The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-31

missed and long-lOOked for meeting be-
tween James j. Corbett and Charles
OIid) Mccoy, under the auspices of
the Twentieth Century club at Madi-
son Square Garden is over, and in less
than five rounds Corbett proved HIM
self to be the better man. That Cor
bett and Mccoy are the cleverest eX-
ponents of the art of self-defense
among the present generation of
heavyweights goes without saying.
And keen judges of the game who saw
tonight's fight declare it was the clev-
crest exhibition ever witnessed in the
ring.
Both men entered the ring in superb
condition. Mccoy was heavier by sew
eral pounds than on any previous oc-
Casion when he battled against any
other opponents. He said himself that
he never felt better in his life and
that he was never so fit as he was for
this contest. His looks in the rings
before the fight and during the first
three rounds bore out all that Mccoy
had said about himself.
Corbett in Good Condition.
Corbett was also in tip-top shape.
The rumOrs that were circulated early
in the day that he was afflicted with
rheumatism were exaggerated, as Cor
bett himself said he was as fit as a
fiddle and had only experienced a lit
tie stiffness when he awOke this morn
ing. His foot work. always clever, in
fact marvelously so, showed no signs
of rheumatism in the big fellows
makeup and, as for his work with his
hands. it could not be improved upon.
In the opening round Mccoy showed
up to much better advantage than
Corbett. Mccoy seemed very conf
dent, though careful, while COrbett
was nervous and i'll at ease. Mccoy
started out with his usual GOODNESS, but
Corbett was fidgety. The entire round
was taken up with the cleverest kind
of feinting and sparring on McCoy's
part, while Corbctts work left very
little to be desired. In the second
round Corbett came up in better form
and his uneasy feeling had evidently
left him. His fretfulness and nervous
ness had disappeared and he gave an
exhibition which could only be given
by man thoroughly posted in the in
nermost points of the scientific art of
boxing. While not a blow was landed
by either i'm the first round, the greater
part of the second was equally as un-
fruitful of damage to either boxer.
Corbett frequently endeavored with
rights and lefts to reach the Kid, but
the hOOsier fighter was too nimble on
his under pinningS and his stopping
and blocking We're marvellous. COrbett
got to the head towards the latter end
of the second round and Mccoy jab-
bed his provoking left to Corbett's
face. In the third round they got tC
each other oftener, but it was in the
fourth that COrbett began to take
McCoy's measure. At times Corbett
stopped his scientific work and resort
ed to slugGing tactics, which proved
very effective. Mccoy forced a clincf
and it was seen that Corbett was sure
ly getting the upper hand. Mccoy
had to break ground frequently anC
after the bell had sent them to theil
corners, while both men showed signs
of fatigue, Mccoy was certainly tn,
weaker. In the fifth and concluding
round Corbett forced Mccoy into the
formers corner, where the Kid KEEP
blocking and sparring for an opening
TO get out. Corbett swung for tn,
head, but Mccoy ducked underneath
it very cleverly and jumped to tn,
center of the ring. Jim rushed hin
across the floor of the ring and b!
clever work forced Mccoy back int,
the corner again, where he sent righ
and left to the Kids head.
Beginning of the End.
This was the beginning of Mccoy
uudoing. Corbett went to him, usinl
both hands swinging and stabbing an,
~
left, McCoy's defense availed him lit
tie against this onslaught and Corbet
soon had the Kid at his mercy. Nc
Coy saw that he was nc longer abl
to ward off the big fellows blows an
he threw his arms across his face
holding his head down in hopes of sav
ing himself from a knockout punct
Corbett relentlessly showered lefts an
rights which straightened Mccoy u
and then Jim swung a left whic
crashed into McCOy's body. McCo
doubled up and in doing so held Cor
belts left glove with his right arm
Corbett then drove Mccoy away froI
heart and as the Kid wer
back staggering, Jim leaped aftC
him landing another left smas
On lHt SAINT spot anu the Nlu uIODpf
to the floor. Mccoy bravely tried
get up but these three blows ha
taken all his strength away, and viii
he made frantic endeavors 10 get u
Referee Charley White counted off II
ominous ten seconds. BY an almo
superhuman effort Mccoy stood I
after he had been counted out, but J
was dazed and the referee had to pu,
him towards his corner, where h
seconds took him in hand. Inside
two minutes Mccoy walked out of Il
ring closely surrounded by his ha,
dlers, as he was tottering on his fee
Meanwhile Corbett's friends hi
jumped into the ring, and surroun
ing the big fellow, showered congra
ulations upon him, when he was a
nounced the winner. Those WI
thought that Mccoy had the pun
that wins backed their opinion al
lost their money, as Corbett prov
the stronger and the better man.
Charley Whites Opinion.
After the men had retired to the
dressing rooms Referee Charley Viii
when asked his opinion of the figl
said:
"It was one of the fastest and Gle
crest fights / have ever seen. CO
bett and Mccoy are two of thR cleve