The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-05-09
JOHN MoRR1ssEY,s RING RECORD.
Some Of His Early Achievements in the "Manly
-

Some Of His Early Achievements in the "MSnly
Art.'
John Norrissey, whose death is announced
fought three regular prize fights, ard had any
number Of rough.and.tumble encounters. His
first fight was with George Thompson in Califor'
MIA In 1851, where fouI blow gave Morrissey the
victory His next fight was with the notorious
Yankee Sullivan for 81 900 side, at Boston Corn
ers, on the boundary line between New York and
Massachusetts,. They met October II, 1853 Sullt'
van was then 43 years old, and was three inches
shorter and come twenty pounds lighter than his
youthful antagonist. AS boxer ne was vastly
the superior of the youngster. Morrisseys face
in few rounds was pounded into the hue and
appearance Of a raw beefsteak. By all preCe.
dents Of human endurance he was whipped in
ten rounds At least dozen "facers" fell unre-
turned to his share. He became so weak that he
could hardly stand. He could not raise his hand
high enough to make an efficient guard, yet in
the thirty. seventh round his second wind" came
to his aid, and he began the most damaging rally
that he made during the fight Rushing Sullivan
to the ropes he administered a terrible pounding,
which the latter could not avoid by his favorite
ruse of dropping" When the round ended the
seconds and umpires began a wrangle, which
ended in free fight Sullivan was still fresh
enough to take hand in 1t, and became so close.
ly engaged that he did not hear the referee call
time" Not only the usual grace of eight seconds
but two minutes elapsed, and Sullivan had not
tOed the scratch. The referee gave the hght an d
the stakes to Morrissey, although he was unques-
tionably the worst punished man. subsequently
he had rough al d tumble encounter with Bill
Poole of New York, which fight he lost, he claim.
ed on account of Poole's friends, who interferred
in their faV0rite's behalf
The long talked-of fight between Morrlssey and
HeenRn was arranged for October 20, 1857 for ST..
800 side and the championship. The mill was
fought on Long Point island, in Canada. Morris
sey was in perfect condition, weighing 1I3
pounds. Heenan, who OvertOpped his antagon'
lst by nearly three inches, weighed 1870 pounds,
and was not well trained In the first round
Heenan began operations with four sledge ham
mer blows on MOrrisseys face, forcing the latter
TO the ropes. MorIissey scarcely returned blow,
but Heenan accidentally struck a stake and broke
two of his knuckes. He, however, finished the
round by throwing Morrissey heavily and falling
on him. In the second round Heenan repeated
his hits at MOrrisSey's face and got several body
blows in return, and again closed the round by
throwing MOrrissey showing himself the better
man both in hitting and wrestling. Morrissey s
ox.like patience helped him through, and in the
third round he had some advantage both IN the
fighting and In the fall. Heenan had his face
marked for the first time in the light during the
fourth round, and he also had the worst OF IT IN
the close. In the fifth round he got Morrissey'
head into chaucery, but the latter broke away be-
fore much damage was done him. He was SO
dazed that In his retreat Heenap got an opening
at Morrissey's Jaw, and the champion was clean
knocked down and almost out OF time. Morris,
sey was too weak to raise his hands when he toed
the scratch for the sixth round. But Heenan Wa9
also weakening rapidly, while the former was
improving every second. He continued to i'm.
prove to the close Of the fight in the eleventh
round, when Hesnan's second threw up the
sDODRe,