The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-07-11
SMITH DOWNS GRIFFIN.
The Pacific Coast Champion Wins
in Four Rounds.
JACKSON AND ooRBETT MATCHED.

The Champion Pugilist and Parson Davies
Post n Forfeit ut the Hingsids for a Fin
ish Fight with the Colored Ii heavyweight
in November Next.
RoBY, Ind, July 11.-John Griffin, the
"Braintree lad" and Solly Smith, the
champion of thegPaoific coast, met last
night in the arena of the Columbian Ath-
letic lclubkfor a purse of $1,000 and the
featherweight championship of the world.
TIE event was the most notable in the
history of the newly formed pugilistic or
ganization, and it brought together one of
the largest audiences ever seen in an arena
enst, south or west, half an hour before
the commencement of operations the big
amphitheatre being crowded to suffoca-
tion. Prominent sporting men from all
sections of the country were in attend
ance.
Betting on the fight had been exceed
ingly free during the day, and long before
the men appeared in the ring fortune
hung on the outcome of the fight. For
forty-eight hours, despite the fact that
Griffin was n 10 to favorite, Smith
gained friends with rapidity, and the odds
came down TO 100 to 60 in favor of Griffin.
Before the contests began there were
loud calls for Corbett, who jumped over
the ropes and said:
There is colored pugilist by the name
of jackson who wants to fight me. Jack
son is not here to talk for himself, but his
manager is here. want to say that Twill
fight him, and that have check for sl0,-
900 in my hand that I will whip Peter
jackson at any time or place"
AT this moment ''Parson" Davies cleared
the ropes amid mingled applause and
Kisses, and from the center of the ring he
proclaimed that jackson had months ago
posted forfeit for a fight with Corbett,
and that the latter only required to state
the time.
Put up your money" shouted Corbett;
"you know l have to fight Mitchell in De-
ccmber."
"Our money is up" responded the "par-
son."
II want Forfeit roared Corbett.
"1Iere is another forfeit" shouted the
Davies, producing big roll of bills and
handing it to O'Malley. "That is salts
factory" said the latter, and the announce
ment was made, amid torrent of cheer
ing, that Corbett and Jackson will meet in
November for fight to finish.
When this incident had concluded
Jimmy Barry, of Chicago, and Pat Shea,
round preliminary contest 1t took only
four rounds for the Chicago boy to settle
. Shea. 1t was a slugging match from start
to finish.
1t was 1913 when Griffin appeared in the
ring, and Smith followed him a moment
later. Both men appeared to be in the
very pink of condition. Griffin's seconds
were Jimmy Carroll Dan Creeden and
Howes, and for Smith, Sam Fitzpatrick,
Joe Choynski and Seward Smith.
Time was called at 1855. Smith moved
wildly, but Griffin caught him with his
right and left in the face. Both men ex.
changed body blows. Smith had the ad
vantage as the bell rung.
In the second round Smith started out
with wild rush and Griffin swung, land,
ing on Smith's face, staggering him for the
moment, following it with his right and
left in the face. Both men were hammer
ing right and left when time was called.
In the third round Griffin led with G
good left on the face, while Smith punched
wildly. Griffin landed a good right ant
left on the face, and both men punched
each other for II moment with vigor. Smith
was groggy and apparently tired of th'
mill when the round ended.
Smith was still groggy when the bell
rang for the fourth round but he came III
bravely. Griffin landed in his face with
right and left, followed up with heavy
right on the breast and rushed his oppo
nent around the ring. Smith staggered
when he reached the center of the arena
and heavy thrust in the wind nearl,
sent him to earth. Like lion at bay
however, he turned on his opponent, anC
with wicked right lunge caught Griliil
full in the face below the eye. Griflii
went down like log and was twic
counted out before the referee announced
| the fight was Smiths.
1t was five minutes before Griffin suffi
GENTLY recovered from his knockout so a
| to be able to walk out of the ring ant
when he reached the dressing room h
fairly collapsed. Blood was flowing freel.
from an ugly cut in the lip, and DR.. Dayi
put in several stitches to close the severet
member
George Dixon met Smith this morning
and the pair signed articles of agreemen
| for contest in October.