The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-11
The Mill Between Sullivan and Mitchell
Proves the Broadcast Kind of Farce.
TO Avoid Hard Blows, and the Boston Mans
Wind Fails Early in the Engagement.
The Battle Ends in Draw After Fight
of Thirty-Nine Wearisome Rounds.
Mitchell Apparently Has the Best of the Strug-
gle and the Reputation of Sullivan
as a Pugilistic Terror Is Ruined.
Special TO me lndianapolis yournaa.

| Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
CHANTILLY, France, March 10-Ths long
expected and much -talked-of prize-hght between
John L. Sullivan and Charles Mitchell took
place to-day on the grounds of Baron Roth
schild, near Criel, and dsgraceful fzzle it was.
The battle was delayed until to-day in conse-
ouence OF wranggle over the selection OF the
ground, which lasted all day yesterday, and at
ono time threatened to prevent It taking place al
together Finally. three newspaper reporters
went to Amisns and Criel, last night,
to decide upon suitable spot. and at 7 O'clock
this morning the fighting party followed, taking
carriages from Criel to the Sighting ground.
Mitchell carried himself in iaunty fashion, hav-
ing entirely recovered from the effects of of his
sea sickness, and was accompanied by Pony"
Moore and his seconds, Baldock and Kilran.
Ashton Holske and Barnett accompanied Sulli-
ivan, and Arthur Brisbane. of the New York Sun;
MIR. Bonsal. of the New York World; Lord
Wempt and the Hon. Michael Sandy were
among the party of forty who witnessed the
fight.
Sullivan entered the ring at 1870 P. NJ, and
Mitchell followed FIVE minutes later. Sullivan
appeared to be trained too fine. and the result
OF the battle fully confirmed the opinions
formed by his friends on this point-that 10 re-
ducng his weight he had impaired his strength
Macdonald and Ashton seconded Sullivan, and
Mr. Engel, member of the London Stock Ex-
change, was chosen referee. Barnett acted
Sullivan's umpire, and Charley Powell per-
formed the same Office in behalf of Mitchell.
Before hostlities began. Sullivan offered to
bet Mitchell $500 that he would beat him. The
offer was declined. and Phillips came forward
with an offer of f5OO to e2OO on the Boston cham
Hnfu hnSv nia
declared that be would bet e300 to 4I00, which
wager promptly taken.
The formality of shaking hands was observed
by the principals with q mutual exhibition of
disgust at being obliged to touch another
save in the way of inficting punishment, and
the fight began.
In the first round Sullivan hit his adversary a
heavy blow on the left side of the face, which
Mitchell returned lightly on the body. Sparring
ensued, which seemed to exasperate Sullivan,
because of MitcheIl's plain endeavor to prolong
the fight, and the American made one of his
famous rushes. landing a tremendous blow on
Mitchell 3 head, knocking him down.
In the second round Sullivan forced Mitchell
into his corner. and landed heavily on his chest.
Mitchell escaped, and began dancing about the
ring. Sullivan again got Mitchell in his corner,
and, swingine his right, knocked the English
man down with heavy blow on the head, amid
the shouts of the American party. Despite the
two knock-downs he received, Mitchell showed
up well in the the third round. aud began dane
ing away from his opponent with surprising
agility, much to the disgust of Sullivan. The
men finally came together, and the round closed
with some sharp exchanges.
This fourth round was more remarkable for
its display of pedestrianism than for any fight
iD0 At nd in fha half
tactics became so suspicious that the referee
cautioned him. laying especial stress upon
Charleys disposition to fall without blow.
In the TWO succeeding rou nds, Mitchell stood
up little better and succeeded in hitting Sulli-
van twice with good effect. bat thereafter he re-
sumed his lodging, dancing and dropping. much
to the annoyance of the spectators and dscd-
ecy to the DISADVANTAGES of Sullivan, who was
manifestly fatgued by his efforts to keep rhe
willy Englshman in front of him and was puff
ing very hard The rain, which had been falling
for some time was now pouring down heavily,
and the ring resembled q miniature
lake; 1t was quite evide mt that tina;
fighting, since Mitchell would not get
enough 20 Sullivan hit him, and the latter
could not get around lively enough to keep
Mitchell within reach and che spectators were
becoming wearied and Disguised MitchelPs
agility. which, had it been exercised in his arms
instead s OF his legs s have won him ras the
lasted 37k minutes and the thirty ninth and last
round "a minutes all of which time
sumed by Mitchell IN avoiding Sullivan aud by
the latter in following him about
At the end of the thirty-ninth round Jack
Ba1dock advanced to the center of the ring. and
said This farce has lasted three hours and
eleven minutes. Make it draw" To this sug-
gestion the referee agreed. and Mitchell threw
his arms around the neck of his antagonist
in token of his willingness to for
go further hostilities. The referee
induced he stated, to declare the
fight draw by the fact that no punishment had |
been inflicted during the last hour Mitchell's |
left eye was almost closed and his body and
right cheek badly bruised but his legs were ap-
paEenty as good as ever Sullivan did not show |
the least sign of having received blow, but |
Re badly winded and suffered severely |
from the keen wind and cold rain.
Near the end of the fight he |
from head to foot and set his teeth rafting.
His knees trembled violently for some time. |
and he perceptiblv weaker thereafter.
The only really heavy blow that STRUCK |
after the seventh round was dealt by Sullivan, I
in the twentieth round. when he knocked Mitch
ell down for the third time.
The spectators voted the affair farce and /
his tricky methods and childish tactics 1t was /
quite evident to every one present that, had the
fight been conducted under Queenshury rules. |
Mitchell would have stood no earthly chance |
of winning, and it was only the Lon
don rules which permitted him to |
saved him from defeat at the hands of man
who was not as fit to fight as the experience and /
skill of his trainers should have made him.
Words cannot express Sullivan'e disappointment
aud chagrin, and the result of his meeting with
Mitchell to-day will doubtless have the effect to