Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-06-14
NEW CHAMPION SLUGGER.
James j. Jefferies Conquers the Conqueror
of COrbett.


James j. Jefferies Conquers the Conquerol
of COrbett.
Robert Fitzsimmons, the plug ugl!e
who two years ago put James j. Cor
bett to sleep at Carson City, Nevada,
and who has since been the champion
heavy weight slugger of the world, is
now a back number. James j. JEFF
ferries gave him a sound licking on
Coney Island, New York, last Friday
night, and stepped into his shoes, to
pose as champion of the the world un-
til he meets better man.
The fight took place before the Coney
Island Athletic club, and was wit
messed by some 5000 sports who gath,
cred for the purpose from all parts OF
the country. The fight lasted eleven
rounds; but was virtually over in the
tenth round, when it became evident
that Jefferies had Fitzsimmons whip
ped. There was no humbug about the
contest, however. Both men were
game and they fought their best. JEFF
ferries is the younger man, being only
"a to Fitzsimmons 81, and besides he
proved to be the hest man all around
probably a better man than Fitzsim-
mons ever was. The eleventh and last
round of the battle is described by the
New York Sun as follows:
"When this round began, Fitz came
out of his corner like bulldog. He
had revived again and was strong.
This wonderful recovery dumfounded
the crowd. Fitz rushed at once and
put in a heavy body blow, Jeferies
catching him on the neck with left.
Fitz hustled him again and jeff caught
him over the heart with right. JET.
ferries put two lefts in solid to the
mouth and stomach, and Fitz seemed
to tire. Fitz's legs were shaking a
trifle, but he blocked the big fellows
swings, and tried again with desper-
ate right. Jeffries's left worked rapid
ly upon Fitz's mouth and he whipped
in the blows so fercely that Fitz was
clearly tired. Jeffries appreciated the
situation at once. He saw the chance
of his lifetime. Before him was the
champion who was overmatched.
Jeffries rushed with all his strength
and vigor. His great left hand twice
swung swiftly to Bob's jaw. Both
blows were like mallets. Fitz stood
stock still moment until another left
landed on his chin again. The he be-
gan to wabble. Jeffries was blazing
with excitement. 1t was the last
straw, and with a right which was
we'll aimed and had terrific amount
of power behind it, he caught Fitzsim-
mons squarely on the point of the
Jaw. This blow won the heavyweight
championship of the world, for Fitz
fell over backward and his head struck
the floor with a crash. He rolled
about convulsively for moment and
then lay upon his back insensible.
The blood was flowing from his
mouth"
The fight was for purse of S2O, 600,
of which it was agreed beforehand
that Fitzsimmons should have 60 per
cent. and Jefferies 40 per cent. The
gate receipts amounted to $S5,270, of
which half went to the Athletic club,
and the other half was divided between
the fighters on the same basis as was
the $2C, 900 purse. Fitzsimmons there
fore, received $S5,SS1 and Jefferies
S27,054.
Jefferies is native American, hav-
ing been born in California, while
Fitzsimmons is a native of Cornwall,
England.
The fight was one of the most de-
cent and orderly affairs of the kind
that was ever known. After it was
over the men shook hands without any
display of feeling. Fitzsimmons said
he had been licked fairly and squarely
and that the reason of it was that JEFF
ferries is the best man. No effort was
made by the New York police author
tiles to interfere with the fight either
beforehand or during its progress.