The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-12
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

fought in New York. James j. Jeffries has
reafirmed his right to the championship.
In the arena of the Seaside Sporting club
tonight no defeated James j. Corbett, once
champion OF the world himself. after
twenty-five rounds of scientific fghting
Il was a clean knockout that came so
suddenly II dazed the thousands of Keen
alert spectators and left them in doubt
as to just how the winning blow was
delivered. 1t was avowod that IL was n
left hand jolt to the Jaw. but Jeffries him
self and Referee Charles White, who stood
at his side, say ii was a right hand swing
There is credit for the victor and credit
for the yanquished In this cleverest OF
ring battles. Jeffries must be awarded
the laurels OF victory. yet his opponent Is
entitled to all honor for his wonderful
fight. That feature OF the contest stands
out in relief as the most striking one oil
the battle.
Corbett emerged from years retire
ment from the ring reiuvenated and fresh
He was rs fast and clever as back in the
days when people marveled at his skill.
His footwork was wonderful and HIS de-
tense perfect He outhoxed his man at
both long and short range and IL he had
had the strength necessary he would have
gained an early victory. A hundred times
he ducked the punch that would have
knocked him out At times he made the
massive Jim lock like beginner In the
art OF offense and defense with his hands.
His strategy was to iab and get away and
when Jeffrlos stood over his quiverlnr
form the champions face showed the
marks OF the punishment that Corbett had
inflicted. Corbett went down to defea
that was regretted by vast majority OF
the men who filled the halls The money
was against him. but he had a wealth OF
sympathy. II. was probably his natural
heritage. as the short ender. but before
the battle had begun he won support by
his display of speed and skin.
Jeffries won with strength, both that
strength that lies In the power OF massive
muscle and that strength which is the
essence of vitality, He made the pace for
most of the distance and at the end was
still strong and effective, At first glance
the battle may seem to detract u trlfe
from his reputation, for II showed that a
fast man could reach him and get away
without d return II that hghter Of Tho
future happens to be strong and jagged
I'M addition TO being fast he viii take the
honors OF the man who tonight left the
ring eSultaut In victory
IL is improbable that there was ever a
more orderly AFFAIR under the Horton law
There was order In the assembling and
handling ot the great crowd and order IN
the contest. The sm5ft army Of police
present was tasl,ess and the contestants
themselves neither wrangled nor quar-
relied throughout the evening.
There was but little betting on the out.
come OF the bartle. There had been az
much delay and interference in the earl o
stages az the negotiations OF the fight anC
so much doubt created by the form show
Ing OF the men that the betting was killed
In the small sums placed Jeffrles was
clear favorite az odds OF 2 TO T. THESE
odds veered at different times aud places
during the evening. but to 2 Vas prob
ably the highest and TO 3 the lowest OF
fered. A favorl,e bet was that Corhett
would last ten rounds and the men who
I had a true line on the former champion
condition were paid well for their knowl-
edge.
4 Despite the long delay that interviewed
between tho arrival OF the men and their
entrance into the ring, Oh crowd was
scarcely restless. It was made mp OF the
representative elements OF the business
professional, theatrical aud sporting world
and seemed ooncretely to be dlgnihed and
critical II was only when the battle itseil
came that pulses qulckened and hoars,
yells came TO tell of for a favorite.
AS the men sprang forward the snec-
taters were stilled TO silence that was
broken only by the rattle and clamor al
the telegraph Instruments.
In the preliminary sparrlng. Corbe,
showed a wondrous advantage Tie w,
pantheriike on his feet and darted In and
Out with confusing speed They boil
fought carefully for while corbstt haf
nc speed and cleserness he found JET.
lr'es hard 70 gei to. Jeffries fought r.
Ms crouching attitude. which proved 81
bard 70 solve by Fitzsimmons. When e,or.
nett bad saved the tcr.round money. thers
was a etrong change in the sentirnen,