The record-union., 1893-03-09
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

New ORLEANS, March S.-The battle of
the middie-weights is over. The March
carnival of pugilism has become prize
ring history, and Bob Fitzsimmons
stands before the country as Halls con-
queror and winner of the largest purse
ever fought for. A magnificent crowd,
in point of size and personnel, saw
the great battle tonight. The clubs and
managers had tried for several months to
bring the Australians together, and it was
only successfully accomplished after
numerous disappointments and failures
in negotiations. Each principal was re-
garded as a wonder in his class. The
men are of somewhat similar build.
Both are giants, strong, healthy, big
boned, long armed and stubborn, formid-
able fighters, adopts in science, expert
enced in the ring, hard punchers, and
each with distinctive style.
So close was the match considered for a
long time that even money was wagered.
To-day Hall was strongly the favorite,
but the influx of Fitzsimmons men and
money beat down Hall and made F'itz-
simmons for time the favorite. Neither
man worked hard on the last day. Each
remained quiet, except when Fitzsim-
mons went to take out his naturalization
papers, and Hall to dine with Charley
Mitchell.
The arrangements at the ring side were
perfect. The crowd was representative
in character, and thoroughly cosmopoli-
tan. The two principals reached the
arena in ample time to prepare them
selves for the battle. Both men were
trained to fine point, but neither had
taken off much flesh.
The men fought at catch weights for
superiority only. The purse was SAC. .OGO,
of which 800 went to the loser, and the
remainder to the winner. The audience,
which filled the immense auditorium, is
variously estimated at between 1000 and
1850. The financial result of the fight is
not yet known, but the general opinion
is that the club lost several thousand dol
lars by the entertainment.
The men entered the ring at 8 o'clock
promptly. Hall leading the procession.
He was loudly cheered as was Fitzsim =
mons, who came in waving the Ameri-
can flag. The men chosen to look after
Halls interests were the lightweight
champion, McAuliffe, Charlie Mitchell,
Squire Abingdon b aird, and John Kiln
holding the watch. Fitzsimmons had
men with less reputation, but not less
faithful than were Halls attendants.
Billy, Fitzsimmons' brother, Martin
Julian and Frank Bosworth, were his
seconds, with d. G. >O'MalIey keeping
the time.
Referee Duffy made neat speech,
counseling the usual good order, and
cautioned the men about fouls and the
usual club rules. Captain Barrett
weighed the gloves and finding them Of
lawful weight handed them to Martin
Julian, who took them over to Hall FOL
choice. and Mitchell selected his princi.
pals gloves. Referee Duffy announced
the pivot blow barred, and the mer
stripped.
Round One-There was the usual hand.
shaking, and both men stepped nimbly
to the center and feinted for an opening
Fitz attempted left upper-cut but Hal
backed away. He failed a second time
and clinched. Hall then lead for tn,
stomach and received tap on the shoul
der. Fitz scored heavy left on Hal'.
mouth, and a right on the heart, withou
return. Hall made wild left swing
and Fitz smilingly lodged. Fitz landed
a heavy left and lodged return. Hal
landed a heavy right on the ear and Fit;
clinched. Hall hit Fitz on the head a.
the round closed.
Round Two-Fitz missed left on tht
stomach, and Immediately after righ
on the body because Hall clinched. Th,
men were extremely cautious. Hall re
ceived a heavy left on the stomach, anC
responded with a left on the head. Hal
landed heavy left and received a gooC
return on the head. FitZ forced Hall int
his corner, but the latter clinched t
avoid punishment. Fitz tried to land hi
left, but was neatly stopped. Both mel
in a hot rally scored hits on the head.
Round Three -Fitz was on the aggres
sive, landing on Halls stomach, anc
later on the body and head. Then Hal
landed two heavy let's on the face and
heavy right upper-cut. Fitz clinched t,
save himself, and Duffy had difficulty i,
parting them. Fitz!continued clinching t.
avoid punishment.
Round Four-Hall came mp on the az
gressive. Fitz landed heavy right Oh
the jaw. knocking Hall into the middl
of the ring. The blow was q tremendou
right hand swing, and landed full on th
Jaw. Hall was long in coming to, an,
was finally helped to his corner by Fitz
simmons.
The referee awarded the contest to Fitz
simmons. who waved an American fla
over his head, walked to his opponent
corner and shook hands. AS he wa
leaving the ring he received a tremen
deus ovation.
The fight was the easiest Fitzsimmon
has had in America, and the blow tina
knocked Hall out was universally said t
be the hardest any old prize-ring habitu
had ever witnessed. The audience ros
to their feet. and tremendous shou
went up.
f Hall lay unconscious on the carpe
, with look of agony on his face. 1t wa
, feared he suffered serious injury, bu
his seconds, with the club officials an
doctors, ran quickly to the PROSTATE
pugilist, and applying restoratives gradu
ally brought him back to consciousness:
Fitzsimmons ran around the ring hastily
pulled off his gloves, and helped to re
suscitate the conquered foe. When Ha
was brought to he was carried limp to
chair, where he remained until able to g