Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-18

CARSON CITY, NEN.. March 17.-After
two years Of doubt and vexauous post
poncments the heavyweight championship
of The world was decided beyond cayH
when Robert Fitzslmmons sent James Cor
l.tt HELPLESS TO his knees with "a left-hand
blow under the heart, after one minute
and forty-dvc seconds in the fourteenth
round OF their battle I'm the arena here
this afternoon
The great contest was won in the SIM
uIest manner and the knock k-out was the
result OF one unwary move on the part
Of Corbctt After the first minute of the
fourteenth round had been spent in a few
harmless clinches and counters. Fitzsim-
neDs made q fake lead with his right for
the Jaw. IL was a simple ruse but IT
caught the Californian mapping. Instead
of keeping his body inclined forward and
throwing back his head just a trhe TO
GLOW the blow. which was of the very
r-htest kind 20 slip by, Corbett con-
t.nrtuously bent his head and chest
t.clward and thus protruded his abdo-
mon. Fitzslmmons's small eyes flashed
s-f like lightning ne saw and availed
himself Of his advantage. Drawing back
r- left he brought it up with terrible
force the forearm rigid and at right
.-,les TO the upper arm. With the full
lower of his wonderful driving muscles
brought into play. the Australian fairly
,.-,ed the blow up the pit of Corbetts
stomach at a point just under the heart
c5rbett was lifted clean off his feet. and
.s he pitched forward Fitzsmmons shot
bis rieht up and around catching Jim on
tre Jaw. and accelerating his downward
tI
THE CHAMPION WENT DOWN.
Corbett sank on his left knee. and with
his outstretched right grasped the ropes
@,r support His left arm worked convul-
s.yelv up and down while his face was
,Vitcbing with an expression of the great
est agony. Referee Sner threw up his
hands on the call of ten and left the ring
There were some cries of foul when the
referee declared Corbett out. but they
were unheeded by anybody. as the battle
was won fairly and squarely. The deieat
nearly drove Corbett wild. When he was
able m feel his feet. after his seconds had
nelred him to his corner. he broke away
from them and rushed at Fitzsimmons'
who had not left the ring. scene OF
dreadful confusion resulted The ring was
crowded with an excited mob, but Corbett
hurst through them and struck at fltI-
simmons. The Australian kept his arms
nv his sides. and with great deal OF
generosity made allowance for CoIDet-
half-demented condition. Bob merely
drol,ed under the blow and when Coroett
c,inched with him and struck him q feeble
rlou, on the ear. the champion only smiled
T., was with great difficulty that Billy
Pra8v and the seconds succeeced ID
ouieting Corbett down. and getting MIN
pack to the dressing-room.
WHAT 1T PROVES.
Tho fight was clean and speedy 1t
demonstrated two facts-that Corbett Is
,ba cleverest boxer Of his weight In the
e,orld and that Fitzsimmons is able 10
5it him. The California boy smothared
,bo Cornisbman with left jabs in the face
and right and left body blows. Fitzsim-
rronss most effective attack was a semi-
fake left. followed with quick half-arm
hook. The FIRST time he tried 1t. Which
MAS I'm the third round. Jim threw BACK
his head from the fake. coming forward
for "a counter when he thought fl'A-
s.nmons's glove was comfortably past
his iav. Quick as a flash Bob doubled
hack and barely missed Jim's jaw Win
tho hook. Corbetts smile died away Tor
.7 instant and he took no more chances
.r countering on that particular form oil
lead afterwards. The battle as predicted
was fought on purely scientific ana all
most new principles. Neither OF the men
took any advantage of the privileges al
lowed them under the London prize-rlng
rules and there was very little hitting I'D
cn,ches Corbett made no attempt TO
bring around his right in breaking away
probably because FitZsimmons held UP
h.s elbows too high Jim's only eilort ]"
the way Of parting shot was Iull
right upper-cut. which he brought arouno
very clumsily and failed TO land by at
Ieast a foot every time he tried. lie alo
ee, one upDer-cut I'm the fourth round
splitting Bobs upper lip, and starting
the blood ia a thick stream. Several
umes the men clinched and parted with
both hands up. Frequently Bob WORKED
jim into a corner and reached for him
right and left with blows that would win
any championship battle if they had
landed. Fitzsmmons himself admits that
Corbett shufned and side-stepped his way
10 safety i'm a manner which simply
lazei him.
CORBETT Is CLEVER.
u never saw such a clever man IN my
life" said Fitzsimmons this evening. Gle
got away from me time and again when
thought had him dead 10 right. kne"
D could wear him out, so / kept comins
right along until my opportunity arrived
He was weak in the last round, and al
DIS cleveruess could not keep him out o.
taat left punch under the heart. The ONLY
blow that really worried me was the one
which split my iip. The others ! never
le.L He fought fair and hereafter ne
may have my respect II he continues 70
merit lt."
C0rOetts version Of his own Wateiloo
old not vary greatly from Ftzsimmons s.
o. made a mistake IN not keeping away
Was ne way be put Il. "Fizslmmons
know 10 be terrific punchor but never
calculated Oh his being able TO reach me
Do the sixth round had last ten seconds
longer / would have landed him 10 Ger
tainty His nose was cloggcd with blood
and his legs were wobbllng The gong
sounded Just AZ j was about 20 plug MN
with my right and end tho battle
FIAf "a NrfE ANOTHER GO.