, 1889-02-14
The Fight for the Light
Weight Championship.
Meyers Quickness Too Much
for McAuliffe's Science,
Who Scores the First and Only
Knock Down.
A Harmless Battle with Honors
in Meyers Favor.

CHICAGO, Feb. 13.-The following ac-
count of the McAuliffe-M Meyers fight is
furnished the Associated Press by the
Chicago Times:
The S., 900 a side worlds lightweight
championship fight between Jack Nc
Auliffe and Billy Meyers at Judson, Ind,
ended to-day in a draw in four hours and
thirty-ive minutes. 1t was a sixty-four
sparring seasoned with the most accurate
science ever seen in the ring. The blood
thirsty gentlemen were all disappointed.
Each of the contestants in the battle sat
isfied his hackers and the people most in
terested seemed to consider this achieve
mcnt the height OF modern attainment in
tho ring. If, however, instead of from
$4,000 to $4,000 hanging upon the re-
suit there had been a purse of $500 or so,
the general opinion appears to be that
there would have been a genuine fight and
as talk goes Meyers would have stood a
good chance of winning. Dick Roche,
the hacker of McAuliffe, openly congratu-
lated Meyers in the ring and agreed to
back him with 5000 against anybody in
the world.
The fight seemed to be badly managed,
about the only mastery stroke of policy
apparent being the naming of Michael
Mcdonald. the well known ex .gambler of
Chicago, as referee.
1t wa past 7 o'clock in the morning
when the fight began. Upon reaching
Judson the fighters went at once to bed
and all the time from midnight until
morning the outsiders endured the cold
in tramping the streets or parading up and
down the railway to carry out the pre-
tense of the various pretexts which the
public had allowed themselves to be per
suaded" that everything was IN accord
ance with the law.
Betting was seldom so spirited on any
similar event. Odds were even" in al
most every wager. One stake holder alone
had $l1 500, another 1000 and there
were enough others to foot up a certainty
of $3l 900 besides original stakes and
gate money of over So, 900. Just as the
fight began Roche, McAuliffe's hacker,
bet $500 on first blood and $500 for first
knock down for Mac. A few smaller
bets were made on the same issues and
Meyers hackers won both events.
Meyers secured first blood in the twenty
ninth round and the first knock down in
the forty-third. This is the only money
of the thousands up which changed hands
on the fight.
The style of fighting was usually a lead
by McAuliffe, which was either countered
singly or double by Meyers. McAullffe's
appearance and action were superb, while
Meyers showed an awkwardness and lack
OF finish that would have been fatal but
for the marvellous auickness he was seen
to possess. Neither principal could have
been picked out of the crowd by the marks
he bore. Twice during the fight Meyers
failed only by a hairs breadth t. knock
McAuliffe out, but the l%atter's science
checkmated the strength and quickness of
Meyers just as these two qualities saved
the Streetor boy from a powerful jabbing
and ripping.
At the opening Of the sixty-first round
Referee Mcdonald announced, apparently
much to the fighters surprise, that he
would decide it a draw. Each had a few
moments previous declined to acknowl-
edge that such settlement would be ac-
ceptable. but it evidently was, neverthe-
less, if not to the fighters themselves, at
least to the men who controlled them.
Referee Mcdonald said: Each man had
succeeded in keeping the other from win.
ming"
The Daily Neus says: The Meyer
McAuliffe fight, on account of the money
surroundings, is undoubtedly the greatest
scientific light weight battle on record,
with honors slightly in Meyers favor.
The Fight by Rounds.
In the first round McAulife led and
forced Billy to the ropes and landed his
left on his nose and his right on his ribs.
Round ended in favor of McAuliffe.
The second round was an exchange of
blows, in which Meyers landed on his OPP
ponent's neck, getting in return a singer
on his nose. McAuliffe slipped at the
ropes, saving himself from a terrible
right hand swing. A foul was claimed,
but not allowed. The round ended with
cautious sparring.
The third round opened with cautious
sparring. McAuliffe led lightly and Ian
ded heavily with his left, receiving a right
handler. McAuliffe rushed. There was
an ever exchange, Billy getting in a good
right hand blow in McAuliffe's face,
which staggered him.
Fourth roundabout met, with very
cautious sparring for an opening. Not a
blow was struck.
Fifth round-Meyers landed on McAu
liffe's ribs with his right, and struck again
with his left.
Sixth round-Both men were again
cautious. But one blow was struck, Nc.
Abilities right being cleverly stopped by
Meyers.
Seventh round-McAuliffe landed light
ly on Meyers mouth without return.
McAuliffe rushed Meyers to his corner, q
short arm exchange resulting.
The eighth round opened with cautious
sparring, Meyers on the defensive as
usual, Meyers led with his right and
landed on McAuliffe's mouth, following
it up with his left on McAuliffe's nose
without return.
Ninth round-Meyers led with hi.
right on McAuliffe's arm. Cautious
sparrips. McAuliffe got in a good right