The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-26
Made ChoppinG Block Of the Cham
pion, Landing Terrific Right and
Left Drives at VIII.
IN EIGHTH ROUND
WHEN HE PAUSED AND SPOKE WITH
HIS GUARD DOWN.
Jeffries Forced TO Admit that He Re-
ceived Beatine-Fitgsfm mons
Cheerful in Face of Defeat.

SAN FRANCISCO. July 25.-After lighting
a battle OF eight rounds that was fraught
with brilliant and courageous work, Robert
Fitzsimmons tonight forfeited his last
claim upon the heavyweight champion
ship. He was knocked to the floor by
James Jeffries and counted out after the
champion had been so badly punished that
it seemed to the spectators the Cornishman
would win. Bleeding from a number Of
gashes in the face. apparently weakening.
and clearly unable to cope with Fitzsim-
monss superior skill. Jefries delivered two
his fighting to speak to him, and turned the
tide.
Fftzsimmons tried once to rise from the
mat, but sank down again in helplessness
and heard himself counted out. where but
moment before he had apparently all the
better of it, II will never fight again"
said the battle-scarred veteran of the ring.
when he had sufficiently recovered to talk.
The fight was won fairly. and to the best
man belongs the laurels."
You're the most dangerous man alive"
said Jeffries in return, "and consider n,x-
self lucky to have won when 1 did" -
POUNDED THE CHAMPION.
Fitzsimmons had been hghting at furi-
Gus gait, cool and deliberate. and chopping
the champion to pieces with the tcrrinc
rights and lefts that have made him fam
Gus When the men came together Fitz-
simmons appeared rather worried. but upon
the opening of the first round he assumed
air of absolute confidence and fought
with the greatest deliberation.
AS early the second round Fftzsim-
mons had Jeffries bleeding profusely from
mouth and nose. Again and again he
landed his bulky opponent. getting
away in such clever manner that he
reused the big crowd TO enthusiastic cheer
ing. Il seemed indeed that Jeffries could
scarcely stand the pace. But the eighth
round came and after a series of hot ex-
changes Fitzsimmons paused with his
guard down and spoke 10 the champion.
The latters reply was two terrific blows
that saved him the championship and re-
moved the veteran Fitzsmmons from the
istic arena.
Fitzsimmons took his defeat with good
cheer. He walked TO the center OF the
ring. and, raising his hand. addressed the
multitude. saying: The best man has
won. Had / beaten Jeffries tonight I
would have conceded him the champion
ship and then forever retired. / retire just
the same now. but without having accom-
plshed my ambition. I am satisfied"
After the fight Champion Jeffries was
seen in mis- dressing room. He was jubilant
over his success despite the terrible scars
OF battle. He said: We'll. I have won
just / expected to. IL was fierce fight,
the iercest l ever had. but I won. Yes. I
got a good beating far the marks OF
battle count. but then I rather expected
that. j knew Fitz had a cutting punch
and would land it at some time Of the fight
But the few marks and the loss OF a little
blood won't hurt man. 1 took them and
only waited for the opportunity 10 land my
punch 1 found out Fitz could not jar me.
even with his famous right. He cut me up.
of course. but that did not hurt. l never
was tired AT any stage and was stronger
than Fitz at all stages. You saw that he
wore heavy bandages. Fitz certainly IL a
wonder. He is the greatest fighter Of his
weight that ever lived. AS old he Is he
is the shiftiest and cleverest. the hardest
hitting man I ever met and want 10 give
him credit. as / know all who saw IL will
for the great fight he put up / have no
plans for the immediate future a. have
not thought OF anything but this night for
some time and won't do anything for a
long period / will take a rest after the
long siege of hard training. l think Fitz
can Yet defeat any other man than my
self"
FIrZSIMMONS CHEERFUL.
Fitzsimmons was cheerful in the face OF
defeat and full Of praise for his vanquisher
writhing in pain on his couch. surrounded
by a score OF friends offering their conso-
lations. the defeated veteran. between short
sentences interspersed with groans an
nounced that he had fought his last battle
He said:
Il fought the best ] could and the best
man won He is a great fighter. and had
1 been awarded the decision tonight I
would have turned around and given him
the championship. for he is the only man
In the world capable OF defending H. The
blows that put me out were a left short
arm Jolt under the ribs and right 10 the
jaw. After receiving the terrific body blow
/ knew 1 was gone and told Jeffries 10 keep
away. but he was anxious 10 finish me. and
sent right swing 10 my jaw. / fought In
the way did because both my hands were
gone when / entered the ring. I injured
them on Wednesday boxing with Hank
Griffin. My right hand in particular was
almost useless / am confident now. even
more than ever that in my nrst battle with
Jeffries was doped. His showing tonight