, 1889-12-26
A MERE FIASC0.
The Snith-Slavin Fight
at Bruges.
R0WDIES BREAK 1T UP
Smiths Friends Use Every
Foul Measure.
THE REFEREE DECLARES A DRAW
Slavin Fairly Whipped His Man.
but the Referee Wouldn't
Allow 1t.

BRUSSELS, Dec. 23.-The fight between
Jem Smith of England and Frank
Slavin, the Australian champion, was
fought this morning in private grounds,
three miles from Bruges. There was
much squabbling from the outset, and
owing to the outrageous conduct OF
Smiths party at the conclusion of the
fourteenth round the referee declared
the fight oraw, refusing to remain
longer OH the ground. Smiths party
evidently saw that they would be beaten
and broke into the ring and interfered
with the fair progress of the fight.
Savin forced the fighting at the
start, hitting Smith several times on the
chest and head.
In the first two rounds the men fell
together, and when Slavin rose he was
bleeding from the mouth.
In the third round Smith got home
with his right and left, and in return
was knocked dowd by Slavin.
The fourth round was marked by hard
lighting.
In the sixth Slavin landed terrific
blow on one of Smiths eyes.
In the seventh Smith fought Slavin to
the ropes, where q crowd of Smiths
friends kicked Slavin. who, however,
remained silent.
In the ninth the mob surrounding the
ring struck Slavin several times.
In the eleventh Slavin again knocked
his opponent down.
In the thirteenth Smith friends again
struck in, but their man was once more
Knocked down.
In the fourteenth, Slavin protested
against the treatment he was receiving,
and appealed to the referee for fair play.
His appeal was greeted with derision by
Smiths friends, who shouted "policeh
and bolted from the grounds. Slavin re-
mained in the ring, and Smith, who had
left with his friends, finally returned.
The referee then said that II was i'm
possible to secure fair treatment for
Slavin, and declared the fight draw,
Slavin was full of fight to the finish.
sLAvIN THE BETTER MAN.
LONDON, Dec. 23,-The report here of
the Smiths Slavin prize fight in Belgium
says; Slavin showed all through the
fight that he was the better man. A
number of rowdies at the ringside,
armed with knuckles, busters and sticks,
tried to reach Slavin over the ropes, end
the Australian was struck several times,
At the end of the thirteenth round
Smith left the ring and Slavin remained
and claimed the fight After a short
time Smith returned to the ring Dur
u
roar all around the ring. At the close Of
the round Smith was very sick, and Sla-
vim perfectly well. 1t lasted TWENTY-FIVE
minutes. 1t was reported at one time
that Slayin had been killed, but the re-
port proved to be false.
sPoRTsMEN DIsGUsTEp.
The rufiianly conduct of Smiths
friends at the ringside has disgusted
every lover of fair play in the kingdom,
and the unjust and cowardly decision of
the referee in declaring the fight draw,
instead of giving the stakes TO Slayin,
who had his man whipped from the
start has added to the intensity of the
feeling among the sportsmen. One good
result has come from the fight,
however, which affords a good deal OF
consolation. The status of Smith as a
fighter is as definitely settled as though
he had won the battle easily and fairly,
or had been fairly knocked down, as ne
certainly would have been had the fight
been permitted to go on. All accounts
will agree that Smith was not in 1t, and
of the thugs who went to the
ring-sidc in his behalf, will render it inn
possible for him to- ever again obtain u
reputable backing while every pugii-
lists reputation will be abundantly JUS
titled in treating his attempts to arrange
u liput Nttll w ntIl tHe IlcWS
was received at the Pelican club, not a
man had good word to say for Smith,
while every one praised Slavin. 1t was
proposed to raise q testimonial fund of
$500 fol Slavin, and $500 of the sum was
Immediately subscribed by those pres
ent.
sIAvIN READY FOR SULLIVAN.
Slavin, the pugilist, arrived at Mar
gate yesterday on his return from tha
battle with Smith. There was good
deal of enthusiasm over him when he ar
rived, and he made speech, in which
he said that he was "a good deal mora
hurt by the roughs, who indulged in
the ruifianly tactics common with them,
than by Smith .in the fight. Slavin's
hackers claim that Smith never hit Sla-
vim, and that be was only hurt by the
crowd, which beat Slavin because en-
ragged at the defeat of Smith. Slavin Is
now said to be ready to meet Sullivan,
or any one and fight for the champion
ship Of the world.
sLAvIN CHALLENdEs SULLIVAN.
Slavin has challenged John l.. Sulli-
van to fight for $2500 or $4,000 side and
the championship, in six months, the
battle to be either in America or Aus