St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-11
A GLOVE FIGHT.
Thompson, of Cleveland, and Smith,
OF Saginaw, the Participants.
Smith, the Negro Has Grit, but Was no Match
For the White Bruiser.

CLEVELAND, o., March 10.-The contest
tonight between Mervine Thompson, of
Cleveland, and c. A. C. Smith, the colored
pugilist from Saginaw, Mich, was more like
rough and tumble fight than sparring
match, Queensbury rules. Smith manifested
disposition to strike first with one
hand, then the other, then run in
with head down and clinch. The referee
frequently had trouble to make the men
hreak away, and much time was thus con-
sumed and a greater number of rounds
necessitated than would otherwise have been
the case. Thompson's weight was 210 and
Smith 204. E.. II. Gilman, Detroit, was ref
cree, Jack Stewart, champion of Canada,
seconded Thompson, and Charles Hadley
seconded Smith. $500 people gathered in
the armory. 90 per cent. of the door money
to the winner and 40 per cent. to the loser,
with no other stakes. Thompson was ev-
identity disconnected by Smiths tactics in
clinching, but succeeded in knocking him
ont in twenty minutes. Time was called at
9:20.
First round-Smith led off with his right
at the face and his left at the neck, then
ducked his head and clinched. This per-
formance was often repeated during the
match, and on account of Smiths constant
ly holding his head down. Thompson had
to devote himself principally to body blows
which he frequently put in with sledge ham
mer effect. Smith went down soon, aud
shortly afterward Thompson forced him over
the ropes. Smith lost glove and three min
utes expired before it was put on again. He
lost glove every round, another means of
consuming time.
Second round-Smith rushed in headlong,
as usual, and clinched, then separated pres
emily and both men went down. Thompson
ON top, and at it again, and shortly Thomp-
son forced Smith on the ropes, falling after
him Smith struck head first, and was ap-
parently hurt. Back to work, and after an
exchange Of sharp body and neck blows
Thompson knocked Smith against the ropes
and fell forward with the force of his own
blow. Smiths glove came off and time was
up before it was replaced
Third round-After the usual clinch.
breaks and body blows, Thompson hit Smith
on the neck and sent him over the ropes.
Back to work, and Smith went down.
Fourth round-Smith was knocked down
twice, and dragged to his corner, with his
glove off.
Fifth round-Smith seemed distressed, but
was game. Thompson was comparatively
Iresh and determined; Smith was forced over
the ropes, and returning was knocked against
the ropes, and then knocked down twice.
Sixth round-Thompson got in several
hard hits on the body and neck, knocking
Smith against the ropes and down twice, and
finally cleanly through the ropes to the floor.
Seventh round-Smith was knocked over
the ropes, and then through the ropes.
Eighth round-Smith went down, then
knocked heavily through the ropes, and lay
exhausted and unable to climb back. He
was helped up, but failed to respond in time,
and the match was given to Thompson, who
was somewhat winded, but showed no sign
of punishment Thomson, and Duncan c.
Ross leave on Thursday for Chicago, ready
to meet anybody there, public or private.
Ross renews his challenge to back Thompson
against the world 1t was rumored that
Madden would be here to match Mitchell
against the winner, but he did not appear.