The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-29

inc Nhhntp1On COr5et
Challenges the Winner.
fslng Side, 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
heavy weight championship. He wa
knocked to the floor by James Jeffries
and counted out after he so badly pun
ished the champion that it was a fore
gone conclusion among the spectators
that the Cornishman must VIII. Bleed
face, apparently weakening, and clearly
unable to cope with Fftzsimmons' supe-
rior skill, Jeffrics delivered two lucky
punches IS Fitzsimmons paused in his
hghting TO speak to him. and turned the
tide. The battle was brief but note
worthy, and will live in pugilistic his
tory.
1t was late in the afternoon when the
great canopy covering the octagonal
n in which the battle took place was
finally stretched. The grounds were
then cleared by the police and stray
glers were elected. Before shutdown
long lines of men formed on Valencia
street n Julian avenue, n awaited
the opening of the two gates.
There was no disorder until s o'clock
when the crush became heavy, but 240
burly policemen handle the crowd Weil
The arc light over the ring were turn
ed on at 7:45 by which time the bleach
ers, holding fully 5000 people were filled.
The gates were opened at 6 o'clock
n I'D tho ;11-o @~- Io-a = - ao11- -
The gallery" consisted of a series of
tiers, the last one resting against the
~improviSed back wall, or high board
fence, stopping down to the ground
level. A numbe of we'll know faces
were among the early arrivals. George
Siler occupied a seat in the press row
at the ring side.
In one of the boxes to the west of the
ringside sat Mayor Eugene Schmith in
company with other city officials.
The arrangements for the arena n
construction Of the ring were something
of a departure of the usual lines follow
ed in such matters. In a vacant lot at
14th and Valencia street a high board
fence was erected. In the centre space
the ring, was built, the floor being four
feet from the ground.
On the four sides of the ring were ar
ranged the press seats, and Immediately
back of them the boxes which were SIM
ly pace partitioned off and twenty
four chairs placed in each compartment.
These rested on the ground with the
least elevation. Back of the boxes came
long rows of board seats or benches all
on the same level with conveniently ar
ranged aiSleS.
To the rear and back of the board
fence were placed the gallery benches.
The ring was a substantially construct
ed affair. Built Upon a good
e Il. 49, a@n- u-n- an6n If
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 a solid n safe
ring.
The lights were suspended from four
upright posts, one at each corner OF the
ring. These uprightS sloped gradually
towards the center and a succession OF
cross beams at the top held IA arc lights
and over the whole a anvaS tent COW
cred the seats as far out as the gallery
seats. The ropes of the ring were the
latest thing in that line, consisting OF
heavy, smooth one inch cotton rope,
two of these, three feet from the foor
and the second eighteen inches above it,
were guyed from the uprights which
held the lights and tent. There were
no sharp corners. Acros. the v
were placed padded ropes that cut out
the sharp angles, but of full size. Tom
Sharkey was early on hand with a chal-
lenge to the winner.
At S:25 D. m, the crowd became dense.
The aisles were congested and much
confusion ensued. This was straight
ened out, however, and when the prin-
cipals of the preliminary fight came on
there was hardly a vacant place In all
the $500 provided seats.
AT $50 FitZsimmons arrived in a car
riage at the entrance on Valencia
street. He was cheered by he crowd
that stood at the entrance. Fftzsim-
mons went Immediately to his dressing
tent at the right Of the main entrance
and proceeded to dress.
He was accompanied by his manager.
Clark Ball. Hank Griffin, the colored
pugiliSt, and one or two friends. Inc
once champion declared that he never
felt better and declared he would win.
He was in a cheeful frame OF mind and
inquired about the crowd in attendance
and other matters incident 10 the night.
About ten minutes later Jeffries drove
I'D and got out of his carriage, ollowed
by his trainer Billy Delaney, his broth
er. Jack, his boxing partner. Joe Ken
nedy and Kid Eagan' ms secretary.
The crowd set up a terrific roar at the
sight of the big fellow 70 which he re-
| sponded by a wave of The hand Pro-
ceeding direct TO his dressing tent
Jeffries Immediately got ready, to don
his ring costume. He was not In Il talk
alive mood, but appeared calm ana COIL
fdent. He inquired about the attend
ance and expressed satisfaction Wneh
told that the place was damned.
There was so little rIngside betCng
that if was hardly appreciable. Inc
odds was about the same that nave
been prevalent the last few days-ten
to four.
AT S:45 the only preliminary ight was
put on. 1t was a twenty round affair
between two local middle weights,
Dave Barry and Harry Foley. There
were heavily yelled women noticeable
among those seated in the boxes. Their
presence was passed over by the crowd
H-;tbort any demonstration of disap-
nroyaI as is usual in such cases.
The lights from the fourteen arc
lamps suspended above the ring gave
81 tsc;ent light for the fighters as well
% for the audience. These were the
only lights within the enclosure.
When asked in the dressing room as
.. ~. u-o;gbt FitzsimmOnS replied: