The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1903-04-11

"HOw near Jim Jehries came to los
Ing the championship TO Bob Fitzsim-
mons at San Francisco On the 25th Of
last July is a story that have never
seen in print remarked a sporting
man IN The Enquirer Office the other
night. well. know something
about It and can assure you that If It
had not been for Jenries wonderful
nerve the bout would have ended in
the third round in favor Of Fitzslm-
mons"
How was that?" asked an inter
ested listener The man who was
there then gave the following facts
concerning tho incident:
In tho first two rounds Fitz had
landed three blows to Jef's one and
was jumping around the ring like a
monkey. JEFF tried hard to corner
him. but Lanky Bob was SO shifty on
his feet that JeI could not set to him.
Fitz would jab JEFF on the nose, side
step and then send a harder one into
Jef's face or body. TO say that JEFF
was mad would be putting it mildly
He was waiting his chance to land his
terrible left on Bob, but while he was
doing this Fitz was getting in his tell
ing work. Fitz had all the best Of
the first and second round. In the
third JEFF smashed Fitz on the face
and ear. Then he followed up with a
right to tho mouth and Fitz came back
with his left hard to the nose. The
blood spurted and Jef's face began to
swell JefT attempted to retaliate, but
Fitz cleverly blocked the attempt
Fitz again caught Jim In the nose and
the champion came at him with a
desperate rush. Fitz stopped him
with a left hook and it was this blow
that came nearly winning the fight for
the Cornishman.
The punch caught JEFF under the
right eye and the blood flowed like
water Jea was bleeding from the
nose and eye. but still strong on his
feet He rushed Fitz again, but did
no damage. When tho men went to
their corners Jef's face was in bad
shape Billy Delaney at once put the
seconds at work on the upper portion
Of the champions body, and when the
sponge was dashed into Jim's face
be cried. Look out for my eye!' De
laney made hurried examination, and
found that the punch had almost torn
the eyeball from the socket. Does it
look bad?' excitedly asked Jen, Of De-
laney. Yes, It does. replied Bill.
Then tear it out, yelled JelirIes, show
ing that he was man Of wonderful
nerve Jeff then ran his hand up over
his nose and found that it had been
broken. My nose is gone. too said
JEFF to Delaney. That's all right, Jim;
1t will do, calmly responded the grea,
trainer Just then the bell rang, and
the men were sent to the center OF
the ring 1t was noticed that JEFF
walked slowly from his corner. while
Delaney's face bore a puzzled express
sion. That expression. learned after
ward, meant that Jen's chief second
was hesitating whether or not to send
the champion up for any more punish
ment But Jeff, the game man that he
is, went right after old Bob in the next
round and gradually wore him down
until the telling blow was delivered ir
the eighth round that put Fitzsimmons
down and out Yes. sir; Jeff came
within an ace Of having to give up l.
that third round and turning over The
championship to the old man OF the
/ prize ring because OF those twC
punches. left to the nose and a short
arm jolt which caught the champion
in the eye"- Cincinnati Enquirer.