The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-06-26
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MODERN
PRIZE RING FROM THE DAYS OF
PADDY RYAN To- JACK DEMPSEY

aud Corbctrs supremacy was ~ an
end. The heyday - Fitzsimmons. too.
was comparatively short he met
James J. Jenries iu a Coney ISLAND
ring on June 2. 1879. and a new cham
pion was enthroned who was % meet
the greatest men 81 hts day ard rotire
unaefeated until coaxed out ~ retire
ment.
only a little more than two years
were given 70 Bob Fitzslmmons Ia
(which 10 enjoy the glamour and TIE
gold that accompany a heavyweight
Championship. The honor was knock
ed from his study shoulders ~ james
. dsffries on June ?. 1898. az Coney
Island
Just few months after James j.
Jeffriea became the betelgeu@ II box
ing by landing a s0porinc swat upon
the jaw Of B0b Fitzslmmons re met
Tom sharkey ~ ireland and won q
referees decision in twenty-five
rounds.
The battle ground was Coney Island
on the night ~ November 3. asaa IN
the same arena during the previous
summer Jenrlea had acquired the little.
he was unable Is dispose ~ sharkcy
as ne had done away with Fifzaim-
mons. however. The Irishman was
graEgv when the tuesla terminated.
bar he was stu awake.
sharkey. trimming with enthusiasm
carried the night ~ the early rounds
with a FIRE and vigor that won him
great admiration and buoyed up the
hopes - his paftisana. Ienrles used
the same cautious tactics thar puzzled
Fitasimmona lis capacity for asslrnl-
iatlng punishment had not diminished 7
and che iambasfing turned loose bv (
the flashing fsts " sharkey went FOR I
nauaht
As the night wore on. the blows ~
Sharkey grew iess powerful and JET +
fries assigned the offensive. Ills per
picking left hand sWIpes annoyed me
challenge whom ~ attacked nfth q
succession - head and body blows 4
Several times Jefries iandea & Waliop
intended o. end the AFFAIR. but sharkey
turned deaf ear % the can ~ the \
sandman
Fita Tries 70 Scene Back"
Three years after Bob Fitaslmmons 4
lost the heavyweight crown - James I
,. Ieffries. be tried 10 get ii back and .
failed Jemriea kuocked him out ia 4
less giine than ga the 0ther meeting
The second encounter was af San 4
f'rancisco. July 2s 1899 ana ln ihc
eighth round Il ended in victory Tor
the champion. Their first nFht. lasted 4
eleven rounds.
Il was not because Fltzsimmoua was
an inferior fghfer that BE- failed ~
come hack. Tor the sport critics said
he oufhoNcd Jeffrles at eNorr Point.
Bat 1eIries had about the same "a
paeity FOR punishment a. Garwnntuai
vas reputed O. have had for food and
besides De had d tremendous advan
t&ae IN weight F4txsimmouH weighed
ie2 pounds. while the champion from 4
California entered the ring with g1o
pounds 20 back up his blows
Ftfxsimmons danCed about the
heavy -swinElng 1efries and sent home
many a hard-hlftia ast The force -
these was irnpotemt against tne great
hulk q the champion. however The
speed ~ the challenger was & great
factor IN stavlng on defeat "a the
earlg rounds
FttzsiEnmons fought 4 heroic light.
n the declding moment ~ the bout
feHries sent a hard ieft smAsh against
.Flt1ssfUmoms' Jaw ard followed it up
win another left - tire stomach thar
knocked his opponent 90 the floor
Flfxstmmons nEhfing power was
crushed but not ais spirit Badly
lazed he rose in - effort e. eonnnne
lis strength was xone and he SARA
town ard was counted out
Corbett. toe. Wosid Genre 1aek.~
Jim Corbetts AMBITION continued toi
fnna aFfs~ Fnh Es4faaz~nmsr~sl
.ook the hravx-M~aNht Championship
swag fram him Ills 8eslxe - regain