Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-03-27
ROBERT FITZSIMMONs,
Champion Pugilist of the worlt

Champion Pugilist of the World.
befallen him, he broke out with all the
fury of an enraged animal and, dis
carding all the rules which govern the
art of which he is disciple. rushed at
his victorious opponent and made
vain struggle to beat him over the
ropes, only desisting when his own sec
onds and friends forced him away.
Corbett afterwards broke away and
rushed at Fitzsimmons a second time,
but this time instead of attempting to
renew the fight, he implored his victor
to give him another chance, and to &C
cept another challenge from him.
This was refused, and warm words fol-
lowed. Fitzsimmons was borne away
with all the glory of his new won vic
tory, and Corbett left to return to his
home in San Francisco, carrying with
him the despair of defeat.
1t was a great contest, but notwith-
standing the cheers for the victor, the
majority of those who witnessed it
could not but feel a sense of disap-
pointment at the result, believing as
they did that victory was taken from
Corbett at moment when he seemed
sure of gaining it himself
1t was a moment after the noon
hour when the principals and their
seconds appeared, and both were
greeted with great cheers. George
Siler, the referee, arranged the few
preliminary matters in a short time
and about 1910 the battle commenced.
For five rounds the battle continued
without much gain for either side
Corbett landed oftener than his oppo-
nent, but when Fitz got in his terrible
right on the head or body it counted
heavily. In the fifth Corbett landed
staggering blow on the mouth, which
cut Fits lip open and started his
mouth to bleeding badly. The blood
which was soon spattered over the bare
breasts and shoulders of the men in
famed the crowd to the highest pitch
of excitement. Fitz was on his knees
and stayed there for eight seconds
Fitz apparently realized that his only
show was at close quarters, for he kept
boring in and finally he caught Corbett
under the chin with a left in the ninth
and there was roar from the crowd.
In the tenth when Fitz got in a right
on the body and left on the jaw there
were shrieks of delight as the round
ended. Up to the end of the tenth
round Corbett had not received a mark
of any consequence, but in this round
Fitz seemed the stronger of the
two and he was fighting like
a demon. In the 14th the end came
with startling suddenness- The blow
that did the business was a left hand
blow over the heart Jim staggered
and Fitz struck him right on the jaw.
Jim sank to his knees, clinging to the
ropes. His face was contorted with
pain and he could not breathe. He
tried in vain to rise but each time he
sank back in agony with his hands over
his heart. Slowly Siler counted the
fatal seconds and when he raised his
hand at the tenth second a roar went
up from the crowd Bob stood over
looking his fallen rival, waiting to adj
minister the finishing blow if Jim got
up, but his caution was unnecessary.
Jim's seconds rushed into the ring
and hustled him to his corner. Cor
bett revived and when he learned he
had lost the fight had became frantic.
He broke away from his seconds
and rushed about hunting for Fitzsim-
mons and striking blindly right and
left 1t was a pitiful exhibition OF
impotent rage His seconds tried in
vain to control him, but he struck
viciously at them as well as at others
Finally they grabbed him by the arms
and carried him by force from the ring