Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-22
THE PUGILISTIC NONPAREILS
How the Term Came to Be Applied to
Prize Fighters.


Prize Fighters.
Every one knows the meaning OF the
word ''nonpareil," but few have any idea
of how the term came to be applied to box
ers, and, as Jack Dempsey is sometimes
known by this title, a few remarks on the
original Nonpareil of the prize ring will be
between 1909 and 1921, was accounted
the most accomplished two-handed fighter
OF his time. Many chronclers assert that,
like Jack Dempsey, he came from Irish
stock; but there is very little doubt that he
I. genuine Cockney and first saw the light
OF day in the perilous parish of St. Giles,
from which so many tirst-class bruisers
came. Randall belonged to the light mid
dle-we;ght class. He was 5 foet 6 inches
tai, and weighed when trained 14O pounds.
This young athlete was the smallest and
lightest Of the three middle-weights who
have electrified the world, and they have
The first was Jack Randall, who was
one OF the most prominent toe-to-toe
fighters OF the early part OF the present
century. He was accounted a most scien.
tifc boxer in those days, but how he v ould
have Jared with the extremely clever men
OF late years must remain a matter OF con-
lecture.
The archery grounds in the Long Fields,
near where now stands Russell Square,
London, England, was the scene OF action
whereon the youthful Randall exhibited
bis prowess. According to "Boxiana,"
young "Snuff, well known in boxing circles,
was CO: :quered three times by Randall in
the above place; and at the age OF II be
fought man named Leonard on this
ground. The latter was q stone heavier
than himself. The fight last three-quarters
OF an hour, and Leonard was so terribly
punished that he was obliged to be led
off the field. Size or weight, it seems, rarely
operated as any drawback to the readiness
OF Randall, who possessed courage OF the
first order. His pluck rose superior to the
obstacles he had to encounter. Jack was
unayoidably involved in Maryleborne Lane
with q man OF the name OF Henshaw. The
latter was not only taller, but had the ad-
vantage OF forty-two pounds in weight.
Twenty five minutes OF hard fighting had
occurred when the friends OF both parties
interIered and made a draw battle of it.
Notwithstanding the great difference be-
tween the combatants, from the superior
style OF fighting displayed by Randall 1t
was Thought he must ultimately have
proved the conqueror.
One Murphy, an Irish la aborer-an athletic
young mau-attscked Randall in Balm.
bridge street. st. Giles; but the latter, un-
dismayed by his gigantic appearance, milled
Murphy severely in the course OF few
rounds. Randall's appearance, when
stripped. indicated great bodily strength,
his shoulders, though athletic, inclined to
round .:ess, and his frame was capable OF
great exe1tion and very compact.
The first recorded battle in which Randall
is noticed was with Jack the Butcher, in
Regents Park, Marylebone. 1t originated
in a dispute respecting some improper con-
duct in a fight in which these heroes had
acted in the capacity OF seconds, and. being
point OF honor, it was decided instantly.
In the course Of twenty minutes Randall
was dec ared the CO. queror.
Randall now aspired to higher honors
among the pugilistie- corps, and, ip the
same ring in which scroggins and Eales had
eontsnded at Ceombs Wood, on August ae,