The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-27

that the fight was fixed to end in the
eighth round. A communication sent
to Mayor Schmitz before the fight, to
be opened after it was ended, stated
that the writer had been informed that
JeffrieS was to win in the eighth
round, which he did.
When at his office to-day Mayor
Schmitz was emphatic in his asser-
ton that, should he be convinced, af-
ter a thorough investigation, that last
nights contest between FitZsimmons
and Jeffries was a prearranged af-
fair, he would do all in his power to
prohibit future prize fights in this city.
Mayor Schmitz has been very much
disguised with many of the recent
fights that have taken place in this
city, it being evident that they were
prearranged and that the best man did
not always win. 1t is expected that
the fighting game in this city will be
forever killed, should conclusive evil
dence be adduced to prove the ~ sser-
ton of certain persons, who are sup
posed to be we'll informed on the mat
ter that the fight between Fitzsim-
mons and Jeffries was a fake.
Mayor Schmitz made the following
statement in regard to the fight:
Il saw the exhibition, and up to the
time the blow that settled the fight
was struck it seemed to be fair and
creditable performance, but at the
time the blow was delivered by JEFF
fries, Fitzsimmons appeared to be oft
his guard.
Perhaps so much stress would not
be placed on this fact were 1t not Tor
the information given to me on the
night before the exhibition that the
contest would end, and in favor of
in niphfh round
II am loath to believe that the pro-
motors of this exhibition were in
conspiracy to defraud the public. and
believe that they knew nothing at all
of a prearranged affair"
Even those who charge fraud admit
that it was a magnificent fight While
it lasted. Fitzsimmons was hitting
Jeffries almost at will. but while his
blows cut and stung, they did not Sc
riously injure the big champion.
FitzsimmOns Is Distressed.
Fitzsimmons when seen this morn
ing was apparently much distressed at
the charge of fake. He said that ne
had fought his best but that he could
not stand Jeffries' terrific body blows.
Jeffries also denied that the fight
was fixed. He said that Fitzsimmons
had given him the hardest fight he
had ever had, and that they were hon
est punches that FitZsimmons put out.
JeffrieS face was sore and cut to-
day, but otherwise he was feeling we'll.
The trainers of the two men also re-
sent any charge of crookedness, but
the fact remains that information was
given to Mr.. Naughton of the Exam
iner the day before the fight, that it
was to end in the eighth round.
Naughton's information came from
some one who was with Jeffries at
I4arbin Springs, and the tip was given
| to bet on Jeffries to win in the eighth.
| Notwithstanding this there is no evil
| dence of heavy betting, many of the
| wagers made here being small.
| Rewards of the Fighters.
James Jeffries will receive so pei
| cent and Robert Fitzsimmons 40 pei
| cent of S23,910 which is rs per cent. OF
| the gross receipts of the fight, $31, 1885,
| having been received through. the sale
of seats. Jeffries will receive $14,346
and Fitzsimmons will add $4,000 to his
| bank account.
The share Of the San Francisco Ath-
| letic Club is $7,170. Out of this il
must pay the expenses of the fight
| including $500 for the referee.
Jeffries manager Delaney, said:
1--WE will consider the challenge OF
| Corbett and determine whether or not
it is reasonable. / don't know what
| his proposition is. If he means bust
ness, we will meet and will take care
of him. Jeffries is young and strong
and has no intention of quitting the
ring"