THE BIG PRIZE EIGHT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14392, 6 January 1911, Page 2

THE BIG PRIZE EIGHT.

- 'FINE- -PICTOUI'AT; REPRESENT TATION, 'The one-sided littlo affair, that took . 'plsoe iu sunny Sau Reno on. the 4th of July last was reproduced last evening in tho Theatre ltoyal, whore an audience had assembled that packed tho bu ; lding to the duel's, a state of affairs that made tho atmosphere stifling and unpleasant. The films, several long ones, seemed conipleto in every detail, and they were usefully described as the exhibition proceeded. Two days beforehand the town is seen, crowded by all sorts and classes, who flocked to sea tho great boxers' exercising in their training quarters. Through tho astonishing art- of the camerr ono watched Jeffries skipping and sparring whilo ho reduced Ins weight from 20 stone to 15 stone, and Jack Johnson as he gave a few amiablo exhibitions of his great strength. The world's famous boxers were shown visiting tho opposing camps, and the audience cheered lustily as big Bob Fitzsimmons steps forward, repeating its applause when Bill Lang, tho Australian champion, is seen, and later when Theodore Roosevelt shakes hands with tho boilermaker. Then tho day of the contest arrives, and the crowd, 18,000 strong, is shown streaming into the seats around the ring. Next the announcements —Jim Jeffries, the hope of tho white race, 15 stone 13 lb, and Jack Johnson, champion of tho world ("black or white he's a man") 14st 121b. The ring is cleared, and the contest commences. Clinching features nearly every round, Johnson, smiling and cool, and Jeffries, head down, doggedly determined. Until the sixth round the fight was not very interesting to watch, and then with a tremendous hit Johnson closes Jeffries' right eye. The old timer seems to be receiving a stiff gruelling all the way, - with Johnson perfect master of the situation. In the eighth round W. W. Naughton, one of the 500 pressmen present tells his operator who is sending the news on to 'Frisco "A right cross for Jeffries." Johnson overhears, gives the white a plugging left, and turning to Naughton, says, " Put that on the wires too, Bill." So it goes on, till the fifteenth Tound, when bruised and beaten, is sent sprawling through the ropes three times in succession, and cowboys rush in to carry off, shoulder-lngh, Jack Johnson, the undisputed champion of tho world. Tho pictures aro remarkably clear, and deserve all tho praise that has been given them in this respect.