Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-10
SAN FRANCISCO, September 1o-Bat


confined his attack to the stomach.
SAN FRANCISCO, September 10.-Bat-
! Ting Nelson, the Durable Dane. light
weight champion Of the world, proved his
right to the title by batterng Joe Cans.
the ex-champion, to the floor in twenty
one rounds of furious fighting in the Mis-
sion street arena here late yesterday aft
| ernoon. 1t was no single blow that laid
out the one-time peerless Baltimore choco-
late drop. but a series of terrific body
punches that hailed upon him for twenty
grueling rounds. In the twenty-first he
| sanh to the floor defeated. He was I'M
able to arise until one second after the
fatal ten had been counted by the time
keeper.
Cans fought a superb battle for nine
teen rounds. During those sessions he
battled with all the strength he pos
sessed. and time and again he staggered
his indomitable opponent with those accu-
rate, telling punches that have sounded
the knell of many an aspiring fighters
ambition. But he might as well have
been battering a stone wall. for his blows
had little effect upon the rushing lad
from Hegewisch.
fell toward Cans, and every time he fell
toward Cans he worked his sturdy arms
like pistons. His fists thudded against
the negro's stomach, each punch robbing
Cans of ounces of his strength
Dane Took Much Punishment.
But the old master fought with a des-
peration born Of hopelessness, for he must
have known after the fifth round. when
he landed repeatedly on Nelson's jaw
without slowing the Dane, that it was I'M
possible to knock out his onrushing op-
ponent.
The end was pitful Cans had with
stood the terrible beating as long as he
could. When the bell rang at the be-
ginning of the twenty-f1rst round Nell
son dashed out of his corner with aston
ishing vim. He caught the negro on
the jaw with rights and let's. Joe plunged
his left into the pit Of Nelson's stomach,
as his iron jaw. and he swung his right
and left fists viciously to Cans jaw, &C.
casionally shifting his tactics and sending
volleys of punches to the body. The
black gladiator sought to cover up. but
the relentless fighting machine that OPP
posed him refused to be stopped.
He backed away to the ropes. with Mel
son persistently following, and the rain
Of blows to Cans body continued. Joe
was completely exhausted. and Nelson,
without a semblance of guarding, whaled
away at his opponent. Finally Cans sank
to the floor He painted while the time
keeper tolled off the seconds, and at the
count Of ten tried to arise. He sue
ceeded in getting to his feet. but it was
too late. Ed Smith, the refreee, declared
Cans out.
Nelson Was the Favorite.
Nelson's victory was a popular one for
he was a 10 to 6 favorite in the bet
ting. Five thousand fight enthusia SITS
crowded into the arena, among them be-
ing many women.
AS Cans was counted out Nelson's sec
onds and admirers climbed through the
ropes and Selling the champion carried
him on their shoulders to his dressing
room.
The men fought for 20 per cent of the
gross receipts. Of which the winner re-
ceived 60 per cent and the loser 40.
The battle was unique in that there
was only one knockdown during the con-
test. and that was the one that ended the
fight Although both men repeatedly
landed blows that would have dropped an
ordinary opponent. both showed wonder
full ability to remain on their feet.
Cans Statement.
After the battle Cans made the follow
ing statement:
Il made one fight too many. Nelson
is tough boy and beat me fairly. 1 will
never fight again. This is no Patti fare
we'll. but in dead earnest"
Willie Keefe. one of Cans principal Sec
onds, said after the fight:
Cans was all in after the ninth round.
In the eleventh l begged him to allow
me to toss the sponge into the ring. This
he would not consent to, saying he pre-
! ferred to be knocked out and would fight
as long as he had the strength to stand
up For eleven rounds Cans fought on
his courage alone, as he could not land
a damaging punch.
Nelson said:
Cans was tougher than before He was
In good shape and he fought me differ
ent kind Of fight. From now on 1 will
hands with Billy Papke today and we
both made the compact. l hurt my right
hand in the second round. but kept it go
ing regardless of the pain
Referee Smith gave out the following
statement:
Cans was all in after the ninth round.
In the twenty-first both the timekeeper
and myself counted ten. therefore making
Nelson the winner. Cans, l believe, did
not know he was counted out, but it is
lust as we'll that he was for Nelson had
him completely at his mercy and 1t was
useless for the game colored man TO take
a further beating"
Nelson-Gans Fight Receipts.
SAN FRANCISCO. September 1O.-The
receipts of the Gans-Nelson fight were
slightly in excess of $4,000. of which Mel