Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-02
GAVE HIM AN AWFUL BEATING.
id Lavigne Thumps Jack Burge steadily
for Eighteen Rounds-The Yankee Hard
ly Punished at All.

id Lavigne Thumps Jack Burge Steadily
for Eighteen Rounds-The Yankee Hard
ly Punished at All.
London, June 1.-"Kid" Lavigne
fought Dick" Burge this evening be-
fore the National Sporting Club for the
international lightweight championship
of the world, a purse of $4,000 and side
bet of $500. Lavigne won in eigh-
teen rounds. The fight was to be lin
tied to twenty rounds. Every seat for
the event was sold several weeks ago,
and the National Sporting Club was
very much crowded tonight with a
fashionable audience to witness the
fight.
Burge was a strong favorite and his
friends were willing TO lay odds Of two
to one on him to any amount. AS
matter of fact fancy bets we're laid in
many instances at much greater odds.
When the pair entered the arena and
shook hands, Burgess superiority in
stature and reach were specially notice
able. Both men were well inside the
stipulated weight, which was 13S
pounds. Lavigne looked we'll and con-
fident Of victory, while it was generally
conceded that Burge must win quickly
or he would be liable to be worn down.
Strange 10 say though, there was no
wearing down in the case, as the Yam
kee led from start to finish and won in
a romp.
There were loud shouts to back Burge
Is they faced each other, but these were
suddenly hushed when it was seen that
the Kid meant to take the battle right
into the enemy's camp. He rushed
and drove Burge before him, planting
his left on the stomach and swinging
his right on the ribs. Burge counter
ed with his left, but there was no force
in his blows, and Lavigne did mol seem
to mind them. When the first round
ended the beating ceased and every one
seemed to realize that Burge had run
foul of a cyclone. Burgess admirers
were simply paralyzed, and even his
seconds we're at a loss how TO ADVISE
him. The features OF the two folloW-
ing rounds were similar to the first.
Lavigne took them with rush, and
never gave Burge time to consider
what was best to be done. AT the end
of the third round theI we're many
offers to back the american at odds or
8 to /, but it was a vain attempt 10
hedge lost money.
For twelve rounds Lavinge beat terri
BILE tatto on Burgess body and ribs. He
then altered his tactics, and tried for the
face of his opponent. This gave Burge a
l., 4 no ar
period in the fight. One of his left handlers
landed straight on the Kids nose, spurt-
ing the blood The Englishmen then be-
gan to hope that Burge might yet pull
through. but Lavinge quickly dispelled the
Illusion. He rushed Burge around the ring
with doubled fury. His blows seemed TO
double up and almost to kill Burge.
And now Lavinge was able easily to
reach his opponents head and face. Every
blow left its mark and made Burge weak
er on his pins.
He struggled along, however, to the six
teenth round, when Lavinge landed two
swinging knock down blows on the side
of Burgess head He was only able to get
on his feet for the next round. Lavinge
gave him terrific punch on the stomach
and as his head came forward. he swung
his right on the side of the head Burge
fell fat upon his face.
1t was not a Knockout blow, but Burge
was practically beaten. and, in order to
prevent any serious accident. the referee
stopped the fight.
Burge was awfully punished about the
stomach, chest and ribs, while Lavinge
was scarcely marked