the opening. Both men stepped
nimbly to the center and feinted for an
opening, FitzsimmOns att mpted a left
upper-cut in the stomach, but Hall
backed away. He tried again for the
head and failing, clinched, Hall led for
the stomach, but received tap on the
shoulder. Fitzsimmons scored heavy
left on Halls mouth, "A right on the
heart without return. The audience
yelled. Hall made wild left swing aud
Fitzsimmons smiingly lodged away.
Fitzsimmons landed heavy left on the
stomach and lodged IA return from the
same hand. Hall landed heavy right
on the ear and Fitzsimmons cinched,
Hall hitting FItzsimmons with right on
the head.
Round Fitzsimmons tried for the
stomach with his left, missed and backed
away. FitZsimmons attempted right
on the body, missing because of Halls
clinch. The men were extremely eau
tious, but Hall received heavy left on
the stomach, responding with a left on
the head. Hall landed good left blow
but received one on the head in return.
Hall was trying to land his right and
Fitzsimrnons shifting. Hall slipped
away, Fitzsimmons forced Hall in the
corner, but the latter clinched to avoid
punishment. Fitztimmons tried the
left but was neatly stopped. Both men
in hot rally scored rights on the head.
Round 3.-Fitz was the aggressor,
feinting with his left which he landed