Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-25
BLOODY BATTLE IN THE RING.
A Terrific Fistic Encounter With
Skin Gloves in Minnesota.
BOTH MEN IN DEAD EARNEST.
Danny Necdham, of ST. Paul, Knocks
Out Jimmy Griffin, of Grand
Rapids, I'm Eleven Hard
Fought Rounds.
a stubborn Contest.


NORWOOD Mimi, Jan. 4-TSpccial Tcle.
gram to the BEE. -"lt was a fight for blood,
is the universal expression of those who wit
messed the Nccdham- Griffin contest to. o.day.
1t was vicious, hard-hitting contest from
beginning to end, the gloves used being really
worse than bare knuckles for punishment.
Both men were very badly punished. Need
hams right eye was blackcned and his left
temple badly swollen. There was deep
cash in his right cheek and his nose was out
of all proportions while his upper lip had as
sumed horizontal position. His whole face
was Il mass of bruises. sadly punished as
Needham was, his vanquished opponent was
sight to behold. Both eyes were blackcncd
and nearly closed, while his nose was as large
as his fist. His face was one heterogeneous
bruise, while his upper lip was split up the
center for half an inch and laccratcd badly
and swollen. Both the mems hands were
fearfully swollen. With the exception of
two or three rounds, the fight was u success
sion of wicked, ugly blows, which generally
had most telling effect. This was Need
hams eleventh fight and for the first time in
his life he was knocked off his feet, but his
opponent failed to follow up this advantage
and Nccdham came out victorious.
THE FIGHT.
A small but orderly crowd were
present to-day ut the fight to
a finish between Danny Needham,
of st. Paul. and Jimmy Griffin, of Grand
Rapids, Mich The fight was for a purse of
$500. Both men were in excellent condition
and appeared to be about evenly matched,
although Griffin had the advantage of four
pounds in weight. Both showed the effects
of skllful training, and it was evident each
was determined to best his man.
Time was called promptly at . p. IN. In tho
first round it was give and take from the
start. A terrible right handler from Griffin
fioorcd Needham and caused the formers
friends to go wild. Ncedham came to the
scratch in time, however, and the fighting
was most desperate to the end of the round,
but slightly in favor of Griffin.
Second Round--Both men began cautiously,
evidently awaiting an opportunity to knock
out his antagonist in one blow. Griffin then
fentcd, both men then did some hard fight
ing for minute. Sparring was in order
then until time was called
Third ROund-Both men showed signs Of
the terrific work they had done and bets were
few at evcns Both were cautious and laid
for openings. Ncedham jabbed Griffin in
the stomach, but the blow did not have much
effect.
Fourth Round-Both spared for some
time, finally Ncedham led but got u hot one
from Griffin in return. After this there was
nothing done during this round excepting
sparrng.
Fifth Round-At this Griffin showed some
marks on his body. while his face was con-
siderably flustcred. Nccdham led at Grif-
fins stomach. In return Griffin made u
lunge but missed. Then they went at it
hammer and tongs and coutnned this until
time was called
Round Six-When Griffin came up it was
discovered tlAit his lip was cut and was bleed
ing. Nothing dauntcd, however, he sailed
in, but received IL terrific smash in the mouth
which sent hm spinning to the earth. He
was somewhat more cautious after this and
time was called without there having been
any more fighting
Round 1T looked to be anybody's fight in
this round Both men gave and took severe
punishment. Necdham led and reached
Gri1ins damaged lip again; then clnch fol-
lowed by each man giving the other q
smashcr Then tney clnched again, after
which they SPARED for moment, Needham
then gave Griffin another terrible smash on
the mouth and Griffin got back on Need
hams neck in good shape.
Round S-When time was called on this
round it was plain that both We're leary.
Nccdham rushed his man and landed another
hard blow on his favoritc spot, Giii1in's
mouth. 1t proved too hard for Griffin and he
went to the floor like Il log When he got on
his feet again he returned the blow by nice
one on Needhafn'S s head Grlllin was begin
ming to get groggy but showed no signs of
weakening in his determination to "dO" his
man. His lip was twice cut and was swollen
to its natural size.
Ninth Round-Griffin was very groggy
but cool. Both SPARED for an opening; then
Griffin made II swing with his left and
missed. then followed u clinch, smash, and
the round was over.
Round l0.-Thc round opened with both
men IL little cautious, but Griffin somewhat
more so. Needham got in good one, but it
was returned with interest. There was
nothing then but sparring until the end Of
the round
Round 1l.-Griffin came up very groggy
but dead game 1t was evident that it was
only II question of time when he would be
knocked out Both men SPARED, then Need
ham got in stinger ON Grif.
fins right eye without any return;
then followed duck after duck.
A moment later Griffin got terrible smash
on the mouth which settled him. Time of
fights minutes. AT the conclusion of the
fight, which was one Of the best ever wit
messed in the northwest Needham took up
a collection for Griffin which amounted TO
S!5.