The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-17
Old Time Pugilists Who Were Champions
In Palmy Days of the Ring.
Broughton, The Father of the rIany Art Jackson
the Emperor of Pugilism---Some Famous
Battles That Were Fought

third fight between them I'm 1890 estab-
lished Mend ioZa's complete superiority.
Humphreys retired and sold coal during
the rest OF his llfe. To The cOnquering
Mendoza. half the mobility nocked 20
receive lossons in the manly art OF self
Gefenss.
THE PRINCE REGENTS CHUM.
John Jackson was the next popular
favorite. The son or an eminent London
builder. he was wen educated. but he
left his fathers office al en- early age
and fought his way in a short time TO
the frst rank OF the pug.listic frater-
nifty. His first BATHS was with Froterer
BlrmlE l1iam bruiser OF considerable
local reputation. Even then Jackson
was regarded as the great coming
man IN the world OF pug!llsni, and the
Prince of Wales was present at the
contest which took place tn June. 1888.
He proved victor In his frat engage
ment. Next year he fought George the
brewer" Owing 10 a slip on the stage
he dislocated his ankle and broke the
small bone OF his leg. He offered TO
continue the fight tied 10 chair, but
this was not allowed and he was de-
clared beaten Then came his fierce bat
tie with Mendoza, the champion In lfgo.
All England was aroused to the import
ance of the fight, and when the two met
on 24-foot stage at Harnchurch, in
ton ready TO serve as referee. and saw
among the spectators, as they took
their respective corners, the heir TO the
English throne, with his brothers the
Dukes OF Clarence and York, the Earls
OF Seton and Derby. and a good-sized
mob OF other Lords and Baronets. Jack
son won in nine rounds, which were
fought in 10 minutes. He was not much
hurt. while the champion was severely
punished and terribly exhausted 1t is
not improbable that the Prince of Wales
was a heavy bettor on Jackson. At all
events. he presented him at the end OF
the fight with a handsome ring In the
centre stone Of which. surrounded by
brilliants. was cut a representation OF
st. George and the dragon. AS he hand
ed IL TO him the Prince said: THE two
champions should go together" AT the
end OF three years Jackson resigned as
champion and retired from the ring. He
was also the best short-dstance run
ner OF his day. while no man could beat
him at a standing jump. There is a
story that he lifted ten hundredweight
and a quarter. and wrote his name with
an "a pound ball tied TO his little finger.
DUBBED "EMPERoR" BY BYRON.
Jackson's establishment In Bond
street. where he taught the Science"
and introduced new candidates for
ring" honors to the public, was the re-
sort OF the leading members OF the ar
istocracy. who took lessons from him
and had set-to's with one another as
exciting and scientific as some of the
professional displays. Among his pa
irons was Lord Byron, who styled Jack
son thu Emperor of Pugilism.' He
used TO stand up before Jackson with
the 'mufiiers and his diary in 1914 con-
tains several entries in reference TO his
contests with the great boxer.
The Pugllists Club which had been
started some years before was at this
time in hourishing condition. Among
its members were the Dukes OF York
and Clarence. the Duke of Queensberry.
the Earl OF Afbermarle, the Earl OF Sef-
ton the Marquis OF Worcester. Sir w.
w. Wynne. the Marquis of Tweedale,
Lords Byron, Craven Summerville
Barrymore. Pomfret and Fife, and
scores of others no less distinguished.
The object OF the club was TO promote
the development OF the muscle" on
which they believed the fate OF the
monarchy depended. The club had
uniform, consisting OF blue coat and
yellow kerseymere waistcoat, with the
letters r. G.. on the buttons. The princes
OF the blood and the arfstocratic props
TO the throne" backed the fighters in
the ring. helped them when in difficulty
and honored them when they had
knocked out their men In May, 1914, the
club gave a great banquet, at which
Prize Fighters Jackson, Cribb. Gully
Belcher. Oliver and others were the hon
ored guests. Lord Yarmouth. who was
Afterwards Marquis OF Hartford, made a
speech In which he eloquently enlarged
on the national advantages Of pugllism
and pugilists.
This may be considered as the golden
age of the ring. just before the escape
of Bonaparte from Elba, the Emperor
Of IL. II s.g -. -
many other leading Continental dignl-
taries were on a visit 10 the Prince Re-
gent. They were anxious 20 see box
ing match and Lord Lowther was in
trusted with the important duty OF ar
ranging the affair. He assembled a
number of fighters, at his London
house. and the Emperor OF all the RUS
slams. accompanied by Gems Platom
and Blucher. went 20 see the perform
ance. They We're SO delighted that the
exhibition was repeated for the benefit
of the King OK Prussia and his son. the
Prince OF Mecklenburg and other rulers
by divine right Later on the Prince Of
Orange and his two sons were treated
10 an exhibition at their special re-
quest a favorlte toast in these days
was Success 20 British boxing and It's
honest and honorable principles"
FROM THE PRIZE RING To FAR
LAMENT.
Jim" Belcher was the champion In
the early years Of the century. He lost
one OF his eyes while playing rackcts.
Then came Tom Belcher who defeated
the Irish champion, Doherty. on the
Curragh OF Kildare That battle was as
famous In It's W. as tho battle Of the
Boyne. Pearce. the Dame Chicken"
stood az the head % the list next. and
the famous John Gully will be forever
remembered as a prize fighter who be-
came a British legislator. lie represent
ed Pontefract In Parliament from 1882
20 1887. and. like John Morrisey In Com
gress. was one of the best behaved men
In the body one ~ Guliy's hardest
fights was with Gregson. the "Lanca-
shire Giant Both men were over six
feet Ia height and each weighed more
than two hundred pounds. This encoun-
ter is memorable Tor some Of the hard
est hitting on record Gully was tunh-
led completely OF his feet three times
and reEsOu twice. They met again
Nav 40 lsns and q rounds were fought