Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-02
CoBURN MEETS SULLIVAN.
A Brilliant Display of Science in Madi-
son Square Garden.
Nelc York Sun e9th

Nelo York Sun, a9th.
The stamping of ten thousand feet in
| Madison Square Garden sounded like the
| roaring of the ocean surf III a storm as Mr..
John Lawrence Sullivan skipped up the
| steps leading to the elevated ring occupy
ing the centre of the building last evening.
The champion wore pea jacket and light
yellow trunks, buttoned at the knee. He
climbed the ropes, walked to his corner
and threw aside the jacket. He was strip
ped to the waist. His white skin outlined
the musles, thews and sinews that give
him his strength. Admiring friends foared
with delight as he sat down and rested his
brawny arms on the ropes. Ten seconds
later the shining pate of Mr.. Joseph Co
burn appeared above the edge of the plat
form. He wore white breeches knotted at
the knee with blue ribbon. As he threw
aside his coat and took seat at the oppo-
site corner, another wild outburst of ap-
plause ran over the 5000 spectators. Co
burn seemed even more herculean than
Sullivan. 1t was old blood and muscle as
compared with young blood and muscle.
The old champion never looked better,
even when in training for fight.
Ten thousand eyes We're riYeted on the
two pugilists. The only other man on the
stage was a One-armed man. He was
gray-headed, and he Wore baggy clothing.
lie was old Pop Whitaker, master of cere-
ring, he raised his one arm in the bright
gas light and shouted Mr.. Coburn's thanks
to the gentlemen who had preceded him
in the ring, and especially to Mr.. Sulli
van, who had volunteered to appear at his
benefit. Then, in q stentorian tone OF
voice, Mr.. Whitaker roared: Now we
will have gentlemanly wind up, Mr..
Joe Coburn," waving his hand toward
Mr.. Coburn, who bowed. = Mr., John L.
Sullivan - turning foHyorA3 Si.1Gt.-o,.
also bowed. "Time.u
The giants arose and approached each
other as light of foot as panthers, Their
white boxing gloves sawed the air. They
circled each other like falcons at piav.
Then Sulliyan's left few out like a stone
from catapult, 1t was neatly STONED
by Joe, who stood on the defensive. Fhe
falcon-like play was resumed. Again and
again Sullivan launched out his left, and
was neatly foiled. The interest of the
spectators was breathless. The puoilists
were smiling. Coburn stopped SuIIiyan's
passes so elegantly that one of his friends
shouted, $50 in, Joe! Go inv' The hot
blood mounted Sulliyan's check. He
stopped sparring and turned toward the
front of the house. His dark eyes flashed
fire. ''Gentlemen," said he, Ethis is. a
friendly set-to between Mr.. COburn and
myself. There is to be no knocking ont.
Some day possibly l may oblige YOU by
killing man for you. 1t may be Mr..
Mace's unknown, and it may be some one
else" The champion turned and again
confronted his antagonist. The fencing
was resumed, COburn rallied, and twice
tapped Sullivan on the ear with his right.
The cheering WAS terrific. The old duelist
had made tire first hit. An exuuisita dis
pay OF SCIENCE followed, Coburn stOppinQ
a score or more OF direct passes, and old
Pop Whitaker called "Walk around"
The men returned to their corners and
readjusted their gloves. They were NOT
IN the least blown: Alluding TO Sullivan,
friend said: "He can't spar like he
would spar if he was wicked. No biz man
can" At the second bout the giants
sprang for each ether like old game cocks.
F0r minute they reY0lved like figures i'm
Kaleidoscope. Then Sullivan bent for
ward and touched C0burn on the ribs.
ducking his head as he did SO. Coburn
countered ON The muscles of his back.
sullivan Strengthened and tanned Coburu
twice on the nose. Joe crossed on his ear.
Sharp rallies, diversified with ingenious TO-
6lng, followed, Out ofthe wilderness Of this
scientific display Coburn laid his glove on
the side of sulliyan's nose and kent It
there tor full second. The chamnion
gave ground, and was followed bv Joe.
VINO tapped him, in his turn, twice ON the
proDoscls, Amid lively countering, Pop
SANNt1 sti4tt NHC lAlCu StSdll ltIlEGU
their corners. They were painting from
their exertions. Sullivan ground his feet
in the chalk under the rounds Of his chair.
and old Pop Whitaker shuified himself
around, ana used his one hand and crash
towel in wiping their faces.
"NoW. gentlemen" said the old man.
after the lapse of a minute cr more
''shake hands and wind up" TIE masses
OF muscle, bone. and sinew skipped for
each other like Colorado cicadas. They
got down to real work. The soft spats Of
the gloves on the herd flesh could be heard
III every part Of the great hail. Old Pop
W hltaker began to dance like a man
strung on electric wires. 1t was give and
ana take. The men came together like
TWO game cocks ON the wing. and
skipped away on the rebound as elas-
tic as rubber. The white gloves flew in
the air like corn popping in a griddle.
Exquisite feints and the sharpest
rallying was followed by close counter
ing. Columns display Of skill was so
marvellous that at times he seemed to be
playing with Sullivan. There was no
slogging and no efforts at chancery. The
spectators We're delighted. At times you
could have heard a pin drop, and again
the uproar was so great that YOU could
hardly hear yourself talk. The rallvipg
grew sharper, the countering became
heavier, and the men were fast becoming
winded when Coburn of his own accord
seized Sullivan by the hand, and the
friendly set-t0 was ended,