James J. Jeffries vs. Joe Kennedy
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James J Jeffries beat Joe Kennedy by KO at 2:00 in round 2 of 4
- Date: 1901-09-24
- Location: Reliance A.C., Oakland, California, USA
- Referee: Eddie Smith
Notes
- When Jeffries was champion, it was generally believed that a true championship contest must be scheduled for at least 20 rounds.
- "Jeffries looked in fine shape," reported the Daily True American, which was less complimentary of the champion's opponent. "Kennedy was in fair shape, but pretty fat," the newspaper stated, "and it seemed as though he might have been better fit to fight the champion of the world had he weighed about fifteen pounds less."
- The San Francisco Call reported the following on September 23, 1901:
- The second in the series of boxing contests between James J. Jeffries, the champion of the world, and heavyweights of lesser importance will be decided at the Reliance Club, Oakland, tomorrow night. Joe Kennedy will be the big fellow's opponent.
- When Jeffries signed for his fight with (Gus) Ruhlin, it was with the understanding that he might engage in a series of four-round contests with aspiring pugilists who wanted the privilege of standing up before the champion of the world. These contests were limited to four rounds each and Jeffries said he would meet a few candidates for ring honors and would endeavor to stop them in four rounds (or forfeit $100).
- The San Francisco Call reported the following on September 25, 1901:
- A championship fight In miniature was the battle between Jeffries and Kennedy last night in the Reliance Club ring, Oakland. From the sound of the gong which sent the men together in the first round until the end came unexpectedly in the second round it was one of the prettiest exhibitions of boxing ever seen here.
- Jeffries was in superb physical condition and fought throughout like a champion. Kennedy proved a great surprise to all the spectators. He stood his ground and gave blow for blow. In fact, he was the aggressor for the greater part, of the fight. The pity of it was there was no steam behind the blows he landed, and when Jeffries learned there was no sting in them he changed his style of fighting at once.
- The crouching attitude was cast aside and he stood up, advancing quickly, irresistibly upon his opponent. Kennedy landed four hard blows on Jeffries' head in the first round, but the champion did not seem to mind them. He kept coming ail the time and for every blow he received he landed two. His favorite was a right to the body, each time just before they clinched. This seemed propelled as if by the force of a battering ram and looked as though it would go through Kennedy.
- The knockout blow was a wonderful one. It was give and take for two minutes of the second round, when for an instant the vulnerable point of Kennedy's chin was exposed. Jeftries saw his opportunity. His left glove hardly traveled three inches when it came in contact with Kennedy's chin. Kennedy was lifted clean off the floor and fell half outside the ropes. He was completely out while the ten seconds were tolled off and had to be assisted to his corner.
- Behind the blow was the full weight of Jeffries' body, which gave it its tremendous effectiveness.