Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-11
THE COMING PRIZE FIGHT.
Sketches of George ROOke and
Thomas Allen.

AAAOAAGle EAAACla
Physical Training that Many RusI.
ness Men Might Probably Undergo
Fights that the PugIlIsts Have
Been In.
New York Sun.
George Rookie, who is to fight Tom Al
Len for LOCO and the championship OF
America, was born in Ireland in 1910. In
his bOyhOOd he distinguished himself in
encounters with iron founders with whom
he worked. About thirteen years agl
he came to this country. His first fight
was with Tim Hussey for $1,000, on the
outskirts Of BOstOn. This battle he won
without a scratch, and was at once looked
| upon as the coming man in theriug. After
| this fight Rookie came to New York, where
| Bill Clark gave him instruction in boxing.
! After this he was backed against Charley
Collins, ''the Cast Iron Man." for $1,000.
After the men had fought an hour and a
half the referee called a foul blow, a de-
cision that was strongly condemned by the
spectators. Rookie il this way lost the
fight. Soon afterWaTd Rookie was matched
against Matt Moore for LOCO side. This
fight was on one Of the Is.es of Shoals in
1867. 1t was one Of the gamest and most
determined fights on record. Rookie was
beaten to a stand-still, but he preserved
his geneTalship TO the last round, when
Moore delivered a terrific blow with his
right on Rockies neck, knocked him down
aud won the fight. Thirty-seven rounds
were fought il one hour and four minutes.
Since this Rookie has not fought, but he
has nOt been inactive, and has made rapid
strides IN the science Of boxing. lie has
taken training quarters at 500 Market
street, Newark, under the care Of Johnny
Mccormack, assisted by Peter Calvin.
ROCKIES DAILY TASK.
His mode Of training at the beginning is
early rising, washing in a preparation of
vinegar, alum aud bOraX, and a thorough
rinsing of the mouth. Next he lies down,
and his face is rubbed by his attendants
with lemon juice; then he is dressed, and
goes for bis walk, a mile out and back
AfJeI his return he rests for a quarter of an
hour, and then breakfasts on a cup of tea,
a mutton chop or stake rare, biscuit, stale
bread or toast, and seasoning, under the
new mode Of training, to render his food
more palalable. After another half hours
rest he starts for q walk with his trainer.
He began with three miles out and has in
creased this TO fifteen. Once a week the
tramp is made in heavy clothing TO induce
a sweat. On retiring Rookie is put to bed,
covered with blankets and given a draught Of
hot brandy and water. In a few moments
TubbeTs begin with towels ct his head,
gradually uncOYeTing and rubbing dry as
they proceed until the mans whole frame
has been subjected 70 z steady, rapid fric-
ton. He is then permitted to rest or sleep
for an hour under light covering. Then be
takes q dinner Of rare roast beef or rare
mutton boiled, or chicken well boiled as he
chooses, no other animal food being permit
ted. He can choose from potatoes and cab
bage, q loaf Of CuTant bread, pudding
made of bread, rice, or farina, or custar1.
with pint bottle Of Scotch ale OF porter.
After another rest he takes d row on New
ark hay from 20 in the afternoon.
There's another rub of, a kick at the foot
ball, a swing Of the clubs, or throw of the
dumb bells; supper Of dry toast, boiled eggs
and a cup Of tea; a walk a mile out and in,
and then TO bed. He has reduced himself
gradually, and expects to enter the ring at
l52 pounds. De says that he has tested
Allen by a set to in Providence. and that
he is satisfied that he knows his mar, and
that on the day Of the fight, when both are
in the ring, he Will bet Allen $500 even
that he wins.
THE LIFE OF TOM ALLEN.
Tom Allen was born in Birmingham, in
1910. Bis first appearance in the ring at
home was wish Norris Conner. This fight
be won. He next beat Jack White, was
beaten by Posh Pice, beat Bingy Rose,
and by Bob Smith, q cOlOred man of Full
NT1Hf-rFa La1H Tg--H4 TD-ssna fIanrF-o
Hes, and fought a dIaw with Joe GOss. |
These were his battles in England. Since
his arrival in America, in 1867, he has |
fought and beaten Bill Davis, lost with /
Charlie Gallagher, was beaten by Mike |
McCOOl, beat Charlie Gallagher, was beaten |
by Jem Mace, who won without a scratch; |
and beat jim Gallagher and Mike McCOol. |
He is training, accompanied by Johnny |
Newell, at NcKee's Rocks, Pittsburg. He |
weighed 220 pounds when he began TO |
train, and is reducing himself gradually. |
Allen has won the toss, and is TO name the |
place for the fight.
Rookie is younger, teller, longer in the |
reach, and more active than Allen. He has |
had only three previous trainings. Allen |
has the advantage in weight, as he will en- |
ter at lTj pounds. He has trained twenty |
seven times. Jack BrOUghtOn the father |
Of The prize ring, who was for seventeen !
years champion against all corners, was |
beaten by novice called Jack Slack. The !
Duke Of Cumberland lost 10000 on |
Broughton. Tom Oliver, who fought Dan |
DOnnell, the Irish champion, in 1919, was |
beaten in canter by a young man Of no |
Bill Abgot. Another old one,
Deaf Burke, who came to this country in |
1884, and returned TO England, was beaten |
by BenIigo in 1899, with odds of five to |
one in his favor. The giant champion,
Upton Slasher, was beaten by the youth |
Tom Savers. The giant Of Australia, |
Ned Chsulker, was beaten in his old days, |
when be became stale, by a young man |
named Zack Reed. Tom Hyer whipped |
Yankee Sullivan at his ease in sixteen |
rounds, seventeen minutes.