New-York tribune., 1900-05-12
JEFFRIES THE WINNER.
CORBETT KNOCKED OUT BY THE
CHAMPION
HARD, LONG DRAWN OUT CONTEST THAT
ENDS IN THE TWENTY-THIRD ROUND
FOUGHT AT CONEY ISLAND.

FOUGHT AT CoNEY ISLAND.
The prizefght at Coney Island last night be-
tween the heavyweights James ]. Jeffries and
James j. Corbett was won by the present cham
pion Jeffries. in the twenty third round. The
fight lasted much longer than many of the ex-
perts had expected, and during the earlier
rounds Corbett's superior ceverness stood him
in such good stead that the onlookers who had
wagered to l and in some 21a to l on
Jeffries became worried and hedged some of
their wagers to money that Corbett would
win In the twenty-third round Jeffres hit
Corbett with a left swing on the jaw, and the
man who caused the pugstc eclipse of the old
time slugging champion John L. Sullivan. went
to the floor like log, and the battle was over.
Then the seven thousand spectators. including
all classes of humanity. let out yells expressing
fiendish delight and the brutal exhibition was
over And among those spectators were some
men known in the halls of Justice and others
who make laws up at Albany, and still others
who pick pockets the Eowery. and others of
worse ilk who if they got their deserts would
be in jail.
1t thronE of people who showed all of
the brutal instincts OF humanity. and showed it
with distinctness which people of the
better class have tried to think in recent years
had changed since the days of savagery. But
that brutal instinct which prompts man to pay
anything from So to S25 to witness
pummel another into insensbty is still dom
inant in the human breast, and time alone and
further progress in civilization will remedy it,
Yes, the law can stop such things but unfort-
unatey the repeal of the obnoxious Horton law,
which legalizes such contests does not take eff
feet until September l. Then prizefghting in
this State, at least in public, for fancy purses
will end.
Tha doc irph arylR a A
for Corbett had made remarkable battle. His
defence was almost perfect. and, while he was
lacking in strength, he had more than held his
and stood excellent chance of winning
the fight had it gone the limit. He had not
been badly punished and had managed to mark
his man severely. The winning blow was
short left jolt to the jaw. Corbett dropped like
a weight and clear out. Jeffries showed
ability to take punching, go any distance and
punch hard. He clearly outbCxed, and at
times made to look like novice. The Onookers
were with Corbett, and his defeat fell upon
silent assembly There were cheers for him
when he revived and left the ring. and he was
generally shown more consideration than the
victor Corbett is still factor in the pugilistic
game. He has reganed much of his old time
form. The battle clean, and it is doubtful
If there single infraction Of the rules.
Corbett's strategy was to jab and get away.
and when Jeffries stood over his quvering form
his face showed the marks of the punishment
that he had inflicted. Corbett went down to de
feat that was regretted by vast majority of
the men who filled the hall The money was
against him. but he had a wealth of sympathy
1t was probably his natural heritage as the
short ender but after the battle had begun he
won more support by his display of speed and
skill Jeffries with his strength, both that
strength that lies in the power of massive muscle
and hat Stra moth iob ir tha
ity. He made the pace for most of the distance,
and at the end still strong and effective.
AT first glance the battle may seem detract a
trifle from his reputation. for it showed that
fast man can reach him and get away without
a return If that fighter of the future happens
to be strong and rugged in addition being
fast he will take the honors of the man who last
night left the ring exultant in victory.
Charley White, the referee, said:
There was never a squarer nor fairer ring
to the rules The winner had an uphill fight
all the way, and the loser deserves all the
praise that can possibly be given him His
footwork was simply perfect, and he is to be
congratulated on his return his old time
form. From his showing tonight Corbett has
more than look in with the best of them.
THE FIGHT BY ROUNDS
First round-Jeffries forces the fight, Corbett
breaking ground and sprinting. He forces Corbett
TO the ropes, landing right to the body. Corbett
sends hard left face and Jeffries lands light left
Corbett still shfty breaking ground; hooks left
to nose. He keeps up his sprinting and sends an
other left Jeffries's head Jefries tries left and
right, but Corbet blocks clevery and hooks another
left to face Corbett backs away and tantalZeS his
opponent by his clever movements Corbett hooks
Corbett counters with left on head. This is Cor
belts round points.
Second round-Corbett is the quicker on his feet
and lands left jaw; Jeffries sends Corbetts head
back with left head, but Corbett straightens
back with hard right the body Corbetts foot
crowding in and lands left to the body Which makes
COrbett more cautious. Corbett's footwork is
crosses with right which sends the champions
head back. Corbett makes good use of his legs and
round.
Third round-Corbett is again the quicker on his
fries is cool and deliberate in his movements He
guards. his face cautiously and forces Corbett to
his left but does not not LAND and JereS e % sends
body fnd b mss to AND 6 exhan R
tae aa sends bsd e 70 ns or
bett to ropes. Corbett endeavors to feint Jefres
out of position. but gets a right in the body for
into his own corner where Jeffries catches him,
sending stiff left the ribs, just the bell rings
Fogrh roSndThey f, rush us to cqch after which
a right to the body but falls short, and Jeffres
ystS With corbetf breaking ground Jefrles forces
s9 's he this blow and
bett looks worried. At close quarters Jefres puts
Comes coz back quickly with right to body right
and left. from Jeffries to the head jars Corbett.
neck corbett is tired as the bell rings
Fifth round-Corbett resumes the contest with
at close quarters with light left to body and Cor
hett fails TO reply. Corbett fents with his right.
bod Inc Ooayd ad fer f hftv Work hooRs the left
| ,x-i~. 70 hand lHf