The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-12-09
History Of COburn.
From the New Orleans Times. |

| TIUui tuG New OllesllS lllliCS
Joe Coburn stands five feet nine
inches in his stocking feet, and
weighed yesterday. when he stepped
into the ring, one hundred and sixty
pounds. He was born in the city OF
New York in 1886, and has ever since
resided there-his name being as
familiar to the sporting fraternity Of
the metropolis as that OF any other
man in the profession. His record in
the ring, although not showing up a
large number of battles for his time
of service, embraces several hard
fought contests, in none Of which he
has ever been defeated. CoDurn
claimed the American championship
after his fight with McCoole in 1863,
but as that mathematical honor has
frequently been the occasion Of much
controversy and uncertainty, the
matter of his right to the title was
supposed to be little dim.
His first contest within the roped
arena took place at Boston Corners,
Mass, May l, 1886, when at twenty
years Of age, he engaged in an off
hand fight with Ed. Price, (thcn
rather famous as a fighter, but now
a lawyer in New York; After fight
ing one hundred and siXty-two
rounds, in three hours and a half,
darkness put an end to the contest,
which Was-declarcd a draw.
His second fight was made with
the noted Harry Gribben, at Point
| Albino, Canada, November 4, 1851, i,
when after half an hours hard fight
ing, Joe knocked his man out of
time in the twcnty-tirst round. 1t
said that Grihbcn was so severely
punished that his recovery was
doubtful, but, fortunately for him,
he came ont all right.
His third fight was with the cele-
bratcd Mike McCoole, then consi-
dered the best man in the country, on
account of his extreme size. This
battle, which attracted much atten-
ton, took place at Havre de Grace,
Maryland, May 10, 1868, and result
ed in the defeat of the Western giant
in forty rounds, after fighting one
hour and ten minutes.
The result of this fight was such
as to place Coburn in the fore.
most rank of fighters in this country.
and there being found fone willing
to meet him Oh this side the ''water,-
negotiations were entered into early
in 1864 for the purpose of matching
him with Jem Mace, then the cham
pion Of England, and looked upon as
the best man of his day. The match
was made to come off on the 4th OF
: November in the same year, at q
point one hundred miles from the
city Of Dublin, in Ireland. At the
: time appointed Coburn appeared il
! the ring, but there having been nc
referee agreed upon at the last mo
ment~ towing to difference of opinion
between the men) Mace did not tur1
up, and although Coburn claimed
the stakes they were not awarded tt
him, and he returned to- this coun
f try.
p In 1868 he was once more matched
t to fight McCoole, at a point within
: fifty miles from Cincinnati, and th'
0 day appointed for May 4th of tha
: year. The men went into activ'
G training for the event, but on TIN
: morning of the match both were ar
rested and incarcerated for the spae,
4 Of forty days. The match was neve
Y brought to all issue.
g Subsequently, Mace having al
$ rived in this country, when a fres]
/ fight was arranged between him an'
Y Coburn growing out of a persona
S nature) which being fixed for Jun
Q s, 1869, at place in Canada, nea
), Black Rock. The history of thi
o meeting is still fresh in the minds G
t many as resulting i'll the appearance
J. of the men in the ring, where, afte
g lodging and sparring for over a.
/ hour, to no effect, they were inter
$ runted by the Canadian authorities
J. and the match broken up.
The latter match was for on
It thousand dollars a side, and havin
t been brought to no conclusion tn
If stakes were increased to $500
). side, and the issue having bee
IS fixed to be decided at New Orleans
= eventuated in the contest of yes
e terday.
o.t