Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-05-12
JEFFRIEs BEsTs CoRBETr.

Though James J. Corbett was fairly
knocked out in the twenty -.hird round
OF the heavyweight championship fight
at Coney Island, N. Y, last night, and
thereby failed to wrest the honors from
James ]. Jeffries, who landed the de-
Gliding punch, the former champion de
moDstrsted to the crowd of nearly TO-
600 spect tors that be is the most ex-
peft boxer in the world. He also
proved that he is game to the core, and
that if be had met Jefries when he
whipped Sullivan the present champion
might have been beaten.
As it was. Corbe,t proved to be big
surprise. Rated by critics all over the
cou r try ss back number and regard
ed ss such by the public, Corbelt sue
ceeded in regaining much of his old
time form by diligent training, and
when be got into the ring he was
new man to many who had seen him
fl yhs Sharkey at tbs Lsnox Club year
ago. In point OF boxing skill, general
ship, blows of every description. and
speed, Corbett, while he lasted, made
Jeffries look like numbering amateur.
But Jeffries bad the strength TO stand
all the rapid jsbs that were fired into
his face, even though they drew the
bl cd from his nose and mouth. Then,
when Corbett began TO tire. the big
boil with tremendous rushes,
wore him down and finally dropped
him with left hand punch on the az.
The knockout came Unexpectedly
Il was the result of constant boring
tactics. Jeffrits had tried for twenty
two rounds just such blow, but had
missed his man time and time again,
but with bulldog leuscity and perse
yerance the champion finally succeeded,
and when Corbett got this blow be YVES
put to sleep beyond any question OF
doubt. IL was the old story of mag
oificent boxer meeting rugged. mus
cuar heavy hitter, capable OF taking sll
kinds of punishments in order to get lD
decisive smash.
Corbett showed one weakness. That
was inability to hit with the power OF
Fitzsimmons and Shsrkey. He got to
Jeffries ofteper and better than either
of these pugilists did, but his blows; be-
yond bruising the champions eyes,
nose and mouth, did not beat him
down.
There was just one point In the tight
where Corbett came near winning. Iba'
was in the ninth round, when, with q
grand rally of swings, he caught Jtfffies
on the law and actually had the big man
staggering. But Jeffries recovered Sc
quickly from the force Of the blow tina!
when the round ended Corbett had to
begin oil over again.
Iu the nineteenth round Jefries, whd
| was rushing harder and faster In every
| round. scored q knockdowD. That wa;
the beginning of the end, for 10 toe
twentieth Corbett, with the idea of stay
| inc the limit, ran 80 much around thu
| ring that for the first time since the mel
nut uu their hands, he was hissed. JET
| fries WAS sent out TO settle the job In
the twenty-frst and twenty-seconf
rounds. but Corbett's ability to keel
away made 1t impossible to accomplish
that feat; but in the twenty-third Jei
fries did tho trick and r,tained tn
cham pionship. Had the bout gone th'
limit the decision could have been
draw with fairness to both men.
Fight enthusiasts began to arrive a
she Island in twos and threes early II
the afternoon. All of the sporting re
sorts were opened to receive them, q
we'll as every other dollar-making con
Germ which will do business during th'
coming summer.
Former Champion Bob Fitzsimmon'
was among the early arrivals. he SAT-
that he expected the former cbampio
to defeat the boilermaker. William a
Brsdy, manager of Jeffries, first sail
Jefiries would win in four rounds, AM
later said one round would be sufficient
] The big fighters got to the Island carr
/ in the day. Both expressed themselve
as confident ss to the outcome.
The crowd began to pour ibto 10
arena as soon as the doors were opene
at 7 o'clock, but the real hot sports di
not begin to come In until rather late.
There was net much betting VINE
the crowd began to fill up the house
Even money on Corbett staying hitee
rounds was thought to be good DC
either way, but number OF speculatoi
and bookmskers were not willing {
extend the time limit over IL rounds.
There were 5000 people in the build
ing to witness the fight.