The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-12


and>get away without return.
DEPRESSED BETTING.
1t is improbable that there was ever
a more orderly affair under the --orton
law. There was but little betting on
the outcome OF the battle. There had
been SO much delay ana Interference In
the earlier stages OF tile negotiations
for the fight, and so much doubt cre-
ated by the form showing OF the men.
thai the betting was killed. In The
small sums placed Jeffries was a clear
favorite at odds at . to /. Those odds
varied at different times and at differ
ent places during the evening. but to
was probably the highest. and 5 to 8
the lowest offered. A favorite bet Of
fered was that Corbett would last ten
rounds. There was more Jeffries than
Corbett money offered. but there never
was at any time any activity in the bet
ting.
Despite the long delay that interven-
ed between the arrival OF the men and
their entrance into the ring. the crowd
was scarcely restless. Ii was made up
OF representative elements OF the bust
ness. professional, theatrical and
sporting world. 1t was only when the
battle itself began that hoarse wells
came TO tell of enthusiasm for a ia
vorite or hope as to money wagered.
The reception ~ the men at the ring
side was warm. but not demonstra-
rive. Jeffries looked rugged brown and
strong.
Corbett was clean looking. white and
trim. He said he weighed more than
on the Cay when he defeated Sullivan,
but he did not look II. He seemed to
be in splendid condition. The crowd
showed It's first enthusiasm over the
announcement that Charley White
would referee the fight. There was a
roar OF applause when he entered the
ring. There was a brief wrangle over
the bandages on Corbett's hands but
he was finally allowed TO wear them.
The gong soon changed, and. as the
men sprang forward, there was a ST.
lence broken only by the clatter of the
telegraph instruments.
CoRBETT's STRIKING OPENING.
In the preliminary sparring Corbett
showed TO wondrous advantage. He
was panther-like on his feet. and dart.
ed i'm and out with confusing speed. He
whipped his left into Jeffries' face and
was either inside or away from the
punch. Jeffries kept going In. but he
seemed awkward. The pace made by
the champion was fast. and there was
yell OF satisfaction from the specta-
tors when the round ended.
Jeffries kept on making the pace
when they were at IL again, but Cor
bett slipped away from him. Jeffries
would try his left in rush. but Cor
bett was almost invariably away from
IL.
There were murmurs of approval
that at times broadened into cheersi
Corbett was outboxing his man and
outpointing him with his lefts TO the
face. They were both fighting careful
ly. for. while Corbett had the speed
and cleverness. he found Jeffries hard
to get TO. Jeffries fought in his
crouching attitude, He quickly began
TO use his strength and in the clinch-
es threw a little OF his strength on TO
his opponent. Corbett showed surpris-
ing ability against him, and IL was
long before the strength of the cham
pion began to tell.
AN ARTISTIC FIGHT.
When Corbett had saved the ten
! round money there was strong
change I'm sentiment toward him. jeff
ries' supporters began to be dubious.
Jeffries was grim and resolute. and
kept at his man relentlessly. Corbett
kept his wits and strength and avoid
ed him. IL was youth and strength
with a fair measure of skill pitted
against the master of the sport. The
exhibition was fine one. and the pace
was one that would have told against
any man not perfectly prepared.
BY the seventeenth round Jeffries.
maddened by the danger OF marring
his reputation. began a series of des-
perate rushes in which he mixed II
fiercely with Corbett. He seemed an
gered by the iabbing at his face and
wanted TO end Il with a swing from
left or right. Corbett had Begin To
show the pace. but. while his punches
lacked force. he was still speedy ON
his feet. He contented himself with
avoiding punishment. II became sim
piy n question OF how long that sort
of game could be- kept up.
LIGHTNING-LikE ENDING.
AT the Goth round lt looked as II Cor
bett would stay the limit. and popular
Judgment awarded him victory. H.
had so far avoided any serious punish
merit His defence was still perfect.
and he was smiling and confident. He
either side-stepped from Jeffries' t.rri-
BILE rushes or ducked into clinches.
Jeffries was hammerine away. how
ever. and was strong and game.
The end came with the suddennesy
Of shock The men had two fierce
rallies followed each time by long
range sparrins, and were In together