Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-07-26
From the London Times, June 10.
FIGHT FOR CHAMPIONSHIP,

of the prize ring to be told that the
champions belt, for the possession Of
which Heenan and Sayers struggled with
such cruel obstinacy, was eventually
awarded to neither. The trophy was
left open TO public competition, though
as the belt happens to be one of those pc
culiar gifts of fortune which are not to be
had for the asking, and as -. possession
entails some personal responsibility, in
the way Of having to fight all corners, no
matter how many or how big, the num-
Der of candidates for the dangerous hon
or was, on the whole, decidedly limited
The first claimants were Hurst and Pad
dock. Hurs' Is the champion wrestler OF
Lancashire, man of gigantic frame and
and almost superhuman strength, but per-
haps not the most skiful boxer that ever
entered the prize ring. In his contest
with Paddock he was dreadfully punish
ed, but almost by accident contrived at
the c.ose of the fight to hit his adversary
one blow, and one blow from such Go
liah was quite sufficient, for Paddock was
all bu' Eilled by il. Hurst, therefore.
came into 'nlI possession of the turbulent
bonors of the belt, to which a boxer nam
cd Mace at once laid claim. Mace was a
very small man, though possessed Of won
derlul strength and activity, almost a bar
der hitter than Sayers himself, and re-
pnted to be tho most scientific pugiist
alive. Yet, even with these advantages,
II seemed almost monstrous to suppose he
would Contend for an instant with any
chance Of success against an adversary
30 over ow ring in strength, and size,
and weight as Hurst. Nevertheless, a
match was ma1e for the championship,
and yeste"1o. . vas fought to an issue
on an island in the Midway, and resulted
in Mace's runishing lis gigantic adver-
sary so tearlully that he may literally be
said to have almost killed him without
receiving single blow in return. The
contrast between the two men rs they en-
tered the ring was even more startlingIy
dispropOitionate than that between Hee-
nan and Sayers. Hurst stood nearly six
feet three inches in height, and weighed
sixteen stone, while his gigantic, swarthy
chest and limbs, in which the muscles
stood out in great folds and KNOBS like
bosses of bronze, made his figure look
even larger and more formidable if pos
sible than it was in reality. In looking !
at his massive proportions, and the evil
dences Of tremendous strength, as the !
tbews and sinews crept and rolled with
every movement, one felt kind of faci-
mating terror, which changed to almost
sickenirg apprehension for the fate Of the
man who had dared such Colossus to a
combat. Among ordinary men Mase
would have seemed terrible antagonist |
for one TO cope with, but dwarfed and al
most overshad0wed by the giant he had
challenged, his adventure seemed little
short Of sheer madness. His height is .
barely five feet eight inches, his weight
only ton stone and half; yet, As he pre-
pared himself for the contest yesterday,
there WAS an easy air of nonchalance
about him which, coupled with his fair
frame and 1.-the and active figure, on
which the small but hard and well-devel-
oped muscles showed out in startling re-
lief, made his venture appear less despe-
rate than it was to those acquainted with
his skill and strength. Hurst, TO his 9TH
er advantages, added that of winning the
choice Of corner, and of course took that
with his back to the sun, leaving its fierce
rays full in the face of his Antagonist
When, at last, after shaking hands, the
men stood alone in the center of the ring,
it seemed almost like conniving at MUIR
der To permit contest between two men
so disproportionaie in size, height strength
and weight. Yet Mase, as he stood up
almost in the shadow of his great assaiI.
ant, seemed confident, though of course
very cautious. Lightly Mase moved in
and out, fenting and smiling, like cat,
lie sprang just out of distance Of those
ponderous arms that seemed only rcqui-
red 10 move to crush him. Gradually
til y drew nearer and nearer, the giant
waiting for his chance which the other
now and then appeared to give him, tho
in reality be ventured nothing. At last
hase carefully ventured in, and struck |
his opponent slightly three or four times
in the face. They were little blows, but
enough to show him that he could reach |
the slow, unweldy boxer when he chose,
an get out Of all danger of return with
perfect certainty. Apparently satisfied
with tbs know ledge, Mase began the fight
with a terrific blow which completely
closed IIursts eye, ard seemed to make