The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-30

Bob Fitzsimmons was one OF the
most terrific punchers pugilism ever
produced, one of its most picturesque
tgures. and certainly one OF Its
trickiest braniest fighters
Fitz too, was a humorist. He always
believed in giving the crowd "a bally
good show for its money. No bet
ter illustration of this can be given
than the recital of his fight with Ed
Dunkhorst, the Human Freight Car.
Fitz was matched to meet Dunkhorst
on April so, 1900. When the articles
were signed the sporting public began
to feel sorry for Fitz, 1t didn't think
that RUBY Bob" had a chance against
his giant foe.
Bob in that fight weighed only 1875
pounds, while Dunkhorst tipped the
scales somewhere around 800. Dunk
horst had made a great record up to
that time and no fighter had been
able to floor him. He had been pitted
against some of the best hitters In
the game, but not one was able TO
dent him.
AS the gong banged for the hrst
round of that contest. Fitz ran to
the center OF the ring, and then as
Dunkhorst got within striking dis
~. ut toward lie ropes. The Human
Freight Car" somewhat amazed by
Fitzs actions, stood fer a moment
watching him. Then he gave chase.
Fttz lodged. twisted and turned with
Ed numbering along behind 1t was
r3uch like "A race between horse and
an elephant. Round and round the
ring they went. with Fitz always about
two jumps in front If Dunkhorst- Be
hz ha "a full iJt g
the two fighters were almost ohscur-
cd by the clouds Of resin dust that
was on the floor.
Not once during that first round did
Fitzsmmons attempt to swing blow
at Dunkhorst: not once did he show
anything other by his actions than a
great fear Of his rival. Although. the
crowd found a great amusement in
the race, IL felt that Fitz really had
met man whom he held in fear
Dunkhorst. OF course. began to teel
the same way. He kept after FtN and
continued to call him a "freckled
face coward" Once or twice during
the frat round Dunkhorst cornered
Fitz, but the Australian always duck
ed out OF the trap. although he has
to take several glancing blows that
Dunkhorst aimed At him.
When the first round ended. Fit2
face that many interpreted to mean
that he was not only in fear of defeat,
but in fear of his life. Dunkhorst,
GA the ether hard, WIS confident and
could hardly wait for the beginning
of the second round. He figure that
the only thing necessary vas to get
Fitz into another corner and then
smash him courle of times.
19o rs Aau fnp No
second round. FitE jumped out OF
his corner and At once resumed the
tactlcs he had pursued in the fvst
session Several times he slowed up
So as to be tartaLziugly within rcach
~ Dunkhorst but as soon as the H e.
-4tas.ft- Freight Car would set MIN
self for swing Rob would side step
out OF hts reach. The round las i
gone about a minute and "A half, when
F'itz suddenly stopped running around
in the vicinity OF the ropes and sprint
cd TO the center of the ring.
Duakhorst rushed at Fttz. feeling
that AT last he had his quarry. Fitz
turned around. faced the charging
Dunkhorst. faxed a right for the jaw
and then working his famous shift,
drove the left elhowdeep into the
huge Dunkhorst stomach. The 'Hu-
man Freight Car" doubled over and
topped to the floor.
Fitz had swung but one punch In
that fight and It had won the fight
by flooring the hugest man that ever
stepped into ring. Dunkhorst was so
completely out that six men had to
carry him from the center OF the ring
into his corner, and IL was twenty
minutes before he revived.
After the fight Fitx's only comment
was.
'"E was h'easy to fool"