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Page 3 of 4 The Post Standard
1 November 1904
Gans v Britt
Gans Wins On Foul by Britt
Fight Ends In Fifth Round
Great Crown Sees Battle in San Francisco
For The lightweight Championship of The World
Oct 31, 1904
Jimmy Britt of California lost the lightweight championship of the world to-night, when he fouled Joe Gans of Baltimore in the fifth round, He had sent Gans to his knees in
he fifth round and then, losing his head, gave him a vicious punch and Referee Graney promptly awarded the decision to Gans on a foul.
The same thing happened in the fourth round, Gans had dropped to his knees to escape a blow that did not land. Britt struck at him, but Graney would not allow the foul. In the next round, however, Graney very promptly recognized the foul fighting.
It looked almost from the start as If It were Britt's fight. He actually outboxed Gans and landed blow after blow. In the fourth round it was apparent that Gans was scared and, barring a foul, the fight was Britt's to a certainty.
Decision Shocks Big Crowd.
While no excuse can be made for Britt losing his head, it certainly seemed that Gans invited a foul. The decision was a great shock to the biggest crowd that ever filled the Pavilion, but fair minded men ageed that Graney's judgment was just. Britt showed marvelous strength and quickness. He went at Gans like a bull .terrier, landing body blows, alternating them with swings on the Jaw.
During the first three rounds Gans appeared cool and confident, and fairly strong. He appeared to be feeling Britt out, but at the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth, when Britt commenced to fight more viciously, Gans weakened perceptibly. He landed a few times on Britt, but the little white boy paid no attention to his light taps, and every time he was hit bored In more viciously than ever.
There is no doubt In the minds of the majority of those present that In another contest at the same weights Britt would defeat Gans easily.
Graney Overlooked One Foul.
Referee Graney said after the fight: "I really should have given Gans the decision in the fourth round, when Britt fouled him, but as Gans was not hurt I overlooked It, though Britt himself admitted that, I could have called a foul at that time. The second offense In the fifth round was so palpable, however, that I was forced to give Gans the decision.
Britt was frantic with rage when he realized that he had lost the fight and rushed at Graney, striking wildly. Graney. who is something of a boxer him self, fought back, but the police interfered separated the belligerents Britt declared as he left the ring:
"I know that I can beat Gans and want to fight him again."
The fight demonstrated that Britt Is wonder in his class. He Is a clever boxer quick as a cat and a hard hitter. With the addition of having a bulldog grit that makes him fight all the harder when he is being punished, Gans and his followers were highly delighted at the decision
Britt Apologizes.
After the fight when Britt had recovered his temper he apologized to Graney Said “What could I do when a man fell every time unnecessarily? I am sorry I hit him while on his knees, but I could not help it."
The fifth round lasted but thirty eight seconds when the foul was declared. Great Interest has been displayed In California over the result of to-night's contest. Britt and Gans are admitted to be exceedingly clever and finished boxers Consequently an enormous throng fought its way into the pavilion to see the Pugilists fight. All afternoon huge crowds stood in line awaiting the opening of the general admission gates, and it required the constant vigilance of mounted police to keep the people In line. At 8 o'clock the gallery was crowded almost to suffocation and at 8~30 the holders of reserved seats occupied every chair on the lower floor.
Delegations from all Pacific Coast were conspicuous at the ringside. Los Angeles sent several carloads of enthusiasts, while Portland, Ore., and the Puget Sound and the Rocky Mountain regions were well represented, "Young Corbett" and "Battling" Nelson, who are matched to fight in San Francisco on November 29, were among those present and each expressed a desire to meet the winner of to-night's contest.
Two Years' Negotiations,
A meeting between Gans and Britt has been looked forward to for over two years, but the Question of weight and color line proved a stumbling block and prevented them meeting sooner. Britt waived the colour question and both men went into hard training. With Gans taking of every atom of surplus flesh and with Britt at a weight exactly suited to his splendid physique, It was agreed that no more even match could have been arranged.
Gans, however, found it no easy task to make the required weight and was compelled to undergo a strenuous system of reduction even up to the eleventh hour. In the meantime the general public has been timid in wagering on the result.
Colored Lad a Favorite.
It was not until late this afternoon, when definite assurance was given that Gans had tilted the scales at 132 ½ pounds, that speculation began In earnest, The colored lad was at once made a warm favorite, despite the fact that Britt was a. tremendous following. At 9 o'clock the quotations were 10 to 6 ½ , with Gans on the long end. Although it was known that Britt was to the pink of-condition, there-was no lack of Gans money.
Behind Gans were stationed Al Hertord. his manager; Frank McDonald and "Kid" Sullivan, while Britt was looked alter by "Spider" Kelly. Frank Rafael, Sam Berger and "Smiling Motzger.
There were two four-round preliminaries. George Wilson and Billy Meehan went four rounds to a draw, and Eddie Chambers was given the- decision over Jack Burke in the third round.
"Young Corbett" jumped into the ring as soon as Gans appeared and challenged the winner of to-night's, fight.
Gans' appearance was none too inviting. His face looked pinched and drawn and his general appearance showed plainly the effects of, hard training. The scales were brought to the center of the stage and the men were weighed in full view of the public.
At 9:25 p. m. the scales were set at the 133 -pound mark. Gans Jumped on and failed to raise the beam. The exact figures were not taken.
At 9:30 p. m.' Britt entered the ring and immediately Jumped on the scales.Like Gans, he failed to raise the beam at the 133-pound mark.
Britt looked a trifle nervous, but physically no fault could be found. At the ringside bets were made at even
money that Gans would win within fifteen rounds.
At 9.46 time was called. The story of the fight by rounds follows:
Round 1
Britt went at once into his favorite crouching position and they sparred for some time. Britt shot his left twice in quick succession to Gans body, but they were not forcible. After more sparring Britt hooked left to the body again and followed it with right to the head. Both then missed rights and lefts for the head. Britt shot his left to the body and missed a right for the head.
Gans apparently sized up Britt's reach. Gans missed a straight right for the head. Britt was short with left for the body and missed a left for the head as the bell rang. The work In the round was light, Britt having a slight advantage. Gans permitted Britt to do most of the work. Britt's blows were of a light nature and did no harm.
Round 2
Britt missed left and right for the body and they went to a clinch. Britt suddenly lunged his loft to the head and then brought it to the body. Gans continued to force Britt about the ring and they came to a clinch without result. Britt missed a left hook for the body and then sent a straight left to Gans' nose, Gans retaliated with left to the body. Britt drove Gans back with a left swing to the body. Britt drove Gans back with a left swing to the body Britt bored in, scoring with left and right to the wind. In the mix-up both exchanged rights and lefts to the face. Britt missed a vicious left to the face. They came together again, Britt missing right for the body.
A rally in the center of the ring: followed. Britt landing right and left on the face as the bell rang. but not before he had received a straight left to the head. Britt had most of the leading in this round. The honors were about even, however.
Britt Fighting Wildly.
Round 3
They mixed it fiercely at close quarters, both doing some clever boxing. Gans got In a good right to the body, but Britt retaliated with straight left hard to the stomach. They mixed it again. Britt putting left and right to the body. An ineffectual-mix followed. Britt caught Gans with a terrific, right to the jaw, dazing the colored man. He followed the advantage with a-right and left-swing to the head, forcing Gans to a. clinch. Britt rushed in, fighting wildly. He bombarded Gans' face and body with right and left swings and put some punishing rights over the heart. Britt at close quarters distressed Gans with a fearful right on the body. Gans clung desperately to Britt to avoid punishment and the gong found them in this position.It was all Britt's round.
Round 4
Britt waded in fiercely, rushing Gans-to the ropes with a heavy leftover the heart. He then missed right and left swings for the body. Britt kept himself well covered and was a puzzle toGans. Britt sent Gans back with a succession of rights and lefts to the face and a left to the body. Jimmy then shot a straight right to the body and followedit with a right swing to the body. At close quarters Britt landed some heavy blows. Gans suddenly shot his left hard to Britt's jaw. but in return Britt put in body blows that sent Gans to his knees.
After a mix-up Britt sent .Gans to the floor with a left to the Jaw. Gans rose but was again floored with right and lefts to the face. There was fearful confusion and the hell was not heard. In this round Britt hit Gans accidentally while Gans was down, but a claim of foul was disallowed. Gans was in distress and the gong saved him.
Round 5
They mjxed fiercely. Britt went after Gans like a whirlwind. Britt sent Gans to the floor with a succession of rights and lefts to the jaw. As Gans was attempting to rise Britt met him with a desperate right to the- jaw. Eddie Graney quickly disqualified Britt and awarded the decision to Gans The excitement was terrific. Britt rushed at Graney like a madman and fought him to the ropes. A squad of police immediately jumped into the ring and it looked as if there would be a general fight The house gave vent to its disapproval by tremendous hooting and wildly cheered Britt as he went to the center of the ring.
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