The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-06-10
CHAMPION JEFFRIES.
The Californian Defeats Fitzsim.
mons in Eleven Rounds. -
A WELL CONTESTED BATTLE.

At the End OF the Contest tho Young
Hercules who Is Now tho Worlds
Champion Was as Fresh as at start.
Proposed Joffrles-sharkey Fight.
New York, June 10-James J. JEFF
ries, another sturdy young giant, has
come out of the west to whip champion
pugilists. At the arena of the Coney
Island Athletic club last night he de-
feated Robert Fitzsimmons, worlds
champion in two classes-mlddle-
weight and heavyweight-in II rounds
OF whirlwind fighting He came to the
ring rank outsider and left 1t the
acknowledged master of the rank he
defeated. Ne was never at any time
In serious danger, and after the size
up in the earlier rounds of the contes.
took the lead. He had the Australian
whipped from the ninth round. II was
acknowledged that Jeffries would have
an immense advantage in weight,
height and age, but the thousands who
backed his opponent to win were sure
that he was slow and that he would
In that respect be absolutely at the
mercy Of the postmaster at the science
Of fighting that he was to meet. He
proved. on the contrary, that he was
just as fast as the man he met, and
beat him down to unconscious defeat
In fair fight.
Jeffriss is veritable giant in stature,
and marvelously speedy for his i'm
mense size. Less than year ago he
appeared in New York great, awk-
ward, ungainly boy. Today he is tho
1.-THE, active, alert, trained athlete.
The man who prepared him for his
fight worked wonders with him. They
taught him nearly perfect defense.
improved his foot movement and in
structed him in the methods of In
f1icting punishment. The transition
since he appeared last has been little
short Of miraculous. At "a he has de-
feated Robert Fitzsimmons, Tom Shar-
key and Peter Jackson, and if he cares
for himself he will probably be able to
successfully defend the title for many
years.
The defeated man was Just as good
as when he lowered the colors of the
then peerless Corbett. He was Just as
active, just as clever, just as tricky
and just as fearless of punishment.
He went unfalteringly to his defeat.
He was the aggressor even at mo-
ments when he was bleeding and un-
steady, and when stunned by the blows |
he received he reeled instinctively to-
ward his opponent. He was fighting |
all the time, and punished his oppon-
ent. but found him different oppon-
IL 80 ~
ficult man to fight.
The men fought before crowd Of |
9 1000 persons, and stood up In a great |
beam Of binding white light. 1t was
like thousand calciums, and 1t show
ed their great white bodies in strange |
relief. When the blood came it was Of
an intenser red than usual
There was not suggestion Of In
reference from the police. Chief
Devery occupied seat by the ring
side, but never entered the ring.
When it was all over he sent Captain
Kenny in to clear the ring. The con-
test was pulled off without wrangle,
and was devoid of the brutal elements
that Chief Devery alleged he feared.
There was very little betting. There
was plenty Of money ready on both
Sides but nobody liked the odds. The
Jeffries people wanted two for one for
their collateral and the Fitzsimmons
people were slow to give it.
The great house filled very slowly,
and 1t was after o'clock before the
police had to bestir themselves and
clear the aisles. Fitzsimmons entry
into the ring at 1905 o'clock was
made the occasion of rather theatri-
cal demonstration. Julian was first,
and then came the fighter. The seconds
were next in line and then came two
men bearing a great floral piece that
was almost funeral in appearance. 1t
was inscribed: Good luck to the
champion" Fitzsimmons bowed cere-
to it.. Jeffries was next into
the arena, and like his opponent got
reception.
The opening round was try out,
pure and simple. and not single blow
If an effective nature was landed. First
other, They we're both active and
he clever work recompensed the crowd
'or the lack of excitement.
The second round began in busi-
ness like way, with Jeffries trying his
left. Fitzsimmons then took turn.
but was short. Just as the round
closed Jeffries downed Fitzsimmons
with q hard straight left on the jaw.
The champion came up slowly In
iazed sort of way and reeled toward
his man. The crowd cheered Jeffries
on, but the gong ended the round.
rallied in the rest and
was aggressive again In the third.
was bleeding, but fighting
He made the pace. but it
was the Californian's round. The
'ourth was fast, but not decisive.
Fitzsimmons made his best showing
n the fifth. He began the round with
4 punch that opened Jsff's left eye
md sent little torrent Of blood cours-
ing down his cheek. He forced jeff
ries against the ropes, but the Cali
fornian slipped away from him. He
made JEFF hug again, but when the
round ended Jeffres was back and
lighting Fitzsimmons was the ag-