The San Francisco call., 1897-03-12
FITZSIM MONS MCCARTHY.
How the Artlpodeans' First Battle
In This Country Was Won.

In This Country Was Won.
Old mem bers OF the defunct California
Athletic Club will not soon forget the first
professional appearance of Bob Fitzsim-
mons in this country. Shortly after his
arrival from Australia he was instructed
by the president of the club Lem Fulda,
to get into condition as quickly as posi-
Bile, as he might be called upon at day s
notice to enter into passage at arms with
some unknown. Fitzsmmons did not
bar any man, as he was only too anxious
TO make few dollars at the time, having
pockets to mend.
Billy Mccarthy. a countryman of Fitz-
simmons, was training Tor contest with
Reddy Gallagher of Denver. The latter
was taken i'll and refused to meet Nc
Carthy unless the match was post poned.
The CLUB would not grant a postponement
and the directors had a consultation with
Mccarthy and Fitzsimmons, which re-
suited in the consummation OF a match
between that pair. FitZSimmons had
only few davs to train in, but he seemed
in splendid condition when the day OF the
battle arrived.
The betting favored Mccarthy, as he
was then looked upon as being the best
middle-wei ht in the country. The match
was for a $1,000 purse, and was won by
Fitzsimmons.
In the first round Mccarthy sailed in to
give Fitz immons sharp argument, but
the long fellow kept putting his left fist
in Macs mouth until the latter stopped
rushing. Mccarthy was busy with his
hands, but all of his attempts to land fell
short.
In the second round Mccarthy tried
some OF his old tricks, but Fitzsimmons
was on to his game, and would not fall
,,t ttvo
the aggressive. and drove his opponent
al around the ring, administering left
jabs on the face and right-handers on the
ribs. Mccarthy landed one good upper
cut in q rally near FitZsimmons' corner,
but he received hard punishment in re-
turn.
In the third round the long fellow lifted
Mccarthy off his feet with left punches on
the chin no less than three times and,
Mccarthy. who was as gritty as a game
cock. came back for more punish ment.
Fltzsimmons realiZeI what a thoroughly
game fellow he had before him and he did
not force the battle.
In the fourth round Mccarthy came up
fresh and rushed at Fltzsimmons, fighting
for the body In most determined man.
ner, but left on the mouth and warm
right on the ear steadied him. He was
ioored twice later on, and his face began
10 look like q raw steak. Fitzsimmons
finally stopped over in such a manner as
to be heard by Mccarthy. He said "Mac
quit, as l don't want to hurt you any
more"
But Mccarthy would not think of such
thing as quitting in the ring. From this
on the contest was awfully one-sided; in
fact 1t was only question how long Nc
Carthy would stand the terrific bonn bard
ment on his face and body. Although
his face was covered with blood he kept
swim ging at FitZsimmons, in the hope OF
landing knockout blow, bat the long
fellow easily avoided the swings and
waited an opportunity to put Mccarthy TO
sleep.
Finally in the ninth round The oppor.
tunity came and F:tZsImmons put his big
right duke on Macs chin and the battle
was over. Mccarthy fell in heap and
actually left the bloody imprint of his
body on the floor of the ring. Before get
ting the punch hat gave him h quetus,
Mccarthy was downed three times, and
once Fitzsimmons sent him through the
ropes and caught him by the arm in time
10 save him from falling off the stage to
the floor.
When taken to his corner Mccarthy
wanted to resume the battle when ne re-
covered his equilibrium, but Captain
Douglass ordered all men ont of the ring
and Fitzsimmons had earned his first
American dollar by being declared the
winner.
FAZsimmons handed MCCARTHY $500
after he battle, as the latter was "Hai
broke" and had a family to support.
Long Bob's next fight of note was against
Jack Dempsey, the champion middle
weight.