Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-07-31
UEFFRlES STILL IS CHAMPION.

san Francisco, Gal., July 70. -AtteF hBnt-
ing battle of eight rounds that was fraught
with brilliant and courageous work, Rollart
EitzsImmons last night forfeited his last
claim upon the heavyweight championship.
The battle was brief, but worthy, and will
live In pagilistic history. Fitzsimmons tried
once to arise from the mat, but sank again
in helplessness. and heard himself counted
OUT when but a minute before ne bad arpar-
emily the better of IL.
will never tight 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
ths aurels. =
'tYou are the most dangerous man alive, .
said Jeflries in return, land consider my
self lucky to have won when did"
Fitzsinmons had heen fighting at a furi-
Gus gait, cool and deliberate, and chopping
the champion 10 pieces with the terrific
rights and lsfts that have made him famous.
II was the draught horse and the racer from
the tap of the gong. When the men came
together Fitz appeared worried; but upon
the opening of the first round, he assumed
an air of absolute confidence, and fought
with the elaboration of the general that he
is. As early as the second round, Fisz had
Jefiries bleeding profuseiy from mouth and
nose. Again and again he landed ON his
bulky opponent, getting away in such
clever manner that he brought down the
house with cheers. 1t seemed, indeed, that
Jetfries could scarcely weather the gale,
Cheerful in the face Of defeat, and full OF
praise for his vanquisher, and yrithing in
agony on his couch. surrounded by score
of friends offering their consolation, Fitz,
in short sentences, intersperssd with gToane,
said that he bad fought his inst battle. He
added: II fought tho best | could, and the
hest man won. He is q great fighter; and
had been awarded the decision tonight, /
would have turned around and given him
4hta. thar NJ, 60 hfa Tg nh HfaO
In the world capable of defending it. The
blows that put me out we're left short arm
jolt under the ribs and right to the jaw.
After receiving the terrific body blow, 1
knew was gone, and told Iettries to keep
away but he was anxious to finnish fle,
and sent a right swing to my jaw Asked
why he did all the leading, Fitz Indignantly
denied the allegation, and said that Jeifries
did a great 6eal sof the work. especially in
the clinches and at close range. He Is as
strong ms an OK, and his blows hurt me CON
siderabIy, especially. his terrific let's to
Jeffriss said after the battle: "Fitz is the
greatest fighter OF his weight that ever lived.
As old as he Is, he is the shiftiest and
cleverest. the hardest hitting man / eve
met, and | want to give, him credit, as
know all who saw it will, for the great fight
other man than myself
DR.. Cox, who had been summoned TO at
tend Eitz. after careful examination, an
llounced that Fitzsimmonss' ribs were not
brpken, but his left side was badly bruised,
the Jnpscles being SO constFirted as to cause
the CornishmRn great difficulty in breath
fitg landed many blows during the fight,
and had JEFF cut and bleeding from half d
dozen places. Jeffries showed up well in the
final rounds. In the seventh round he rushed
Fitz determinedly.- aa put left on body,
hint font off rinht hand Natt her
was damaging. however; and when,
latRute later, they came together, Jeffries
put two terrific left swings On the body and
head. Jeffries wore a determined look. As
he stokped to spit, Fitz iabbed him three
tiTlss in the mouth, and forced him TO the
ropes. Jeiiries came back like an enraged
ball, and, bleeding from his nose, mouth
and cheek, h. rushed the smaller man To
tine ropes, putting left OH body and right
over the heart. Fitz stood him on, how
ever, with LEFT iabs. occasionally sending
left 10 the head. Jeffries sent left to the
head, and in the clineh they carried on
conservation, leffries was bk,edina, and
presented terrible appearance. He was
not tired, however, and took il easy in the
wait. In tho final round Bob stood up
Jetfries on. Jenries smiled through his
bloody features. ducking left swing and
landing a hard left on the ribs. They went
at it, FitZsimnons putting left ON face, and
took one on the head, Fitzsimmons missed
right, and took a stiff nunea On the body.
Jetfries forced the fighting at this stage.
crouehine low and carrying his right high
and left far back. They came together IN d
ciinched. As Fitzsinnlons stepped back, he
smiled and spoke TO Jeffries and before ne
could get out of reach, JEFF quickly hooked
his left on the jaw, and Fitzsimmons went
down on his back. He came up slowly /;
but before he could get upon both feet, the
referee counted 10, and tha tight was over.