The Indianapolis journal., 1885-08-31
MILD AND GENTLE FIGHT.
Sullivan and McCaffrey Go Through the
Notions According to Rule,
And Six Alleged Rounds Are Fought With
cut First Blood or KnOck-DOwn-The
Victory Awarded to Sullivan.
From Osr Second Editio Of Sunddy.l


CINCINNATI, Aug. 29.-The sparring match
between John l.. Sullivan and Dominick Nc
Caffrey, this afternoon, did not attract so great
number of people as had been expected. At4
o'clock, when it was thought the match would
begin, there were not more than five thousand
people at Chester Park. The audience were not
illlbehaved, nor did they manifest impatience at
the delay in opening the exhibition. 1t was 4:3O
o'clock when the preliminary oox-
ing began. The platform for the
match was set in tho middle OF
the track, between the two stands, and was
thirty feet square and five feet from the ground
The inner ring of twentyfour feet square was
marked by three ropes around eight posts. which
werc padded on the inside. The spectators were
admitted to rope within twenty feet OF the
platform, and, besides. filled the stands, the
feoee. and all other available points An ample
police force prevented any breaking of ropes.
FROM 43O til o'clock the time was spent in
o number of short boxing contests that served to
keep the attention of the crowd, and to even
awaken enthusiasm, when one man was knocked
senseess on the ropes. 1t kept the attention
&C closely that John l.. Sullivan
was not observed pushing his way
10 che platform, and was not recognized until he
snOunted it, when there was brief burst OF ap-
plause. He wore silk armor over hls chest, but
his arms were bare. His cream colored tights
ws1e encircled with green sash. He was accom-
KgAnied by his seconds, Arthur Chambers and
Ton Deloy. who went to his corner. Ten min
ntes later. VIM. Mudoon. master of ceremonies.
made formal call for McCaffrey, for some
friend to go after him. A cheer was the re-
sponse, and a carriage appeared with the other
RnrfQQfant wild
bursts of enthusiasm. He seemed to be in per
feet physical condition lie was attired the same
AS Sullivan, except that his f1eshcolored tights
were encircled by maroon sash.
Considerable time was spent In choosing a
referee. Conferences between Messrs. Lunt and
OBrien, McCaffrey's seconds. and those of Sulli-
wan were held. William Tate. of Toledo, o.,
was called tor, but he declined. Subsequently
hs reconsidered and accepted. and at 5:2l the
mon shook hands. and the first round began
amid almost breathIess stiffness.
HcCaffrey made the first lead, but Sullivan
stopped him easily, and in the cautious work
which followed both succeeded in getting in
slight blows. McCaffrey ducked to avoid a
heavy blow. and, as he arose, struck wildly at
Sullivan, and was pressed to the ropes. where he
fell to his knee. Rising. they clinched, Sullivan
managing to give McCaffrey a light blow as they
did This was repeated, and the round closed.
Second Round-There was but a minutes
breathing spell. Sullivan opened the fighting
this time by blow which McCafrey artfully
evadej MeCaffrey then made fierce drive at
Sullivan. which he lodged gracefully, hut Nc
Caffrey gave him reSounding tap on the back
of the neck as he recovered, which started a
chorus of cheers. Another of the same kind set
McCaffrey's admirers wild. A clinch followed
Sullivan getting another blow McCaffrey
He then pushed McCaffrey to the ropes, where
danger seemed imminent, but McCaffrey slipped
away, and the men went to their corners.
Third Round-This was the worst for McCaf
frey. He struck out for Sullivan. but to no pur
AZ czIt~
BIcCaffrey sipped down. Sullivan then began
TO push AIcCaffrey, and the latter took up the
tactics of running away, but finally made
stroke which Sullivan easily eiuded. Quick as
thought Sullivan closed on McCaffrey and pressed
him down Growing apparently vicious. he
drove McCaffrey towards his own corner and
pushed him down across tho ropes. Here some
one called time" and many thought the round
had closed. but the referee told the men to go
on and they did, Sullivan driving McCaffrey
over TO his corner, where the latter fell
either by Sullivans blow. tripping against
chair. and slipped almost off the platform. Nc
Csffrey was more cautious, and closed with
Sullivan, each delivering short-range blows of
no force. After McCaffrey was pressed down
SecOnd time the time EXPIRED
Fourth Round-Suivan opened this round
with blow on McCaffreys jaw. 1t looked as if
McCaffrey's powers were waning, while Sullivan
was apparently fresh. McCaffrey made no ven
tures, but continually cung to Sullivan. Suli-
van managed to reach the side of McCaffreys
nose and to bring show of blood. The round
ended with another fall by McCafrey. though
abe blow was not claimed as knock down.
Fifth Round-Both men seemed willing to be
careful They PLAYED with each other for a while,
when McC Caffrey got light blow in on Sullivan.
Then Sullivan attacked. but McCaffrey ran
away, and the latter returned to the attack,
which Sullivan escaped by his favorite method
Of ducking. After more play with work, the
time expired.
Sixth Round-Suliivan now seemed desperate,
though it apparent that he was growing
weary while McCafrey was fresher. Sullivan
closed and they gave a number of in blows. and
separated. Sullivan kept pushing his adversary
around, and when near the ropes. they clinched
and both fell. Rising. Sullivan closed again.
but this time McCaffrey got away without fall,
and delivered light blow on Sullivan who sent
al terrific blow back. but McCafrey ducked and
escaped, and the time of the sixth round
piTUd.
Instantly there was shout all over the vast
crowd which by this time seemed to have
Ewesied TO Goo in honor of McCaftrey, whom
Hhey all supposed had won the match. He had
stood up before Sullivan six rounds, and seemed
zbse and willing to go on 10 a finish. He
WAS overwhelmed with congratulations, while
Sullivan was left to be cared for by his
Riage attendants only AS the crowd understood
the terms it was draw, and thus virtual
victory for the young Pittsburg boxer But
after some time. when three-fourths of the peo-
pie had started for the trains. and while the
Tnainder were in loud discussion of the merits of
the match Mr. MuldOon made an announcement
WHICH only few heard. that the referee had de-
siied to clye the match to Sullivan, on the
ground that he had made the greater number Of
points. This announcement was wholly inaudi-
ole at the press seats and various versions of it
were circulated, among others that it was given
because of foul Sullivan left the platform
with no demOnstra tons in his honor but McCaf
frey's friends were jubiIsnt. Notwithstanding the
referees adverse decision. and they lifted him to
sheSr shoulders and bore him. amid the cheers of
spectators, to his carriage. The decision was
decidedly unpopular, probably owing to the
doubtful understanding of the terms 1t was
generally supposed that Sullivan was to knock
BCCaffrey out In six rounds or less in order to
win. and McCaffrey himself stated after the
match over, that he thought So He even
wanted go on to finish. but that was impos
sib,e. as Sullivan had left the platform Being
axAn1 if ihara MAS any ground for claim of fo.l