The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-05

Jim Williams, Utah's cha mpion,
placed another victory to his credit last
night. and it was the greatest battle he
ever won.
He entered the contest heavily handi
capped, for while he could not have
weighed more than les pounds, his OPP
ponent, Jack Stelzner. probably
weighed in at $50, and was taller than
the Utah man by inches, with a pro-
portionate advantage in reach. Will
Jams realized his disadvantages, and
displayed perfect generalship, husband
ing his strength. while his opponent
was "fddling" all over the ring and
wearing himself out. Up to the sixth
round the Texan did most of the lead
ing and generally landed. His blows
did not lack steam, either, but Will
Jams cook it all cheerfully and bided
his time.
Naturally enough, Jim was the favor
lite with the immense audience that
literally packed the hall from the cell
ing to the ring side, but Steiner had
plenty of friends who rooted for him
from the start.
Throughout the contest the best of
order was maintained, and there was
no particular demonstration until the
end. Chief Pratt and Sheriff Hardy
were at the ring side, and saw that the
eight-ounce pillows such as are used
in all gymnasiums, met the require
mentS.
Williams was the first to enter the
ring and was esouired by his brother
Henry and also by Bob Thompson. He
appeared to be in good condition, al
though trifie heavy.
Steiner followed a moment later
with Shad Smith and Gus Mulligan in
his corner. Both men We're we'll re-
ceived and the referee stated the con-
Gitions OF the bout and cautioned the
men.
When all was ready time was called
and the contestants stepped to the
center of tne ring. The contrast be-
tween them vas striking, Steiner fair
ly towering over Williams. The Texan
Immediately broke ground with = light
blow in the face, and a couple Of eX-
changes followed. Then it became evil
dent that Steiner was much more
speedy than Jim. for he circled around
and darted IN and out in a way that
was very puzzling to Jim. At long
range the Texan did about as he
pleased with the Utah man, but in a
mix-up that closed the round Jim held
his own.
In the second Jack went after his
man i'll a hurry. landing three heavy
blows in the face. He continued to
force matters and fought Jim all around
the ring. Jim made a stand towards
the close, and succeeded in getting
home on the face and body but the
honors were with Steiner.
When the men came up for the third
Jim was evidently somewhat winded,
while Stelzner's face showed that he
was now perfectly confident that vic
tory must perch upon his banner. He
therefore made no effort to save him
self, and did double the work that the
willy sheep he-der was doing. Jack
landed facers n rapid succession, while
Williams body jabs were doing more
service than was apparent. Even when
it came to in fighting, Jack had things
his own way, and when time was
called, the ardor of Williams friends
was sadly dampened.
In the fourth, it commenced to look
as though Williams was really going
He did not land often, and even then
his blows seemed to lack force. Stelz-
ner, on the other hand, pranced all
over the ring, landing right and left
and closing with a swing on the neck
that fairly dazed Jim but his ability
to stand punishment stood him in good
stead, and he recovered himself before
the gong sounded.
The fifth was really the decisive
round of the battle. Up to that time
Williams had had all the worst of it.
and Steiner lost no opportunity to
land. At the call of time, however the
Texan showed some signs of distress,
due chiefly to the very rapid manner in
which he had forced the fighting. VIII
Jams, on the other hand, seemed con-
siderably fresher and succeeded in
holding his own all the way through.
In reality, he rested up" somewhat
during this round, while Steiner was
wearing himself out trying to find an
opening for swing.
The result was that when they came
up for the sixth, Stelzner was consid-
erahly winded, while Williams condi-
ton was better than ever The Utah
man displayed rare judgment and gen.
eralship, and waited for the rush that
he knew was coming. 1t came, and in
the mix-up, Jim landed a punch on
the jaw that carried with it his whole
strength, sending Steiner clear across
the ring. The Williams men saw that
their favorite had followed his usual
tactics and expected him to win out
then and there. He would have done
so had not Steiner realized that the
tide had turned, and he saved himself
by cllnch. On breaking away, Jim
landed another soaker and the gong
saved Jack from meeting his Waterloo
OK once.
jim won on a counter in the seventh.
He came up as fresh and strong as
when the fight commenced. while
Steiner was showing distress signals.
After a couple Of exchanges, Williams
sent in a straight punch ON the Jaw
dhat brought Jack to the floor, but by
the time the referee had counted four.
he was on his knees, resting, and was
up before the fatal ten was called.
Williams soon had him going again
and brought him down with swing on
the neck. Steiner once more took his
time in coming up. and when on his
feet, endeavored to get a blowing
spell, but Jim knew the game too well
for that. He landed lightly until the
opportunity he was waiting for came,
and then swinging heavily on the jaw,
brought Jack down for the third time,
and he was counted out
Then Williams friends cheered and