The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-29
8. WILMINGTON, N. G., JULY 80 1902

sons. who are supposed to be well in
formed on the matter, that the fight
between Fftzsimmons and Jeffries was
a fake
Mayor Schmitz has given out the fol-
lowing statement for publication:
From the information I have re-
ceived 1 am forced to believe that this
exhibition is no better than the prev
ious ones We nave had, namely, the
Jeffries- Rubin, Gans-McFaddan and
others, and it VIII do much towards
discouraging the sport in this city In
fact, unless some indisputable evidence
is produced to disprove the information
furnished me by the examiner, shall
hereafter have TO prohibit all L5uci. pro-
fessional fighting exhibition.
fSigned) ''E. E. SCHMITZ,
Mayor of San Francisco.
Even those who charge fraud admit
that it was a magnificent fight while 1t
fries almost at will. but while his
blows cut and stung, they did not SER
iously injure the big champion.
FbtZsimmons, when seen this morning
was apparently much distressed at the
charge of fake. He said that he 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 Fitzsmmons
had given him the hardest fight he had
ever had, and that they were good
honest puches that Fitzsimmons put
today, 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
Harbin 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
James Jeffrics Will receive 60 per
cent, and Robert Fitzsimmons forty
per cent, of the $23,910, which is 75 per
cent. of the gross receipts of the fight
S31, $50 having been received through
the sale of seats Jeffries will receive
s14,346 and Fitzslmmons will add So
500 to his bank account. The share of
the San Francisco Athletic Club is
$7,790. Out of this it must pay the ex-
pen.ss of the fight, incA,iang $5,e sor
the referee
Jeffries m ana ger, Delaney, ref :rrin :
10 he champions future plans said
We will consider the challenge of
Corbett and determine whether or not
it is reasonable. l do not know what
his proposition j.. If he means busi-
ness, we will meet him and will take
care of him. Jenries is young and
strong and has no intention Of quitting
the ring
Upon an examination of Jeffries by
a surgeon after his fight with Fitzsim-
mons last night it was found that JEFF
fries nose was broken. The champion
was not aware OF the injury until the
excitement Of tee battle had worn off,
a doctor was then called and he pro-
nounced the Small bones of the nose
broken. Jeffries believes the injury
was received IN the second or third
round from a left jab on the bridge Of
the nose. The champion said that he
felt no pain from. The Injury and would
soon be in good shape again. He spent
the night at the baths.
When Fitzsimmons had been counted
out and he had congratulated Jeffries
he walked to the side of the ring and
fiinging one OF the gloves he had drawn
from his hand t. The right and the 9TH
er to the left among the spectators, he
declared in a loud voice that he had
fought his last fight.
Mayor Schmidt made the following
statement in regard to the fight: It saw
the exhibition and up g the time the
blow that settled ,he fight was struck it
seemed to be a fair and creditable per-
formance, but at The time the blow was
delivered by Jeffries, Eitzsinmons ap-
peared to be off his gus.rd Perhaps so
much. stress would not he placed on this
act We're it not for the information
given to me on the night before the ex-
hibition that the contest would end, and
in favor of Jeffries, in the eighth round
l am loath to believe that the promoters
Of this exhibition were IN a conspiracy
to defraud the public and believe that
they knew nothing a. all of a prs-ar-
ranged affair."
NRUrn ~Sfn