The San Francisco call., 1904-03-26
Referee Graney Awards the Laurels
on Winners Aggressiveness.

Jimmy Britt has lived up 20 what ap-
peared 20 the more conservative follow
ers OF the pug1listic game to be the ex-
fravagant claims Of enthusiastic admir-
ers. and stands to-day the greatest
boxer OF his inches IN the world AFTER
twenty desperate rounds with Young
Corbett In Woodward's Pavilion last
night Referee Graney pointed 70 Britt,
thus declaring the young Californian
the victor in one Of the greatest nights
ever seen IA any ring between little
men.
The decision went 70 Britt because he
oid all the leading and the forcing Of
the fight, Corbetts most effective work
being done in the clinches. There were
many ups and downs in the fight up TO
the sixteenth round, when Britt fresh
ened up noticeably and punished Cor
bett severely. 1t was much the same
whirlwind finish be put up with Martin
CEnole and which won him the decision
over that clever boxer.
As usual, Britt's most effective blow
was g left 20 the body. At times he
seemed 70 forget this and kept trying
for COrbett's head when the larger tar
a
surprised that Britt used his right so
sparingly. Round after round, with
many opportunities offering, he made
no move with il. After the fight he
said he injured both his hands and
his right forearm in the early stages
Of the contest. He made some wild
swings with II. but was afraid 70 do
any hard punching.
Both fighters had tried so earnestly,
battling every moment OF the contest,
that the spectators seemed in doubt as
to what the decision would be when the
gong sounded the end Of hostilities.
There was an instant hush. and when
Referee Graney pointed TO Britt wild
cheer went up. Brirt's seconds and his
friends were overjoyed. Spider Kelly
caught him and carried him around the
ring on his back. while hands were
thrust uD on every side to grasp the
battered hands Of the victor.
The effect on Young Corbett and his
seconds was also marked. Deep gloom
settled down on his corner, and the
long faces OF his seconds showed the
surprise and chagTin they felt at the
outcome OF the battle Corbett was
broken hearted and cried when he
reached his dressing-rOoTn-
In the interval after the eighteenth
round some partisan Of the CalifOrn-
ian started the spectators yelling in
unison the name of Britt. 1t was TAX
en- up all over the house and the spec
tators stood I'D and Joined in a chorus
reminiscent Of the intercollegiate foot
ball game. After the fight Young Cor
bett claimed this demonstration had
its effect on Referee Graney and that
il undoubtedly had some influence on
his decision.
SANGUINARY BATTLE.
The battle was sanguinary one af-
ter the sixth round. Earlier in the
fight, in the third round, Britt's nose
commenced to bleed, but in the sixth
the heads Of the two boxers came to-
gether and both sustained cuts over
the left eye. Britt's bled more pro-
fusely, but Corbett's also gave him
some trouble In the tenth round
Britt's right eye was cut and added to
his CORY appearance.
To the surprise OF the people who
have been claiming that Britt could not
stand hard blow 10 the head, he took
2 lot Of blows about the head and jaw
and still came back fighting fiercely.
He showed remarkable gameness
throughout and also marvellous powers
Of recuperation. In the ninth round.
Britt's strength seemed to have been
sapped. but he gradually improved and
showed greater powers Of recuperation
than did Corbett. While Britt had the
Denver man wabbling on his pins a
number OF times. he did not cut him
Up badly. The only mark Corbett
showed when he donned his street
clothes was the cut over the left eye.
Corbett was the first TO enter the
ring, being accompanied by Harry
TuthiI, Billy Otis and Tim McGrath.
He was in the ring some ten minutes
before Britt entered. and walked up
and down slowly. nodding TO acquaint-
snces among the spectators. a long
list OF challenges was read, including