The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-01
BRITT LOST TO
CANS ON A FOUL
AFTER HAVING WHIPPED HIM.
THEN BRITT, MADDENED, FOUGHT
REFEREE GRANEY.

Odds Were on Cans, but the Negro
Soon Found Britt Too Good for
Him-The Third and Fourth
Rounds Were BIRTHS, and He Had
Again Knocked Cans DOVvn-As
Cans Was Attempting to Rise the
FonI Was Struck-AImOst Free
Fight Then.
San Francisco, Oct. 31.-Jimmy Britt
of California lost the lightweight cham
pionship of the world tonight, when
he fouled Joe Cans of Baltimore in the
fifth round. He had sent Cans to his
knees in the fifth round, and then, los
ing his head gave him a vicious punch
and Referee Graney promptly awarded
the decision to Cans on a foul.
The same thing had happened in the
fourth round. Cans had dropped TO
his knees to escape a blow that did not
land. Britt struck at him, but Graney
would not allow the foul. In the next
round, however, Graney very promptly
recognized the foul fighting.
1t looked almost from the start as
if it were Britt's fight He actually
out-boXed Cans and landed blow after
blow. In the fourth round it was APP
parent that Cans was scared, and bar
ring a foul the fight was Britt's to a
certainty.
While no excuse can be made for
Britt losing his head, it certainly seem
Oh 10 do
cision was a great shock to the big
gest crowd that ever filed the pavil-
ion, but fair-minded men admitted that
Graney's judgment was just.
The fight demonstrated that Britt is
a wonder in his class. He is a clever
boxer. quick as a cat and a hard hit
ter. with the addition of having
bulldog grit that makes him fight all
the harder, when he is being punished.
The weight question, which had been
agitating the followers of pugilism for
several days as far as Cans was con-
cerned, was adjusted to a nicely. and
the men entered the ring at the speci-
fled notch of 1873 pounds.
Great interest had been displayed in
California over the result of to-night's
to be exceedingly clever and finished
boxers. Consequently an enormous
throng fought its way into the pavil-
lon to see the pugilists fight. All aft
ernoon huge crowds stood in line
awaiting the opening of the general
admission gates. and it required the
constant vigilance of mounted police to
keep the people in line.
At o'clock the gallery was crowded
SnnOp9fi0n a
of reserved seats occupied every chair
on the lower floor.
Long Odds on Cans.
1t was not until late this afternoon,
when definite assurance was given
that Cans had tilted the scales at 1927
pounds, that speculation began in
earnest. The colored lad was at once
made a warm favorite, despite the
fact that Britt had a tremendous fol-
lowing. At 9 o'clock the quotations
were 10 to 615, with Cans on the long
end Although it was known that
Britt was in the pink of condition,
there was no lack of Cans money.
Round One-Britt went at once into
his favorite crouched position, and
they SPARED for some time. The
work in the round was light, Britt
having a slight advantage Cans per-
mitted Britt to do most of the work
and did no harm.
Round rwo-Britt missed a left hook
for the body and then sent straight
left to Cans nose, Cans retaliating
with left to the body. Britt drove
Cans back with a left swing to the
body. Britt did most of the leading
in this round. The honors were about
even, however.
Britt started His Work.
Round s.-They mixed it fiercely at
close quarters. both doing some clever
boxing. Cans got in a good right to
the body, but Britt retaliated with
straight left. hard to the stomach.
Britt caught Cans with a terrific right
to the jaw, dazing the colored man. He
bombarded Cans face and body with
right and left swings and put some
Furnishing rights over the heart. Cans
chung desperately to Britt to avoid
punishment and the gong found them
in this position. 1t was all BIRTHS
round.
Round 4-Britt waded in fiercely,
rushing Cans to the ropes with a
heavy left over the heart. He then
missed right and left swings for the
body. Britt kept himself well covered
and was a puzzle to Cans. At the
close Britt landed some heavy blows.
Cans suddenly shot his left to Britt's
jaw, but in return Britt put in body
blows that sent Cans to his knees.
After a mix-up Britt sent Cans to the
floor with a left to the jaw. Cans
rose, but was again floored with right
and lefts TO the face. There was fear
full confusion. and the bell was not
heard. In this round Britt hit Cans
accidentally, while Cans was down, but
a claim of foul was disallowed. Cans
was in distress and the gong saved him.
Then He FOuIed Cans.
Round Five-They mixed fiercely.
Britt went after Cans like a whirlwind
Britt sent Cans to the floor with a
succession Of rights and lefts to the
jaw. As Cans was attempting to rise
Britt met him with a desperate right
TO the jaw. Eddie Graney quickly dis
qualified Britt and awarded the deci-
sion to Cans.
The excitement was terrific. Britt
rushed at Graney like a mad man and
fought him to the ropes A squad Of
police Immediately jumped into the
ring, and ii looked as IL there would
be a general fight. The house gave
vent to its disapproval by tremendous
hooting and wildly cheered. Britt as he