New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-10-21
The Prize Fight of Morrisssy and Sullivan


The fight between John Morrisey and Yankee
Sullivan came off on the 1ltb inst at Sc Boston
Four Corners one hundred milcs from New
York
The New York Tribune says:
The fight lasted ffty-hye minutes, during
which thirty seven rounds were fought, at the
expiration Of which, Morissey, who had been
punished severely at nearly every round, was
IN a shocking condition, his nose being com
pletely fattened and his face cut frightfully,
from which the blood flowed profusely. At this
stage OF the fight row occurred in the ring,
and during the row and confusion which en-
sued, time was called, but Sullivan not hearing
it, did not appear. The friends Of Morrissey
therefore declared him the victor, which was
also pronounced by the judges
i is said that, by this accident or oversight,
AMI this only, on the part Of Sullivan, he lost
the battle. Morrissey although he exhibited
god pluck, sadly disappointed his friends, az
be showed but small degree of skill. Nearly
three thousand people were on the ground 10
witness the tight, which was not the least in
tefrupted by the authorities Of that vicinity
1t IS said nearly all the farmers and citizens o.
that region were present to witness the disgrace
full exhibition
The fight was for 81 900 side The outside
bets were 500 to $50 in favor of Morrisey.
Sullivan mounted a black handkerchief T.
show that he was bound to win, or never strip
for another fight, and it is to be hoped he will
adhere to his determination.
The New York Times has a more extended ac-
count Of the matter. The excitement in Nes
York seems to have been quite characteristic.
anu 1t is estimated that over three thousan
persons proceeded to the scene of action, by the
Harlem railway, between Tuesday noon and
Wednesday morning. Heavy bets were made
as to the result. The Times gives the following
as the most reliable statement Of this spasm Of
modern .schvalry'':
:. 1t appears the pugilists met on the ground
| at IL o'clock on Wednesday morning, amidst Oh
assemblage OF some four or five thousand per
sons, and nothing occurred to disturb them: the
ring was formed and they were brought forth
by their seconds. who were as follows: For
Sullivan, Andee Sheehan, of the Fourth Ward
and VIM. Wilson. For Morrissey, Awful Gard
ner and Tom O'Donnell. The fayorite was Nor
rissey, 500 to so, and, in some instances
500 to $50, before they came to blows They
were both in good condition. and the six weeks
training appeared to- have improved each OF
walked walk up TSia face M slS ed,s saiisd hs
feeling. They Squared of, mlhe first blood
| was drawn by Sullivan with swift tap on Nor
| risey's nose. He followed . y US in quick
| succession, and the FIRST round ID consider
able excltemeH amongst the tors.
g The rounds were esntinul 70 the thirty
serenth, sccupying fifty fly Minutes, when
| Morrissey became very we1& and O general
row was the result. Some persons rushed in
side of the ring, and several of them received
some severe punishment. The only blows Sui.
Ivan received was about the right side Of his
Ace, principally on his cheek-bone, and the eye
kwas much swollen.
'' The face of Morrissey was frightfully mutt
lated, and it is said by those who witnessed the
affair, that he also received numerous severe
blows on the body, which will no doubt render
him disabled for long time.
There is now dispute as to who was yicto
rious in the the contest, and we learn the Judge;
decided in favor of Morrissey, on the ground o
| ''foul blows and mot coming to time etc
This decision is, however, clainsva to be vT1on,
by the opponents of it, and the stake holder wa
advised not to give up the $1,000 prize, whicl
he has held in gold coin since the match wa
, made 1t is rumored that Sullivan has agree
! to place 81 900 additional to the sum already u
and fight the battle over again for the $4 90
l in one day or sixty days. There will probab
/; be great excitement eventually grow out of th
whole matter, on and in half dozen priz
fights