The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-02
SCIENTIFIC sPARRISG.
The Champion and the Maori at Mozart Hall


Over three hundred citizens, many OF
them well known, assembled last night at
Mozart Hall to witness several boxing
bouts between those scientific sluggerS
Messrs. John l.. Sullivan, OF Boston; Her.
bert A. Slade, OF Australia, and their COM
panions. Professor Sullivan is otherwise
known rs Champion OF the World" and
Mr.. Slade rs Maces Maori.
The business OF the evening did not CON-
mence till after 8, but the people CON-
menced coming an hour previously. A
portion OF the crowd was composed OF 4
number OF aged and moss-backed old
sports who had not been seen much IN
public since the great rooster dispute was
adjusted several years since on Main street.
Putting from cigars, cigarettes, and pipes
went vigorously on, and the ascending
vapor mingled freely with the dead mu-
sical notes already floating in space near
the apex of the building. The price OF
admission was one dollar. and q stalwart
gentleman near the door announced that
there were no reserved seats" first come
first served" he added, as clincher.
Most OF our tough citizens who would
have been delighted to have honored the
occasion with their presence were precluded
from indulging their hearts desire be-
cause OF its cost. Several Readjuster office
holders were noticed present, presumably
to gather points in fistic science as pre-
paration for possible emergencies. The
good-humored chatting OF the crowd
one with another furnished the on
ly music OF the occasion. Several
persons ascended to the stage from the
front, and under the supposition II not
"the Champion OF the World" and "the
Great Maori" they were at least part OF
their belongings, they were greeted with
cheers, but a view OF their thin charts and
attenuated bi'urcated cones dispelled the
pleasing illusion. Two well-known citi-
Zens who afterwards enScOnsed themselves
in the eft-hand private box OF the stage
were greeted with yociferous acclaim I'M
der the impression that they would oliiciate
rs masters OF the ceremonies.
At $40 the crowd began to get iinpa-
tient, and created first-class pandemo-
MUM for Il few minutes time by their
vigorous manifestations. This brought
Slr. Al. Smith. the manager, to the front,
who announced that the show would COM
mence with a set-to between Steve Taylor,
eX-champion OF heavy weights, and Mike
Gillespie, the Boston scientific sparrer.
This contest, like the others that follow
ed, consisted OF three rounds. The men
were stripped to the waist. Science was
| shown by both men, but the disparity OF
Gillespie with the veteran Taylor made the
affair rather too unequal. Great skill was
shown by both in delivering their blows
and avoiding returns. Gillespie danced
around like a supple-iack, always seeking
| for an ''opening," and sometimes get
ting it.
Messrs. Steve Mccoy. champion middle
weight, and Slade then followed, and they
made things pretty lively for three rounds.
The impact OF the gloves on their respec-
tive faces, necks, breasts, and heads could
be heard all over the house. Slade has
been so often described that TO attempt il
now would he superilUous. Mccoy was
quick as lightning in the delivery OF his
| blows. Sladc showed some points OF a
good boxer, but has something yet to learn
in the art. Their sparring was fayorably
| received, and they were rewarded with
generous applause.
The next bout was between the cham
pion and Steve Taylor. The sparring in
this contest was splendid, and their blows
were delivered with directness and light
ning-like rapidity truly astonishing. The
champion proved as active a. a kitten on
his pins. He was always on the aggressive.
| His right duke and dexter fin played
around like the flanges OF a windmill.
| They must have been very eXhausting to
the opposite party-such seemed to be
| the general belief The double blows,
countering and tibbing OF the men were
admirably done. While they were busiy
engaged Sullivan stepped on the furnace
register and broke it. He. however, re-
covered himself quickly. Loud plaudits
greeted the efforts OF the two men. Pro-
fessor Edward Crawford. OF Richmond,
volunteered, and with Gillespie afforded
the spectators evident delight by three
spirited rounds. Crawford is 4 light
weight. but showed himself exceedingly
handy with his llippers.
The master Of ceremonies announced
that the entertainment would conclude
with Il set-tO between the champion and
the Maori. They were introduced. and
made their bows TO the audience. The
three rounds that followed were OF the
most exciting description. The men were
determined to show. and with vigor, all OF
the finer points of their art. Their efforts
eicted rounds OF hearty applause.
The master OF ceremonies returned the
thanks OF the combination to the citizens
present for their attendance. and the show
closed to the general satisfaction, and IN
peace and harmony.