Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1902-07-30
JEFFER|ES IS CHAMPION
HE WHIPPED FITzs1MMoNs.
Battle Only Lasted Eight Rounds
Jcffrirs Was Terribly Bruised on
the Face-Had His Nose Broken
and Eyes CIOsed-He Got a Chance
blow ON FitxsimmOns' stomach.

the Face-Had His Nose Broken
and Eyes CIOsed-He Got a Chance
Blow on FItxsimmons' Stomach,
San Francisco.-After fighting a bat
tie of eight rounds that was fraught
with brilliant and courageous work,
Robert FitzsimmOns has forfeited his
last claim upon the heavyweight
championship. He was knocked to the
floor by James J. Jeffries and counted
out after he had SO badly punished the
champion that it was foregone con-
clusion among the spectators that the
Cornishman must win. Bleeding from
number of gashes in the face, ap-
parently weakened and clearly unable
to cope with Fitzsimmons' superior
skill, Jeffries delivered two lucky
punches as Fitzsimmons paused in his
fighting to speak to him and turned the
tide.
The battle was brief but noteworthy.
and will live in pugilistic history. Fitz.
simmons tried once to arise from the
mat, but sank down again in helpless
ness and heard himself counted out
where but moment before he had ap.
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.
"The fight was won fairly and to the
best man belongs the laurels."
"You are the most dangerous man
alive" said Jeffries in return. "And
| 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. It was the draught
horse and the racer from the tap of
the gong. When the men came to-
gether Fitzsimmons appeared rather
worried, but on the opening of the
first round he assumed an air of alb.
solute confidence and fought with the
deliberation 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 bulgy opponent, get.
ting away In such a clever manner
that 1t brought down the great house
with cheers. 1t seemed, indeed, that
Jeffries could scarcely weather out the
gale.
Then the eighth round came, and af.
ter series Of hot exchanges Fitzsim.
mons paused with his guard down and
spoke to the champion. The latter's
reply consisted of two terrific blows
that brought back to him the fieeting
championship and forever removed
the veteran Fitzsimmons from the ifs
tic arena. Fitzsimmons took his de-
feat with amazing good cheer. He
walked to the center of the ring and
raising his hand. addressed the multi
tude, saying:
THE best man won. Had I beaten
Jeffries I should have conceded him
the championship and forever retired
from the ring. I retire Just the same
now, but without having accomplished
my ambition. am satisfied"
After the fight Champion Jeffries
was seen in his dressing room. He
was jubilant over his success, despite
the terrible scars Of battle. He said
to the Associated Press:
"Well. I have won. just as expect.
ed to. 1t was a fierce fight-the fierc-
est l ever fought, but won. Yes, !
got good beating as far as the marks
OF battle count, but then I rather ex.
pected that. knew Fitzsimmons had
cutting punch and would land 1t at
some time Of the fight. But few marks
and the loss of little blood won't
hurt a man. took them and only
waited for the opportunity to land my
punch. found out Fitzsimmons could
not jar me even with his famous right.
He cut me up, Of course, but that did
not hurt. l never was tired at any
stage and was stronger than Fitzsim-
mons at all stages. You saw that he
wore heavy bandages and 1t was these
that cut me up. wore no bandages
"Fitzsimmons certainly is a wonder
He is the greatest fighter of his weight
that ever lived. As old as he is, he
Is the shiftiest and cleverest, the hard.
est hitting man l ever met. want to
give him credit. as know all who saw
it will, for the great fight he put up
Il have no plans for the imme
diate future. as have not thought OF
anything but this fight for some time
simmons can yet defeat any other man