Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-10
NELSON WINS IN EIGHTEENTH
Jimmy Britt, the FavOrits, IL Knocked Out
BY Stronger Man
EDWARD GRANEY ACTS As REFEREE
Fight f. Delayed over an Hour by
wrSnEIe over the Choice of
UmpIre-Bets Are De-
cIared on.

SAN FRANCISCO Sept. Elm a fight
that will long stand in class Of its own
in the history OF ring contests Battling
Nelson, the sturdy little Dane from Illi-
nois, knocked out James Edward Britt Of
San Francisco at Colma late this afternoon.
The end came in the eighteenth round and
was a cean-cut fairly won victory. This
is a simple statement OF the result The
story OF the battle itself furnishes a thrill
ling story. No element that goes to give
the fght the superlative title OF greatest
was missing. The surroundings, the crowd,
the known bitterness OF the men toward
each other. the uncertainty as to whether
there would be fight at all up TO within
brief quarter Of an hour before the fight
actually began. the cleverness. gameness
and endurance displayed by the two boxers
these are what made the fight a great
one.
II was the story of many another ring
contest-the success Of the strong, sturdy,
enduring fighter against a clever, cool
boxer. This in brief Is a description OF
Nelson and Britts ring characteristics, re-
spectively From the very first moment of
the fight until Referee Graney finished the
count of ten seconds Nelson forced the
hghtng. Though battered by innumerable
bruslng blows on the face and body and at
times very tired Nelson never for one
moment gave ground. He came back after
every vicious attack, the clever Britt al
ways ready to exchange blows. For the
rushing. forcing, persistent tactics Of Mel
son Britt could find no effective counter
The Californian tried every blow known to
him-and he apparently knows them ALTO
stop his treless opponent. In every way he
failed. 1t is true he punished Nelson
severely. knocking him down once and
staggering him several times. but never
was he able to beat him back and change
the aspect OF the fight.
% Britt's only Chance.
Only once. in the third round. did IT
> appear TO those close enough to judge the
tide of battle that Britt might win. In
spot on Nelson's body. his stomach, with
two terrific right-hand blows that carried
Furnishing force behind them. Nelson falt-
Quickly turning his attention to Nelson's
face Britt sent in terrific, right across
was a great shout from Britts friends,
but the telation was short lived. Nelson
Count Of two and fought the only way he
knows how to hght-always coming toward
his man. At this critical time for Nelson
the gong sounded for a rest, most cheer
full note TO Nelson's supporters. The call
of time for the succeeding round, however,
found the much battered fighter fresh and
Nelson was always the first to begin
rounds, though not always the first to land
blow. Time after time he would glide
along after Britt, much after the style
of Fitzsimmons, never clever on his feet,
but always seeking to shorten the distance
between his opponent and himself. Except
in spots the rounds were all pretty much
giving ground Britt trying to keep Nelson
at the end OF his snappy left hand and
HsRs the te Get
ian two good hands. Whenever Nelson
broke down the defense or accepted the
away at the body, always coming out OF
clinch with swinging at the jaw.
britt IL Knocked Out.
The eighteenth proved the end for Britt
lasted about two minutes, shows little diff
ference from the others. Britt was tired
abount the ring and gave many body blows
always boring in. He cornered Britt and
drove him against the ropes Britt squirmeS
that appeared TO hurt Nelson. Nelson
covered up his body and Britt swung for
a short. sharp left-hand blow to Britt'i
stomach. He gave way, and stepped back
give himself time to recover. Nelson saw saw
the damage his blow had inflicted, how
eyer. and pressed on. He forced Britt int
Brtt vent down suddenIy Ne NEE en0 sS eSm
NO clear idsa after G the ms h What Putt R RR
out, but in the opinion of those who wert
close by II was the blow In the stomach
that took all his remaining strength anC
he fell from exhaustion and was count et
out by the oficial timekeeper.
Bets Declared on.
Referee Graney caused much surpris
after he had been chosen to act by declar
ing all bets OF. Subsequently he gave GU
to the newspaper men that bets made afte
his acceptance would stand. This wa
about 2:35 o'clock, which was an importan
point to bettors who posted their none,
prior or subsequently to Graney's declara
ton.
Statement by GPRney.
Following is statement by Eddi
Graney:
1t was the greatest lightweight fight q
modern times Nelson kept after Brit
all the time. He was too strong and toug
for Britt. ! thought Nelson would wi
after the eighth round. Britt Is IN
gamiest boy I ever saw in the ring II
took the greatest amount of punishmeu
] ever saw man take. Britt and / al
not speak and had he won l would nc
have spoken to him But when he los
] went over 10 his corner and said
Jimmy you and will be friends"
Nelson is like Fitzsimmons. He Is al
ways boring In. / did not see what blow
settled Britt in the last round. but l thin
he went down from exhaustion.