The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-03-24
THE BIG FIGHT.
Fitzsimmons Becomes the Heavy
Weight Champion Of the World.
Knocked COrbett Ont in Fourteenth
ROund-Jim Had Best of the
Fight Until That
Blow.

larson, Nev., March 18.-After two
years of doubt and vexatious postpone
ments, the heavy weight championship
OF the world was decided beyond cavil,
when Robert Fitzsimmons sent James
j. Corbett helpless to his knees with a
left-hand blow under the heart after
l minute and As seconds in the 14th
round of their battle in the arena
here Wednesday afternoon. The great
contest was won in the simplest man
ner and the knockout was the result of
one unwary move on the part of Corbett.
After the first minute of the 18th
round had been spent in few
harmless clinches and counters, Fitz
made fake lead with his right for the
jaw. 1t was simple ruse, but it caught
the Californian mapping. Instead of
keeping his body inclined forward and
throwing back his head just a trifle to
allow the blow, which was of the very
lightest kind, slip by, Corbett contemp-
tuously bent his head and chest back
ward and thus protruded his abdomen.
Fitz' small eyes flashed and like light
ming he saw and availed himself of his
advantage. Drawing back his left he
brought it up with terrible force, the
forearm rigid and at right angles to the
upper arm. With full power of his
wonderful driving muscles brought into
play, the Australian fairly ripped the
blow up the pit of Corbett's stomach at
point just under the heart. Corbett
was lifted clean off his feet and as he
pitched forward Fitz shot his right up
and around, catching Jim on the jaw
and accelerating his downfall.
Corbett sank on his left knee, and
with his outstretchsd right, grasped
the ropes for support. His left arm
worked convulsively up and down while
his face was twitching with an express
sion of the greatest agony. His face
wore an agonized expression pitiable to
behold. Fitzsimmons stepped quickly
back to his corner, where he stood sur
rounded by his seconds. Referee Siler
stood over Corbett with both hands
uplifted and slowly and in loud voice
counted the seconds. At seven Jim
made desperate and convulsive effort
to raise himself to his feet. 1t was of
no use, and his head dropped down until
the referee had reached the fatal count.
Siler threw up his hands at ten and
made his way quickly out of the ring.
A scene of the most indescribable
confusion followed. Fitzsimmons was
quickly surrounded by crowd, who
burst through the ropes and the Aus
tralian danced about for few seconds.
Corbett was assisted to his feet by Nc
Vey and White. The ring was crowded
in an instant and it was impossible to
clear it. The crowd oRthe platform
was cleared partially by the officials,
through the break in the crowd, made
wild dash at the Australian and led
for his head with both hands.
Jim was fondled by his friends and
coaxed into quitting the ring for his
dressing-room. Before the platform
was cleared w. A. Brady addressed the
crowd, saying that he would back Cor
bett against Fitzsimmons any time or
at any place for $4,000.
The fight was to decide the heavy
weight championship of the world and
the purse was $4,000, with a side stake
of $4,000. About 5000 persons paid for
admission to the arena. Good order was
maintained until the last moment, and
after couple of rounds the telling
points made by each man were cheered
inpartially. After Corbett came to his
senses the two pugilists shook hands,
Jim having indirectly apologized for his
outbreak after the contest was decided.
Important Appointments.
Washington, March 19.-The presi-
dent Thursday sent to the senate the