The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-27
Mayor SchmitE, However, Thinks
There Was an Understanding Be-
tween the Principals.
WAS WARNED BEFOREHAND
THAT THE CHAMPION WOULD WIN IN
THE EIGHTH ROUND.
VIII Permit No More Fights IL the
Charge BE Substantiated-How the
Money Was Divided.

SAN FRANCISCO. July 26.-There is a
wide difference of opinion in this city as TO
the character OF last nights fight between
Jeffries and Fitzsimmons. The charge that
the fight was a fake and that IL had been
prearranged for Fitzsimmons 10 go out in
the eighth round does not meet with gen
eral belief, although there is no doubt that
Mayor Schmitz was warned that the fight
fixed TO end i'm the eighth round. Even
those who charge fraud admit that it was a
magnificent fight while ii lasted. Fitzsim-
mons was hitting Jeffries almost at will,
but, while his blows cut and stung they
were not heavy enough to lay him out.
Fitzsimmons. when seen this morning,
apparently much distressed at the
charge of fake. He declared that he had
fought his best. but that he could not stand
Jeffres's terrific body blows Jeffries also
denied that the fight was fixed. He said
that Fitzsimmons had given him the hard
est fight he ever had. and that they were
good, honest punches that put Bob out
Jeffries's face was sore and cut to-day. but
otherwise he was feeling we'll The train
ers of the two men also resent any charge
of crookedness. but the fact remains that
information given TO Mr.. Naughton. OF
the Examiner. the day before the fight.
that it was TO end IN the eighth round.
Naughtons information came from some
one who was with Jeffries at Harbin
Springs, and the tip was given TO bet on
Jeffries to win In the eighth. Notwith-
standing this. there is no evidence Of heavy
betting. much of the wagers made here
being small.
When seen at his office to-day Mayor
Schmitz was very emphatic in his assertion
that, should he be convinced, after thor
ough investigation. that the contest was a
prearranged affair. he would do all in his
power TO prohibit future prize fights In this
city. Mayor Schmitz has been very much
disgusted with many Of the recent fights
that have taken place in this city. IL being
evident that they were prearranged affairs
and that the best did not always win. IL Is
expected the lighting game in this city viii
be forever killed, should conclusive evil
dence be adduced TO prove the assertion ot
certain persons VINO are supposed 10 be well
informed on the matter that the fight be-
tween Fitzsimmons and Jeffries was fake.
THE MAYORS STATEMENTS.
Mayor Schmitz has given out the follow
ing statement for publication:
From the information l have received
am forced 10 believe that this exhibition Is
no better than the previous ones we have
had, namely, the Jeffries- Rubin and the
Gans-McFadden and others. and IL will DO
much towards discouraging the sport in
this city. In fact, unless some indubitable
evidence is produced 10 disprove the infor-
nation furnished me by the Examiner I
shall hereafter have 10 prohibit all such
professional fight exhibitions.
Later Mayor SchmitZ made the following
statement in regard 10 the fight: Il saw
the exhibition and up 10 the time the blow
that settled the night was struck IL seemed
TO be fair and creditable perforrna nee. but
at the time the blow delivered by JEFF
fries Fitzsimmons appeared 10 be entirely
off his guard. Perhaps so much stress
would not be placed this fact were IL
not for the information given 10 me the
night before the exhibition that the
test would end in favor Of Jeffries IN tho
eighth round. I am loath 10 believe that the
promoters OF this exhibition were IN n con-
spiracy TO defraud the public and believe
that they knew nothing al all OF a prear-
ranged affair.
Referee Graney. in an interview. said:
II think the contest was legitimate. From
a referees standpoint the fight was as near
perfect as a night could be. There were no
fouls-not even semblance Of a foul. 1
had 10 caution them once, but this was not
for anything that either did 10 the other.
but for humping into me. u was the great
est night | ever saw, and / doubt II there
will ever be another like it
FITZ AND JEFF ENRAGED
During the day the report that the fight
was prearranged affair became so widely
circulated that the champion became en-
ragged and Fitzsimmons was frenzied TO the
point Of bursting into tears and fainting
away. If any proof of a fake can be offered,
said Fitzsimmons. ne would forfeit his
winnings and his last dollar in the world.
Jeffries was equally vehement in his de-
malls. and both are courting fun inves-
tigation. Mayor Schmitz is weighing the
alleged evil in the case and intimating that
ne viii end prize fighting here if ne finds
the circumstances bear out the charge that
the fight was 4 fake
FitZsimmOns b. badly hurt The terrific
body blows he received last night have un-
questionably affected has health. Great
welts stand ont on his back and sides and
while being rubbed down he tainted. When
coming out Of the faint he imagined he
was in the ring once more and his attend
ants had a busy time OF IL controlling him.
Il was beat fairly and am badly hurt"
said FitzsimmOns to-day. The story that
/ engaged in "A fake IS a lie" Fitzsim-
monss right thumb is dislocated and Two
knuckles OF his left hand are badly out
OF place. He is now under the care of
Those who claim that the outcome OF the
fight was prearranged base their allega-
tiOn principally on the fact that fitEsim-
mons after waging a masterful and tell
ing battle. dropped his guard. leaving an
opening which Jedries took advantage of.
Fitzsimmons insists however. that this was
not done Intentionally. He was lighting
an the time and the punishment he had
borne up Under told on him az last De-
laney. Egan. George Siler. Alec GreEgains.
sam Thall and others are loud on the de-
nunciations OF the story that the battle
was a fake They say that the prophesylng
OF the result and hnal round IN a sealed
note 20 the mayor was a coincidence ard
hundreds OF anonymous letters suggesting
parallel outcomes are eNtant.
BOB INDIGNANT
In an interview Fitzsnlmons said to-day:
ITS a shame TO cali fake. 1 fought the
greatest nght OF my life. and here I have
been branded as cur. There I was win
ming all the time but could not have won
anyway. Both hands were gone. I've
fought s2S battles and have been defeated