The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-15
AN EXCLUSIVE PRIZE-FIGHT.
Stubborn and Plucky Encounter Be-
tween Jack Dempsey and lie Blanche.
A Game Struggle in Whichthe Boston Man Is
Literally Knocked 0ut-Forty Spectators
Present, Who Paid So Per Head.
DEMPSEY AND LIE BLANCHE.
One Of the Pluckiest Fights Ever Witnessed
in the Prze-Ring.

One Of the Pluckiest Fights Ever Witnessed
in the Prize-Ring.
New YORK March 14-What those who wit
messed the encounter designate as the greatest
middle weight fight on record was fought. at
o'clock this morning at Rye, just on the border
line between New York and Connecticut. The
contestants were George LIE Blanche of Boston,
Mass, and Jack Dempsey. of New York. The
stakes were 81. 600 side and about So, 900 of
purse made up by certain gentlemen of this city.
Jack Dempsey was the winner, thirteen desper-
ate rounds being bitterly contested, and it is de-
iclared that better and more manfully fought
fight was never witnessed. There were about
forty persons present. including twenty-eight
members of the New York Racquet Club. The
chief difficulty experienced by the managers of
this fight was to hoodwink those who were
watching for 1t. and the s'toughs' who were bent
on being present to mar the fairness Of the oper
atoms. In this they succeeded. In the first place,
the men were pat on board large propeller,
which proceeded far up the North river, and
then took the remainder of the guests on
board and steamed for the battle ground. about
twenty-five miles away, which was reached in
good season. The two principals slept for a few
hours. and the gentlemen amused themselves as
best they could on board the steamer The ring
was pitched promptly. and those present stood
around it. The two gladiators stripped and were
rubbed down before the spectators, and ''rhe
Marine as LIE Blanche is called, put on pair of
blue tights and dark fitting shoes. His stockings
were rolled down, leaving his calves bare. Jack
Dempsey wore his dark hose and white CATERS.
A better looking man than "The Marine" 1t
would have been hard to find. He was not quite
as tall as Jack Dempsy, but he weighed few
pounds more He turned the beam at 1882
pounds. Dempsey looked a triae less, but was
equally as clean. Dernpsey's weight was 1444.
John O,Neill was chosen referee, and two we'll
dressed swells were the time. keepers. One Of
the bestknown members of an Eastern athletic
club made the following brief speech to the
men:
you will fight according to the Marquis of
Queensbury rules, with light gloves; you will
break at the call of the referee; make no noise,
knocks the other down, and wait until the
referee decides whether the fallen man is done
up or not. Now then, shake hands."
Then the principals and their seconds formed,
or, more properly speaking attempted to form,
tho Maltese cross They failed to do so. because
Tom Bogue, one of the seconds for 1.-THE Ma
Arine," did not reach the outstretched hand of
eTom Cleary, Dempsey's first second. Tuthill
was No. for Dempsey, and Patsey Sheppard
No. 2 for lie Blanche The men went back to
their corners, and after DOMINIC their light
gloves were summoned to the fray by the referee
with these words. "Are you ready7 Timer
Round 1.-The men faced each other coolly and
determinedly, Dempsey standing remarkably
HIGH above his adversary, who was compact,
lie Blanche tried little one with his right, land
ing on Dempsey's breast. This was not very
effective but it was swiftly followed by another
with his right, on the ribs and still another with
his left, full on Dempseys breast. which sent
him back against the ropes Then Dempsey
shifted round and tried to change THE Ma
rine's' tactics with feints with his left, which,
however, did not check the advance of LIE
Blanche until Dempsey succeeded in putting in
a singer on his antagonists neck. This stopped
him for an instant then seemed to anger him.
and gathering himself together, he went for
Dempsey with both hands straight, and vigor-
Ously landing his right on the New Workers.
ribs, made serious abrasion of the skin. Time
was called, and the men went to their corners
amid quietude that was simply phenomenal
Round 2-Le Blanche was up briskly, and
started in to force the fighting He looked and
felt confident. Dempsey smiled as of old, and
bent upon effective work. and rushed his man
against the ropes, administering several body
blows, which were always countered by Demp
sey with his left This round ended in nobody's
favor. Indeed, it was said that 'it was any
body's fight" with slight upward tendency in
'the Marines" stock.
Round 3-"The Marine" was again lively at
the scratch. He commenced fighting at once.
His object, evidently. to drive Dempsey
into a corner, and punish him at short-arm dis
He was Iv ful
became very shifty, and began to play for LIE
Blanche's eyes. in the hope of binding him. In
the course of this round Dempsey proved him
self marvellous boxer, great tactician and a
thoroughly game fellow. 1.-THE Marine" dropped
his head in an attempt to deliver his right on
Dempseys j1gular, but was short, and caught
severe upper cut IN the face. which drew blood
from his nose, and first blood was claimed and
allowed for Dempsey.
Round 4-sThe Marine" was very strong and
very aggressive, but could get home his right
on Dempsey's neck He forced the fighting, and
tried hard to do his man up He hit Dempsey
several times on the body. and finally they
.clinched at the ropes and broke at the referees
order. Thereafter Dempsey got in faw straight
1eft-handers LIE Blanche's face, and raised a
very large sized mouse on his right eye.
Round 5-Dempsey and LeBlanche came to-
gether like two prairie buffalos. 1t was give and
take. and at the close it was seen that 1.-The Ma
rine" had very bad cut on the left cheek bone
from which the blood streamed down over his
breast Time was called. and both men went to
their corners.
Rounds 6, and were characterized by such
close in fighting that it was almost impossible to
cell just how it would all end. lie Blanche's face
was swollen and bleeding copiously. He spat
out tooth or two, which showed Jack Demp-
1ey's remarkable skill with his left hand The
1atters body was badly bruised
Round 9-This was another rally, with terri
BILE give-and-take fighting.
Round 10-ln this. after hard hitting "the
Marine" and Dempsey clinched. The referee
shouted "break." LIE Blanche dropped his hands
in obedience. and received d stunning knock
down blow from Dempsey. Foul was claimed,
but not allowed.
Round lin this round Dempsey came ND a
tribe fresher than s'ths Marine" and began to
force the fighting. He was met half way by
lie Blanche, but the New Workers. terrible left
kept visiting the Bostonian's face like piston
rod aninr nsrf,1l axacutinn Blood flowed freely