The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-19
nine ROUNDS FOUGHT.
A HOT GLOVE FIGHT BEHIND
LOCKED DOORS.
Stolen Sport Of n Select Party Of
Amateurs-McGraW Loses
by Foul.


at will be a fight to a finish with
hard gloves" were the significant
words accidentally overheard by an
APPEAL reporter yesterday morning,
and sf.er diligent inquiry he ascer-
tanned that a real genuine business
from-the-w ord-go pTizs.fght was to
take place within the corporate limits
in a spot where the police would
never dream of looking. In order to
keep the affair as quiet as possible
and avoid interruption by the author
tiles, only limited number of tickets
were sold at S. apiece, and so skill
fully was everything msraged thai
the secret never leaked out till the
fi2ht was over. The place selected
was
IN THE HEART OF THE CITY,
within stones throw of a prominent
hotel, in large loft three stories from
the street. The hour named for the
trouble to begin was o'clock pm,
and by that time fully fifty men of all
walks of life, from the respectable
cotton buyer to the festive baIkeepCr,
had assembled to see the sport. The
room was about 100 feet long and 40
feet wide, and on one side Of it l6-
foot ring had been staked off. The
floor was bare and slightly sprinkled
with rosin to prevent slipping. Much
time was lost in arranging prelimina-
ries, selecting a stakeholder and ref
cree and preparing the men for tat.
tie. Some time was also lost in get.
ting up the purse of 300, which
had to be taken out of the gate
money after deducting expenses. 1t
wag found that the purse fell short
$50, and the hat was passe d around
among the spectators to raise the de-
felt. One prominent cotton broker
Clipped in SO, others in the crowd
gave sums ranging from 81 to s and
soon the necessary 500 was in the
shareholders bands,
THE FIGHTERS.
A few minutes before 5 O'Clock the
men made their appearance, accom-.
panied by their seconds. The tlllest
of the two was William McGraw of st
Louis, who stands 5 feet s inches in
his stockings, and weighs 1872 pounds.
He wore red knee breeches, red stock
ings aud canvas shoes. He was appar-
emily net in good condition and
pale and haggard. He carried no
upelfluous flesh, and his sinewy and
muscular appearance made him a
prime favorite with the crowd. The
other man, Johu Doyle, who says he
comes from California, is short, stout,
d,faced and puffy, five feet four
inches in hight, and weighs l4l
pounds. He looked overmatched by
his antagonist, and bets on McGraw
vent begging without takers.
The Fight.
The terms OF the fight were Eight
to finish, Marquis of Queensbury
rules, four ounce gloves" For the ben
eft OF transporting readers it is proper
to state that the sristocratic Jules
above referred TO provide that each
Iouud is to last three minutes, with
rest between s;ich round Of one min
ute, and that the men are net per-
mitted to deliver blows when clinched
or after the referee calls "break."
At sos o'clock McGraw ent ered the
ring, which was sepsI ated from the
audience by ropes firmly secured to
the iron stakes and pillars. At 5:05A
Doyle entered the Enclosure, followed
by his seconds, who were provided
with bucket of water, a horse sponge,
a bottle OF whisky and viel of arnies.
seconds were similarly pro.
vided. Time was promptly called, the
referee stepped into the ring, the
seconds took to their corners, the time
keepers opened their watches, the
spects tors drew nearer, the men adj
vanced 20 the center, shook bands,
adjusted their gloves and BEGAN
sparring.
ROUND l.
tn men. naked to the waists,
spared warily and with degree CT
caution that grew wGarisome. 1t was
fully two minutes before an attempt
was made to deliver a blow, but
toward the end of the round McGraw
got in a few blows on Doyle's head,
aud once they clinched, but prompt
" separated at the ward "breaR" from
The referee, and soon sfyer slime" was
called by the time-keepers, and the
men retired to their respective cor
1ers with joyful alscrity that spoke
volumes.
There they were rubbed down by
heir seconds and spoDged with
whisky. Doyle, doubtless, felt the
need nf something strengthening in
tide, flr he applied little whisky in
,ernally while his seconds were rub
ping il in from the outside. After
he expiration of a minute "time"
was called, and again the men ad-
1anced to meet each other.
ROUND 2.
The tactics of cautious sparring
adopted in the first round were con-
inued in the second. The men
Ieemed to be gauging each others
kill, although it had already become
evident to the knowing ones in the
audience that McGraw was greatly
hyperion to Doyle in science, strength,
Igility and endurance, and sure
winner, barring accidents. There was
10 particular feature to mark this
ound.
RoUND 8.
McGraw got in some clever work
md knocked Doyle down. The men
,ot warmed up and fought viciously,
ilinching half dozen times and let.
ing go reluctantly even art or repeated
alls of "break" by the referee. At
he conclusion Of the round the men
etired to their corners, painting and
'uffog with the hot work done.
McGraw got another stinger full in
)oyle's face, and after elinching lifted
i'm off the floor and threw him down.
clear foul, claimed by Doyle, but
if allowed by the referee to the de-
Ight of the spectators, who were
eeoming interested and wanted them
D go on. Gall right" sajd Doyle's sec
nd, who by the way is considered the