The herald., 1896-10-10
A GREAT WRESTLING MATCH
0rldlsy Defeated By Burns After Z Hard
Struggle
After Taking Two Falls, the Local Man
Loses the Final-The Preliminary
Boxing Bouts

The athletic club provided a capital
evenings entertainment for its men,
bers and friends last night. The event
of the evening was the wrestling
match between ]. A. Burns of Chicago
and, c. H. Gridley of Los Angeles, who
gave such fine exhibition before the
club a couple of months ago. The sport
was witnessed by large audience, who
showed evident appreciation of the fare
provided.
Three preliminary boxing bouts were
first brought off. The first was between
a very promising looking youngster
Mike Thornton of San Pedro, and Joe
Welch. formerly the, local lightweight
champion. The first and only round was
a lively one from the start, Joe Welch
showing better form than in his last en-
counter in public, but only minute 81
seconds elapsed before young Thornton
landed on Welch's jaw with terrific
right handler. Welch was counted out.
Burkhart and Young Dempsey gave
a very lively exhibition of four rounds
Young Dempsey forced the fighting, but
Burkhart ducked cleverly and got in
some heavy blows. Burkhart had the
best of the second round, though his
method was not always very scientific,
his overland swings laying him open to
punishment. The third round saw
Young Dempsey very alert and landed
straight on Burkharts face several
times, while the latter p.ayed for
Dempsey's wind. This round was COM
paratively tame with those preceding it.,
and the wind-up was still tanner. both
men being pretty well played out
The next bout between a couple Of
colored talent furnished any amount of
amusement. Hank Griffin Is a fairly
experienced fighter, having given Dan
Long of Denver about as much as he
cared for few weeks ago, but Mr.. Rob-
inson of Sioux City, Iowa, has as yet ap-
parently paid more attention to the cake
walk than the ring. His antics caused
lots of laughter, and he showed good
pluck and smiling countenance
throughout the bout.
The event of the evening, the wrestling
match, best three out Of five falls for a
purse of $3.50, between Burns and Grid
ley, was then called, Frank Scott being
appointed referee. A splendid contest
ensued, both men being in the pink of
condition. Gridley still a trifie fleshy
and showing fine skill and wonderful
powers of endurance. Gridley won the
first fall after a magnificent struggle IN
II minutes 55 seconds. Ten minutes was
allowed between each round. Burns
proved his great strength in the sec
ond, after eluding Gridley's slipperi-
ness. by swinging him clean over his
head and winning the fall in ! minute
% seconds. A briefer interval was
agreed upon after this short bout, and
on the men coming together again Grid
ley twice almost succeeded in downing
his adversary. Then Burns retaliated
by using Gridley as a wheelbarrow,
from which position the little man was
delivered by his cat-lilxe agility Grid
ley had some marvellous escapes, stand
ing on his head for some seconds on sew
eral occasions. However, he eventually
won the fall in 10 minutes AZ seconds
Burns won the fourth fall in 8 minutes
Ia seconds. The last and deciding
round became eventually a test of en-
durance, the little man succumbing at
last after 20 minutes So seconds hard
struggle.
Hank Griffin announced that he was
open to match with any man in Cali
fornia Of 1855 pounds. which challenge
was promptly accepted by a Mr.. Legacy
of San Francisco. -,
Mike Thornton handed The Herald
Il will box any man at 1875 pounds in
Los Angeles from one round to a finish
representative the following challenge:
for 500 side, Fred Began barred"