The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-31
Two Men Who Were Determined to
Win Face Each Other.
From a Pugilistic Standpoint 1t
Was Brutefully Brutal.
Ashton Knocks Out His Antagonist
in the Nineteenth Round.
The Defeated Prize Fighter Weighed 90
Pounds More Than the Victorious
Rooster-Duffy and Meadows
Fight Forty-five Rounds.

Joe Lannon took place in the owl hall at
Burrilville. A special train left this city at
S:15 O'Clock and was packed with sporting
men. Among the 400 present were John L..
Sullivan and Jack Dempsey. The exact place
Of meeting was kept n secret until the last
moment The train stopped at saltwater
and the crowd quickly got out. 1t had been
announced that carriages would be in readi-
ness to convey the party to the scene, but in
this respect the visitors were disappointed.
The ring was located over a mile away and
a bountiful supply of swamp, fences and
hills interviewed. There was considerable
growing at the prospect Of a long, dreary
walk, but the crowd finally tackled it, The
night was pleasant overhead but underfoot
it was muddy. Several of the party got lost
In the woods and wandered around for some
time before discovering a way out. Lannon
was one of these and was nearly an hour
late. The ring was located about the middle
of the hall, which was lighted by several
lamps.
Ashton reached the ring frat and selected
his corner. He was seconded by Jim DAILY
and Steve McMaugh. Lannon's seconds
were his brother Jim and Billy Mahoney.
Frank Moran was chosen referee.
Ashton was weighed in at l72 pounds and
Lannon at 1888, and both men were In excel
lent form and as pink as a rose. The bet
ting was even aud the Pawtuckct sports bet
against Ashton. In Boston the bets were
ten 10 one that there would be a draw.
About $1,000 changed hands.
When time was called Ashton began 20
lead and planted his left on Lannon's Jaw.
This riled up the Boston boy, who made a
rush aud endeayorcd 10 10 damage. The
men then closed In and there was sharp
diminishing, In which Ashton showed him.
self TO be a skillful ring tactician. lie was
after Lannon IN q few seconds and planted
two singing blows ON the left jaw and one
on his windbag. First blood was claimed
for Ashton, but IL was not allowed.
In the second round Ashton drove for
Lannon's head. but the blow was blocked
and Jack got a severe reminder from Lannon
that he was In the ring. for the Boston boy
let out his left and took him under the jaw.
Jack countcrcd handsomely, but Lannon
was still on deck and put In his right AMI
left and thumpcd Jack In the face aud on
the body. This ncrvcd up Ashton, who did
some excellent fighting aud got the best Of
the round.
In the third round Ashton forced tho fight
ing and scored repeatedly on Lannon'S
face aud jaw, clcycrly avoiding any return
blows.
For the fourth Ashton used his left 10
good advantage. Lannon played TO Jacks
wind and rcsortcd 10 his rushing tactics, but
Ashton, after two or three sharp face blows,
planted a hot shoulder blow ON Lannon's
left eye, which ut once began 10 swell and
shut down. The Boston pugilist was gritty
and made somc wicked attempts TO knock
his man out, but Jack blocked him At every
point using his left 10 eilectually that Ian
mons face began TO pub up.
In the ff;h aud sixth rounds both men
evidently fought for wind. There was In
lighting throughout but what was lone was
20 the credit Of Ashton, whose head APP
pcarcd 10 be ON a swivel, for Lannon could
not lind H.
In the seventh and eighth rounds Lannon
again forced the fighting, but no damage
was done.
IL looked IN the ninth round rs though
there was 20 be a finish OF the fight. Both
men came 10 the scratch fresh aud without n
cut. L1nnon led and was met by Ashton.
who landed Eve blows In succession with his
left on Lannon's face, and then staggered
Joe with a lcft-handcr on the left eye. Here
was a golden opportunity for Jack 10 win,
but hc failed 10 follow up the advantage.
In the tenth round Lannon showed mp
grorgy, and his blows fell short and did no
execution. Ashton did all the leading and
secured AN opening. set his left 30 work aud
dropped Il on Lannon's left eye, which began
10 look like a bay window.
In the eleventh Lhnnon led of In great
style aud appeared 90 have ncrved himself
up. His blows, however. were short aud did
not yield any punishment for Ashton
blocked him all the time. Tho round was
purely give aud take aud body work. Ian
non nj last found use for his right IN tho
twelfth round, caught Ashton on the jaw.
and this was thc best blow that Joe struck
during the fight. The opening was a good
one aud WIS duly improved upon. Jack was
quick 90 recover, aud rctaliatod with yollcy
~ lcit-handcrs on Lannon's face and body
five blows In all. Ashton turned Ia avoid
the encounter aud Lannon got In solid
blow on Jacks neck aud sent him spinning.
but he held his feet.
The thirteenth. Ashton worked for an OPP
portunity on Lannon's face, and used his
let and right beautifully. LAnn0n returned
| the compliment with u right upper cut on
| Jacks law. In response To "a suggestion
from John l.. Sullivan, that Joe ought ~
| have some uso for his right Ashton was
nlod M by this and ho sailed In and used
his right aud left until he had got In seven
face blows and made lAnnon very groggy,
I the NlllllN ~ Nlllf NlNNi NANNNN HN' AlNlN W.
/ ing knocked out there aud then.
The fourteenth was Asht0n's from first 10
last. LannOn came up somewhat bcwii-
dered and be was beginning 90 quit lie
had not force enough 10 hit a hard blow and
Ashton had him AZ his mercy, pounding
him In the face and body, blocking every
thing that bis opponent offered. with the ox-
ccption Of one In the jaw.
lannon again braccd up In the fifteenth,
opening with his left on Asliton's neck, n
nasty crack, too. lie followed this up with
q right upper cut on Jacks jaw. Ashton re-
turned with yigor on Joe's face aud Jaw.
The sixteenth wa q picnic for Ashton,
who played a merry tattoo on Lannon's eyes
aud face aud body. Joe found time 20 drive
| ont q straight arm blow aud 10 make Jacks
teeth rattle. This ncttlod Ashton who tried
tie upper cut. and with good effect.
In the seventeenth round Ashton opened
on lannon's left eye. lie was speedily re-.
paid by Lannon, who contributed two face
| blows and nearly took Jack on his feet
Lannon might have made the fight interest.
ing for Jack here, but lac neglected 10 fol-
low up his opportunity.
In the eighteenth round. which was 10 be
tho last one. Ashton seemed n win. lie
hammered lAnnon all over the ring, striking
hard aud true, and every blow told heavily,
aithoueh Lannon met Jack In good form.
..... ,.v,d Wae chilled for and the men