The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-06-16
1hs fourth was fast, but


not decisive.
Fitzsimmons made his best showing
in the fifth. He began the round with
punch that opened Jeffries' left eye
and sent little torrent of blood cours-
ing down his,cheek. He forced Jeffries
against the ropes, but the Californian
slipped away from him. He. made
Jeffries hug around, but when the
round ended Jeffries was back and
fighting. Fitzsimmons was the aggres-
sor in the sixth, too, and that was his
round. He tried all of his tricks with
left and right, but was unable to place
them right He closed with strong
right upper cut, but that, too, was
blocked. The seventh might be said to
have been Fitzsimmons', but he did no
particular damage with his punches.
The eighth saw
The Beginning of the End.
for Fitzsimmons never regained his bal
ance after that round. Jeffries began
the round with straight left on the
face that again brought the blood out
of his opponents mouth. The Cornish
man staggered against the ropes but
came back for another facer. There
was fear in FitZsimmons' corner and
Julian yelled to him to be careful. Fltz-
simmons planted one of his lefts on
Jeffries' jaw and staggered him against
the ropes. The ninth round was all
Jeffries'. He sent the Australians head
back with series of lefts, put his right
on the body and avoided any serious
punishment. Fitzsimmons kept press
ing forward all the time, however, but
was unable to find his opponent.
The 10th was in reality where the
fight ended Jeffries rushed his oppo-
nent and downed him with a left swing
Fitzsimmons seemed out and there was
moment of the widest excitement
Julian ran along the side of the ring
and sprinkled water on his fallen idol.
At the end of seven seconds Fitzsim-
monds staggered to his feet only to go
down again. He was up again and
Jeffries
Poised Himself for the Finish.
He shot his left to the body and tried
for the head with his right. He was
calm and collected, but the time was
too short. Again did the gong come to
the aid of the man who was then going,
staggering and dazed, to certain defeat.
There was frantic effort to revive the
champion, but he was clearly gone and
his seconds could not restore him. The
gong changed again and the old fighter
wobbled out to meet the sturdy young
Hercules, who awaited him. 1t was as
courageous and gritty dash as up to
the firing line in battle, but it was hope
less. 1t was a splendid moment and
full of melodramatic intensity that
characterizes a tragedy. Jeffries was
as fresh as at the start. There was
moment of sparring and the giant arms
of the Californian shot out through the
air. 1t was left and right and all over
Fitzsimmons, limp and unconscious,
dropped to the floor. Jeffries stepped
back, for he knew the force that had
been put behind his terrible blows. The
timers called off the seconds that
Counted Ont an Old Ring Hero
them. The crowd was on its feet howl
ing. There was rush for the ring, but
scores of bluecoats barred the way
Ten seconds are sh ort and when the
10th had come there was new roar of
excitement to welcome the victor. Ju-
liam, Yank Kenny and Everhart gath
cred up the PROSTATE man. He was
still in a trance. They carried him to
his corner and little blood oozed from
his mouth as his head fell forward on
his chest. The new hero crossed the
ring and shook the hand of his rival
after which he was surrounded by his
friends who hustled him from the ring
and into his dressing room. In re-
spouse to congratulations the new cham
pion said:
'Fitzsimmons fought good and
game battle and hit me harder than any
man l have been up against. would
gain nothing by meeting Sharkey again,
but am willing to meet any man in the
world in whom the public has conf
dence and there need be no fear of my
quitting the ring for the stage. No, I'll
defend my title as champion at all
times and against all comers."