The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-11-01

Jimmy Britt of California lost the light"
weight championship OF the world last
night when he fouled Joe Cans OF Balu-
mare in the nth round. He had sent
Cans 10 his knees In the fifth round, and
then. losing his head, gave him a vicious
punch. and Referee Graney promptly
awarded the decision 70 Cans on a foul
The same thing happened In the fourth
round. Cans had dropped TO his knees 70
escape a blow that did not land. Britt
struck at him. but Graney would. not al
low the foul In the next round. however.
Graney very promptly recognized the foul
lighting.
1t looked almost from the start as IL IL
were Britt's fight. He actually outboxed
Cans, and landed blow after blow. In the
fourth round II was apparent that Cans
was scared. and barring foul, the nght
was Britts TO a certainty.
While no excuse can be made for Britt
losing his head. II certainly seemed that
Cans invited a foul.
The decision was great shock TO the
biggest crowd that ever filled the pavfi-
ion, but fair-minded men agreed that Ora
ney's judgment was just. Britt showed
mxrvclous strength and quickness. He
went at Cans like a bull terrier. landing
the Jaw
During the first three rounds Cans ap-
peared cool and confident and fairly
strong He appeared to be feeling Britt
out. but at the end OF the third and the
beginning OF the fourth, when Britt COM
menced tn fight more viciously Cans
weakened perceptibly. He landed few
times on Britt, but the little white boy
paid no attention to the colored mans
light taps. and every time he was hit he
bored in more viciousiy than ever There
IN no doubt In the minds OF the majority
Of those present that in another contest
at the same weights Britt would defeat
Cans easily.
Britt was frantic with rage when he
realized that he had lost the fight. and he
rushed at Graney. striking wildly. Gra-
ney, who Is something OF a boxer him
self fought back. but the police inter-
fered and separated the belligerents Britt
declared as he left the ring: IT know
that I can beat Cans and I want 10 hght
him again"
The fight demonstrated that Britt is a
wonder In his class. He In a clever boxer.
quick as cat and hard hitter, with the
addition OF having a bulldog grit that
makes him ight all the harder when he
is being punished.
Cans and his followers were highly de-
lighted at the decision and had no COM
plant coming.
After the ight when Britt had recover
ed his temper. he apologdzed 10 Graney.
The NTH round lasted but 30 seconds.
when the foul was declared
A meeting between Cans and Britt has
been looked forward to for over two
years, but the question OF weight and
color line proved stumbling black and
this prevented the mems meeting sooner
Finally Cans, who has been fighting
around the 14o-pound notch. agreed to
make 1873 pounds at the ringside. B:itt
waived the color question and the men
went into hard training.
With Cans taking of every atom OF sur
plus flesh and with Britt at weight
exactly suited to his splendid physique
II was agreed that no more even match
could have been arranged Cans. however,
found IL no easy task to make the re-
ouired weight. and was compelled to
undergo a strenuous system OF reduction,
even up to the 11th hour.
In the meantime the general public has
been slow In wagering on the result
II was not until later yesterday after
noon. when definite assurance was given
that Cans titled the scales at 1881 pounds.
that speculation began In earnest. The
colored lad was at once made a warm
fnvorite, despite the fact that Britt has
tremendous figure.
At o'clock the odds were 10 to 6iR,
with Cans on the long end. Although IL
vas known that Britt was In the
pink OF condition there was no lack OF
Cans money.
Behind Cans were stationed Al Her
ford his manager; Frank Mcdonald and
Kid Sullivan, while Britt was looked after
by Spider Kelly, Frank Rafael. Sam
Berger and ''eniling" Metzger.
Preceding the main event two four
round bouts were decided The curtain
raiser was between George Wilson and
BILLY Meehan. This bout went four
rounds to q draw
In the second preliminary Eddie Cham
oers was given the decision over Jack
Burke In the third round.
Young Corbett" jumped into the ring
a. soon as Cans and issued a challenge
to the winner Of tonight's fight.
Cans appearance was none too invit-
ing His face looked pinched and drawn
and his general appearance showed plain
ly the effects of hard training.
The scales were brought 70 the centre
of the stage and the men weighed In full
view OF the public.
Billy Gardiner and Mike Twin" Sui.
iivan also challenged the winner OF to-
nights fight
e:2 p. m.-The sca'es were set at the
l33 pounds mark. Cans jumped on and
failed TO raise the beam. The exact hg-
ures were not taken.
$50 p. m.-Britt entered the ring and
Immediately jumped on the scales. Like
Cans. he failed To raise the beam at the
i33-pound mark.
Britt looked trife nervous. but physi-
cally no fault could be found
s:S5 u. m.-Britt's arms were bound with
tire tape. Cans arms were free OF ban
dages. Referee Graney sent the men to
the centre Of the ring, where they were
photographed by nashlight.
At the ringside bets were made at
even money that Cans would win within
rs rounds.
Brtrt-was introduced a. the feather
weight champion OF the world.
Cans Was presented as the lightweight
champion OF the world.