The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-20
THE CHAMPION PUGILIST.
WHAT MAN IN AMERICA CAN STRIKE
THE HARDEST NOW

rissey-R eminiscences Of these Extra-
ordinary Gcnticmcn-Afecting Meeting
between Heenan and Mace afer the
Great New Orleans Prize Fight.
The excitement Of the Prize Ring seems TO
have been trnnsplanted from All iou to free America.
For time past noted English and Irish pugilists
have iocked here, as to an III Dorado, bringing
with them belts and laurels az trophies OF des-
perate lights IN the roped arena. This score OF
6stic giants arrive and pitch their tents
than they claim, through The press, the title Of
champion OF America, and issue challenges to one
another. One numerically hammers the other in
the most scientific manner; but no sooner IL the
punished elsdlator spouged off, gets his eyes reset,
his nose Strengthened, his shoulders aud ribs re-
paired than his clarion Is heard and mis- cock
a-doodie-,oo always ends with champion.
Though our people as n whole opposed 10 these
nstic encounters, and consider them brutal and de-
moralizIug, the masses become Interested against
their own incnings, and almost unconsciously read
the details OF these Nights which chroniclcd with
so much minuteness By the daily press, and which
not unfrequently are deemed worthy Of extra.
Thousands Of the unsophistica,ed readers wonder
at the multitude OF champions, and are AZ a loss to
know who among them all IL the real Head Centre.
THE FIRST AnERIcAS PRIZE rioHr.
The hrst recorded American prize fight occurred
In this city az early as 1910. The principals
Jacob Hyer the father Of the celebrated cham
pion Tom Hyer, and named Tom
Beasley. From that date until 1871 there were
but few encounters In the ring Of any
special moment, though GU the record appear the
names Of Bill Harrington, Andy heLane, Jun Be-
wins, Deaf Burke, Frank speight, aud a few men
who spoken OF as sccutiac and powerful pugil-
lets, and we're several occasions pitied against
each other with varied success. In 1911, Yankee
Sullivan, OF the most scientific and determined
puElists the world ever produced, came prominently
before the public. lie fought and whipped Ham
mond, seeor, Bell and Bob Caunt in succession.
Aner this series OF battles there was comparative
quiet In pueistic circles until 1872 when a. event
occurred which woAe up the entire Yankee nation.
During this year
MEMORABLE CONFLICT
between Tom uycr milwaukee sullivan was fought in
Maryland. This was the FIRST prize fight which mte
rested the public. The battle considerable
$4,000 a side) zach had enthusiastic admirers
The science, pluck, and power Of endurance 20 Omen
shown by sullivan were matched against the finest
specimen OF physical manhood which the continent
during hts Treparstion for the mill, ecstauc
IN their praises Of his gigantic but symmetirca pro-
went away resolved to risk their bottom dollar on
Ills success As the friends OF sullivan equally
rcion, ADD sanguine, the amount staked on the re-
suit throughout the country was probably never
cqualled even In England, where the ring Is patron
iIcd'by the wealthy and noble. Tho ovation which
been surpassed. The Branch HOTEL in the BowerY
which he selected rs his headquarters, MAS he
ing tue hand oi ire new etain1ion OF America
Sullivan had easily disposed 90 all VITO dared Sis-
puto his tue, but nyer whipped him rs II lie had
been
MERE CHILD IN POWERFUL GRIP.
Sullivan was fully entitled 10 the championship; :
he met all asrirauts, barred neither weight size
and was never dscOu hted until he met his superior
In every point, aud succumbed to the Young Amer
ican Giant. After thus night, Hyer not Only chal-
lenged the world for $1,000 but sent special inv
tation the Upton Slashcr 90 meet him for f2OOOO
anu TO give or take S3,OOJ for travelling expenses.
After due pauenee no polite aeceptances having
come 10 hand, neither from home or abrOal liver
retired from the ring,
THE CAREER OF rHE HON. JOHN honRissgr AND
HERMAN.
John Norris-ey was the next sspiraut. He fought
and best Thompson, Sullivan, and Heenan. Aitor
his encounter with the latter, he appeared satisfied
with his pugnaciOus exploits.
John c. Beenan next into the lists. He pub
sbed his challenge not only TO hs lae opponent but
20 all the world, which resulted IN the famous meet
ing NJ Farboro. between himself and Tom Sagrcs
ON that occasion tie now ex-champiun OF Americn
was oatnumUcrcd, not out-iought, anu the English
boast OF " Fair play and may the best man win,
was boted out forever Three years subsequent
the Benicia Boy was again In England fulfilling an
engagement, when he was matched against Tom
King. This time hts opponents did not rely uron the
referee alone 10 compass his defeat but good au-
thory boldly asserts tlat be was drrsgcd and thus
certainly ncapAcitated to win
MACE AND uEEsAS soLENSLI SWEAR.
Since that time the Benicia Boy las not O=tercd
the ling, and from the following. which occurred
just after the battle between Mace ana Allen, 1t
will appear that he is determined u abandon it tor
ever. The scene Is tuus described By reporter:
The nr.t meeting betwcel HeenRn and Mace. Ahou
half m hour after The nsht vas as notable a. 4 was
by the hand aud, with congiatulatory grip drawing
= eG, sou have won the hEht.. Now, claim your
promise. Raise youI right hand. We solemny sweat
prize s.Ss Ssver never never W ~ '"'
Mace bowed his head and solemnly repeated the
obligation II l. not difficult TO surmise the reasons
which impeiled these two noted gladiators to form
this resolve. The xcliampion OF America and his
friends have long been convinced that he VAS never
% g-n.E.chcd bat thut no man could " in against
cr.wd OF rourlis, VINO were IN league with the
rer,ree TO insure his defeat. The ex-champion oil
England has had surfet OF success; be has no
new gory 10 attain which the ring can offer age Is
creeping on. and he retres alter many hard-'ough
baps not little disgusted with the absence Of chiv
airy so noticeable OF late years among those " no
pretend " be the champions OF the once noble art
OF self defence and on that account they desire to
sever their connection with class where there is
much to condemn as unmanly and unfair.
NIKE HcooLg's CLAIM.
Mike McCoole next put In an appearance for the
coveted distinction oy whipping Tom Jennings, but
his laurel wreath was soon snatched by Joe Coburn
| who in turn became champion. At this juncture
McCOole sought TO multiply the title and announced
himself champion OF the Vest Under this assump-
ton he fought Davis and Asron Jones both OF whom
suGeSm6ed before ms siedsena n blows 81 In
| The banter was accepted, both men were trained,
but the whole affair ended IN fzzIe; Subsequently
| Tom Allen fought McCoole. Aliens friends claim
| that he fGirly won the battle, but the referee
decided It u draw. Allen has always persistently
claimed the fight. The stake he may have been end-
tied to- but MoCooe had no title Of championship to
Destow forfeit while Coburn stood ready TO main
tain the title wnieh he had So la the late bat
| tie betw cen Mace and Alen there champion
slip at stake. Mace could not bestow his English
| honors on beaten Zoe; Allen had never won the
| champion belt OF America Before and after the
battle COburn had declared HE willingness meet
| the victor. Mace declined on the ground that he
had positively retired from the ring, and COburn
will not consent accept Aliens challenge, the
ground that he will not fight beaten man.
| JOE coBURN STILL CHAMPION.
Thus the matter stands at present, Coburn still
holds the cham pionship, unchaenged save by Allen
whom he considers beneath his dignity as contes'
ant The question arises, Is not Coburn compelled To
accept this challenge else retire and allow other as
prants for stic glory to contend for the baube and
win the championship OF America IN q square. stand
| up hight Mace and Heenan are out OF the way, 40
novice need fear that he viii be compelled to en-
these twin stars OF the manly art and Coburp
may possibly lie anx ious TO do, or toleave the field
open Who speaks lrst to have his enrolled Is
the liHeal descendant OF the champions Of America
AN UPPER-IEN DITORCE.