Fergus County argus., 1902-07-30
JEFF WINS IN
THE EIGHTH
Fight at San Francisco Was Fast and
Furious While IL lasted-Fitz.
Dropped His Guard.
CRIES OF FAKE ARE HEARD
The Cornlshman Appeared to Have
All the Best OF II and JEFF Was
AwfulIy Pounded.

Ringside, San Francisco, July 25.-
Alter fighting battle of eight rounds
that was fraught with brilliant and
courageous work, Robert Fitzsimmoni
tonight forfeited his last claim upon
the heavyweight championship. He
was knocked to the floor by James
Jeffries and counted out, after he had
so badly punished the champion that
II was a foregone conclusion among
the spectators that the Cornishmar
must win.
Bleeding from a number Of gashc;
on the face. apparently weakening
and clearly unable to cope with Fitz
simmons skill, Jeftrtes delivered two
lucky punches as Fitzslmmons paus
ed in his fighting to speak to him and
turned the tide. The battle was brief
but noteworthy, and will live in pugi
listic history.
In round eight and the last Bot
stood up straight, feinting with his
left and drawing Jeifries on. JefI
smiled through his bloody features
ducking a left swing. and landing 4
hard left on the ribs. they went al
II. Fitz putting a left on the face and
took one on the head. Fitz misse
a right and took a stiff punch on the
body. JEFF forced the fighting at this
stage. crouching low and carrying his
right high and left far back. They
came together and clinched. As Fit1
stepped back he smiled and spoke to
JEFF and before he could get out oI
reach. Jeff quickly hooked his left tc
the stomach, followed by right or
the jaw and Fitz went down on his
back. He came up slowly. but be
fore he could get up on his feet the
referee counted ten and the fight was
over.
Fitzsimmons tried once TO arise
from the mat, but sank down again In
helplessness and heard himself count
ed out. where a moment before he
had apparently all the better of II.
II will never fight again" said bat
tle-scarred veteran Fitzsimmons OF the
ring, when he had sufficiently recov
cred to talk. THE fight was WOE
fairly and to the best man belongs tn,
laurels."
you are the most dangerous man
alive" said Jeffries in return, "and
| consider myself lucky to have wor
when | did"
Fitzsimmons had been fighting al
a furious gait, cool and deliberate
and chopping the champion TO pieces
with the terrible rights and lefts that
have made him famous.
IL was draught and racer from tho
top OF the gong. When the men came
together Fitz appeared rather wor
ried, but after the first round he as
sumed an air OF absolute confidence
and fought with the deliberation ol
the general that he Is. As early az
the second round. Fitz had JEFF bleed
ing profusely from mouth and nose
Again and again he landed on his
bulky opponent, getting away in such
a clever manner that II brought dowr
the house with cheers. II seemed in
deed that JEFF could scarcely weather
out the gale. +.
In the eighth round luck came, and
after a series OF hot exchanges Fitz
simmons paused with his guard down
and spoke TO the champion. The lat
ter's reply consisted of two terrific
blows that brought back to him the
feeting championship and forever re
moved the veteran Fitzsimmons from
the fstlc arena.
Fitz took his defeat with amazina
good cheer. He walked TO the center
OF the ring and raising his hand ad
dressed the multitude, saying: THE
best man has won. Had beaten Jen
tonight would have conceded hin
the championship and then forever
retired.
II retire Just the same now, but
without having accomplished my am
bition. ! am satisfied"
| Cries Of Fake.
San Francisco, July 26.-The result
Of the championship battle tough,
here last night between Jas. Jeffriel
snd Bob Fitzsimmons is prolific oI
widespread discussion. The story cir
culated to the effect that the fight
was a pre-arranged affair has enragec
The champion and frenzied Fitzsim
mons to the point of bursting into
tears and fainting away. II any proc
Of fake can be offered. says Fitz
simmons. lie will forfeit his winnings
ard his last dc,lar in the world. JEFF
Is equally vehement In bis denials