The San Francisco call., 1896-02-22

F|TzS|MMONS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD.

duced his wallet and waved TWO checks in
the air.
Fitzsimmons was watching the proceed
ings with keen interest.
As the papers were produced his lips
curled and he yelled: That stuff don't
go. Julian. l want cash. How do we
know what those things are worth?"
Ibid YOU cash these checks last night? ?"
asked Sler of ORourke while the crowd
pressed in the neighborhood OF the two
men.
Yes, did, shouted the Boston man.
But do you think l was fool enough to
bring $50, 900 with me into such diggings
as these? It's the first time that NY hon.
esty has been questioned. tell you that
the money in the bank"
Matters looked squally for time. ulian
/ looked O'Rourke squarely in the face, def
antly, and said: Nobody ever questioned
your honesty, but we want the money
/ We will take no checks"
/ Then, addressing the crowd, he con-
tinued: Iii there is any dissatisfaction it
is not our fault. We notified the respon-
sible people several days ago that Fitzsim-
mons would not fight unless the money
was in the ring
Yes" chirruped Fitzsimmons from his
corner, land they said it would be here"
Parson Davies made a remark at this
iuncture to the effect that Julian was
wasting time on boys nonsense, and sew
eral OF the spectators yelled, go on with
the fight"
Julian retorted that the crowd had bet
ter keep their mouths shut, as he didn't
intend to stand any dictation from outsid-
ers, and serious trouble seemed imminent.
when, like tiger, the Cornishman leaped
to his feet and made bound to the center
OF the ring, and, his face inf1amed with
passion, fairly shrieked:
"Wen take the checks. | give in to
every bloody thing they want. Do you
understand? We give in to this even if we
don't get it."
The crowd breathed more freely, and a
rousing cheer was given for Fitzsimmons.
Then the men stripped. Fitzsimmons
had chosen for his ring costume a navy
blue breechclout, with belt of the stars
and stripes. His legs were bare and his
shoes of the.standard running shape.
Maher wore short-legged black fighting
pants, with green belt.
From the moment that the men had en-
tered the ropes it was patent to everybody
that while the Cornishman was logged for
the fray and full of confidence his oppo-
nent was nervous and i'll at ease His
mouth moved necessarily as though he
was chewing gum. His eyebrows twitched
and he kept his thumbs revolving one
after the other. Fitzsimmons eyed him
with a sarcastic smile, and his breast
heaved like that Of an animal ready to
bound for its prey.
AT AIS, when Referee Sier called both
men to the center of the ring to give them
their instructions and warn them against
fouling or other infractions OF the code,
the spectators enjoyed the first opportunity
Of seeing them face to face. Fitzsimmons
presented better appearance than at any
of his previous encounters. His flesh was
hard and pink and the veins stood out like
whip cords. Maher, on the contrary, ap-
peared somewhat fiabby, while his move
ments on his feet lacked the agility that
characterized those of Fitzsimmons. Man
ager Quinn had evidently been honest in
the opinion that he gave The United Press
couple of days ago: Peter is not in the
condition that l would like him to be il"
Time was called at :25 o'clock, and the
spectators pressed to the ropes
Fitzsimmons led with hi left. Maher
backed toward his corner Fitzsimmons
landed with his right and a clinch fol-
lowed. Maher struck Fitzsimmons with
his right hand while they were clinched
and Referee Siler reminded him that if he
did so again he would give the fight to
Fitzsimmons. After breakaway Maher
landed his left on Fitzsimmons' neck.
Close in-fighting followed and Maher sue
ceeded in landing his left on Fitzsimmons
upper lip, drawing blood. Fitzsimmons
landed with left and right. A cIinch fol-
lowed. Maher tented and Fitzsimmons
led with his right, but fell short. A mix
up followed in which Maher landed both
right and LETT on either side of Fitzsm-
mons head Maher led with his left and
another clinch followed Fitzsimmons
seemed a bit bothered and broke ground
on Maher's leads. Maher followed him I'D
and led with his left, when Fitzsim mons
side-stepped, and swinging his right,
landed full on the point of Maher's left
chin. Maher measured his length on the
floor, his head striking the canvas with
great force. He vainly attempted to rise,
but could not more than raise his head
His seconds called on him to get up, but
he failed to respond and sank back to the
canvas.
The fatal tenth second was counted,
Maher was declared out, and Fitzsimmons
announced the victor, after one minute
and thirty-iye seconds rather lively fight
ing.
Fitzsimmons' seconds cheered him to
the echo and Maher's seconds carried the
defeated Irishman to his corner. 1t was
several minutes before he realized what
had happened to him, and Fitzsimmons
walked over to his corner and shook him
by the hand.
Fitzsimmons also shook hands with
Quinn and the seconds in Peters corner.
Barring the slight bleeding at the nos
trils, occasioned by the le:t-hand jab of
Maher, the Cornishman showed no signs
OF injury and appeared as fresh as at the
opening of hostilites.
Maher showed no sign of punishment
except a slight break in the skin Just
above the point of the chin, where Fi:zsim-
sim mons master-stroke had landed.
When the cheering of the people around