New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-03
sPARRING WITH GLOVES.
THE MITCHELL-SHERIFF FIGHT DRAW
A MIXED CROWD POORLY ENTERTAINED ON LONG
IsLAND-sEvEN TAME ROUNDS.

ISLAND-SEVEN TAME ROUNDS
Amotlcy throng gathered yesterday at "sport-
ing pavilion" on the southern snofe OF CO.. S9 n06
between Charles Mitchell and william Sheflns
otherwise known as "The Prusslan." Instead OF
the much~taked-Of fight being held ID private
800 spectators were allowed chance 10 purchase
tickets at $40 each to witness II. Merchants
Dafherinc T" Jemn Mace, Jos Coburn, "Bllly"
Edwards "Jack" Davis. Billy " Harding and
the smaller fry of the pugllistc fraternity mingled
kId-gloyed persons who haunt Flfth-ave.
In the centre of broad grass plat that reaches
from the pavilion TO the waters edge the ropes
were stretched around a sIXteen-t0Ot ring. row
of weeping willow trees enclrcled the grass plat,
winch 10 shut ont from view on the land sde py q
number of long, low buildings At halt-pasto O'clock
the two pugsts entered the ring Mich
ell was accompanied by his trainer VII WI
lam Madden, and Joe CObuTn. while
Arthur Chambers was assisted by Billy" Edwards
in The task of seconding Sheriff lively fight was
expected and the crowd ranged themselves tier on
tier about the ring, standing on boxes: beer kegs,
chars and barrels. From the elevation OF the
pavilion balcony the reporters viewed the combat
in the arena beneath When the men stripped to tho
waist. MitcheP5 we'll trained, snewy inquire was
The flesby back and sides of " The Prussan." Both
men are five feet seven inches IN height, but
Sheriff weighs 40 pounds and his adversary only
100 The crowd, eager for the tight, discussed
these points and shivered IN the gaze that Drew
strong and chilly across the bay from the north
" Get IeaQV.' CIl0u mn lCiSlOOb
and thefighters and their four seconds advanced TO
the middle of the ring and shook handsi inc
seconds backed outside of the ropes ana ID the
midst of the silence that followed tine light began.
A smile PLAYED over MitchelPs bOylsh face as he
trod the turf around his antagonist felnrng FOR an
openinr Sheriff wheeled slowly around in the ring
facing his man. MItchelPs right flew out suddenly
and struck Sheriff on the side OF the neck but he
received counter the side of his head IN return
The crowd cheered; two more blows were eX-
changed and, after feintiug around each other the
three minutes elapsed and the men were ordered 10
their co ners. .,,.
the first except that Mitchell made lunge at his
antagonists stomach, slipped and fell upon his
knees on the grass. TIE lighters were evidently
NOT fighting. and the crowd began to boot and call
for more fighting and less tentlng Inc dozen
blows which had been exchanged up to this time
clearly proved that Mitchell had the best use OF his
hands. lie led the fighting, his thckset adyer'
sarg standing almost entirely on the defensive -
The cries of the crowd seemed TO netCle Mltcneu
and IN the fourth round he forced the lighting IN
way that brought bright Hush to the Sodden ieat-
ures of the The PrusSian" But the latter put IN
some Good blows still fighting on the defensive and
dong best when he got INTO close quarters and some
Singing was demanded. Mitchell warmed up 10
his work aud danced around his man like cat.
In the fifth and SixthTOunds there was some heavy
sluggiug with the advantage all on MJChelIs side.
When the sixth round was ended, however there
bad been no heavy lighting, neither man haq been
knocked down, and the spectacle beyond beng an
exhibition of pretty sparrng was tame. The referee
decided the contest draw, but the dissatisfied
spectators yelled 10 have the fight so on.
Darkness had by this time settled upon every
thing and the forms of the contending ,pugihss
during the sixth round had been but dimly visible
to the reporters on the balcony. But a seventh
round was decided upon and fought. Mitchell, as
before, led the fighting from, the start.
In this round the only approach to serious
fighting was made. The flesh about tine
mems breasts and necks began to look red
and swollen. Mitchell twice struck "thc PrusS'an
heavily on tho nose and chin so that he staggered
and seemed about to fall. The round expired with
out a kuock-down however, and " Harry" Hill
again pronounced the fight draw, while the
spectators grOaned, yelled and cursed.
While Mitchell had proved himself superior TO
Sheriff in sDarriug the friends OF the latter ex-
pressed confidence in his staying powers and as
serted that be would have whipped his little cOun-
fryman. The friends of Mitchell, however, hoOied
at the idea and the mob Of brokers, merchants and
sporting" men returned TO tins city undecided as
TO the merits of Ike two pug1llsts