Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-07-26
The Big FIGHT

San Francisco. July 25.-It was late
in the afternoon when the great canopy
covering the octagonal ring, in which
the battle took place. was finally
stretched. The grounds We're then
cleared by the police and stragglers
were elected.
Before sundown long lines of men
formed on Valencia street and Julian
avenue and awaited the opening of the
two gates.
There was no disorder until o'clock,
when the crowd became heavy, but 2i0
burly policemen handled the crowd
well. The arc lights over the ring were
turned on at AS o'clock, by which
time the bleachers, holding fully 5000
people, were filled. The usual night
fog did not prevail and although the
air was chilly, there was no discom-
fort.
Kid Eagan, representing the cham
pion; Clark Ball for F'itzsimmons, and
Alex Gregg for the San Francisco A.
c.. inspected the premises at o'clock
and agreed that all was in readiness
for the fight
At S.45 the house was practically
filled.
The late Jack Dempsey's belt, which
was brought here from Portland, was
brought to the ring and exhibited for
the purpose of selling tickets for the
benefit of Dempsey's widow and chill
dren. Volunteers were called for among
those in the ring. today, to act as so
licitors Among those volunteering
were Joe Cans, Jimmy Britt and Young
Peter Jackson.
The gates We're opened at 6 O'Clock
and the ticket sellers began to flock in.
The gallery consisted of a series of
tiers, the last one resting against the
improvised back wall, or high board
fence, sloping down to the ground level.
The occupants Of these seats really
were afforded the best view of all that
occurred in the ring. At $50 the gal
lery was full and the doors leading to
the more favored sections We're opened
and the sections behind the boxes
gradually filled. In one of the boxes
TO the west of the ringside sat Mayor
Schmitz, in company with other city
officials.
The arrangements of the arena and
the construction of the ring We're some
thing of a departure from the usual
lines followed in such matters.
The ring was Il substantially con-
structed affair. Built upon a good
foundation of timbers. the floor was
made of a double thickness of inch
boards. Over these there was a heavy
padding of felt one inch in thickness.
A heavy brown canvas, drawn tightly
and fastened at the edges completed Il
solid and safe ring.
The lights We're suspended from four
upright posts, one at each corner of the
ring.
The ropes of the ring were the latest
thing in that line, consisting of heavy.
smooth. 1-inch cotton ropes. Two Of
these the first three feet from the floor
and the second Is inches above it were
frayed from the uprights which held
the lights and the tent. There were no
sharp corners. Across the canvas were
placed short padded ropes that cut out
the sharp angles, but still left the ring
of full size.
Tom Sharkey was early on hand with
a challenge to the winner.
When the principals for the prelimi-
nary fight came on there was hardly
Il vacant place in all the $500 provided
seats.
At $50 p. NJ, Fitzsimmons arrived in
a carriage at the entrance on Valencia
street. He was cheered by the crowd
that stood at the entrance. Fitzsim-
mons went Immediately to his dressing
tent at the right of the main entrance
and proceeded to dress. He was ac-
by his manager. Clark Ball.
4rt~., F,.f.. lie
The old champion declared thatk he
never felt better and declared he would
win. He was in a cheerful frame Of
mind.
About 10 minutes later. Jeffries drove
up and got out Of his carriage, followed
hy his trainer, Billy Delaney. his
brother Jack. his. boxing partner. Joe
Kennedy. and Kid Egan. The crowd
set MP q terrific roar at the sight Of the
big fellow. to which he responded by Il
wave Of his hand. He was not i'm q
talkative mood, but appeared calm and
confident.
There was so little ringside betting
that it was hardly appreciable. The
odds were about the same that have
prevailed the last few days-10 to 4.
At S.45 the only preliminary fight was
put on. 1t was a 20-round affair be-
tween the two local middleweights,
Dave Barry and Harry Foley.
BY . o'clock all the ticketholders
were in their allotted spaces and not n
vacant seat was visible from the ring.
Outside the big enclosure the wind
blew a gale but the temperature with
IN was quite comfortable.
When asked in the dressing room as
to his weight, Fitz replied: oh, about