The San Francisco call., 1897-03-18
FAIR AND SQUARE.
United Associated Presses
Reporters Tell How
Corbett Lost by
One Unwary
Move.

CARSON, NEv., March 17.-After two
years of doubt and vexatious postpone-
ments the heavy weight championship of
the world was decided beyond cavii when
Robert Fitzsimmons sent James J. Cor
bett helpless to his knee with left-hand
blow under the heart after one minute
and forty-fiye seconds OF the fourteenth
round of their battle in the arena here
this afternoon. ,ss
The great contest was won in the SIM
plest manner, and the knockout was the
result of one unwary move on the part Of
Corbett. After the first minute OF the
fourteenth round had been spent in few
harmless cinches and counters, Fitzslr-
mons made fake lead with his right for
the jaw. It was a simple ruse, but it
caught the Californian mapping. Instead
Of keeping his body inclined forward
and throwing back his head just trifle
to allow the blow, which was very
light, to pass, Corbett contemptuously
bent his head and chest backward ana
thus protruded his abdomen. Fitzsim-
mons small eyes flashed ana, like light
ming, he saw and availed himself Of his
advantage. Drawing back his left, be
brought it up with terrible force. the FORE
arm rigid and at right angles to the upper
arm. With the full power OF his wonder
full driving muscles brought into play, the
Australian fairly ripped the blow up to
the pit OF Corbett's stomach at point just
under the heart. Corbett was lifted clean
off his feet, and as he pitched forward
Fitzsimmons shot his right up and
around, catching Jim on the jaw and
acceleratIng his downfall Corbctt sank
on his left knee, and with his outstretched
right grasped the ropes for support. His
left arm worked convulsively up and
down, while his face twitched in agony.
Referee Siler threw up his hands on the
call of ten and left the ring.
There were some cries of "feul" when
the referee declared Corbett out. but they
were unheeded by anybody, as the battle
was won fairly and squarely.
The defeat nearly drove Corbett wild.
When he was able to feel his feet after his
seconds had helped him to his corner he
broke away from them and rushed at Fitz
simmons, who had not left the ring. A
scene of dreadful confusion ensued. The
ring was crowded with an excited mob,
but Corbett burst through them and
struck at Fitzslmmons. The Australian
kept his arms by his sides and with great
deal of generosity made allowances for
Corbett's half-demented condition. Bob
merely ducked under the blow and wnen
Corbett cinched with him and struck him
feeble blow on the ear the champion only
smiled. It was with great difficulty that
Billy Brady and the seconds succeeded in
quieting Corbett down and getting him
back to the dressing-room.
The hight was clean and speedy. 1t
demonstrated two facts-that Corbett is
the cleverest boxer of his weight in the
world and that Fitzsimmons is able to hit
him. The California boy smothered the
Cornishman with left jabs n the face and
right and lett body blows. Fitzsimmons'
most effective attack was a semifake left
swing followed with quick half arm
hook. The first time he tried it in the
third round. Jim threw back his head
from the fake, coming forward for conn
ter when he thought Fitzsimmons' glove
was comfortably past his jaw. Quick as
a fash Bob doubled back and barely
missed Jim's jaw with the hook. Cor
belts smile died away for an instant, and
he took no more chances on count ering
on that particular form of lead afterward.
The battle, as predicted, was fought on
purely scientific and almost new lprinci-
pies. Neither of the men took any advan-
tage of the privileges allowed them under
the London prize-ring rules, and there was
very little hitting In clinches Corbett
made no attempt to bring around his right
in breaking away, probably because Fi,z-
simmons held up his elbows too high.
Jim's only effort in the way of parting
shot was a full right uppercut, which he
brought around very clumsily and failed
! to land by At least q foot every time he