The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-26
FITZ WAS TOO. CLEVER.
Outclassed His Opponent and
Repeatedly FloOred Him.
Fight Was Unsatisfactory and
Frequently Kissed.
Odds We're 10 to 8 ON the Cor
nishman at Beginning.

San Francisco, Nov. 26.-BOb FitZsim-
mons was given the decision at the end
Of the twentieth round in his fight with
George Gardner.
The big pavilion was only fairly filled,
great contrast to the usual state of
affairs when Fitzsimmons has fought
here before. "Lanky" Bob has always
been a great favorite here and although
the contest last night did not fill the
arena to it's utmost capacity Fftzsim-
mons was installed a favorite in the
betting.
During the day he ruled favorite at
10 to 8, but toward evening the rumor
circulated that he was not in prime con-
dition and Gardner went up to even
money. Later, Fitzsimmons' admirers
came forward with their coin and, when
the men entered the ring, the betting
was 10 to in favor of Fitzsimmons. 1t
was noticeable that the usual crowd of
outside patrons of the prize ring were
absent. The 5000 people were, with few
exceptions, from San Francisco.
No fight in recent times has been the
cause OF more guess work than this one
In spite of Fitzsimmons' age many peo-
pie, remembering his remarkable ca
reer, still cling to their old ideal and
figured that experinece and the old
fighting instinct would carry him
through. On the other hand the wise
ones" calculating on Gardner's youth
and strength, played him to win Both
men weighed close to 1913 pounds
though Gardner was bit the heavier.
The Fight by Rounds.
The men entered the ring at GIT D. m.
The following is a description of the
fight by rounds:
Round 1-They went to the center
quickly and INDUCED in sparring. Gard
ner danced around lively and ducked
vicious left for the jaw. They came to-
gether without result and Fitz missed
a left swing for the jaw and then evaded
a similar blow from Gardner. Fitz sent
a straight left high on the chest. The
fighting was slow, both men exercising
great care. Gardner was short with a
right uppercut for the jaw Both then
missed lefts for the head and Gardner
received singing straight left to the
jaw. Fftzsimmons followed this with
another left to the jaw and a right to
the stomach. Fitz sent Gardeners head
back with a left hook to the jaw Gard
ner then planted a straight to the face.
Fitz blocked a hard left for the stomach
as the bell rang. The advantage was
slightly with Fftz, who received no
punishment. Fitz appeared to be suf-
fering from a cold
Round AFTER considerable sparring
both missed lefts for the body. Fitz got
in a light to the head and Gardner
landed twice on the Australians kid
neyS with right. Gardner drove his
right twice to the body and received a
left to the body and a right to the jaw
in return. Gardner sent his right to the
body and Fitz slipped to the floor as he
backed from a right swing Bob drove
a straight left to the stomach and miss
ed a right for the jaw. Bob then plant
ed his left to the body and a right
swing to the jaw. Gardner sent in a
right and left fOrcefully to the body and
Fitz retaliated with a right and left to
the jaw as the bell sounded. This round
was comparatively even, the advantage,
If any, being with Gardner. There was
not much force to most of the blows
landed.
Round 3-Gardner was short with a
left for the body and a moment later
drove a hard right to the Cornishman's
ribs. They then exchanged blows to the
body. F'itz missed a left swing for the
face and was met with a straight right
TO the body. Gardner followed it with
right swing to the ribs and two rights
to the kidneys. Gardner sent in left ana
right to the jaw. Fitz was trying coca
sional swings and did not do much
sparring. He sent a straight left to
Gardeners face and missed another for
the same place. Fitzsimmons swung
terrific right to jaw and rushed Gardner
to the ropes. Fitz put left to the face
and right to the body, Gardner fight
ing back hard. Fitz gave a flash of his
old fire in this round and drew Gardner
on. This was Fits round. He again
received no attention from his seconds
at the rounds conclusion.
Round 4-Fitz swung a right to the
jaw and they mixed it, Bob ducking and
blocking cleverly. Fitz stood back and
then tried left for the jaw, but was
blocked. He repeated the attempt a
moment later. but Gardner met him
with straight left to the jaw. Fitz
then sent Gardner down for seven Sec
onds with two straight let's to jaw
Gardner came up fighting wildly. F1tz
forced him to the ropes with a straight
left to the jaw, sending Gardner again
to the ropes. F'itz then hooked a vicious
right to the jaw and Gardner went to
the floor. He came up and Fitz plant
ed several frightful lefts and rights to
the face and body that sent the Lowell
man to his corner groggy. The tumult
Tor E1tz at this stage was tremendous
Fftz was very cool. He nearly had
Gardner out twice.
Round 5-Fitz landed a left swing to
The Jaw and Gardner went down for the
count of nine. Fitz chased him around
the ring and had Gardner stalling. F'itz
forced Gardner to the ropes with a left
to the jaw and right hook to the
body. Fitz looked a bit tired, but put
in stiff left to the body. They came
to mixup, Gardner being desperate
and rushing. He was bleeding from the
nose. Fitz swung left and right to the
face and forced Gardner to a clinch.