Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-18
Johnson KNOCKS
OUT BOB FITZSIMMONS

PHILADELPHIA, July 1S.-Robert Fitz-
simmons. old and crippled. but still willing
to fight, was knocked out by Jack Johnson,
the negro heavyweight. in the second round
Of their fight here last night.
A right-hand punch on the Jaw sent the
old man down and out while the referee
counted ten.
In the opinion Of the spectators Fitz was
fouled thirty seconds before he was knock
ed out. In one cot the clinches Johnson
threw him to the floor. Fitz fell heavily
on his back and got up very slowly. The
blow that knocked him out did not seem
to be hard punch. but the man that de-
livered 1t Is so powerful that he need not
exert his full strength to deliver knock
out punch.
Crowd Disappointed.
The whole affair was disappointing. While
sparring with Joe Jeanette in Dunelen.
N. j.. Tuesday Fitz wrenched his right arm
and blood clot formed near the elbow.
An operation was performed. but, despite
the pain that he knew he would have to
endure II he used it. Fitz refused to dis
appoint the thousands who had paid to see
his last fight and he insisted upon going
into the ring.
Tommy keenan,, who was to referee the
fight jumped into the ring when the men
were In their corners ad declared that
Fits arm was broke and that he would
not officiate.
Fitz then jumped to his feet and told
about the operation, declaring emphatically
that his arm was not broken and that IL he
was willing to fight with it he saw no rea-
son why the spectators should object
There were cries of go on! go on!" Sew
eral appeals were made to referees seated
around the ringside, but all refused to act
Then Mccartney took matters into his own
hands and declared he would referee him
SELF
First Round Very Tame.
Fftz and Johnson then shook hands and
squared Off.
The first round was slow at the start.
both being cautious. Each SPARED for an
opening and got tangled UP several times
johnson landed left hook and grinned,
then Fitz ducked swing and drove his
left into Johnson's face. Neither landed a
blow that amounted to anything before the
bell rang.
In the second round Johnson got his arm
under that Of Fitz and threw him DELHI
erately. The crowd Kissed. Fitz seemed in
pain, but he did not protest. as many ex-
pected. He got on his feet and put up his
hands again. Johnson stepped toward him
and tapped him with his right hand on the
Jaw. Fltz fell on his knees and squirmed
about while Mccartney counted ten. then
Mccartney pulled him upon his feet. Fitz
begged to go on again. Mccartney walked
him back and the spectators filed out dis
gusted.
O'Rourke Jumps Into Ring.
Tom O Rourke. who seconded Fitz. Jump
ed Into the ring protesting that the fight
should have been stopped and given to Fitz
when Johnson threw him.
When asked why he did not demand 1t at
the time, ORourke said he thought FItz
would come back strong and finish John
son, as the latter had not shown anything
like championship ability.
FItz declared the fall dazed him. and
that he did not realize what he was doing
when he kept on fighting after being
thrown. He declared the desire to get one
punch on Johnson's solar plexus kept him
going.
To the thousands present 1t was pitiful
sight to see the grand old man Of the prize
ring fighting a giant at forty-f1ve years of
age. They knew it was business propo-
sition to F1tz, a draw even meaning two
more years Of money-making on the stage.
To johnson 1t meant a chance to fight
Burns, which he will probably get.