The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-26

Saturday night under the auspices or
the Excelsior Athletic club was wit
messed by not more than 250 persons.
General satisfaction was expressed at
the opinion Of many that the event was
one Of the most successful yet con-
Quoted by the Excelsiors.
Four boxing bouts were on the pro-
gramme besides two bag-punching ex,
hibitiOns. One Of the bouts descended
to the level Of brutality before it was
in operation a minute. but the referee
promptly put an end to It and sent the
sluggers off the stage. The other bouts
We're first-class.
p. J. Murphy was referee; James J.
Quinnan and John T. Brown. judges:
James J. Coleman, timekeeper, and
Joseph McNally, president Of the club,
announcer. 1t was nearly . o'clock be-
fore the exercises begun.
P. r. MCGOWAN, Of Providence,
heavy weight member Of the club, and
a muscular well built fellow, punched
the bag for ten minutes and won ap-
plause. Joe Willischek, Of Philad l.
phia. the clever light weight who Is
always a favorite here, followed with
a bag punching exhibition and dis
played his Quickness.
TWO OLD-TIME RIVALS.
When Announcer McNally stated
that the first bout would be between
Captain P. J. Durkin and Anthony
Gordon, Of the Excelsiors, there was
not very much enthusiasm. The spec
tators took it for granted that this was
to be a very tame and friendly eX-
hibition. But 1t was nothing Of the
sort. From beginning to end 1t con-
sisted Of the hardest and hottest style
Of scientific boxing. There was no
clinching The men stood at arms
length and delivered and took blows
with great regularity. Gordon was
heavier, bigger and in better condition,
but he had nothing to spare when time
was called In the last round. If the
captain were in trim Gordon would
have a top match. They have been RI
walls for long time. although In a
friendly spirit, and when the judges
decided In favor of Gordon. the captein
very gracefully accepted the decision.
The second bout was between John
McKenna, Of Trenton. and John
Youngs, Of Philadelphia, two bantam
weights. Mckenna had the advantage
Of heighth and reach and he needed
both. Youngs Is terrific hitter for
little fellow. Honors were even until
the third round. when the Trentonite
put on extra steam and he kept the
Phlladelphian busy lodging blows. The
judges agreed upon McKenna as the
winner.
Before the bout Mckenna made some
remarks about liking to 60 in against
Willischeck, but after he finished with
Youngs he changed his mind, for he
had his hands full in beating him and
he was not anxious for any further en-
gagements that night.
THE BOUT THAT WAS STOPPED.
Billy Madison and Patsy Gibbons
were the next two on the boards. This
was the bout the referee stopped. Glib
bons Is from Pittston. He is the one
that was up against John Tight at the
tournament two weeks ago Saturday
night when Judge and Leonard met
and were parted. Madison and Glib
bons had been at it before and there
was fire In each ones eyes when they
entered the ring.
They went at 1t like tigers and in a
jiffy both were rolling on the floor.
The referee told them that was not
the way to box and warned them TO
fight sQuarely or he would order them
off. They paid no heed to him but
went at, 1t again as fierce as ever,
and then he separated them and sent
them out of the ring They glared
at each other and uttered hard names
as they were retiring into the wings
Of the stage. and it looked as IL they
might have 1t out rough and tumble.
Just before Madison and Gibbons
came together Mr.. McNally announced
that 1t would be the last bout, as
there was no one to meet Joe Willis
chek. He said the club had made
every effort to get a man to box Joe
but thought the latter was willing to
meet any man even in the 135-pound
class, there was no amateur in Scran-
ton with heart enough to come for
ward.
Whats the matter with Tighe?'
came in loud chorus from the specta-
T1GHE TO THE RESCUE.
"I'll see if that can be arranged"
said he, and after a few minutes con-
sultation with Tighe and Willischel,
he came back and announced that
they were agreed.
Accordingly the two boxers came to-
gether. Willischek gave as fine an ex-
hibition Of boxing as any one could
wish to see. He landed on Tighe sew
eral times without getting anything in
return. but Tighe did not hit him once
without receiving payment Immediate
ly. At the end of the third round the
judges disagreed in their decision. Mr..
Quinnan thought Tighe was the win
ner, and Mr.. Brown decided in favor
Of Willischek.
An extra round was the result. in
which Tighe adopted rushing tactics
and by virtue OF his superior strength
in pushing Willischek to the ropes he
had an unequal advantage and inflict-
ed more blows. The extra round threw
the decision into the hands Of the
referee alone, and he named Tighe as
4 ha MI