Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-27

JOHN L SULLIVAN.
UNDER THE LONDON PRIZE RING RULES.
This fight will differ materially from the
majority of those which have taken place in
! America in the last eight years, es it will be
conducted under what are known as ''the
! latest rules Of the London prize ring" These
require that a roped inclosure technically
! known as 1.-THE ring" shall be pitched on
| turf, that the men shall fight with bare fists,
/ that they shall be naked from the waist up,
! that no blow shall be struck below 'the belt''
| encirclng the waist, and that tripping and
wrestling is permitted, but neither antagonist
shall take hold Of the other below the line of
/ the belt
Each round lasts until one of the contest
ants is knocked down or is thrown to the
ground, OF both fall together in a cfinch
In that event they are given a rest OK thirty
seconds, and at the end of them time is
called and the man failing to respond to it at
the expiration of eight seconds is adjudged
the loser by the referee This official is Joint
II chosen by the men or their representatives,
and has full control Of the pugnistS, under
the rules from the time they begin TO fight
until a decision is reached, and from his due
tun there is no appeal
OFFICIALS OF THE PING.
Besides the referee, who is the judge of the
battle, there are timekeepers who stand to-
gether and Keep the time OF the battle. It is
very important that these men act honestly
and fairly, for often in critical times a few
seconds added TO mans resting time does
wonders in restoring him when out of breath
or shocked by a blow. Consequently each
man appoints tirnekeeper, and each of these
watchers is check on the other Each man
also has an umpire whose duty is to hook out
for bis principal and see that his opponent
does not foul him in any manner, in which
event he Immediately appeals TO the referee
and calls his attention to the matter.
Each man has two seconds and often other
attendants. The seconds groom him for the
fight, pick him up and carry him TO his COR
ner il he is knocked or thrown down, and
carefully attend to his injuries if he has re-
ceived any. In the resting spells between the
rounds they refresh him by sponge baths and
by tanning him, and in short, by every
means IL their power endeavor to keep him
as strong as possible. They also watch the
fight closely, and advise him from time to
time how best to avoid injury at the hands of
bis antagonist, and to inficb the most upon
him.
SQUARE ''RING"
The ring" in which the men contend is
made by driving eight stakes OF posts into
the ground in such manner that when en-
twined with inch ropes they form square
inclosure tgvenfy-four feet each way The
top rope is about feet inches and the bot
tom one aboutI2 feet from the ground The
men toss a coin for choice of corners, and the
winner generally takes the one which will
cause thesun to shine in bis opponents eyes
while be is lighting, as he is in duty bound to
take the one dsgonally opposite him. a
short straight iile is drawn IN the oeaser of
the ring, which Is called the Scratch and
az the end Of "time,n after each round, the
men are required to toe this hne, or rather to
advance as near it as circumstances will per
mat.
This method of fighting differs materially
from the one now commonly used IN English
and American contests, which are mostly
fought under o modification Of the rules Of
the Marquis of Queensberry. an English no
bleman Of sporting proclivities. His rules
forbid wrestling or hugging and prescribe
that the men shall wear boxing gloves on
their hands. Each round lasts three min
utes and no longer, and there is full minute
rest between each round. Ii a man falls or
Is knocked down, he is given ten seconds in
which TO regain his feet and guard, and il he
does not respond to the call of time then he
is the loser. In this country most fights IN
der Queensberry rules are for stated NAM
Der Of rounds. Contests under the London
rules are always 70 finish, though some
times through mutual agreement tde men
agree TO make the contest dra~n battle
THE STRONG BOY OF THE HIGHLANDS"
John L. Sullivan is probably the most fe-
nous pugilist that ever lived He was born
OF Irish parents on the Highlands of Boston
about thirty years ago His father is small
man, not above five feet five inches tai, aud
never weighed above 15e pounds IN his life.
His mother is a very large, powerful woznsn-
and il is by the maternal side that he inner
its his great physical powers He is not a
tai man, being less than FIVE feet ten inches
high, but he possesses most powerful frame,
and bis ordinary weight when not trained is
about 20 pounds His face is rather spare
Of flesh, but his jaws are wonder
fully square and resoiuse. His arms are
not unusually large Tor an athlete. !
but the muscles of his shoulders and back ere I!
phenomenal ii their greatness They enable |
him to propel lis fists With tremendous power |
and sar~>a SnINvan har-a- his fsstic rs-zsr I
n his native Boston, aud was AZ rrsr known |.
Is The Strong Boy Of the Highlands" He |
irst attained national reputation by nearly |
shocking jos Cos insensibls by blow in
boxing bout IN theatre. Cos had twice |
fought for the championship Of England with !
JeIn Maoa. the clsverest boxer that England 1
sver produced. ani afterwards svica fought /
,or the championship az America He was
defeated for this title by Paddy Ryan, and /
hen march was made between Ryan and !
Sullivan for the title and e., 30 8 side. This /
light took place at Mississippi City On the esh /
II February, 1882, and Wac won by Sullivan /
u nine rounds, lasting eleven minutes
SCLLTrASS TRAVELS
After that Sullivan uHeeaoi thrcAsh tie /