The Portland daily press., 1897-03-18

OCouPACu Dy LIB suio Vvh0 AlSse>S Ills
Cory Face-DetaiIed Description OF
Greatest OF Modern Fistie Battles.
Carson, New, March l7.-After two
years of doubt ami various postpone
ments, the heavyweight cham pionship
of the world was decided beyond oayil
when Robert Fitzsimmons sent James
J. Corbett helpless to his knees with
left hand blow u nder the heart after
one minute and 45 seconds in the 18th
round of their battle in the arena this
afternoon.
The great contest was won in the silnp-
lest manner and the Knockout was the
result of one unwary move on the Part
of Corbett. The defeat nearly drove
Corbett wild. The fight was clean and
speedy. II demonstrated two facts
that Corbstt is the oleverest boxer of his
weight in the world, and Fitzsimmons
is able to hit him The California boy
smothered the Cornishman with left
Jabs in the face and right body blows.
Fitz's most effective attack was
semi-fake swing, followed with quick
half-arm hook. The first time he tried
1t, which was in the third round, Jim
threw back his head from the fake,
coming forward for Counter when he
thought Fitz's glove was past his jaw.
Quick as flash Bob doubled back aud
barely missed Jims Jaw. Corbets' s
smile died away for the instant and be
took no moro chances ON countering
on that particular form of lead after
| wards. The battle was fought on
purely scientific and almost new princi-
pies. Neither of the men took any ad-
vantage of tine privileges allowed them
in the London prizs ring rules and there
was very little hitting in cIinches. Cor
bett made no attempt to bring around
his right in breaking away probably be-
cause he held his elbow too high. Jim g
only effort in the way of a parting shot
was full right upper cut which he
brought around very clumsily and failed
to land by at least foot every time he
| tried.
He did get in one good upper out in
the fourth round, splittings Bob's under
| lip and starting the blood in thick
stream. Several times the men clinched
and parted with both hands up. Ere
quently Bob worked Jim into corner
and reached for him right and left with
blows that would win any champion
ship battle if they had landed. Fitz him
self admits that Corbett huffied and
slde-stepped his way to safety in man
ner which simply dazed him.
| 81 never saw such clever man in
my iife,' said Fitzsi mmons tonight.
| "He got away from me- time and again
when thought had him dead to ghts.
knew could wear him out SO kept
coming right along until my opportuni-
1 tv arrived. He WAS weak in tie last
round and all his cleyerness could not
keep him out of that lett punch under
| the heart. The only blow that really
worried me was the one when split
my lip. The others I never felt. He
fought fair and hereafter he may have
my respect If he continues to merit it. u
| Corbett's version of his own Waterloo
did not Avary greatly from Fitzsm-
mons's. 81 made mistake i'll not keep.
ing away was the way he put 1t. Fit2
l knew to be terrific puncner. | never
calculated on his being able to reach
me. If the sixth round had lasted ten
seconds longer l would have landed
him to a certainty. His nose was clogged
with blood and his legs were wobbling.
Tie gong sounded just as was going
to plug him VITA my right and end the
battle. He reouperated wonderfully ant
/ sta1d away from him until | thought
he was about ripe for further drubbine
ut short range. My neglect in not
standing off when ne tapled me OH tn,
check in the 14th lost me the champion
ship. That heart punch simply shocked
me. I could not breath Or move fol
10 seconds. 1t was several minutes be
fore realized I had committed a breach
of etiquette in trying to follow up my
opponent after he pat ME- out l meant
it when 81 said l would be his frient
hereafter. He whipped NE tair ant
square. don't think he is the bes
,l.an yet, and we will have another go il
money can bring him into the ring"
BY noon 4E00 were scattered abouF the
arena. There were perhaps 80 ladies II
| the boxes. Mrs. FitZs immonS sat behint
her husbaud's cOruer. The crowd wa
good-nat'' Il Notwithstanding the Ions
delay, nd amused themselves bandyins
small bo,s
Fitziuimons appeared at 11.55 wearing
a blue and white bath robe. He hat
not reached the ring, when loud applaus
| from the other side announced Corhett
who wore dark gray and red stripe,