The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-23
b O X | N G..
Scientific Contest Between Mike COburn
and Dick Goodwin for $3.50.
STOPPED BY THE POLICE.
The Affair Draw After FifyTWo Rounds, Occupying
Three Hours and Forly-Su Minutes

Hardly ever has it been the good fortune of the
admirers and patrons of Ie of Manhattan Island
to witness such fine display of the art of self-de
fence as occurred ON Friday night between Mike
Coburn and Dick Goodwin. These light weight
asprants for fstc honors were ready for the trial
last saturday week. and would have decided which
was tine best man but for objections raised by Police
CAPTAIN Mccullough. This vigilan officer not being
in the way Friday evening the affair was brought on
but, after ffty-two rounds were contested. other
policemen broke into the room and put end to the
sport.
For some months past desire among certain
class of gentlemen who fond of the exercise or
boxing and the wish it by masters of the art
led a number of them to contribute purse of $3.50
or cup of that value for contest between two of
the best boxers that could be found in this neghbor
hood to contend for the prize After looking about
among the pugilists two light weights OF
about the same capacity were supposed
to have been found in Michael Coburn (the
brother of the famous joe and Richard Goodwin,
alias Spring Dick" IA noted English pugilist
These men being willing to contend tor the prize
day named for the affair and the men put III
training hall or room for the exhibition was
more difficult to find than the men had been. and
when one was found the affair was not allowed to
rome off, owing to the interference of the authorities
however, and the gentlemen having the affair in
hand having procured another out of the way place
brought the affair off on Friday night.
THE MEN.
Dick Goodwin, Spring Dick was born in Works
worth Derbyshire, i'll 1872 and is now thirty-seven
years of age. He is five feet three inches in his
stockings, ana weighs in fighting condition now
about l22 pounds Dick has had eleven fights in his
day, consisting of with Martin freacre. of Man
chester, for a purse. which he won. Also, in the
same town, for a purse. with Johnny Dowd whom
he beat. He fought Paddy WEIGH in Derbyshire
also for purse which Dick also won. He then
fought GeSrse Barton. of Manchester, for $40 side
This affair ended in row. and the stakes were
drawn Dick next met and defeated Jack Dagnall of
Manchester, for purse; then George Morton, OF
Manchester for f5 side. After this affair Goodwin
was matched against William Ingram, of London
for f25 n side. They fought at Barton Moss, in Ian
casnire. ffty-fou rounds, in fftyfve minutes. on
May To- 1866, when Ingram cried Enough - Dick
then beat Foster, of Manchester, in room for a
purse soon afterward On the 10Th of February,
1867 Arthur Chambers and Spring Dick entered the
roped at Acton, near Warrenton for f25
side and after fighting 105 rounds in
two hours and twenty minutes the battle
was declared draw, both men being completely
prostrated neither being able to put the finishing
Jack Shore Stafford, for eco side, and after fight
ing sixty-two minutes Dick declared the victor
Dicks last appearance in the prize ring was with
Frank Wilson, of Birmingham. for ESQ. In this en-
counter Goodwin beaten in one hour and forty
five minutes Soon after his last fight Spring Dick
came to America and, with the exception of q few
displays at sparrins exhibitions and being unfor-
tunate as the second of Wheden in New Jersey, has
been quiet until the present occasion Goodwin. by
careful attention for the work before him, came to
the scratch in first rate condition for protacted con-
test and with every confidence In his ability 10 pull
through" successfully.
Mike Coburn was born in Ireland November a.
1874 He came to this city in 1S49. lie is ave feet
five inches in height and weighed this occa.s,n
ia lbs. Mikes first fight was with rowdy named
Tammany. well known on the west side OF town
They fought one hour and fifteen minutes. when the
combat decided a draw. Mike was mere boy
at the time, while Tamrnany was full
encounter was with Hen Duffy. 1t took place
in a room in Forty-sixth street in 1855. The
fight ended by Duly's friends calling in the police
Coburn next fought Patsey sheppard This was in
the ring formed for the fight between his brother Joe
and Mike McCool in Kentucky. Patsey and Nike
fought six rounds. when the police interfered
followed ana the purse of $500 was divided
between them. This was in 1865. Nike afterward
contended with gloves with Tim Collins for
the light weight champion belt of America
open to all light weight sparrers in the
country, which he won. Since that time
Coburn has had several turn-ups with well known
boxers and always made a favorable showing with
The hest % them He was trained for the struggle
for the belt by ned Msllahan, VINO also trained him
for the present encounter. Mike, well as being
sparrer. is also very good wrestler, and had match
the time about 300 lbs. The first round lasted one
hour and thirty minutes and the second two hours
and twenty minutes, which were both won by
Coburn. Mike TO the scratch last night in
blooming condition for a protrsscted struggle.
Round AT the call of time the men moved to
e centre Of the ring and put up their hands They
very cautious in their movements and eyed each
other very closely they stepped around. each TAX
ing in the others style OF defence. Dick the
rst TO lead or but he short with his left ut the
head. Cohurn next tried his chance and planted his
LETT on Dicks nose lightly and soon aftorward his
Let reached the side OF Dicks head. Then there
considerable sparring for an opening. when Dick
managed TO reach Coburn In the front OF the face
but the gloves soft that no impression
left on the spot visited. Dick then rushed to in
using left and right at the head. They
broke away and spared around the open space
looking for chance 60 plant blow II was evident
that the tactics OF Coburn were to be entirely the
defensive, he had by this time discovered that he
had the longest reach and Intended TO wait for Dick
TO lead and then counter him in the face Dick got
in Coburn's face aud Coburn returned the side
of Dicks head Dick then rushed in and after some
rapid hitting by both lett aud right for few mo-
ments Coburn driving Dick before him. the referee
called time and the were taken to their
The round lasted 2m. los.
RoUSD 2.-Tho rapid seud-oG the men had in the
previous round and the excitement attending the
commencement brought the mon to tho scratch
blowing. Dick hrst TO lead. but Nike jumped
away and the blow did not reach the place IL
intended FOR. He was short second time when he
rushed in and close fighting left aud right cnsued
until the men tumbed over the benches whichformcd
the ring. Time OF the round ~ seconds.
RoUND 3.--rhc men. still excited came up gasring
for breath. each on the defensive. Goodwin led but
short; COburn then tried his left At the head
but Dick was ont of reach. Then the latter tried
his left the belt and put in good
there and jumped back time 10 avoid
Coburns lett at ms head. After considerable
sparrng Dick again got in his left the line Of the
stomach aud jumped away from a return which
AIMED at the head More spafrng for an opening.
when Coburn planted his lett heavily on Dicks nose
receiving In return hard right handler the ribs.
Mikes left hand again visited Dicks nose, but the
gloves soft that they seemed to do very little
damage Dick danced around for an opening, and
thcn leading OF at the face they both struck
together. the blows landing full ia the face. They
then closed and pcgscd away left and right until
they tunblld over tho benches, Spring Dick under.
Time OF the round I'M los.
lsoUND i.-Whcn tho men appeared at the scratch
Cohurn led with his left aud reached Dicks nose,
AMI aterward planted his right twice the left side
of Dick head. The Latter moved about seeking for