Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-31
CINcINNArI, Aug. %

CIScISNArI, Aug. %.
The sparring match between John L. Sui.
livan and Dominick McCafirey this afternoon
did not attract so great . number of people
ss had been expected. At 4 o'clock when il
was thought the match would begin, there
we're not more than 5000 people at Chester
Park. The men were not i'll behaved nor did
they manifest impotence at the delay in
opening the exhibition. 1t was 43O when
the preliminary boxing begun. The platform
for the match Was set in the middle of the
square and Eve feet from the ground. The
inner ring Ct six feet square was marked BY
three ropes around eight posts, which were
padded on the inside. The spectators we're
admitted to . rope within 20 feet Of the plat
form, and besides 6lled the stands, the
benches and all other available points. An
of ropes From 4.3O until 5, the time was
spent in Q number of short boxing contests
that served to keep the attention of the crowd
and even to awaken enthusiasm when one
man was Knocked senseless on the ropes. 1t
kept the attention so closely that John L.
Sullivan vas not observed pushing his way
through to the platform, and was not recog-
nized until he mounted it, when there was
brief burst of applause. He wore silk
armor over his chest, but his arms were bare.
His cream colored tights we're encircled with
a green sash. He was accompanied by his
seconds, Arthur Chambers and Tom Delay,
and went to his corner. Ten minutes later
William Muldoon, master of ceremonies,
made formal call for McCaffrey, or for
some friend to go after him. cheer was
the response and carriage appeared with
McCaffrey. who was received with wild bursts
of enthusiasm. He seemed to be in perfect
physical condition. He WAS attired the same
as Sullivan, except that his flesh colored
tights were encircled by maroon SASH Con-
siderable time WAS spent in choosing ref
cree. Conferences between Messrs. Lunt
and OBren, McCatfreys seconds. and those
of Sullivan's were held. Mr.. Tate OF Toledo
was called for but he declined. Subsequently
he reconsidered and accepted.
At s. q the men shook hands and the first
round begun amid almost breathless silence.
McCaffrey 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 kness. Rising, they
clinched, Sullivan managing to give Nc
Caffrey a light blow as they did so. This was
| repeated and the round closed.
Second round-There was but a minutes
breathing spell. Sullivan opened the fight
by blow which McCafirey artfully
evaded. McCaffrey made a fierce drive al
Sullivan which the latter gracefully lodged,
but McCaffery gave him resounding tap
on the back Of his neck as he recovered,
which started a chorus of cheers. Another
of the same sort set McCaffrey's admirers
iu another blow on McCafIrey. 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 Nc
Caffrey. He struck out for Sullivan, but to
no purpose, and in the quick work that fol-
lowed McCaffrey slipped down. Sullivan
then began to push McCaffrey, and the latter
took up the tactics of running away, but
finally made stroke which Sullivan easily
evaded Quick as thought Sullivan closed
on McCaffrey and pressed him down. Grow
ing apparently vicious he drove McCaffrev
toward his own corner ard pushed him down
across the 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 Sulli-
vans blow or tripping against chair, and
slipped almost of the platform. After Nc
Caffrey vas pressed down second time the
time expired.
Fourth round-Sullivan opened this round
with blow on McCafrey's jaw. 1t looked
as if McCaffrey's powers were waning while
Sullivan was apparently fresh, McCaffrey
made no ventures, but continually clung to
Sullivan. Sullivan managed to reach the side
of McCaffrey's nose and to bring a show of
blood The round ended by another fall by
McCaffrey, though not claimed as knock
down.
Fifth round-Both men seemed willing to
be careful. They PLAYED with each other for
awhile, when McCaffrev got a light blow in
on Sullivan. Then Sullivan attacked, but
McCafYrey ran away, and then the latter re-
turned the attack, which Sullivan escaped by
his favorite method of duckiDg. After more
play, but no work, the time expired.
Sixth round-Sullivan now seemed des-
perate, though it was apparent that he was
growing weary, while McCaffrey was fresher.
Sullivan closed, and they gave a number of
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 awav without fall and delivered q light
blow on Sullivan, Who sent q terrible blow
back, but McCaffrey checked and escaped,
and the time Of the sixth round expired.
Instantly there was . shout all over the
vast crowd, which by this time seemed to
have swelled to 1000 in honor of McCaffrey
who they all supposed had won the match.
He had stood up against Sullivan through
six rounds and seemed able and willing to 90
on to finish. He was overwhelmed with
congratulations, while Sullivan was left to
be cared for by his stage attendants only
As the crowd understood the terms, it was a
draw thue virtual victory for the young
Pittsburg boxer. But after some time, when
three-fourths of the people had started for
the train, and while the remainder we're in
loud discussion of the merits of the match.
Mr.. Muldoon made an announcement which
only a few heard, that referee had decided to
give the match to Sullivan on the ground that
he had made the greater number of points.
His announcement was wholly inaudible a,
at the press seats, and various versions of j,
were circulated, among others that il was
given because of a foul.
Sullivan left the platform with no demon.
strations in his honor, but McCaffrey's
friends were jubilant notwithstanding the
referees adverse decision, and they lifted
him to their shoulders and bore him amid the
ftsz. l.