The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-27
THE FIGHT SEEMED HIS
The Terrific Left Handler Came Like a
Thunderbolt
JffFRlEs WAS AS BLOODY AS A BEEF
He Delivered Two Lucky Punches as Fi'z
Paused in His Fighting 10 Speak 10
Him and Turned the Tide
of Battle,
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Ringside, San Francisco, July 25.-Af-
ter fighting a battle of eight rounds that
was fraught with brilliant and courageous
work, Robert Fitzsimmons tonight for
feited his last claim upon the heavy
weight championship. He was knocked
to the floor by James Jeffries and count
ed out after ne had SO badly punched the
sion among the spectators that the Cor
nishman must win. Bleeding from num-
Der of gashes in the face, apparently
weakening, and clearly unable to cope
with Fits skill, Jeffries delivered two
lucky punches as Fitzsimmons paused in
bis fighting to speak to him, and turned
worthy, and will live in pugilistic his
tory.
F'itzsimmons tried once to arise from
the mat but sat down again in helpless
ness and heard himself counted out,
where but moment before he aad APP
parently all the better of it.
81 will never fight again." said The
battle SCARED veteran of the ring when
he had sufficiently recovered to talk.
1.-The fight was won fairly and to the
best man belongs the laurels.
''You are the most dangerous man
alive said Jeffries in return, land
consider myself lucky to have won when
/ did
Fitzsimmons had been fighting at a
furious gait cool and deliberate. and
chopping the champion to pieces with the
terrific rights and lefts that have made
him famous.
1t was the draught horse and the
racer from the tap of the gong. When
the men came together Fitzslmmons APP
peared rather worried but upon the OPP
ening of the first round he assumed
confidence and fought with the delibera-
ton of the general that he is.
AS early as the second round Fitzsim-
mons had Jeffries bleeding profusely
from mouth and nose. Again and again
he landed on his bulky opponent, getting
away in a clever manner that brought
down the house with cheers. 1t seemed
indeed that Jeffries could scarcely
weather the gale.
In the eighth round the end came, and
under series of hot exchanges Fitzsim-
mons paused with guard down and spoke
to the champion. The latters reply
consisted of the two terrific blows that
brought back to MIN the tieeting cham
pionship and forever removed the veteran
Fitzsimmons from the fistic arena.
Fitzsimmons took his defeat with
amazing good cheer.
He walked to the center of the ring
and raising his hand addressed the multi
tude saying:
1.-The best man has won. Had beaten
Jeffries tonight l would have conceded
him the championship and retired for
ever 81 retire just the same now, but
without having accomplished my ambi-
tion. l am satisfied"
After the fight Champion Jeffries was
seen in his dressing room. He was jubi-
liant over his success, despite the terri
bic sears of battle. He said to an Asso-
ciated Press correspondent:
well. | have won just as / expected to.
1t was a fierce fght-the fiercest l ever
had--but l won. Yes, l got good beat
ing, as far as the marks of battle
count, but then l expected that.
Over 5000 people witnessed the fight.
The bench and bar of San Francisco, as
well as other professional life was we'll
represented. Large delegations from in
terror California cities occupied large
blocks of seats.
A conservative estimate of the amount
realized from the ticket sales, places the
sum at $4,000.
There was so little ringside betting
that it was hardly appreciate. The odds
was about the same that have been
prevalent the last few days-10 to 4.
DETAILS OF THE FIGHT.
At 10:O5-Bob Fitzsimmons stepped into
the ring, carrying his gloves and dressed
in long light blue bath robe.
Following him were Clark Ball. Hank
Griffin, George Dawson and a bottle
holder.
1006-Jeffries stepped into the ring,
dressed in long overcoat, pants, a
sweater and a panama hat. About him
were Billy Delaney, Joe Egan, Joe Ken
nedy and George Miller. Jeffries walked
up and inspected Fitzsimmons' bandages,
passing them without comment Both
men were given a warm reception.
Fitzsimmons first took the northwest
corner, but a moment later moved to the
northeast and finally to the southeast
corner The champion took the north
west
Jim Corbett sent a challenge to fight
the winner. This was received with ap-
plause, but moment later the announce
ment that Sharkey had sent challenge
was greeted with jeers.
The men finally chose corners, Fitz-
simmons taking the northwest and
Jeffries the southwest.
Fitz wore bandages on both hands.
Jeffries wore no bandages. Fitzsimmons
took his stool, and sat quietly chewing
gum. He looked well, slightly older than
when he last fought in San Francisco,
but much the same otherwise.
The announcer stated that the forfeit
money had been returned to the prin-
cipals and the club. Jeffries looked con-
fdent and sat in his corner chewing gum.