The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-10
STANDING OF THE POLO CLUBS.
KELLY DEFEATS PLIMMER

Sam Kelly, the ll5-pound champion OF
America, beat Billy. Plimmer of England
In the 20-round bout decided last evening
in the Olympic Athletic club, Birming-
ham, England. They met at ll5 pounds,
weighed at O'Clock, and fought for $1,000
. side and purse of $500.
Plimmer did all the work for nineteen
rounds, but Kelly disposed of him by
lucky series OF maneuvres In the twen-
tieth. Although Plimmer had not been
fighting of late he was heavily backed by
the English talent and entered the ring q
decided favorite in the betting.
Kellys seconds were Paddy Moran,
Larry Burns Of Cohoes and Billy Tucker
of Newark. Dick Burge was the chief
adviser of Plimmer.
The hall where the fight took place was
crowded, among those present being
many well-known American sportsmen.
Both combatants were in splendid condi-
ton, and answered with alacrity In each
round each in turn taking the aggressive.
At the 10th round it appeared to be any
body's fight and Kelly made particu-
larly good play with double handlers
The end of the 11th left Plimmer
rifle weak, but he rallied somewhat and
had the better of the bout during the 18th
round In the 18th round Plimmer
showed his irritation at his opponents
two-handed blows, which had considerable
effect, the fight continuing at express rate.
During the 14th Kelly paid close atten-
ton to Plimmer's left eye, which on the
opening Of the 10th round showed traces
of heavy work. In this round, after
sharp rally both men became slower but
after taking breather Plimmer planted
forcible blow with his left on Kelly's
nose.
The blood flowed freely Kelly tried to
force the pace in the sixteenth round, but
Plimmer, maintaining stubborn defence,
got in nasty body blow, compelling his
opponent to retreat to the corner. Kelly
soon rallied and delivered such n shower
of blows on Plimmer's face and body that
tho latter showed signs of distress.
During the seventeenth round, and to
the end of tho nineteenth round, Kelly
was much more effective, but he was un-
able to cvade Plimmer's left hand.
Plimmer scored much more rapidly
during the twentieth round, and the
American showed extra quickness Plim-
mcr in trying to reach the body of his
opponent, received heavy blow in the
mouth and soon gave signs of weakening.
Kelly followed up his advantage by floor
ing Plimmer, who fell face downward, and
only rose In time TO avoid being counted
out.
Kelly then made determined rush which
gave Plimmer no chance To recover, and
tho latter, very weak and unable to resist
a second blow on the jaw, fell again. III,
cid not rise TO time, and suffered defeat
after a terrific fight completed within
twelve seconds Of the full time limit o.
the battle.
The betting opened at 3 TO 4 on Plim
mer. When the fight was half through
to was offered.
The Daily Telegraph and the Sports
man claim that Plimmer had by far tn
best Of the contest in the matter Of points
and science, and that Kelly had no chanc
whatever except in a Knockout blow.
The Sportsman says: "A prcttier an'
more straightforward contest was neye
seen. Some people left the hall at the en'
of the seventeenth round, confident tina
Plmmer was winner. Kellys dcspcr
ate effort I'm the last round, when it wa
still thought Plimmcr would win. was no
exactly artistic, but II was full Of vigo
and determination and secured him
most astounding victory"