The evening world., 1903-02-27
YOUNG CORBETT"
HAD CLOSE CALL,
sfN tsts0 OeOOe Osu"es
Champion Featherweight Barely Es-
capped His Waterloo at Hands of Eddie
Hanlon, a Clever Young Californian,
in a Bloody Twenty-Round Battle.

Gam FRANCISCO, Feb. 27-"Young corbett" champion feaher-weight,
vas very close to being an ex-champion several times in his fight with Ed
die Henlon in Mechanics Pavilion last night Not once, but o three dis
unt occasions were the electric lights dancing far away in the haze and
the sea of faces became a confused mass of white and dark spots to the va
can't eyes of the Denver lad. Blu. these occasions we're at the end of rounds
ana the minutes breathing spell to corbett a like the administration of
oxygen to q dying man. He came back strong and fresh and clear-eyed
But the wty, muscular young Californian dancing about him gave him no
rest II was q gtveandfake, slam-bang show that pleased the crowd. I.
was q battle in which young corbet" should have shown at his best, but
in which he made a poor impression.
RESULT HARD TO UNDERSTAND.
It will be hard for Eastern people to realize that the coolheaded lad
who stood of the terrific rushes OF Terry McGovern and cooly handed him
the knockout punch without drawing a long breath could have been so badly
used by q second-rater like Hanlon.
n the spectators could have had their way last night the decision would
have Eoueto Hanlon. To their mind Hanlon had the better of the fight all
te way. There was no part of the twenty rounds where it seemed % II
Ccbett would win. But referees are always ohary of the reputation OF
champions, and the decision was a draw. 1t was the general verdict that
6orbeH Is lucky to be still able to call himself champion.
Eddie Eanlon. who is now budding o. the pug1nstic bush into a possible
bloom OF the first water. is taller than Young Corbett" He is of the ner-
sous muscular type. 1.-THE and wiry. AS a boxer he is extremely clever, but,
Like most clever boxers. he lacks the punch. That is the only reason why
he e not wearing the championship feather in his hat to-day. His previous
record d. not much. He fought a draw with Abe Atel, which is his best
tn, alstolass variety.
wien the boys came ito the centre of the ring last night 1T was apparent
that the advantage in height and reach was with Hanlon. While the referee
was instructing them corbett ws coony measuring Hano- and figuring
what would be the sohest place t o put his terrible right. Hanlon, on the
other hand. nervousy hddled with his gloves and looked away out v the
heads Of the spectators.
WENT AT 1T CAUTIOUSLY.
The gong sounded the os got together cautiously. contt was cool and
on thu defensive Hanlon nervous danced in No out oontentw 1ha light lead
aw and hen fr the purpose IF viewing corbetts defensa cobat tool matters
so easily that Eanon became bold at the end of the round and. rushing II. sent
. left to the face n a hard right Corbett looked surprised when the bell ram
and sent them to THERE orners
In h esecond round Eanlon wa holder. corbats easy manner nd apparent
sowness made the Californian more confident and h let often N landed his
punches. Constant jabbing trrtated Corbet. and when he went to his corner hs
was angry His eye was pulled n his nose swollen.
young Cobtt"c m out of his cornr In the bird like a anuvb eef r, :,
hive. Hanlon vas willing N the pair mixed lit u in a fashion that rough hi
crowd to its feet yelling nd cheering like mad. lime after time cobat swung
his right, bt Hanlons defense superb. 7 hard tas to the law and a
hard rght,hand punch in the stomach hurt corbett N he went to his cornsr
dazeda m groggy.
Hse experience in the third taught corbet a lessons an he began to fight more
cautiously. Ee kept away whenever possible, and toward IL enc of the fo,rt,
round rushed and sent a hard right to Ianlons Jaw
The NTH round saw Corbett again full of confidence and he forced the nrbt-
ing. driving Hanlon before him, butn no doing a great deal of damage Ha,ior
looked worried, AM In this round. as well as the sixth, h was content tn Ia,
Cobett do the work.. 1t looked as II the rsht-hand punch which Corbett landed
resting