Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-03-17
FlYzSlMM0NS WON The FIGHT
He Succeeded in Knocking Out the
California Champion in IA Lively
ROunds-The Contest Character
lied Throughout by Fast
Fighting.
The AUSTRALIAN PROVED A SURPRISE
Propitious Weather Favored the Con-
test, and Fighters Entered Ring in
Pink of Conditional Between s.
900 and 5000 Spectators
Witnessed the Battle.


900 and 5000 Spectators
Witnessed the Battle.
Carson City, New. March 1.-THE dawi
of the battle day at Carson City was al
that could be desired, by the severa
thousand people who travelled many mile
to this snowbound valley, to see the grea
Corbett -Fltzsimmons fight. No cloud
were seen anywhere, and there was no
ticable moderation in the temperature
People have been gathering for day.
past, and the hotels were full before th'
excursion rush of last evening, which in
cluded special trains from all parts of th'
country.
Had it not been for the fact that many
Of the excursionists found accommoda
tions on the trains which brought them &c
the scene of the great battle, the city
would not have been able to have taker
care of the thousands gathered from ali
quarters of the United States to see the
two pugilistic giants do battle for the
worlds championship.
One thing that very materially enhanced
the general interest manifested in this
contest, was the universal conviction that
it would be conducted on the square
From the day of training preliminaries
not even breath of scandal has touched
either the men who played the leading
role in this great fstic encounter, OIL
their trainers or attaches. Not single
cry of jobbery has been heard in any
quarter, and everywhere the conviction
has prevailed that the meeting would be
an honest test of strength, science and
endurance, and that the better man
would be allowed to win. This can be
said of but few fights, pulled off during
the past six or seven years. The result
is, that the sport has fallen into genera
disfavor, and anything in the shape of a
contest, is surrounded from the first day
OF training with an atmosphere of scandal
which in many instances envelopes the
principles, and every individual connect
ed with the mill in any capacity whatso
ever.
For the credit of all concerned in this
encounter, the men trained and fought
clear of even suspicion Of dishonesty
The situation was improved, no doubt
from the fact that there is genuine and
deep seated enmity between the two con
testants, made bitter by constant taunts
on the part of the Australian and angry
retorts by the Californian. 1t otter
happens that great deal of this back.
biting and pickering is INDUCED in fol
the effect that it has on the public, done
in expectation Of creating an impression
that strong personal dislike, as we'll as 6
hope of reward, will constitute motive
for hard fighting. Not SO with Oorbett and
Fitzsimmons. Everyone knows, who
knows anything about it at all, that be-
tween these two men, there was grudge
of long standing to be wiped out.
Their meeting on the Carson road quite
recently is fair indication of the es
timation in which they hold one another
The expectation of heavy purse would
not have been necessary at any time dur
ing the past two years to have set these
men afoul OF one another, though the
hope of reward no doubt strengthened the
zeal, and enhanced the general interest ol
the meeting. On personal grounds alone
they would have fought at any time like
tigers, for they are fighting animals, ant
had scores of old standing to settle ir
the fstic arena.
Everything seemed to combine for thu
success of today's exhibition. Both mer
retired early, after day of light exercise
and enjoyed good nights rest in antici
patton of the morrows work.
Before 10 O'Clock between 500 and 6O(
excursionists arrived on special trainl
swelling the number of strangers in towr
to about 1000 people. The demand fo
tickets became 30 brisk that the price o
the cheapest seats was doubled making tn
figure ten dollars for the privilege of oc
cupying seat, and poor one at that
while witnessing the great battle.
The poolrooms were packed like sar
dine boxes, and business was carried OF
with the greatest difficulty. Betting was
lively with about the same odds on Cor
bett as last evening, most of the wager
ranging from seven to ten and 65 to loo
In the mutuals Corbett, Green ant
Hawkins were hot favorites, while Cor
bett, Smith and Flaherty followed closely
Green was favorite at seven to ten, an
Flaherty at four to five, up to the tim
that they went into the ring.
Until shortly before the contest opene
Mrs. Fitzsimmons declared that she di
not intend to witness the fight, but a
that time she changed her mind and wa
assigned to box close to the rim
side.
The gates were opened at $3.50 and i'm
mediately there was mighty rush for tn
arena. The press was 90 great that th
gate keepers found it impossible to tai
tickets, and the holders of the muc
coveted pastboards were requested {
hold them above their heads and in tha
manner 500 people rushed poll NELL int
the arena.
There were three women in the fri
bunch as eager to get In as the rest. Ha
an hour after the gates were opened thel
were about 1000 people comfortabl
seated. All the notable sports of thi
continent we're gathered to see the battl
of the country. John L.. Sullivan n
splendent in shining silk hat, was lout
" cheered as he entered the ring.
Billy Jordan, the we'll known oldtim
master Of ceremonies from San Frar
CISCO, entered the ring and announce
that he In behalf Of Frank B. Dunn, {
Boston, challenged the winner of the Co
M bett-F -Fitzsimmons contest, TO fight wit
John L. Sullivan for 5000, $1,000
which he promised TO deposit with tt
New York World. Sullivan jumped int
the ring and said:
"Gentlemen: There is nothing o.
add to Mr.. Jordsn's remarks. I thin
that there Is one more fight left In N
and am here for business" Great q
plause.
Billy Madden announced that he ht
deposited $2,50O with Warren Lewis,
New York, In behalf Of Joe Goddard
fight winner. He also said that To
Sharkey has 92,6OO ready With tho san