The record-union., 1897-01-28
A HARD-CONTESTED BATTLE.
Ten Stiff Rounds Between Van BuSkirk
and Steiner.
Referee William Donahue Declared
It q DraW-The Decision
In Abeyance.

BuSkirk- -Stelzner glove fight last night
that when genial Billy Donahue con-
sented to act as the referee of a profess
sionaa combat he overshot the limit of
his ability.
He declared THE fight draw at the
end of the ten rounds to which the
match was limited, though Van Bus
kirk had his face badly battered
and he was receiver general of
punches galore, while Steiner was do
ing nearly all the punching, had not a
mark on him, and was far the fresher
man at the end of the bout.
A man accustomed to act as referee in
professional matches-in the opinion of
nearly all who saw last nights combat
would have awarded the battle to Stelz-
ner. But Referee Donahue evidently
thought he was in a tight place, and
did the best he could
1t is true Van Buskirk was on his
feet and facing.his adversary as gamely
as any man could have done, but he
was getting the worst of the battle
right along.
The general opinion was that, under
these circumstances, Steiner was enti
tied to the decision. OF course, there
We're some who thought differently, and
as the referee was obliged to give a de-
cision he doubtless did what he thought
was best, knowing that the Board of
Governors of the Athletic Club had yet
to sit in judgment ON his decision.
This fact was not generally known
last night, but for the benefit of those
Who have bets on the result it may be
stated that the clubs officers have yet
to approve or reject the referees decis-
ion, and they will act to-day That
they will not be influenced in their ac-
ton by the opinions of outsiders may
confidently be relied on, as the club is
Jealous of its reputation for fairness.
HOW THE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT.
A large crowd of people, probably 800
or more, assembled to see the contest at
the Old Pavilion under the Sacramento
Athletic Clubs auspices.
There were several preliminary bouts
and at 10 O'Clock the principals in the
chief event entered the ring with their
seconds. and the preliminaries were gone
through with. Van Buskirk was the
taller and all Of twenty pounds the hea-
vier of the two, and the spectators felt
that it made heavy odds against Stelz-
ner, who, how yer, was in fine condi-
ton.
Van Buskirk was seconded by Ed.
Hennessey, John Norton and Tom John
son. Stelzners seconds were Vincent
White, Spider Kelly and ]. Gallagher
Stelzner's timekeeper was G. Maloney,
and Van Buskirk's Dan Morgan. w J.
Donahue was chosen as referee.
Round 1-As the men advanced to the
center Of the ring both were cautious.
Van Buskirk got in a tremendous blow
over the heart and Steiner countered on
the head and repeated the blow Van
Buskirk played for the body, Stelzner
reaching the head, throat and face re-
peatedly having decidedly the best of
the round.
Round 2-Stelzner led on the face and
Van Buskirk got in on the body and
neck heavily, following with one in the
face. Steiner landed repeatedly on the
neck and in the face, Van Buskirk re-
taliating on the neck, and the honors
were even for the round
Round 3-Stelzner was aggressive.
and got in on the face and throat, Van
retaliating on the body. Van missed
heavy swing and caught a hot one in the
face, and another on the neck. Heavy
exchanges and clinches, Van having the
best of the round.
Round 4-Stelzner got in on the face
and neck repeatedly, Van Buskirk re-
taliating on the body and neck Stelz-
ner jabbed him repeatedly. The round
was characterized by furious fighting,
in which Stelzner had the best of it.
Round 5-Stelzner landed again and
again on the face and neck much as he
pleased, Van Buskirk retaliating on the
neck and body. This was StelZner's
round. Van putting at the end of it,
Round this was a heavy one from
start to finish, Stelzner landing on the
face and neck, and Van Buskirk heavily
on the neck, and his blows seemed to
weaken Stelzner. Honors We're easy.
Round 1-Stelzner landed on the face
time after time and ran Van back on
the ropes. Heavy exchanges followed
and the round ended by Steiner land
ing heavily on the neck, staggering his
opponent as the bell rang Stelzner
improved in wind from this throughout
the fight, and Van was a little groggy.
Round S-Stelzner landed on the face
iNfNV, dii ltliuIuS lne neck. HEAVY
exchanges and Steiner landed three
times and again and again hitting Van
Buskirk as he liked. Van was appar-
entity weak and Stelzner had his own
way
Round 9-StelZner jabbed Van Bus
kirk on the face and neck repeatedly.
Van getting in some heavy counters ON
the neck and body Steiner iabbed
him again and again, but Van took his
punishment we'll and seemed stronger.
There was heavy hitting all through
the round, Stelzner having the best of
it. but both men being weak.
Round l0-The round opened with
heavy exchanges, Van playing for the
body and neck. and Stelzner landing
heavily in the face again and again. He
landed heavily in the face as the bell
rung
The crowd cheered for Steiner. and 1t
was some time before the referee could
command silence so as to be heard.
when he decided the bout a draw.
The decision was received with much
dissatisfaction, the almost universal
opinion being that Stelzner outfought
his opponent at all points, despite the
heavy odds against him In weight.
Still there are different ways of looking
at things. and the referee gave his de-
cision on the ground that Van Buskirk
had forced the pace. However, Stelz-
rser did most of the leading and landed
the most blows
PRELIMINARY BOUTS.
The opening three-round boxing bout
was between Ed. and William Johnson,
and a very clever and pretty exhibition
1t was. The elder Johnson of course did
not take advantage of his superior skill