Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-07
JUST SEVEN ROUNDS.
BAKER REFUSES TO FACE KEENAN, FOR
TIE EIGHTH TIME.
In q Glove Contest for S75 They DO Some
Heavy slugging and Knocking
Down.

After seven hard-foughs rounds the glove
contest at the Manchester Opera-House last
night between Harry keenan,, OF Baltimore
and Marcellps Baker, Of this city, formerly OF
Boston, was decided in favor OF the former.
The meeting had been the chief topic OF
conversation IN sporting circles for several
days, and il was expected that the attend
ance would be large, but such was not ths
case. Many to whom invitations had been
issued and who were expected to be present
failed 10 put In an appearance.
The contest wss announced TO begiu at
$3.50 o'clock, but IL lacked only ten minutes
OF midnight when the boxers entered the
ring.
CAUSE OF DELAY.
Several things combined to cause the
delay, though the chef obstacle was the lack
OF paving audience. Neither OF the pugi-
lists wished to waste their time aud strength,
and perhaps their blood, and to risk the loss
OF their reputation, for so small considera-
tlcn as the gate fee, which was to constitute
the winners purse. Thus II was that hitch
after hitch occurred aud the few early ar
rivals grew weary long before the sport be-
gau. The true iuwardness OF the whole
thing was that there was a large crowd ex-
per'ed from Richmond which never came,
or had not at l A. NJ.
UNDECIDED.
For some time II seemed very doubtful
whether the exhibition would be given.
Baker was not willing to enter "hght'to-
ths.6nishv contest with so trifling a none
tsry inducement. He first suggested that
four rounds be made the limit, but finally IL
was agreed that there should be six rounds
and that the purse should be made SO.
THB SECONDS.
Bakers second was George Isaacs, an d
Otto Hotties served his friend Keenan, in a
like capacity. John johnson, OF Richmond,
acted as referee, and was regarded fair in his
decisions.
The ring, which WAS on the opera-house
stage, was twenty.four feet. Three-ollnee
soft gloves were worn.
SEVEN ROUNDS.
The contestants faced each other seven
times, snd the battle occupied twenty-eight
minutes time.
The exhibition wss called boxing match
or glove contest and not a priZe-hght. 1t
was indeed = contest, aud bard fought one.
At times the blows dealt were so thick and
heavy that il might have been called slug
giug match.
Both OF the contestants went 10 tue HooI
several times, and from each OF their faces
blood flowed more or less freely. Neither
received any very severe injuries or cuts !;
but both were bruised about the head and
face. keenan, so defended himself as to
catch most OF Bakers iicks in his chest
where they neither showed nor hurt so badly
as II received in the face. Bakers face,
though, was considerably scratched and
bruised: 1870 s..s..-..
WOULD NOT CONE.
When the referee called time for the eighth
round Baker would not respond and the con-
test wss decided in Iavor Of keenan,. Baker
did not admit being whipped, nor 'n'
deed was ne; but be was unwilling
to fight longer, having already ex-
ceeded the agreement-one round-for
the triGing sum at stake. lie told the referee
be could give the money TO Keenan,, and
this vas done. keenan, appeared fresh, ana
seemed determined to fight 10 the finish
whether it took six or sixty rounds