The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-04-21
AMATEUR BOXERS.
Three Rafting Contests Before the
Athletic Club.
The Boys All Meant Business, and
Gave Some Exhibitions of Sci
ence and Hard Hitting.

There was a large attendance at the
Sacramento Athletic Clubs rooms last
night to witness the friendly boxing con-
tests arranged for The events were
three special contests Of six rounds each,
between l.. Payen and J. Jacobs, w. Nc
Graw and Wells Birdsall, and c. y.
Strobe and II. j. Spanjer.
The lads were all in splendid condition,
and very nearly evenly matched, and the
result was the liveliest and hottest series
of contests that ever took place in Sacra-
mento between amateur boxers.
Many of the spectators and members
of the club were very enthusiastic, and
expressed themselves in the warmest
manner in praise of the successful and
scientific exhibition. All of the contest
ants proved game, and from start to fin
ish evinced determination to do their
best work.
The third match of the series, between
Strobel and Spanier, was, in the opinion
OF competent judges, one of the most
scientific and fercest battles ever wit
messed by them between either amateurs
or professionals.
II. J. Gallagher acted as referee, George
Littlefield and y. p. Booth, judges; +.
W. Whitmorc and \. L. Ripley, scorers;
l. a. ROBBIE and f. c. york, timekeepers.
THE LIRST MATCH
! Was between Payen and Jacobs, each
weighing al pounds, and was a lively
and well-contested battle to the end of
the sixth round. The men were well
matched, although Jacobs forced most of
the fighting, usually meeting with hot
returns from Payen. Jacobs was sent to
his l-nppC n the third rOnnI hl1t
cred quickly. He frequently forced Payen
TO the ropes, who would save himself by
clinching, and usually landed heavy
blows in return for those he received.
At the close of the fifth round both men
were bleeding from the nose, and at times
somewhat dazed and groggy. Jacobs evil
IDENTIFY getting the worst OF 1t. lie rallied
at the last of the sixth round, however,
and at the tap OF the bell seemed to be
holding his own. Both men were consid-
erably punished, but the match being
awarded to Payen met with general APP
proval.
THE LIGHTWEIGHTS.
The second contest was between Nc
Graw and BirGsall, the former weighing
l29 pounds and the latter l34. This was
pronounced a very scientific and clean"
contest, and although Brdsall was a little
the heavier the men were closely matched
in activity and science.
The first and second rounds were given
chiefly TO wary sparring and active shift
ing and parrying. In the third Birdsall
began forcing the fight holly, and met a
fierce response from McGraw. The lat
ter made some especially clever ducks"
to avoid the heavy swinging blows of
Birdsall. McGiraw was sent to his knees
by Birdsall and received severe punish
ment to the close of the round.
McGraw gained in the fourth and fifth
IL !, l,<NfI,
ceived heavy blows and both were weak
at the tap of the bell, though battling
| tiercely.
Both came to time lively in the last
round. and Mctrraw suddenly began TO
force the fighting. He received some
singing blows from his opponent, but
forced Birdsall to the ropes About the
middle of the round McGraw got in a
terrific swinging blow with his right,
which landed on Birdsalls jaw and neck.
Birdsall dropped, striking his head Sc
verely on the floor in falling. lie was
completely knocked out. and the match
was awarded to McGraw.
There was great excitement at the close
of the round. as up to the finish both
men were doing heavy fighting, and the
result could not be predicted. After
few moments Birdsall recovered and
walked from the ring, and later chal-
lenged McGraw to renewal of the con-
test in the future.
THE FINAL MATCH
Was between Strobel and Spanier at
catch weights. Strobel weighed 49,
pounds and Spanier I39. Both men
We're tall, athletic fellows and their
fighting was OF the hurricane order from
| first TO last. Spanjer was the taller and
| slightly heavier, but the contest might
| have gone either way up TO the middle of
the last round. He fought like a whirl-
! wind, and although Strobel was a little
slower, he kept cool and returned the
blows of his opponent with heavy in
terest.
The first three rounds were fought with
the same fierce rapiditv, and both men
withstood what appeared to be heavy
punishment. Spanier forced the fight
ing chiefly, but many of his blows fell
upon Strobel's body, while the latter
almost invariably reached Spanjer's face