Referee Sydney, NSW Wed 14 Aug 1901 Page 7 BOB FITZSIMMONS AS A WRESTLER. GOES DOWN BADLY IN FIRST EFFORT. Gus Ruhlin Too Strong and Clever. (Special Dispatch to the Frisco Chronicle) NEW YORK, July 9.— Gus Ruhlin and Bob Fitzsimmons met in a Greco-Roman wrestling bout In the presence of 2500 people at tho Madison-square Garden tonight. Ruhlln was both cleverer and heavier- than the Cornishman, and won two falls in succession, with a quarter of an hour's rest between them. Ruhlin showed that he knew a great deal more about the game than Fitzsimmons did, and only the latter's agility, prevented him being thrown more quickly. In the boxes around the wrestling platform was a gathering of men whose faces were always a familiar sight at the ringside when boxing was in vogue in this city. Several noted fighters were in attendence, among them being Tom Sharkey, who has also taken to the wrestling game recently, and Terry M'Govern, who acted as timekeeper. Charlie White was referee. There were three preliminary bouts between lesser lights before Fitzsimmons and Ruhlin made their appearance When Fitzsimmons jumped on the platform the crowd cheered. Ruhlin soon followed him, and also got a warm welcome. His weight was announced at 2051b, while Fitzsimmons was said to weigh only 160 lbs. When they faced each other the spectators cheered as Fitzsimnions, in trying for a hold, swung his right as if he was going to fight. He repeated these tactics a couple of times to the intense amusement of the onlookers. Ruhlin dropped, and remained on the defensive three times. Twisting quickly the third time, he got Fitzsimmons underneath for a rolling fall. When they retained their feet Fitzsimmons ducked with his old-time cleverness as Ruhlin's big arm tried to encircle his neck, and the movement reminded many of the last meeting between the big fellows. Fitzsimmons then got a strangle hold, but only for a few seconds, as Ruhlin broke it cleverly. Fitzsimmons got a body hold and brought Ruhlin to the mat. Ruhlin got on top and secured a half-Nelson and a body hold. He then had Fitzsimmons In a bad place, and finally threw him. First fall for Ruhlin. Time, 14min 34 sec. A breathing spell of fifteen minutes was then allowed. When they came together again they sparred as if for an opening at the old game, and occasionally slapped each other on the neck and shoulder. After five minutes of this kind of work, Fitzsimmons got a back hold and put Gus to the mat for a moment. He repeated this twice over and secured a strangle hold, but Ruhlin broke it easily. Ruhlin proved to be too heavy for Bob when the latter essayed a back-hammer hold, and they got to their foot again. Fitzsimmons, with a body hold from the back, gave Ruhlin a flying fall, and Gus knelt on the mat in defense. Fitzsimmons secured a back hold and a quarter hold, but both rolled over and nothing came of it, when they once more regained their feet. Fitzsimmons got a throttle hold on Ruhlin, and tried to pull him over, but Ruhlin stood close and fell on Fitzsimmons, and, with a combination lock, pinned the Cornishman's shoulders to the mat, gaining the second fall and the match. Time, 12minn 37sec.
