Gilpin observer., 1902-07-31
JEFFRIEs STILL CHAMPION.
Fitzsimmons vanquished in an Eight.
Round Fight at San Francisco.

San Francisco, July 26.-After fight.
ing battle of eight rounds that was
fraught with brilliant and courageous
work, Robert FitzsimmOns last night
forfeited his last claim upon the heavy
weight championship. He was knocked
to the floor by james Jeffries and
counted out after he had so badly pun.
ished the champion that it was a fore.
gone conclusion among the spectators
that the COrnishman must win.
Bleeding from number of gashes
in the face, apparently weakened, and
clearly unable to cope with Fitzsim-
mons 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. Fltzsimmons tried
once to arise from the mat, but sank
down again in helplessness and heard
himself counted out, where but a mo-
ment before he had apparently all the
better Of 1t.
II will never fight again." said the
battle-scarred veteran of the ring, when
he had sufficiently recovered to talk
"The fight was won fairly and to the
best man belong the laurels."
You are the most dangerous man
alive" said Jeffries in return, land l
consider myself lucky to have won
when l did,
FitZsimmOns took his defeat with
amazing good cheer. He walked to the
center of the ring and raised his hanu,
addressed the multitude, saying:
"The best man has won. Had l
beaten Jeffrles tonight, should have
conceded him the championship and
forever retired from the ring. retire
just the same now, but without having
accomplished my ambition. am satis-
fed"
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:
well, have won, just as expected
to. 1t was fierce fight, the fiercest l
ever had, but won. Yes, got n good
beating, as far as the marks of battle
count. but then l rather expected that.
/ knew FitZsimmons had a cutting
punch and would land 1t mt some time
of the fight. But the few marks and
the loss Of blood won't hurt a man.
/ took them and only waited for the op-
portunity 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.
1 never was tired at any stage and was
stronger than Fitzsimmons at all
stages. think that Fitzsimmons can
yet defeat any other man tkan my
self"
Cheerful in the face of defeat, full of
praise for his vanqulsher ana writhing
In agony on his couch, surrounded by
n score of friends Offering their con-
ISOLATION, Fitzsimmons, between short
sentences interspersed with groans,
announced that he had fought his last
battle. He said:
II fought the best could and the
best man won. He Is C great fighter
and had I been awarded the decision
tonight, would have turned around
and given him the championship. for
he IL the only mai IN the world capable
OF defending 1t. The blows that put me
out we're a left short-arm under the
ribs and right to the jaw. After re-
ceiving the terrific body blow I knew
I was gone and told Jeffries to keep
away. but he was anxious to fnish me
and sent . right swing to my Jaw"