The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-21
BURNS KNOCKED OUT.
A Game 32-Round Contest at the
MetropoIe Last Night.
MARTIN FLAHERTy THE WINNER.
Twice Fiaberty Was saved by the Ring
Ing of the Gong-Burns Could Not
Dodge the Right Handlers Sullivan
and "Montreal' TO Meet Again.

There was great meeting OF sporting
men In the gymnasium Of the Metropole
Athletic Gu n last evening. The match
that had been arranged between Bobby
Burns OF this city. and Martin Flaherty
of Lowell, promised to be one worth see
ing and 1t was understood that there
were to be two or three short matches as
preliminaries. About 700 men crowded
the seats and gallery Of the gym until
long after midnight. the contest proved
SO intensely interesting. Flaherty was
formerly OF Warren. T. l., and this fact
added interest to the match.
Burns has been regarded as capable OF
whipping anybody in the 11S pound class
except Dixon. since he knocked out Cal
Mccarthy in eight rounds, and there has
since been much talk OF matching him
with the colored lad. Flaherty, who is
only 10 years old, has gained n reputation
lately by defeating two or three good
men and giving Dixon a stand off for six
rounds in Chicago.
Nearly all the Providence sports were
on Burns as IL was thought his usual
ability TO bring out draw, In case of
n great surprise. therefore. that the
youngster from Lowell finally defeated
the more exp srienced man and knocked
him completely out.
The first of the preliminary bouts was
between Martin Manion of River Point
and Billy Higgins OF Fall River. for
three rounds 1t was rafting setto
and both were weak from the pace that
Manion set. He clearly had the best Of
IL though no decision was given.
Frank Herrick the Providence wrestler
and Billy Clancy of Maine put on the
gloves for four rounds and decision.
Herrick weighed 167 aud CLANCY 163.
The four rounds were full Of vicious jabs,
swings and clinches ana It was impossi-
ole to decide winner, though Herrick
was rather the fresher or the two at the
end.
Meanwhile wrangle was going on be-
tween Bobby Burns ana the stake holder,
who Is a Boston man. over the stake
which was presented in two notes.
Burns was sharp enough to see that in
case he won there was chance for crook
edness as the payment OF the checks
could be stopped, aud refused to enter
the ring until the checks were indorsed
by some responsible party. The matter
was finally adjusted and at 1l:45 Burns
entered the ring followed by Flaherty
shortly after. In Burns's corner We're
Curtis and Fred Whitford. Flaherty
was looked after by Pat Hayden, Joe
Flaberty and John Cattanacn. Billy
Mahoney Of Boston acted as referee.
At the call of time b>tn sprang TO the
centre and Burns started to rush matters
thinking to end the contest in a short
time. Flaherty, however, was clearly
more clever than Burns and after few
clever counters and jabs Burns saw that
he had no easy thing. His friends were
disappointed at his lack IF cleverness,
thought his blows had more force
than Flaherty's. In the fifth round
Burns was knocked down by right
ever. and the next two rounds saw an
even battle with Burns jabbing the body
and trying unsuccessfuily to land his
right. Burns was nearly groggy in the
seventh and the bell saved him.
In the eighth round hardly blow was
struck, both sparring for wind. The
next three rounds saw hopors easy aud
In the twelfta Flaherty was saved by the
bell. being knocked down by a stiff left
handler. The next round Burns tried hard
to finish his man but he was met gamely
and though he twice Knocked Flaher;
down and nearly out, the gong sounded
just In time to save him again. Up TO the
twentieth round the blows were nearly
even though Burns seemed to have the
splendid handling, and surprised every
body with his freshness at the beginning
of each new round. In the twentieth
both men slipped and fell at different
times though the blows were light. In
the twenty-iirst Burns apparently had
Flaherty at his mercy, when the bell
again saved him.
For the next ten rounds it was any
body's fight, each at times seeming to
have the best of ii, but neither having
strength enough to put in deciding
blow. At one time and another
both seemed very groggy. though
there were no heavy blows struck.
Burns was punching Flaherty's
body steadily, and il seemed that
the Lowell lad could not endure much
more OF this kind OF work. Bobby
had long ago given up the idea of swing
ing right handler, though he managed
to ~ in couple OF half swings on the
jaw.
Flaherty seemed to grow stronger in
stead OF weaker and was making Burns
do the leading, countering often, though
he did not have much steam. In the
thirty-second round Burns led, but re :
ceived stiff counter. which sent him
reeling into his corner. lie got up
very weak and was sent down three times.
The last time lie reached his feet
he was so dazed that he could not Sc, his
ropes. Flaherty got around TO one side
and sent in terrific right swing which
sent Burns down with thud. He was
counted out and Flanerty was raisel on
the shoulders of his friends and borne
down the stairs to the dressing room. IL
was considered one of the gamest con-
tests ever seeu and the best match ever
fought In this city.
During the evening Jerry Sullivan and
John Portlock. who had "A match 50
summarily stopped on the third OF the
month, were introduced and the an-
nouncement made that they would again
meet March 10 at the Me,ropole. Billy
Wilson. a colored boxer OF Boston. was
introduced and he challenged Catta mach.
Cattanach laughed and said he was look
Ing for bigger game as h had challenged
the winner OF the Goddard-Smitn fight.