The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-10
DISAPPOINTED SPORTS,
An AbSCeSS Prevented Meal
pin and Harris From
Fighting.
A MILL FOR NEXT SUNDAY.
Spider Kelly and Tom Burns From
Australia to Meet in the
Prize Ring.
A MILL FOR NEXT SUNDAY.

The prizefight for $500 side between
Billy McAlpin and Charles Harris did not
take place yesterday afternoon as adver-
tised around town through the medium of
mysteriously worded posters.
The battle was to have been limited to
twenty-five rounds and the fighting weight
of the men at 145 pounds, that being the
weight at noon June 9. All that could be
ascertained by the uninitiated was that the
fight would come off some time between 4
and O'Clock yesterday afternoon, and
that boat would leave the Tiburon slip
for the accommodation of anxious specta-
tors, their number being confined to 200 at
81 each.
To those in the secret, however, it was
kno wn that in a nice quiet spot on the
other side of the bay a regulation ring
surrounded by circular tiers of benches
was in readiness for the scrappers, their
supporters and the usual crowd of curious
sports.
The disappointment was keen. Some
went to the Tiburon slip and waited until
the north wind had chilled the marrow in
their bones, and others beseged the man
ayers of the affair for reasons as TO the why
and wherefore. A rumor was started that
the police had spotted" the fight and the
fighters, and that fear of arrest deferred
the principals from fulfilling their engage
ment. This caused howl of wrath from
the disappointed sports, and they were
only to be appeased by the. promise, in
mysterious whispers, accompanied by
knowing winks, of a greater treat next
Sunday, when Spider Kelly of local pugil-
istic fame and Tom Burns, the Australian
middle-weight, will fight finish contest
with skin gloves-but the bills will not say
so. Where the contest is to take place will
not be announced until the tickets are sold
to members of the fraternity.
After the feeling of disappointment had
subsidized and the sports were able to grasp
the fact that they could witness no 'scrap"
yesterday, closer inquiry was made into
the real cause of the failure to connect. 1t
was stated on authority that Billy Nc
Alpin could not fight on account of an
abscess of the kidneys, resulting from q
blow received while training for the fight.
Whether there was rock in the glove that
struck him his trainer, a. B. st. Clair, did
not say He was brought down from Mid
dletown and is at present staying with
relatives on Twentieth street.
Harris, who was to have tried TO punch
the consciousness and fighting capacity
out of McAlpin, is in good condition. He
felt confident of doing" his man, and he
will make vigorous demand for the $50
forfeit money. The forfeit still stands.
Spider Kelly is in training for the fight
next Sunday with his trainer, Tim Nc
Grand, at the Cliff House. Burns is also
in training near here, trying to wear off
seven pounds of .surplus weight. He
weighs 152 pounds and must enter the ring
at 145. His trainer is Billy Shannon. The
scrappers, it is said, came very near fight
ing the battle ahead of schedule time,
when they met with their respective man
ayers to sign the articles.
Kelly wanted to fight at 140 pounds,
and in the debate which ensued, the pug
nacious instincts of the two fighters be-
came assertive, and the managers had
their hands full to prevent an exhibition
Baprin@ assesses and the ' police The mill
will come off next Sunday, when boat
will leave for the accommodation of spec
tators at 9 o'clock A. NJ.