The evening times., 1895-11-08

OF late years wind mas played more or
less prominent adjunct in things pugilistic,
| as witness the recent controversy between
Messrs. Corbett and Fitzsimmons, but IL was
not until yesterday that 1t was really made
! a factor in the nuble art Of self-defcnse.
For years those interested in sparring have
| endeavored to devise some means by which
| IL was possible u retain all the beneficial
features OF boxing and at the same time TO
eliminate all those that savured OF brutal
| ity. The first step in that direction was
| the introduction Of the fingerless kid glove,
| after which came the hair gloves, ranging
| from two ounces TO ten; but although all
| these innovations tended TO lessen the appar-
| ent brutality of the game, hone Of them
successfully accomplished the desired pur-
pose.
The use of hair gloves did away with
the cuts, broken hoses, and split cheeks
which We're so cunimon during the
''palmy'' days OF the ring. when all fights
were OF the ''bare knuckles tu a finish
variety; but, if anything, the fights were
made more decisive.
, BLACKJACK TO A SANDBAG.
The transition from the bare knuckles to
boxing gloves was like that from a black
jack to a sandbag. The gloves did not dis
figure to such an extent, but in the hands
or men strong and clever they were, if any
thing, ,morelikeiy To bring about speedy and
positive result.
The latest Improvement In gloves, and one
that is expected to work a revolution in
the art of boxing, is the application OF the
| pneumatic tire idea in the construction OF
| the glove.
This new addition 10 the boxers outfit
is practically an air cushion, and it was
given decidedly thorough test at the rooms
of the Philadelphia Fencing and Sparrng
Club yesterday. Many members Of the
club and a few invited guests watched
the exhibition, which was voted decided
success by those who were fortunate enough
to witness 1t.
William Recap. the one-time amateur
featherweight champion, and Harry p.
BirchaIl, of the Vesper Boat Club. OF Phiia-
delphia, gave a three-round exhibition, in
which both men cut loose, but no damage
was inflicted on either.
FIGHT WITH NEW GLOVES.
The milling was fast and exciting. but
owing to tile resiience of the gloves neither
= man showed any particular distress, al
though both were compelled to Withstand
blows which would have put them in Queer
| street if the old fashioned glove had
| been used After a brief interval OF rest
Mr.. Recap indulged in a two-round bout
| with James Murray, tr., of the New York
Athletlc CluD, u son OF tne r enCIlS CiuU
instructor.
This was a particularly interesting exhi-
bition, Recap using a straight left. which
| proved very embarrassing for the Junior
Murray. 1t was demonstrated by the use
OF the pneumatic glove two boxers could cut
! out as fast a pace as they wanted, without
any likelihood of serious danger, and at the
same time give an interesting exhibition of
the art of boxing.
Dr. Persifor Frazer, president OF the
Fencing and sparring Club. of ofPhiladelphia,
under whose auspices the exhibition was
| given had this comment to make on the
new gloves Il am delighted with the
pneumatic gloves. Not only is there less
jar than with any form of padded gloves,
hut the greater lightness of the gloves.
together with the confidence which n rises
from the experience OF their efficiency in
protecting boxers from injury, results in
| livelier rounds and develop stronger, quick
er and straighter hitting.
"A bright future is assured for these
gloves. and in return they may play an
important part in restoring to public
favor the grand old exercise or boxing"