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1903 James J. Jeffries vs. James J. Corbett II Official Boxing Program
One and only official program for when James Jeffries, holder of the title of Heavyweight Champion of the world, made secure his claim to first place in the pugilistic world by defeating James J. Corbett, the former champion, after ten rounds of fast and fierce fighting in the Mechanics' Pavilion in San Francisco on August 14, 1903. This gem pictures both fighters on the cover along with Sam Berger, referee Eddie Graney and J. Delaney, Secretary of the Yosemite Athletic Club. Totals 32 pages complete with photos of these fighters and others as well as the fighter records. Binding remains tight. Mild staining at top right corner which runs into program. No sticking of pages. There is a tear on back cover, right border which runs into ten pages of the program. No paper loss. Some cover soiling. Interior is generally clean. Not scored. Edge and corner wear. 6.75x10.5." Exceedingly rare, the first time we have had one to offer. History: Ten thousand men seated about the arena saw the fight, the crowd representing an expenditure for seats aggregating $34,000. This was the largest crowd ever assembled at a ringside in the country, and the third largest sum in dollars and cents ever contested for, up to that time. The two that exceeded it in receipts were the Corbett-Jeffries fight at Coney Island ($66,000), and the Corbett-McCoy fight at Madison Square Garden, New York ($63,000). The fight by the final four rounds: "Round 7. Corbett used his feet to good advantage at this stage. He tried to use his once lightning left, but it was a lame excuse. He came in quickly and sent his right to the heart, but Jeffries came back with a left on the body. Corbett was holding on saying: "He can't knock me out. He can't knock me out. Go on, Jim, see if you can knock me out." Corbett took a left on the head, and an uppercut to the chin. Corbett was fighting faster on his feet, using his fancy boxing tactics, but they were of no use against his burly opponent. Round 8. Corbett staggered Jeffries with a left to the nose and half a dozen lefts and rights on Jeffries's face, which he accepted pleasantly. Corbett endeavored to stab Jeffries in the eyes, but thus far his blows had not raised a bump. Corbett fought cleverly, sending in half a dozen lefts and rights on the jaw. He seemed to improve 100 per cent, and the great crowd was in a state of wild excitement. They cheered him to the echo. This was Corbett's round. He had changed his style and was using some of his old-time cleverness in ducking and blocking. Round 9. Jeffries came at Corbett with a rush. Corbett's left cheek showed a lump from one of Jeffries's close-arm blows. Round 10. Jeffries stood straight up and came after his man without hesitation Corbett seemed to be making a waiting fight. They exchanged lefts to the face and Jeffries made a vicious effort. Jeffries sent a left hook to the stomach and Corbett went down for nine seconds. He got up and received a left in the stomach and a right on the jaw. He went down, and after the count of seven Tommy Ryan threw up the sponge. Corbett was suffering pain and a chair was brought for him. After a minute's rest he recovered and got up and shook hands with Jeffries" (NY Times Aug. 14, 1903). Offered here is an original, official program for this historic event.
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