Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-04
HART NOW CHAMPION.
Knocked Out Root on Twelfth Round
of Finish Fight.

The finish fight for the heavyweight
championship Of the world by courtesy OF
James Jeffries and purse OF $1,000 at
Reno. New, yesterday. between Jack Root
of Chicago and Marvin Hart OF Louisville
ended in the twelfth round in favor of
Hart who knocked out Root with right
short-arm Jolt to the body. This result
was predicted by most experts who saw
the two men before the battle. as the Ken
tuckian looked entirely too big and strong
for his lighter antagonist.
Harris assertion that Root could not put
him out was demonstrated as true. al
though In the seventh round If Hart had
received the knock-down blow early in the
round he probably could not have lasted
out the round.
1t was fierce smuggling contest, but at
no time did Hart show any cleverness
Root In his anxiety to land Furnishing blows
early in the fight frequently exposed him
self. and Hart was quick to take advan-
tage OF these openings. but in boxing Root
landed five blows to Harris one. Had Root
had the steam he possessed few years
ago the Kentuckian would not have lived
through the heavy blows to the body
The heat and glare Of the sunlight OBJ
viousy affected Root and were responsible
for his frequent failures to connest in right
and left swings to he jaw. The heat evil
had become used to 1t by training In the
sun.
The crowd was large and good natured.
but even it's patience was exhausted by bad
management and long delays. Root weighed
10 pounds and Hart 100.
Jim Jeffries received splendid reception
when he appeared, and every one seemed to
feel that there could be nothing crooked in
the affair as the ex-champion swore IL they
tried any funny business he would whip
them himself There was division of the
gate receipts on the basis of G5 per cent
to the winner and 30 per cent 10 the loser.
Roots seconds were Battling Nelson, Ted
dy Alexander and Paddy Mackey. Bill
Gallagher of San Francisco held watch
for Root. Harris seconds were Jack Nc
Cormick, Deafy Thompson. Jack Roberts
Hal Updike and Lee Updike. The time
keeper was Albert Updike.
The men entered the ring at 2:45 O'Clock
but tedious wait followed wiiI.e the gloves
were inspected and the usual preliminarieS
arranged. Hart won the toss for corners
and chose one with his back TO the sun. 1t
was sweltering hot, the mercury standing
at over 1907.
The first round was about even. Hart
landing easily several times because Of
Roots desire to connect with the Jaw. The
next two rounds were Roots as he land
ed. heavy blows to the jaw and body and
received few Furnishing blows.
Hart evened up a trifie In the fourth
round delivering good body punishment,
but In the fifth Root struck great gait,
hammering Hart in the body, uppercutting
him and landing fierce jolts on the jaw
The sixth was about even, but In the sew
enth Root again tore loose and after land
ing again and again knocked Hart down
with u right to the body. Harris seconds
made protest of foul, but Jenries would
not allow 1t. The gong probably saved
Hart as he was groggy.
He came up strong and stalled through
the eighth and in the ninth round reeov-
cred and had a slight lead The next two
rounds were about even. Hart gaining In
confidence and Root evidently firing badly.
In the twelfth Root ducked several vicious
filings that would have put him out. He
uppercut Hart and hit him I'm the face. but
exposed himself, and Harris short-arm jolt
to the body, delivered with terrific force,
knocked him out
The knockout blow was entirely unexpect-
ed Hart shot his right around In semi
circle Roots stomach was unprotected.
The Kentuckian's heavy fist sank into the
stomach muscles and Root doubled up IN
agony He reached his arm for the rope.
but could not lift himself. and rolled on
the canvas as he was counted out. The
betting just before the fight was 3 TO 1 In
favor of Root.