Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-20
WHO WILL BE THE
 NEXT CHAMPION?
HeaVyweight Title Has Changed Six Times Since the First Battle in 1892.

E16dNJ~Si9nE ttEiG F1aS SUaflIHd Si& Times Since the First Battle in 1892.
 Since the inauguration Of glove fighting for championships in 1892. when the first heavyweight battle was staged with John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett as principals. the title has changed hands just half q dozen times. The battlers who have had the honor of holding the cham pionship of the world are John L. Sullivan James J. Corbett. Robert Fitzsimmons. James ]. Jeffries. Mar win Hart Tommy Burns and Jack Johnson.
 It was during the time that John l.. Sullivan ruled the roost that the GUS tom of encasiug the hands in padded mitts came into vogue, and the bloody bare knuckle' period was brought to an end. undoubtedly for all time. Sul-- tivan was recognized as the worlds champion bare knuckle battler. The fights that made him the most famous pugilist of his time were fought under the old London prize ring rules. and it was not until he met Coysbett that the first heavyweight championship with gloves and under the Marquis of Queensberry rules changed hands.
 Corbett vs. Sullivan.
 The battle between Sullivan and Corbett was fought in New Orleans on September 1 1S92, and was pro- noted by "Parson'- Davies. Sullivan was 8. tOpheavy fayorite over the young bank clerk from San Francisco, for he never had had reas2n to know the meaning of defeat He had toured the country in one night stands, knocking. out all corners with careless abandon. When he was matched with Corbett, the ruling opinion was that Sullivan. would land his burly first on Pompadour Jim's jaw and lay him n Il irgsf as Ina 1,oI f., opponents.
 Sullivan had been a fighting man for twelve years when he met Corbett He was 34 years old, while Corbett was only 26. The story of the battle tells Of how youth was served for Cor bett, the master of cleverness. pounded John L. until the latter fell from ex- haustiun in the Fist round and a new champion of the world was born-
 Fitzsimmons vs. Corbett.
 For more than four years Coritett hung on to the crown, for he fought few battles-in fact. he faced onIy four opponents before he finally was matched for the battle which resulted in his dethronement- His conqueror was Bob Fftzsimmons. the Cornish man.
 The battle was fought at Carson City, New. on March r. 1897 After F1tzsirnmons' face had been literally cut to ribbons by the vicious stabs of Corbett. Ruby Bob finally. by use of @ clever. shift, shot his right fist with full force to Corbett's solar pIeXus. in the 14th round. Corbett sank to the canvas and was there when Referee Siler had tolled off the fatal ten sec onds. For the second time the title had found a. new holder in Bob Fitz- simmons. IT so happened that youth did nots score the victory in this con test, for Corbett, the champion. was 31 years old, while his conqueror. FitZ, was 35.
 Jeffriss Vs. FjtzsimnRns.
 FItz was champion oG the world for a little more than two years before he fell victim to the prowess of the mighty James J. JeffTIes. and it was in, this contest that youth once more was much in evidence. for the famous Cornishnlan. was g years old, while JeffrieS was only 4. @ difference of 13 years. They battled at Coney Is- land on June 9. 1899. Jeffries scoring a knockout in the 11th round. After his defeat FItz claimed that he had been doped and later he secured a re- turn match in which Jeff again showed that he was master by Knocking out the Cornishman in eight rounds.
 Jeffries by many was considered the greatest champion of them all, for he met and defeated all the opponents A4- many knOc<outs. Finally, after he had cleaned Up all the hopefuLs and could. find nothing more to do, he an nounced his retirement from plIgdlisn7 and the first unbeaten champion went intO history. He fought his last bat tie as champion, against Jack Monroe on August 26, 1904
 The story of Jeffries' defeat by Jack Johnson six years later, when he was dragged out of his retirement in the hope that a white man might again hold the title. doesn't concern the changing of titles, so can be passed over with d nota ton that the boiler maker. then 5 years old, was knocked out by the negro, who was g years old, in E rounds.
 Hart vs. Root.
 When Jeff retired as champion he made the title gift to any of the light heavyweight of Louisville, i'm mediately announced himself. a con tender He quickly found a foe in Jack Root, the Chicago Bohemian fighter, and they were matched to con test for the title at Reno, New. on the gift champion, for he knocked out Root in f2 rounds. The new cham pion gained his laarels at the age of 29 years, while Foot, his opponent, was also 20 years cid.
 Burns VT, Huet.
 Hart's career as cI2s2TTystss1 was short lived, for he had enjoyed his i1onors for less than 2. year when Tommy Burns, the Canadian light heavy weight. hove into view. Burns sought a match ana got ii. He fought Hart 20 rounds at Los Angeles on Feb. B, 1905, and was awarded the decision and the championship. Burns was 25