The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-13
Almost n Fight Between Morrissey md
the Benicia Boy.

MEETING OF THE HEROES OF THE RING IN THE
PARK-MORRIssEY STRIKES KEENAN, AND CHAL-
LENGEs HIM TO FIGHT FOR NOTHING.
The fancy greatly excited yesterday afternoon by
report which got into wide circulation that hos
tile meeting had taken place in the Park between Mr..
John Morrssey, the American champion OF the ring
John c. Heenan, alias the q Benica Boy'-somle what
celebrated by his fight in Canada with the former
wevemonth ago for the possession of the belt but
recently by of his connection with the rowdy PRO
ceedngs during the late Democratic State Convention
Syracuse. The affair the talk in all the barrooms
throughout the city and the widest stories dissent
mated respecting the difficulty Some declared Heenau
had been completely demolished by his opponent, while
had it rice rersa; but the real facts simply
these
About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon Hecnan was
standing outside the Park It's southern extremity just
opposite where the Fourth avenue railroad cars stop
when Morrissey happened pass that way seeing the
Benica Boy sas large fe' before him, up him
and hailed him-so is aleged-in the following bcll
'.so, here you are, Cd d-n you come into the Park
Morrissey, 4 is further alleged to give force to this
classic speech struck Heenan the shoulder with the
back Of his hand The ne senca Boy responded to the
words;-Mr horrssey, have not got two hundred dol
lars about me, and therefore cannot fight YOU.
"WeI, Cd d-n your heart, If you havn't I'll fight
you for nothing" reoined Morrissey who evidently
muCn eXCted ana SruCk keenan, AGAIN on the shoulder,
challenging him TO into the Park Immediately,
where, he said, they could strip OF and settle their little
difficulties to their hearts content and in regular rough
and tumble manner.
By this time large crowd had assembled around
the pugsc heroes and eagerly watched what would be
Heenans answer to the peremptory challenge and highly
irritating conduct Of M0frssey. Every expected the
Benica Boy" would "sal in" and crafty Morrisseys
evident desire for collision But Heenan's behavior
somewhat astonished the spectators. He simply MAIN
tanned his coolness and stated that he did not
fight such way but that he would meet Morrissey in
the ring any time suitable to his wishes. This rather
frigd response might not have sufced satisfy Nor
rissey, and the affair would doubtless have ended Sc
rous had the friends Of both parties interfered just
in the nick OF time and effected separation between the
rival claimants for the possession of the champion belt
Of America.
The cause of the encounter is varousy stated but the
most general belief that was occasoned by sundry
threats boasts made by Heenan that he would he
could beat Morrissey whenever lie might feel inclined
This excited Morrssey and IL is well known that the lat
ter has formally sgnifed his readiness to maui the
Bencia Boy'' for the snug little sum Of $4,000
any time between four and eight months after the
peced fight of the latter with the terrible Tom Savers
England This polite invitation to whipping under
stood has been accepted by Keenan, and Morrssey has
already deposited $500 bind any match that may be
agreed upon. Tho high contracting parties yesterday
for the first time since the proclamation OF their
mutual desire for another fight, and expressed their
light recorded above Their friends will need 10 keep
sharp look after their respective avores for collision
NAV take when least expected.