James J. Jeffries vs. Gus Ruhlin (1st meeting)

James J Jeffries 212 lbs drew with Gus Ruhlin 200 lbs by PTS in round 20 of 20

• Date: 1897-07-16
• Location: Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, USA
• Referee: Phil Wand

• See Also: James J. Jeffries vs. Gus Ruhlin (2nd meeting)

Notes

• According to the Sacramento Daily Record-Union, "the attendance was large. About 5,000 people poured into the arena of Mechanic's Pavilion."
• Jeffries and Ruhlin "were in first-class condition."
• Ruhlin "was not accorded a very warm reception, but Jeffries was greeted enthusiastically."
• There was a long delay due to "the fact that Jeffries' hands were several sizes larger than the gloves provided for him, and another pair had to be secured."
• In the fourth round, Ruhlin was "sent to his knee by a right swing on the back of the head, and remained down nine seconds. Ruhlin smashed Jeffries in the throat just as the round closed and staggered him."
• In the twentieth round, "Ruhlin was sent down and almost out by a terrific right swing on the jaw, and only the call of time saved him."
• The decision was "received with mingled cheers and hisses."

Newspaper Articles

• "The Decision Was Hissed" Sacramento Daily Record-Union, July 17, 1897
• "Sports" Ogden Standard, February 14, 1910