Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-15

:
| 1t is improbable there was never
more orderly affair under the Horton
law. There was order in the assem-
bling and handling of the great crowds
and order in the contest.
The crowd gathered slowly, there
| was little betting on the outcome of
| the battle. In the small sums placed
Jeffries was the clear favorite at odds
of 2 to 1. These odds veered at differ
ent times, but 5 to 2 probably was the
| highest and s TO theslowest offered.
The contestants We're slow to go in
to the ring, and the fight promised for
9:45 was nearly an hour late. Despite
| the long delay that,intervened between
the arrival of the men and their en-
trance into the ring, the crowd was
scarcely restless. 1t was made up of
the representative elements of bust
ness, professional, theatrical and
sporting world, and seemed discreetly
dignified and critical.
The reception of the men at the ring
side was warm, but not demonstrative.
The men came almost together, and
they and their seconds exchanged
handshakes.
Jeffries looked brown, rugged and
strong; Corbett clean, white and trim.
The crowd showed it's first en-
thusiasm over the announcement
that Charley White would referee the
fight.
There was a brief wrangle over the
bandages on Corbetts hands, but he
was finally allowed to wear them. The
gloves were quickly slipped on and in
moment the gong changed out loud
and clear. In the preliminary spar
ring Corbett showed to wondrous adj
vantage. He was panther-like on his
feet and darted in and out with con
fusing speed. He whipped his left into
Jetfries' face and was either inside or
away from a punch. Jeffries kept go
ing in, however, but seemed awkward.
Jeffries kept making the pace, but Cor
bett slipped away from him. 1t made
a superb exhibition and there We're
murmurs of approval that at times
broadened into cheers.
| when Corbett had saved the ten
round money there was a strong
change in sentiment toward him. def
fries was grim and resolute and kept
at his man relentlessly. He knew at
that stage of the game he had been
outpointed and that his only chance
was to rush in and mix it. 4;
To a man who loves the strength
and play of a giant the athlete made
splendid picture. Here was youth
and strength with a fair measure of
skill pitted against past master OF
boxing. The pace was, one that would
have told against the man note per-
fectly prepared.
| BY the seventeenth round JeffriAs,
nladdened by the danger of marring
his reputation,5 began a series of ,des-
perate rushes. HeS seemed sangered by
the jabbing at his face, and wanted
to end all with asswing from left Or
| right.
| Corbett contented himself avoiding
! punishment, and at the twentieth
round it looked as if Corbett would
stay the limit, and the popular judg-
ment awarded him the victory. His
defense was still perfect, and he was
smiling and confident. Jeffries con-
| tinued hammering away, however,
strong and game.
| The end came with the suddenness
of a shock. Suddenly there was the
report of sharp blow and Corbett
dropped. 1t needed no count to tell
that Corbett's hopes for the cham
| pionship again We're vain. The excited
| spectators sprang to their feet, but
| the confusion was momentary and in
silence most remarkable the fallen
| fighter was carried to his corner.
Some one called for cheers for JEFF
| fries, but the almost: sullen crowd. fe-
| fused to give them. Then moment
later when thesfriends of Corbett put
| the question, thousand re-ecfoed the
| kindly response. His skill. had made
it the best fight they had ever seen.
Summary OF the Fight.
Corbett opened by tantalizing JET
fries with his shifty, fast fighting. He
landed easily on Jetf's head, and the
| blows angered the champion. In the
third round Jeffries repeatedly block
ed Corbett's feints.
Round 5-Corbett resumed the con-
test with evident relish, but he was
very anxious meanwhile. jeff got 10
him at close quarters with light lett
to body and Corbett failed to reply.
Corbett tented with his right but
Jeff called the bluff and hooked his
left to the body. Corbett spared clev-
erly, sending left to body, and after
a little shifty work hooked left twice
to head,
In the seventh round Corbett seem
| ed to weaken. They rushed to-. a
clinch, jeff got left Light on the wind,
Again they went to a clinch and in
the break jeff threw his left oyer to
the ribs. Corbett played for the body
| but jeff blocked neatly. jeff tried
left lead to the head, which Corbett
ducked beautifully, but jeff was hard
after him and sent right and left
smashes to the body, whicn almost
sent Corbett off his feet. jeff then
got wild, swinging both hands to the
body, and Corbett sprinted to avoid
punishment.
In the eighth Corbett rushed in with
left to the body, which was blocked,