Evening journal., 1905-12-21
BOWLING
| BASKETBALL
| AUTOMOBILES
BOB FITZSIMMONS
BESTED BY JACK O'BRIEN
Youth Of the New Champion Was Too Much FOrthe Old
War Horse Of the Ring
BY our own Wire. Publishers Press

san Francisco Dec I.-old Bob Fitz-
simmons. the hero Of 800 ring battles and
one-time heavy weight champion, has
fought his last fight His passing as a
pugilist came last night when after
thirteen rounds Of milling with "Phnadel-
phia Jack" oBrien. he fell fainting In
his corner. beaten and battered by his
youthful opponent and deserted by nature
who no longer would serve the call upon
her impaired resources. There were no
cheers for the victor only a deep pity for
the fallen fighter The end came between
the thirteenth and fourteenth rounds.
No Shamming This Time.
old Bob. foarfully beaten by the iabbing
attacks of O'Brien wabbied unsteadiy
10 his corner and his seconds helped him
10 his chair His face was drawn and
pinched with an expression OF torture, and
wet spone was passed across his face.
The old fighter looked heplcssly about
him. Some thought that he was playing
his old shamming trick of making his
adversary believe he was an but gone.
Bob had played those tricks before and
his opponent in over-eagerness TO end
the bout had suddenly come to his own
undoing by rushing into "a heavy wallop.
There was mo sham last night The tor
tnred look was too well understood by
his seconds. Then ne collapsed and fen
10 the floor from his chair. They lifted
him carefully 10 his seat and tried to pun
him together. lt was TO no purpose. Fitz
slipped TO the floor again and looked at
Eddie Graney, the referee. His lips moved
and only those very near him heard him
say:
Eddie, I'm an gone He hit me In the
stomach
Graney motionod TO O'Brien that he had
won. The crowd knew then that It was all
over but Il was not the victory of OBrlen
that stirred their emotions. but q great
pity Tor the old gladiator who had made
his last fight and had gone down with the
colors fying. Nature delivered the last
blow and litz rolled to the floor IN
dead faint the blood flowing freely from
his nose and mouth. lie was revived and
taken 70 his dressing room. Eddie Graney
turned 20 the reporters and said;
Punch in Stomach Did II.
TT was q loft to the stomach that hurt
fitz He held himself together until he
reached his corner then he began to
vomit IL was "a good fight and the old
man stood hard beating, but finally ma
ture ieft him."
Fitzsimmons announced his retirement
this morning. He was stiil sore In body
and much bruised There was no sting to
his defeat for he knew he had the sym
paihy OF every ring follower. II was the
sulhvan-corbett fight over again. and
youth had its way Fitz said.
II guess the old man Is an IN as a
Fighter. Younger and a better man beat
me and have no fault TO find. ] was
beaten fairly and squarely. and there IS
little more TO be said. O'Bren was very
fast and It was hard for me 10 locate him.
My punches lacked their old steam Ma
ture win not allow a fighter to 20 too
far ! know it now and shall never enter
the ring again"
Jack Brien, by virtue Of his victory.
claims the heavyweight championship.
though the claim viii be disputed by
many. O'Brien said.
I'm naturally much elated over the
victory, but it was nothing more than
expected. had him cold after the second
round and knew that he must succumb to
my blows. ] followed the plan Of battle
that laid out"
Never Looked a Winner.
There was no time during those thir-
teen rounds that Fitz looked the winner.
O'Brien was always faster and his blows
had more steam and were better timed.
o Rrien carefully followed the plan of
battle that he told his friends. In ana
out o'Brien moved ike lightning. deliver
ing short arm jabs and stepping back
again out of range. This rapid-hre attack
gradually wore the older man down but
Fitz hoped even 10 the end that ne might
land his punch on the fleet elusive thing
that fitted In front Of him. O'Brlen never
permitted Fitz to get hit for a blow and
kept bis opponent worried by his fast tac-
tics. Oddly enough the blow that sped the
departing strength OF Fitz was solar
plexus blow, the one he invented and won
the championship from Jim Corbett. II
was fine fight and one that will be sadly
remembered in ring history.
Given Big Reception.
Great was the reception as Fitzsimmons
moved down the aisle to the ring. Scores
left their seats and tried TO shake him
by the hand but the old man minded not
the greetings, He showed in good condi-
tion when he stripped for action. but
those at the ringside noted heavy move
ment OF his legs and feet. Thirteen fast
and gruelling rounds they fought with
every advantage with O'Brien, then came
1he end and with It the passing of Rob
ert Fitzsimmons. the hero OF sS ring bat
ties.
ROUND 1-Just before the fight be-
sun it was announced that there would
be no hitting i'm the breakaway or
c}ntches. O'Brien danced around the
ring half a dozen times and twice mar
rowly escaped being cramped IN The
corner by Fitz. Then ne made a rush
in the old Choynski style, trying 10
land a right and left but failed. He
led with a right landing lightly on
Fits chest. Fitz followed him up and
landed a light left on the neck. Twice
O'Brien tried TO rush Fdtz. jumping in
with hir right and left. but failed 10
land 1t was very evident that O'Brien
was afraid Of Fitzs blows for he was
extremely cautious.
ROUND 2-Fitz forced the fighting.
landing right and left on O'Brien's