The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-17

Onc OF the III NhC 40 -
ground OF Hogarth's celebrated picture
OF the Southwark fair is prize fghter
or bully challenging the crowd To DO
battle with him for money, love or a
beliy-full." Ii is a caricature or the IA
nous James Fig. who enjoys the dls-
finction in the annals or the ring or
having been the first champion on Eng
land. His reputation as hghter anu rem
Ger became SO great that in lll9 he
opened an establishment in London
called Figs AmpItheatre. 1t wasarude
age and the place became at once a
popular resort, men OF all classes ana
conditions OF life frequenting II as spec
tators OF the sparring exhibitions ana
desperate combats that were tonght
within its walls. 1t was patronized ny
a large section of the nobility or the
day. and a history of the events" that
occurred there were published and dedi-
Gated by permission 10 one OF the fore-
most Dukes OF England.
Figs fame as a fighter declined In
time and about 1880 the best men IN
England" rejolced in the names Of Pipes
and Greeting. They were both cham
pions. Figs Amphitheatre, however,
continued TO flourish Andrew Johnson
was the proprietor OF a rival temple or
pugilism, and he. too, counted among
mis- patrons large number OF England :
hereditary legislators. Indeed a prince
of the blood smiled on him. namely,
that Prince Frederick. who is known In
history as the father OF the third George
In the royal line OF British champions
George Taylor followed the renowned
Pipes and Greeting. and then came Jack
Broughton.
THE FATHER OF THE SCIENCE.
Broughton's reign was in many re-
spects an era OF reform. He stripped
q sNff a ha rls n a m
that had characterized It, introduced
more science and regularity" and In
fact elevated pugilism several degrees
in the social scale. Broughton's code or
rules vigorously prohibited "gouging'-
the scientific term OF putting out the eye
OF an antagonist with the thumb; "pur-
ring" which meant kicking man.
while he was down. with nailed sh,ss;
striking in vital parts below the waist
band, and SELLING man when on his
knees and pounding him to death, All
these outrageous practices were allow
able" before Broughtons advent to the
head OF the profession" In "Brough-
tons New Amphitheatre." opened in
l74S. these new regulations were enforc-
ed. and in little while they were
adopted all over England. There also
were seen. for the first time. gloves. or
muffiers. another humane innovation.
The reformation thus effected has earn
ed for Broughton the title OF THE
Father OF the Science OF the Art OF
Self Defense
The celebrated Duke of. Cumberland.
who fought at Calloden. wos Brough-
tons patron-in- The Duke on one
occasion took Broughton with him on
the Continent.
At Berlin he asked the fighters opn-
ion OF Frederick the Greats famous
regiment OF grenadiers. Broughton re-
piled: Why. Your Royal Highness.
should have no objection TO fight the
whole regiment; only be kind enough TO
allow me breakfast between each bat
tie"
During more than half a generation
Broughton held the championship, con-
ouering all who tried their skill with
him. At last, In April. 1850. he met an
antagonist named SLACK. who succeed
ed I'm binding him in Ia minutes. The
Duke Of Cumberland was present at the
battle. He shouted to his favorite:
What are YOU doing. Broughton?
You cant fight; you are beaten
Broughton responded: II can't see
my mar. Your Hlghness: only let me
see my man and he shall not gain the
day yet"
The Duke was so angry al Broughton
that ne withdrew his support from him
and he never fought again. The 10000
which the Lord Cumberland lost on
the fight satisfied him with the ring for
several years. but his admiration for
the fancy" overcame his discretion,
and he began TO back Slack. who was
now champion. The Duke of York, one
OF the uncles of George III. backed Bill
Steven against Cunberlands prodigy.
He won and the Duke gave up the
prize ring and prize fighters forever.
The career OF Stevens as champion
L..
beaten. or allowed himself TO be beaten.
bv Turner. Then came Edward Hunt,
pupil OF Broughton: Bill Darts. Harry
Sellers. Stephen oliver, who had the
omlnous nickname OF Death" Tom
johnson and BENJAMIN Bren. or as he
Vas called big Ben who rejoiced I'm
the patronage OF the Duke OF Hamilton.
PRINCES AT A PRICE FIGHT.
The advent OF the Mendoza marks
The beginning Of what the historians OF
the ring call the Second Era OF the
Science" Like Broughton. Mendoza. A
London Hebrew of Portuguese descent.
was good deal OF a reformer. He was
well educated. and endeavored in every
way possible 30 refine and humanize the
contests of the ring. Pugilistlo history
says that he was natural genius in
the use OF his fists and u IL believed
that he was the most scientific boxer
that ever lived. Hts great contemporary
and rival was Humphrey who was called
the gentleman boxer" and who
gave Mendoza his first lesson. Prize
fighting al this period had risen 60 the
dignity OF being called 'the old national
game" OF England From the throne
down IL was fashionable to patronize its
professors and encourage the expound-
ers OF the science.
A fight between Humphreys and Mar
tin the Bath butcher. In 17s6. threw the
whole country into a state OF the widest
excitement. and when IL came off the
Prince OF Wales. the Duke OF York.
the Duke Of Orleans and a large num-
Der OF the French nobility. then In Eng
land were present. The immense sum of
10000 pounds hung on the result. Mar
tin was beaten.
The next great battle was the neh
between Humphreys and Mendoza. The
match was for 400 guneas and was
fought on a 24-foot stage In a paddock
a. oldham. Jan. 2. f7ss. The public in
terost IN the contest was even greater
than IN The Martin fight and II was
witnessed by at least quorum Of the
House " Lords. Mendoza. owing 10 o
siip on the stage was beaten. Thes