The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-30
SPORTING NEWS.
COrbett Won In Sixteen Fast,
Vicious Rounds.
Was a Desperate Battle Between
the Little Men.
PAVILION WAS TANNED.
An Immense Crowd Sees the
FeatherWeights Contest.
Referee Graney Fearing a Fa-
tally Stopped the Bout.
Fifty Per Cent of the Receipts
Went to the Pugilists.

Mechanics Pavilion, San Francisco.
Dec. 30.-The Young Corbett"- Hanlon
contest for the featherweight cham
pionship at Mechanics pavilion last
night proved to be one of the greatest
drawing cards in the history Of the
fighting game in this city. The vast
auditorium. which has been the scene
of so many notable pugilistic battles.
was taxed to its capacity long before
the bell changed summoning the prin-
ciDals to action
Despite the fact that Hanlon. in his
previous encounter with the champion
had somewhat the better of the bout,
and the well known propensity of the
local sporting fraternity to allow senti-
ment to warp their judgment in con-
tests participated in by local celebri-
ties. Corbett was a pronounced favor
lite in the betting. Opening up at odds
of 10 to few days ago the odds
gradually shortened, owing to the
weight of Corbett money and when the
lads entered the pavilion last night 2
to | was offered with the Denver man
on the long end. AT these figures many
large Wagers were made at the ring
side, there seeming to be no lack of
Hanlon money in sight. One of the rea-
sons advanced for the apparent I'M
eVenness of the betting is the fact that
most of the eastern turfmen and book
ma KEYS attending the local races pinned
their faith on the superiority of the
champion and backed their opinions
FIRE ely.
One feature of the evening was the
appearance of Australian Murphy the
former featherweight champion and
the man who fifteen years ago could
Leaf anybody of his weight. He ap-
peared last night in a six-round bout
with Jack Evans. local boxer. For
the first two or three rounds Murphy
failed to show I'D any of his old-timc
speed or cleverness. but in the last
three rounds he became reiuVenat4d
ana the way he foOred the young man
showed that he still had a punch left
and could land it effectively
Evans was almost out when the gong
sounded for the close of the sixth round
but the referee called the contest a
draw, greatly to the disgust of the big
crowd which thought Murphy should
have been awarded the decision. While
Murphy can still make q showing
against young and inexperienced
fighter it was obvious that against a
man of high class he would stand no
show whatever
Corbett and Hanlon met at Harry
Corbett's resort this evening, where
the question of weight was decided.
The articles of agreement stipulated
that they should weigh in at 1923 pounds
at o'clock or forfeit $1,000.
Corbett was the first to step on the
scales and just tipped the beam at an
even 12s pounds. Hanlon evidently
was under these figures, as he failed
to move the scales.
About the ringside were gathered
many eastern sporting men of national
reputation. Jack Munroe, who met
Champion Jeffries some time ago at
Butte Mont, was among those present.
A large delegation of Corbett men ar
rived from Denver to witness the con-
test. The party was headed by Otto
F'loto, the well known sporting writer.
Accompanying him were: Ed Gaylord
Robert Goodnow, Judge Mullins, Julius
Aichele, county clerk of Denver, and
Harry Dunn Gaylord brought a
bunch of money to bet on Corbett-
Before the fight Eddie Graney, the
referee of the contest, said:
Il want tc let the public know that
the championship title will cut no fig
ure with the decision. The. pugilist
whom I think has had the better OF
the battle and does most of the fight
ing will be given the honors."
Young Corbett was first to enter the
rne He wore bandages on his arms
He was looked after by Tim McGrarh
Harry Tuthill and Billy Otis. TIE
champion went to his corner imrnedl
ately and awaited the arrival of his
antagonist.
AT 9:36 o'clock Hanlon entered TIL;
ring Like Corbett his hands were en
cesed in bandages. He at once Wen
to the champions corner and they
| shook hands He was seconded by
Harry Foley. Fred Landers. Ted VOL
and Toby Irwin. Hanlon was intro
duced by Announcer Jordan as thu
s'Pride of California He received
much applause The champion ON, wa;
and the champion Of the world. Hi
reception was equal to that of Hanlon
The customary challenges from east
ern pugiIists were read, among then
being ones from Young Mowatt
Sammy Smith and Louie Long. Terry
| McC4overn sent a telegram agreeing t.
meet Hanlol in the event of the Cali
fornian being returned a winner.
1 Jack Munroe of Butte was introduced
and the crowd yelled for a speech
Jack made his exit quickly, however
Referee Graney appeared in the rims
! clad in his dinner coat. Corbett loole'
much bigger around the arms ant
shoulders, but Hanlon was the tale
| of the two. Both men appeared to b.
in the best possible condition