The news & observer., 1897-03-18
ONE PUNCH DID It
I,rf.-lE~. or Under Corbett's
Heart Won the Battle.
FiTZ s.MS IN ~ ROUNDS
FINDER CLEAR SKY AND era
Died AMONG SNOW-CAPS.
F,Jz WAS WEAKENING FAST
Corbet, writhed IN Agony and Finally
Sprang Like Fury to Save
the Dav, But twas
Ton I ate.

Sprang Like uTx 10 gave
the Dav, But twas
Too Late.
Carson City, New. March 17.-Under
a clear sky and in valley five thousand
feet above the sea, circled by snow tlppeu
mountains. which glistened in the bright
sunlight, making a picture such as was
never seen before on an occasion or the
kind. James J. Corbett went down TO de-
feat. to-day before Robert Fitzsimmons,
who became the champion heavy weight
pugilist of the world
The victory was not gained without a
struggle; in fact, victory did not seem
possibLe for Fitzsimmons until the last
moment of the battle. He was giving
every indication of slowly going to pieces
when he delivered blow in a vital part
and followed it with two others which
sent the Californian to the floor with the
agony of pain and despair imprinted on
his face. and he was unable to rise within
the limit which would save him. When
Il
the assistance of his attendants, and re-
covered sufficiently from his dazed con-
dition to realize the calamity that had
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 a disciple, rushed at
his victorious opponent and made a vain
struggle to beat him over the ropes, only
desisting when his own seconds and
friends forced him away.
FITZ.'S LUCKY BLOW.
And then the new champion was borne
to his dressing room amid the cheers Of
the 5000 people who were in the arena,
accompanied by his seconds and trainers,
and also his wife, who had watched the
contest from position within a few feet
of the ring, and who had taken in every
detail, even at the time when it seemed
that her husband would be knocked in
sensible at her feet.
1t was great contest, but nOtwith-
standing the cheers for the victor, the
majority of those who witnessed the
fight, could not but feel sense of dis
appointment at the result, believing as
they did that victory was taken from
COrDptC AT Il moment WUou ne Sttlutu
sure Of gaining it himself.
The contest was accompanied by the
usual delays which attend such affairs,
due largely to wait for the hour when
the sunlight would be the brightest so
that the new electrical device-the vera
scope-which was located at he ring side,
would be able to obtain the best results
in taking an actual living picture Of the
fight. For two hours before the men
entered the ring the crowds gathered in
the arena. a temporary structure OF vast
dimensions, having the canvass covered
ring in the center with row after row OF
plain boards rising from each side and
with no covering but the clear sky above.
FITZ LOOKED A LOSER.
1t was a moment after the noon hour
when the principals and their seconds ap-
peared and both were greeted with great
cheers George Siler. the referee, ar
ranged the few preliminary matters in a
short time and about 1910 the battle
commenced Little was accomplished by
either Of the men in the first round, but
in the next few rounds Corbett had every
advantage. In the fifth round he punish
ed FitzsimmOns severely, battering him
streamed from his face and he finally
sank to his knees to avoid further pun
ishment, remaining there until nearly al
the allotted time had expired, when h
arose and succeeded in continuing the
contest for the few remaining seconds
Of the round. Nearly all the spectators
thought the end was at hand then, bu
the Australian rallied and fought game
battle for nearly eight rounds more
though there were several OCCASIONS dur
ing that time when Corbett seemed t
have had him going. He did numbe
OF flows on Corbett and they were hard
too, but they seemed to have little effec
on him. At the opening OF the 14th ant
last round Oorbett looked the winner
Though somewhat tired, he wa
stiA strong and was displaymi
more science and continued to pound th'
Australian and keep the blows and the1
came the final blow and the end. Tn,
blow which ended the fight was left
hand punch delivered just below tn
heart 1t was the more effective for tn
reason that Corbett was leaning back
ward when it came. 1t caught him ol
the tenseiy drawn muscles, just over tn
spleen. and must have caused the mos
intense agony. Corbett was more rncon
scsou~ from pain than from the force O
the blow.
BAY LIKE A LAGOON.
As he lay writhing and grovel
ing On the floor his face presented th'
most CHASTITY appearance imaginable. N,
man in last death struggle could hav,
horrihed the spectators more and hi
agonizing cries Of pain could be heart
above the cheers for the victor. Ant
then followed the widest scene of th
day. when he arose to his feet and wit
all the strength he he'd left. rushed a
his opponent and tried to finish the con
teA. Those nearest the ring jumpe.