The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-06-16
AFTER The battle TALK.
Referee George Siler Pronounces the
Jeffriesf Fitzsimmons Fight
Clean and Straightaway.
.FI1z ADMITS DEFEAT BY 4 BETTER MAN
Declares Jenries IL Now WORLDS
Champion and Has Fairly Won
Title-Sharkey Says Jenrtes Must
g Meet and Defeat Him Before Hav.
ing Right to Title. ~. .'.. = e :

who refereed, the Je1fries-
fight, said in an interview: -t...
1T was NICE clean, straightaway fight
with no attempt on either side to foul.
Both men seemed to do their best to avoid
any violations of the rules. OF course when
big men like these get tired there is more
or less clinching. In my opinion Jeffries
had shade the best of it for the last seven
rounds. Jeffries is unquestionably young
man of rema 1t was good
fight from start TO- finish and the best man
Won."
80 Admits Fair Defeat.
Ex-Champion. Robert Fitzsimmons
said to World correspondent:
II fully expected to win. but didn't. JEFF
fries won because he was the best man.
could not believe that he had improved so
much He is young. strong. quick and
clever. I have no excuse to make on the
score of condition and 'overconf1dence.,
was in perfect trim. better, really, than I
ever was before, and fought the best I
could. Whereas I fully expected to win.
did not hold my man cheap. That is some-
thing was never guilty of. Jeffries is now
the champion of the world beyond ques-
ton. and is entitled to all the praise that
may be showered upon him. He won the
title fairly and squarely. and he now has a
chance to make great deal of money. Let
him go ahead and get it, and for one. will
not modest him for the present. OF course,
I may challenge him. but it was all so sud-
den that have not had time to decide just
what will do. It is not improbable that I
will ask him for another chance"
JefrieS Was Confident.
Champion Jeffries said:
1.-THE fight was never for moment in
doubt so far as I was concerned. I knew
what l could do when l entered the ring,
a I
from the time the gong first sounded.
"Fitzsimmons never hurt me but once,
and that was a hard blow in the left eye.
His body blows did not have near the force
they may have seemed to. In my estima-
tion had the best of every round.
"Fitzsimmons was a good clean fighter,
and probably the best man of his weight in
the country, if not in the world. I wish him
all success for the future.
~ believe am the best man in the world
and am willing to defend the title which
have won."
Jim Corbett Pleased.
James J. Corbett said:
1T proved just as predicted. When JET
fries was my sparring partner at Carson,
at the time I prepared for my fight with
Fitzsimmons, / knew that he had it in him
though he was then immature. Fitzsina-
mons would NOT fight me. But in Jeffries
got the man who. I knew. could defeat
him. Jeffries was never in danger: When
I went to his room before the battle told
him to go in and fight as soon as the gong
| rang. told him if Fitzsimmons would not
| fight in the first round to go at him. He did
| it. In the third round he had Fitzsimmons
going. 1t was a splendid battle and JEFF
| fries did the fighting. This proves what
| have always said-that good boxer with
| good left hand could defeat Fitzsin.
mons. Jeffries possesses all the qualities OF
great boxer. He is competent to defend
| his proud title against any fighter on earth
He does not lack ring science nor general.
ship. The fight showed he was Quickea
than Fitzsimmons."
sharkey Claims Championship.
| San Francisco, June 12---Tom Shar-
key has issued statement in which
he declares he is still the champion
heavyweight of the world" and that
Jeffries will have to dispose Of him
before laying claim to that title. He
thought Jeffries had greatly improved
Je0ries' Parents Pleased.
Los Angeles, CAL, June 12.-When q
reporter called at the home of Cham
piont Jeffries' father in East Los An
geles late at night, he found the lights
out and the family asleep. After some
time the family was aroused and came
down to hear the, news of the fight
Mr.. Jeffries, who is a preacher, and
who does not approve of his sons pro
fession, did not appear elated over the
result, though, he asked several ques
tons as to what round the fight end
ed, and if anyone was hurt. Being as
sured that neither his SON nor Fitz
simmons had sustained serious injury
he said:
Its just as said some time ago w1,er
| I was asked for an expression as to the
coming battle. The Lord was in the fight
| He was with Jim and of course Jim Won.''
Mrs. Jeffries was delighted that hel
son had won and Immediately sent the
following to him:
II am glad you have won the victory you
| have worked SO hard for.
(signed) MOTHER"