The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-12-09
THE GREAT PRIZE FIGHT.
A Magnificent Pugilistic Display
Three Hours and Thirty-Eight
Minutes i'm the Ring-TWelve
Rounds and a Drawn Battle.

and Joe CODllrn, about Which eXpcc-
tation has been on tip-toe for several
weeks, came off yesterday according
to appointments, and was witnessed
by large crowd Of spectators, six
hundred and siNty-eight passengers
going on the excursion train, and the
crowd swclled by additions from Mo
bile and New Orleans to the number
OF about two hundred more.
The weather was cold and drizzly
from the start, and occasional show
crs during the progress OF the fight
by 10 means tended to the comfort
OF the admirers ofpugilistic displays
who hOnOrcd the occasion with their
presence.
The ground selected for the tistic
combat wasat Montgomerys, on the
Mobile, New Orleans and Texas Rail
road, the ring being pitched III pine
grove about three hundred yards
from the track.
There was never, perhaps, more
respectable gathering upon such an
occasion, and never was better order
maintained at pugilistic gathering.
A universal desire was apparent to
see fair play, and as general q deter
animation to promptly suppress all
disturbances that might occur, OF
whatever character.
The press was we'll represented.
Every New Orleans paper had its
delegate upon the ground, and there
were also representative from the
New York Herald, World, Sun, Ex
press and Times, the ST. Louis Dis
patch, the Chicago Post, and posi-
bly, other journals Of which we OBJ
tanned no note.
| Leaving the city at 7:1O A. NJ, the
exc,lrsionists aarriyed at the battle
ground at 1887, and forthwith the
work of getting ready for ''business y
was commenced in solid earnest, by
those with whom was entrusted the
important work of measuring off the
ground, stretching the ropes, etc.
Meanwhile, the train, relieved OF its
living cargo, proceeded on to Bay St.
Louis after Messrs. Mace and Coburn
and their friends, the gladiators in
the arenic display. The outer ring
was not yet complete when, at 11:3O,
Coburn, accompanied by McAlpine
and T. Kelly, made their appearance
within the circle, followed closely by
Mace and bis attendants, Jas. Cusick
and Tom Allen.
| The parties then tossed for corners,
and Mace won the choice, whereupon
the two champions at once commen-
ced to strip for the contest.
Mr.. Rufus Hunt was chosen as
umpire, and, walking into the ring,
stated that he took great interest
in the fight because it was under
stood that here the parties could get
fair play, and so both the principals
desired. The best way to secure this
would be for everybody to keep per.
fectly quiet, and let the referees and
the umpires do all the talking. He
remarked, also, that being the stake.
holder, he did not think it right that
; he should be the referee also, and
btherefore asked the privilege of ma
ming some one else to fill the last
named pasition. Loud cries of" No
no,p following this, he consented tC
act, and retired to his position al
11:46. Mr.. Alf. Smith was chosen as
referee for Mace; Coburlis brother
acting for Coburn. Columns weight
1G01 pounds; Mace's 1G3 pounds.
1 Coburn made an even bet of SG0(
with Mace, and at 1910 the pugilists
rose to the encounter.
First Ronnd.===A[aee appeared COO
and good-natured, both, however
looking confident of success, After
some little sparring and few feints
, Mace got his left hand In lightly Oh
, Coburll's breast, the latter aiming {
'' blow in return, which was warded of
and fell under Mace's belt, near th'
left groin, to which Mace responded
giving Joe a heavy blow on the righ
breast. Cobnrn now gave his antag0
mist a wicked blow on the back, jus
under the left shoulder-blade, ant
+ another on the shoulder, claiming
d first blood. Much parringfollowed
e when Mace, pushing the fight, re
;, ;, ceiyed heavy blow under the lef
!. arm, followed by another soon afte
t. of the same sort. An exchange o
+ blows followed, Mace talking good
;. naturedly and smiling. Some beau
tiful sparring occurred, when the.
clinched and Mace went down on til
: ropes, the advantage apparently IA
voring Coburn, in whose corner th
), whole round was fought. Time: 3
minutes.
d. Second Roundabout came II
promptly, Mace invitingly, and fo
IS lowed Coburn into his home agai1
st Two exchanges Of blows followed
j a blow ON Mace's left side, and C,
" burn clinching, threw Mace. Time
; 10 minutes
Third Round.-Great caution O
ne both sides. Mace spoke of fouls, br
IL wouldn't claim them. More splendi
ne sparring and some fast fighting, eae
o. o. giving and taking sharp blows, whe
M 'Mst they clinehed and Coburn was throw
First blood claimed for Coburn, an
acknowledged. Time: 10 minute
Fourth Round.-Both up to tt
scratch quickly, and with ullimpaire
confidence, The sDarrinr was fri