The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-09-19
BRITT
GAVE UP
HIS CLAIM OF A BROKEN HAND
AS EXCUSE is DIsPUTED-HOW
THE FINISH CAME.

The Chronicle says: Absolutely out
classed and almost wholly lacking in
ability to hit Joe Cans, Jimmy Britt
quit at the end of the fifth round oi
his fight at Recreation Park yesterday
afternoon, with the announcement that
he had broken his left arm and was
unable to continue. Britt probably
broke bone in the wrist, but authori-
ties differ. even on that point. But
there is no lack of sentiment that Britt
was whipped, entirely at the mercy of
his colored opponent and, in spite OF
the gameness which Britt has always
had, was glad of an excuse Whether
Britt was able to go ahead with the
fight is a matter of contention. That
he would have been knocked out when
the champion willed, had he continued,
is conceded.
At no stage Of the short fight that
carried with it the championship did
the California lightweight have a
chance. Cans was his master and was
winning all the way. A one-sided
fight, Cans gave a wonderful exhibit
ton of blocking and ducking, at the
same time jabbing lightly with his left
and crossing the right to the jaw when
chance favored him. 1t was his ina
bility to land, his utter helplessness,
not only on the offense but on the de-
Tense as well. that must have discour-
aged Britt. He showed it plainly in
his face those last three rounds, and
when Cans would Jolt him with a short
right, Jimmy would look toward his
corner as if to say that it was all no
use.
While the end was plainly evident
from the third round on, while Cans
gave evidence to the crowd that he was
not extending himself the finish came
unexpectedly. No one had an inSling
that Britt had injured his hand, as he
claimed, in the fourth round He was
forced around the ring and into cor
ners, but he was still the desperate
fighter
AS he went to his corner at the
close of the fifth at the close of rally
that Jared him from head to foot,
Britt dropped YEARLY into his seat and
there was a look of pain on his face as
he turned to Kreling
'Tiv,' those close to the corner
heard him say, 81 can't go on. I think
I've broken my arm"
There was hurried consultation of
the seconds. Willis Britt protested
against more fighting, and Referee
Jack Welsh looked toward the corner
for instructions as to whether Britt
would continue.
Willis answered the question. Jump
ing into the ring, he commenced tug
ging at the boxing glove that was
worn by Jimmy
Welsh took the cue in an instant
Waving his hand at Cans, who was
sitting in his corner awaiting develop
ments, he awarded him the fight.
The crowd, that all along had been
waiting for more sensational develop
ments, was dumfounded, then angry.
1t felt for the moment that it had
been cheated of it's amusement. There
was a deep undercurrent of feeling,
but little said, and no outward demon
stration as his seconds worked over
him.
Britt claimed, following the fight,
that his injury came in the fourth
round, when he attempted a left lead
for the stomach that was blocked by
Cans elbow. The colored fighter says
he was not aware that Britt was hurt,
but that II a bone was broken, it must
have been done in some such way.
Judging from the fight, there was lit
tie, if any, indication of a broken hand
in the fourth. and. as far as those
seated close to the Britt corner could
hear, nothing said by the fighter to his