Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-03-02
THE GIANTS OF THE RING
A Quarter Of a Million Staked
on the Big Fight Tonight.
ARATTLNa BATTLE ANTICIPATED.


Maher and Fit-immons Both in Good
Condition-The Interest a. Great as In
the suiiivan-Kiirain Fight-Necdham
/ whips Burke In Nine Rounds.
NEw ORLEANS, March 2--Danny Need
ham, who was 70 sorely disappointed by the
illness Of his prospective opponent, Tommy
Ryan, had a little balm poured on his
wounds by winning the biggest part Of the
5000 purse which he and Ryan were to
have fought for from Jack Burke, the Texas
lightweight champion, who consented TO act
as a substitute in order not to disappoint
the clubs numerous patrons, who came from
distant points 10 witness the fight between
Needham and Ryan. About 800 persons
assembled In the amphitheater Of the Metro
politan club 10 witness the battle. Presi-
dent Cooper acted as master Of ceremonies,
and made many apologies to those present
for Monday nights fasoo. Professor John
Duffy was chosen referee.
Needham was the first OF the pugilists to
enter the ring. He was accompanied by
Tommy Manning, Tommy Hogan and Mike
Conley, who acted az his seconds. A couple
Of minutes later Burke jumped over tho
ropes into the arena followed by Billy
Dacey, Owen Harney and Charles Porter,
his seconds. He was heartily cheered be-
cause OF his pluck In engaging 20 fight a man
I whom he knew to be in the pink Of condi-
ton, while he himself had received no other
training than that which he gained while
preparing Ryan to fight.
Burke Knocked Out.
Up 10 the ninth round II was give and
take and honors about easy bat in this
round a sharp rally took place with heavy
exchange OF body blows. Needham then
got In a hard one on the stomach, but re-
ceived heavy upper cut before he could
get away. Needham at this time began
rushing matters, hitting Burke a hard lick
in the eye
Burke tried 10 clinch, but Needham push
cd him of and he fell to the ground when
he arose he was very groggy, and Neodham
went In 10 finish him, pounding him all over
the ring. Burke endeavored TO avoid pun
ishment by ,,linching, but Needham kept
him away Needham finally hit him a hard
left handler I'm the neck. which caused Burke
% reel around. AS no did Needham hit him
q swinging blow on the back of the neck
aud Burke fell an In a heap. Just after time
was called he managed TO struggle 10 his
feet. but he had already been counted out.
Burke. although outclassed, made an ex
cellent showing, his pluck gaining him many
friends He showed more signs OF punish
O ment than Needham, having bad eye ant
o many body bruises. Needham, owing Z,
p his excellent condition, showed scarcely
n mark, hut nevertheless Burke had hit hin
a some pretty hard rips.
n Neodham, according 10 agreement, get
= $500 Of the 5000 purse Burke takes th
a other $500, which everybody agrees he rich
o ly deserves.
e The Great Flight Tonight.
Z The city is fairly wild over the fight Ia
n night between the Irish champion, Pete
4 Maher, and the Australian champion, Bo
Fitzsimmoas, and the excitement incidenta
10 TO the encounter is not only within a shad
Of that manifested up 10 the eve Of tn
meeting Of Sullivan and Kirain, but ha
actually overshadowed the festivities OF tn
3. main day Of Mardi Gras It has been figh
I. in the hotols, fight on the street cornerl
ss fight talk here, there and everywhere.
,e Maher il in the best Of health and spirit.
is and his appearance when stripped bear
d testimony to the fact that he has receive
o. the best Of training. II there is an ounce q
IN superfuous flesh upon his entire body
le cannot be located. he Is firm and har
n from shoulder TO foot and his muscles ar
n hard as iron. In characteristic he is modes
O. and retiring and the most that he could
D. persuaded 10 say was that he had neve
seen Fitzsimmons, that no pugilist coul
tell II he was equal 10 a man until he In
fought him, and that he could not 81
T. whether OF not be was strong and quic
N and clever enough 10 go against the Austri
Df han until he had met him in the ring on
he gone through a couple Of rounds
ar Fitzsimmons Is in better condition tina
N when he met Dempsey here year ago, an
" II a new man ia comparison with the Fit
X simmons who sought an encounter with h
10 fellow countryman, Jim Hall, when he pr
pared for an encounter with the latter DR.
paratory 10 the fasco at St. Paul.
A Quarter Of a million Dollars Up.
The fight VIII be either very short or e.
y tremely protracted. The indications fav,
a short fight and a merry one Fitz wi
III weigh in at 40, Maher at I've pounds OF
~ ~ less. II is likely TO be biff, bang from Il
y start with both men forcing the fightin
~ n il is a short fight the Irish lad may vi
by reason Of his terrific hitting powers, an
II he Is strong on his feet Fitz win have
take good many hard knocks simply b
u cause it win be impossible for him TO &
y away from them.
"a, The betting has been heavy at eve
"a money. IL Is calculated that nearly a qua
lt ter of a million dollars win change han,
y throughout the country on the outcome
the mill.
Abducted and Murdered.
~ LITTLE Rock, March 1.-Two men wi
- | ,,roton1aT 20 10 ofYfear-a aT1rcta1 Cto..l,.