The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-26
CORBE|T HAD No MERCY.
EngIand's Champion Ham
mered by Our Gladiator.
MITCHELL SIMPLY WASN'T IN II.
He Was Knocked Out-Those In the
Ring Had All They Could DO to
Restrain Corbett from Furnishing His
Antagonist While Lying Down.


JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. 26.--All thinRs
considered. the battle between James j,
C0rbett and Charles Mitchell was the
most important event in the annals Of the
prize ring. 1t marked turning point in
hstic athletics
Corbett belongs to the new school Of
scientific boxers, representing perhaps the
most advanced ideas in that line OF
pugilists. Mitchell, while not strictly
identified with the old line, received his
earliest impressions and much Of his
earlier training from the old bare
knuckle boxers, and was reared In that
pugiiistic atmosphere which was largely
responsible for ths longevity of the rules
Of the London prize ring, and for the
tardiness with which those Of the Marquis
Of Queensbury crept into public favor on
either side of the Atlantic.
There has been no great event in the
prize ring since the defeat of John l..
Sullivan by Corbett in September, 1892,
and the class and records, rs well as the
standing and the titles of the two men,
gave the contest from the very day that
IL was first suggested an unusual degree
of international interest and of inter-
national Importance In sporting circles.
In order to tuiiy appreciate this condi-
ton it will be necessary to glance at the
records of the two men. They both are
young, but they had both been fighting
as an occupation almost since they were
boys. Mitchell is five years older than
Corbett, but he fought his first pitched
battle when he was only 10 years Of age,
while Corbett was ls, and had. perhaps, a
longer training than the Englishman prior
60 coming ont" as fighter.
story Of tho Fight.
It was short, sharp and decisive fight.
II was a foregone conclusion from the
moment the men stepped to the center of
the ring, and Corbett refused TO shake
hands with the man who had so infor-
mally abused and insulted him. There
was all but murder in Corbett's eyes,
They faced each other, and the intense
feeling of hatred almost gave Corbett the
fight as he cornered the Englishman, and
as his long arms shot out with the force
of catapult there was vengeance in the
wind.
Mitchell showed wonderful cleverness
IN the beginning in feeling out of the
reach and weight of his opponent bore
him, butthere was no faltering in Cor
belts plan of campaign, and he slowly
surrounded the Briton, raining in upon
his head and sides \ shower of savage
punches. There was despair In Mitchel's
face as he tried vainly TO elude his agile
pursuer and finally, when Corbett closed
with his opponent Ia an of corner, Mitch
ell realized that it was no longer possible
for him to escape the battery of the
American.
He pluckily tried to spar aud failing,
sought to clinch. but Corbett finally beat
him off and with q sharp blow on the
side of the jaw brought the Englishman
on all fours. With the cheers of his
friends ringing In his ears, and with the
memories of the past crowding fast upon
him, Corbett lost his head, and with the
agility of a tiger and the terrible anger of
a lion sprang toward the pitiable English
man on the rough rosined platform and
describing a semi-circle with his right
tried to land knockout blow.
Twice he tried this, but Mitchell's weak
and wobbling body saved the American
from foolishly sacrificing the honor and
the glory thai have come to him from his
decisive battle with the Englishman
There were cries of foul, though the senti-
ment of the vast throng was then plainly
with the American. Corbett's seconds,
with presence of mind, showed through
the ropes. John Kelly ran to the side of
the downfallen pugilist and Corbett was
dragged away.
Mitchell was conscious and he knew
that Corbett was standing over him ready
TO deal without mercy the blow that
should end the fight. When the English
man finally struggled to his feet, Corbett,
without a tithe OF pity, pounded his big
gloves into the face of his foe until the
latter staggered and fell against the ropes
and then lay almost sprawling on the
floor, the blood smeared all over his face.
When Mitchell had gotten again to his
feet the men closed in Corbett's corner,
and there was savage exchange, and
when the gong sounded the seconds and
the referee and the half dozen in the
corner had to pry the enemies apart.
The second Round.
II was hard work to bring Mitchell up
again, but Corbett sprapg out when the
gong sounded. There was hardly
moment of sparrina Mitchell tried but
once--a last desperate play--to tackle, bu,
Corbett was remarkably foxy and aer
and he soon crowded the poor beaten
Briton to the ropes again: then witt
another of his merciless jabs sat his riva
fat on the floor.
Mitchell Was evidently suffering SCI.
erely, and his face was the picture
wounds. His mouth and nose were bleea
ing, and with his big gloves he had
smeared the blood all over his face. until
his auDearaucp WINS almO-t Cbastly
Again Corbett, losing mis- presence of
mind, started toward Mitchell, and again
his hands swung out, and again his sec.
onds ran forward to save him from nom
inal defeat John Kelly ran over to the
ropes where Mitchell was lying, and Cor
bett was borne back to his seat.
Third and Last.
Mitchell hardly cared TO rise, aud
Eelly's finger went up and down like the
pendulum Of a clock 20 count the seconds
that must elupse before the battle is over
IL was dangerously near the limit of time
hafora Mitcheli roea IN hfs feCt but inst