Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-31
JEFF IS
VICTOR
Retains Championship in
Eight Fierce
Rounds
But FitZsimmOns Clearly
Fights Better
Battle
Speaks to Bleeding Oppon-
emit and Gets Knock
out Blow

San Francisco, July 25.-After fight
ing a battle for eight rounds that was
fTaught with brilliant and courageous
work, Robert Hitzsimmons forfeited
his last claim upon the heavyweight
championship. He was knocked to
the floor by James Jeffries and
counted cut after he had so badly
punished the champion that It was a
foregone conclusion among the spec
tators that the Cornishman must win.
Bleeding from number of gashes in
the face, apparently weakening, and
clearly unable to cope with F'itzsim-
mons superior skill, Jeffries delivered
two lucky punches as FitzsimmOns
paused in his fighting to speak to
him, and turned the tide. The bat
tie was brief but noteworthy and will
live in pugilistic history.
Fitzsimmons tried Onceto arise from
the mat, but sank down again in help
lessness and heard himself counted
out, where but a moment before he
had apparently had all the better of
it.
Il will never fight again. said the
battle-scarred veteran of the ring
when he had sufficiently recovered to
talk
THE fight was won sQuarely and to
the best man belongs the laurels.''
You're the most dangerous man
alive said Jeffries in return, land |
consider myself lucky to have won
when | did,
Fitz had been fighting at furious
gait, but was cool and deliberate and
was chopping the champion to pieces
with the terrific rights and lefts that
have made him famous.
After the fight Jeffries was seen in
his dressing room. He was jubilant
over his success despite the terrible
scars of the battle. He said he won
as he expected to, got good beating
but expected that. He said he never
was tired at any stage.
''Fitz certainly is wonder. He is
the greatest fighter of his weight that
ever lived. AS old as he is he is
shiftiest, cleverest, hardest hitting
man l ever met, and l want to give
him credit, as 1 know all who saw it
will, for the great fight he put up.
think Fitz can yet defeat any other
man than myself
Fitz after reaching his dressing
room, praised Jeffries and again de-
clared he had fought his last fight. He
said he fought the way he did because
his hands were gone when he entered
the ring. having injured them Wednes-
day while boxing Griffin. The right
hand was almost useless. He spoke
admiringly of Jeffries strength and
appearance.
Foley knocked out Dave Barry in
the eleventh round of the preliminary.
Ben Solomon was timekeeper for
the club, Edward Wheeler for Fitz-
simmons and Billy Gallagher for JEFF
ries.
When Jeffries stripped off his
sweater he showed up to perfection.
He looked as if he had taken off con-
siderable weight, but his muscles
stood out firm and hard, his flesh
brown as a berry, showing the effect
of hard work.
FitZsimmons was introduced first
and given as hearty a greeting as
that which greeted the champion a
moment later Bob DOTTED his dress
ing gown, showing up in splendid
shape The men took their corners
at 1925.
When the men came together Fitz
appeared rather worried, but upon the
opening of the first round he assumed
an air of absolute confidence and
fought with the deliberation of the
general he is AS early as the sec.
ond round Fitz had jeff bleeding pro
fusely from his nose and mouth
Again and again he landed on his
bulky opponent, getting away in such
a clever manner that it brought down
the house with cheers. 1t seemed
indeed that Jeffries could scarcely
Weather out L00 gaze LII the eISutu
under a series Of hot exchanges, FitZ
simmons paused with his guard down
and spoke to the champion. The lat
ter's reply consisted of two terrific
blows that brought back to him the
feeting championship and forever re
moved the veteran Fttzsimmons from
the arena. Fitz took his defeat with
amazing good cheer. He walked to the
center Of the ring and raising his hand
addressed the multitude, saying:
The best man won. Had l beaten
jeff tonight l would have conceded
him the championship and forever re-
tired. I retire just the same row,
but without having accomplished my
ambitions l am satisfied
BY Rounds.
Round They came quickly to the
center. Jeffries IN a half crouching
position, and both feinting rapidly.
Jefries followed Bob around. feinting
with the left and looking for an open
ing. Fitzsimmons was the first to
lead. He sent short right iab to the
Jaw and another moment later.
Jeffries croucheG and rushed but Fitz
Side-steDDed out of the way jeff