Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-21
Fitz Knocked Down.

In the third Fitz showed wonderful re-
cuperation. rushing O'Brien to the ropes
and landing several powerful blows. but
toward the end of the round OBrien
landed heavy punches square on Fitz's
mouth. sending him to the floor on his
back. Fftz came up just as the gong
sounded.
In the fourth O'Brien pushed the fight
ing and again knocked Fitz down with q
blow on the mouth and had the old man
groggy and hanging on for dear life. In
the fifth Fitz made q better showing
evening up the score by a number of
heavy rights and lefts to the body, and
honors were even. --~---7-
The sixth and seventh were Fitz's
rounds. and he did all the leading and
for the first time brought blood from
O'Brien's mouth. The only punishment
Fitz received was toward the end of the
seventh, when, o Brien sent in some blows
that almost blinded the Cornishman's al
ready half-closed eyes. In the eighth
Jack again sent Bob to the floor, and the
Cornishman waited for count of seven.
The ninth and tenth rounds saw the
battle all in OBriens favor. He landed
repeatedly on Fits mouth, bringing
blood in a stream. Still with all his ad-
vantage he was leary of Fitz's blows and
gave ground whenever the old man
pressed him.
In the eleventh Fitz again showed re-
markable regeneration and had O'Brien
hanging on for dear life In this round
Fitz, but above the belt, in a cIinch.
The twelfth and thirteenth rounds were
fairly even. Fitz landed heavy blows at
the beginning of the thirteenth to O'Bri-
ems eyes. which evidently hurt the Phil
adelphian. Toward the end of the round
OBrien watched his chance and jumped
IN with all the force of his body and
landed a heavy right to Fits stomach
and an uppercut to his mouth.
Fitz Collapses.
Fftz euf to 10
pain All the efforts of his seconds to help
him were fruitless. 1t was evident that
pBrien's body blows left him unable to
fight. OBrien jumped up and ran over to
Fitz's corner and helped to revive the old
man. Fitz was on the floor, and after be-
ing sponged Off and treated with ammonia
he was able to get on his feet. They put
him back in his chair and he bent forward
with his head In his hands. He cried Bit
terly over the defeat.
O'Brien laid his hands on Fitzs shoulder
ana said; Don't feel badly, old man, It
was only your years that defeated you.s 1t
you did"
After the fight o'Brien said. 1T Is not
only TO win such fight this over the
bsst old man the world has ever seen, 1
am trying to win the middle and heavy
weight championship of the world 1 Will
best men in the world"
George Harting, official timekeeper, said:
Considering his age, Fitz made a great
showing. O'Brien had a good deal of re-
spect for the old mans punches at all
stages of the fight. Fitz showed flashes of
his old-time speed, but he has lost his
Judgment of distance and many OF his
punches fell short. 1t was simply case of
the old saying, Youth must be served"
Referee Graney said: ''Fitz showed his
class. o'Brien is a wonderful boxer, and
the old man stood up and took his punish
ment. Occasionally he showed a fash of
his old-time form, but his strength could
not last"
The men had agreed to fight at catch
weights. o Brien gave out his weight at
100 pounds, while Fftzsimmons Is said to
have tipped the scales at 15S pounds
Mechanics Pavilion held one of the great
est crowds IN its history The galleries
bulged with congested mass OF humanity.
and hundreds Were denied admission to the
upper part of the house. On the main
floor every seat was occupied.