The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-11-06
GENERAL SPORTING.
CURRENT EVENTS IN VARIOUS
FIELDS.
Jim Corbett still the Most Scientific
Ring FIghtor-A Review of His Recent
Unsuccessful Engagement with Cham
pion Jeffries-other Sports.

Defeated, but not disgraced, over
whelmed in a twinkling by disaster
but not dishonored, james j. Corbett
is today nearer the goal of his ambi-
tion-to be recrowned king of the
pugilistic world in popular estimation
than any time since he lost the title
of champion at Carson City He went
down to defeat with Jeffries when vic
tory seemed within his grasp, but If
the highest honors were snatched from
him at the last moment vindication
at least was not denied him, for he
proved by marvellous showing
against prodigy in the fight line that
he is no coward, and that the laurels
won earlier in his career were desery-
eddy his. The historian of the prize
ring will, if he writes an unbiased ac-
count of the Jeffries-Corbett battle,
leave a record perused more because of
the brilliant achievements of the vic
tim than the deeds of the victor. The
consistent work of Jeffries was lost to
sight by the dazzling display of his
opponent, man who has been ae-
cused of nearly every form of dissipa
ton, and of whom only his firmest
friends expected more than dubious
showing. Yet, If Corbett left the ring
side with the cheers of the multitude
ringing in his ears, the veterans who
had been gathered about the roped
square agreed that the better man had
mn no
palmiest days OF Sullivan had there
been such an example of strength and
courage.
Corbett lost because the blows he
rained upon his big antagonist APP
parently had no effect He had Jeffrles
worried, nervous, angry, but at no
time did the champion show enough
signs of distress to bring the crowd to
its feet with the cry, He's going!" In
the fateful twenty-third round Jeffries
landed the blow which proved to be de-
cisive with all the force behind it he
had displayed in the first stage of the
! fight. Corbett, too, an instant before
had been dancing around apparently
as lively and jabbing with same light
ning-like speed that had astonished
the crowd earlier in the game. At the
opening of the round it seemed to a
certainty that the contest would go
the limit. From a spectacular point of
view men who have seen every big
fight for years agreed that they had
witnessed none like the one in ques-
ton. Youth and strength were ar
rayed against science and superior
knowledge of ring tactics, and for a
time it seemed as if the latter com
bination would surely win. Although
Jeffries has greatly improved as a
boxer, he was made to look like a
novice, and for fifteen rounds Corbett
made good his boast that he would
"go around jeff like a cooper around
a barrel" There was less sparring
after that, for Jeffries' rushes increas-
ed in strength and yiciousness, and he
kept his shifty antagonist hard press
ed. Time and again the men crashed
together as Corbett, after a sprint. was
brought to bay, and the sound of the
impact could be heard all over the
building. Many persons gained the
impression that Corbett was frequent
ly on the aggressive, but as a matter
of fact these occasions were few and
far between When he did decide to
cut out the pace, however, he made it
as fast as possible, and in the second
and twelfth rounds fairly tied jeff into
knots. In the eleventh round he sent
his left to the champions head four
times in rapid succession. and Jeffries'
top piece was Jared by each concus-
sion. The same left had already
drawn blood from Jeffries' nose and
lips and the crimson showed on Cor
belts shoulder after each clinch. The