The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-12
CORBBff'S GAME EFFORT
Stands Up to J fries for Twenty
Three Fas; Rounds.
Former Champion Showed Himself
to he the Greatest Living Boxer
the End-t Punch iu the JnTv De-
cides in the Champions Favor.

NEW YORK. May 11.-Though James ].
Corbett was fairly knocked out in the
twenty-third round of the heavy weight
championship fight at Coney Island to-
night. and thereby failed to wrest the
honors from James j. Jeifries, who landed
the deciding punch, the former champion
demonstrated to a crowd of nearly 10000
spectators that he is the most expert
boxer in the world. He also proved that
he is game to the core. and that if he had
met Je.fries when he whipped Sullivan
the present champion might have been
beaten.
AS it was, Corbett proved to be big
surprise. Rated by critics all over the
country as a back number and regarded as
such by the public. Corbett succeeded in
regainiDg much of his old-time form by
diiigent training and when he got into the
ring he was a new man to many who had
seen him fight Sharkey at the Lenox Club
year ago In point of boxing skill. gen
alship, blows of every description. and
speed, Corbett, while he lasted, made
Jeffries look like numbering amateur.
But Jeffries had the strength to stand all
the rapid iabs that were fired into his face,
even though they drew the blood from his
nose and mouth. Then. when Corbett be-
gan to tire. the big boilermaker. with tre-
mendous rushes. wore him down and finally
dropped him with a left-hand punch on the
jaw.
The Knockout came unexpectedly. 1t
was the result of constant boring tactics.
Jeffries had tried for twenty-five rounds
just such blow but had missed his man
time and time again, but with bulldog
tenacity and perseverance the champion
finally succeeded, and when Corbstt got
this blow he was put TO sleep beyond any
question of doubt. 1t was the old story
of magnificent boxer meeting rugged.
muscular heavy hitter. capable OF taking
all kinds of punishment in order to get IN
decisive smash.
Corbett showed one weakness. That was
inability to hit with the power of Fitz-
simmons and Sharkey. He got to Jeffries
oftener and better than either of these
pugilsts did. but his blows, beyond bruis-
ing the champions eyes. nose. and mouth,
did not beat him down.
Corbett's Only Chnnce.
There was just one point in the fight
where Corbett came near winning. That
was in the ninth round, when. with a
grand rally of swings, he caught Jeffries
on the jaw and actually had the big man
staggering. But Jeffres recovered SO
quickly from the force of the blow that
when that round ended Corbett had 10
begin all over again.
In the nineteenth round Jefrries, who
was rushing harder and faster in every
round. scored knockdown. That was
! the beginning of the end. for in the twen-
| tieth Corbett. with the idea of staying the
limit. ran SO much around the ring that
for the first time since the men put up
/ their hands he was hissed. Jeffries was
/ sent out to settle the job in the twenty
! first and twenty second rounds, but Cor
! belts ability to keep away made it i'm
! possible 10 accomplish that feat; but in
| the twenty-third Jeffries did the trick and
/ retained the championship. Had the bout
! gone the limit the decision could have
/ been a draw with fairness TO both men.
! Fight enthusiasts began to arrive at the
! Island in twos and threes early in the after
noon. All of the sporting resorts were
! opened to receive them, as well as every
! other dollar making concern which viii
do business during the coming summer.
| Former Champion Bob Fitzsinmons IVES
among the early arrivals. He said that
he expected the former champion to de-
feat the boilermaker William a. Bi ady.
manager of Jeffries, first said Jeffries
would win in four rounds, and later sid
one round would be sufficient.
The big fighters got TO the island early
in the day. Both expressed themselves as
confident as TO the outcome.
The crowd began to pour into the arena
as soon as the doors were opened at 4
frln hut fa ol hot p--c a
begin to come in until rather late.
Few Bets Made.
There was not much betting when the
crowd began to fill up the house. Even
money on Corbett staying fifteen rounds
was thought to be a good bet either way,
but number of spectators and book
makers were not willing to extend the
time limit over twelve rounds.
There were $500 people in the building
at 9 p M The preliminary was between
kid" Thomas. of Brooklyn, and Jimmy
Reilly. also of Brooklyn. Reilly was the
cleaner hitter and also appeared to be a
better judge of distance. but in the sixth
he was disqualified for fouling and the
fght given TO Thomas.
The crowd had increased in size by this
time until there were 5000 spectators pres
ent. and as they were still coming il was
believed that nearly 10000 would see the
fight. Both fighters had in the mean time
entered the dressing rooms and were greet
ed wildly. Referee Charley White informed
them how he would enforce the rules while
they were waiting so that there would be
no wrangling in the ring.
There was still lack of betting which
was the cause for much comment
~
plenty of fun. John L. Sullivan was sin
ged out. and received the usual ovation.
but be would not make a speech Betting
became more lively. The aisles were
packed with men who wanted to bet. JET
fries had many followers at 1-2 to Il,
and in some instances to / was offefed
on his chances, with not many takers
The bulk OF the betting was on the num-
Der of rounds Before the pugilists ap-
peared they selected their seconds as fol-
lows:
For Corbett-Gus Rubin. George Consi-
dine. John Considine. and Leo Pardelli.
For Jeffries-Tommy Ryan. Jack JET
fries, the champions brother: William A.
Brady, and Ed Dunkhorst, who was
punched out SO quickly the other night by
Fitzsimmons.
Corbett's timekeeper was Teddy Foley;
for Jeffries, Dan O'Rourke held the watch,
while Joseph Dunn was the clubs official
timekeeper. and handled the gong. Cor
bett announced that his weight was 1872
pounds, which was probably correct. JEFF
fries told Announcer Humphries that he
tipped the scales at 200, but In this he
was Joking. He was at least twelve
pounds heavier
The fighters agreed among themselves
that they would pay Referee White for his
services. as the club officials refused to
do SO. White was to receive $500 for ex-
ercising his judgment.