The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-03-24
C0RBETT KNOCKED OUT,
Fitzsimmons Declared the Champion Pu-
gilist Of the World
AT CARSON. NEVADA, LAST wEDNEs-
DAY.

Robert Fitzsimmons, of Australia, won
the heavyweight championship of the
world, a purse of $4,000 and side bet of
$4,000 by defeating James J. Corbett, of
California. The knockout blow was
landed in tho fourteenth round of one of
the fiercest and bloodiest pugilistic en-
counters ever witnessed and was conce-
ded by all to be fair and square fight in
all that the term implies for the sporting
fraternity.
When Fitzsimmons and Corbett enter
ed the ring and time was called at l2.0l
or 3O7 p. m, eastern time, almost 1000
people were seated in the great arena.
Governor Sadler, of Nevada, and Mrs
Fitzsimmons were among the spectators,
as was ex-Champion John L. Sullivan.
When Sullivan appeared he was cheered
to the echo and Billy Jordan. in behalf of
Frank g. Dunn, of Boston, challenged
the winner to fight Sullivan for 5000.
Fitzsimmons refused to shake hands with
Corbett when time was called.
Fitzsimmons received Corbett's blows
without apparent effect until the fifth
u,
landing on FitZ's nose. In the sixth
round Fitz was literally covered with
blood bat he fought like a demon. The
ninth round saw Corbett weakening SO
that Fitz was able to land oftener. In
tine tenth Fitz was cooler and stronger
and forced Corbett back Corbett was
weaker in the eleventh round but had
the best of the twelfth. Eound ii ended
in Fitz bringing Corbett TO his knees with
a blow on the stomach. The fourteenth
round lasted just one minute and 10 sec
onds. Fitz landed a terrific blow over
Corbett's heart and he was counted out.
He arose and made a rush al FitZ just af-
ter the tenth second was counted, but
amidst the great uproar Referee Siler
awarded the fight to Fitzsimmons.
The greatest excitement prevailed for a
time as sports from all parts of the coun-
try crowded around the fighters and ex-
pressed joy or sorrow. Corbett shed tears
over his defeat but made no kick against
the decision and offered to fight Fitzsim-
mons once more. The new champion
said he did not care TO fight
Fitxsimmons announces his determine
tion To quit the ring forever. He says: !:
Because of my wife and my baby, whom
love better than all the world. l have
promised never to fight again. My only
object in signing for this last encounter
was to vindicate my honor and prove
that no man ever lived who could whip
me in prize fight, be he great or small.
In all my career as a fighter have tried
to be an honorable man. ] trust / Will
he pardoned for dwelling little on the
general impression circulated by my en-
emies that / had been fixed to lie down.
If the truth were known. and | see no
reason why it would not be, was offered
$4,000 by a San Francisco combination
to throw this fight and $4,000 by New
Yorker. / gave my answer to those
overtures when the gong sounded and
| Referee Siler, who has been an honora-
BILE and square referee and whom / wish
to congratulate, called time, / made up
my mind that if they carried me out
| loser that il would be as a dead man.
| The public can decide for themselves.
submit the facts. / met the enemy and
he is mine. / am now prepared to enter
| into some occupation more readily ac-
cepted by the public and will try to or
nament society a. have the profession
which has been mine for fifteen years,
! but which | discarded forever for my
/ wife"