Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-17
A GAME FIGHT.
Referee Boutelle Declared Sui
van-McGrath Match Draw.
But Science Was Lacking from the Event
twenty-five Rounds we're Holly
Contested.
Dispatch to the snvN

New London, Conn, March 16.--One Of
the greatest displays Of gameness ever
witnessed at a boxing exhibition in this
city was shown tonight, by John L. Sui
livan Jr., and Tom McGrath, both Of
Worcester, who were matched for %
rounds, at 100 pounds, in the Athletic
Club gymnasium.
Both men withstood the severe pun
ishment of the other for the fun num-
Der of rounds, and at the close the bout
was declared a draw by Referee James
Boutelle. Science was lacking from the
contest, however and II Sullivan knew
enough to follow up his advantage, he
could have put McGrath out In the third
round, when he had him groggy The
men were trained to the pink of condi-
ton.
About 100 sports from Worcester We're
present at the exhibition
The preliminary was a siX-round so
at catch weights, between Denny Leary
Of New London and Jack Neal of Bos-
ton.
1t opened up well. and both men
rushed matters: but Neal at once com
menced his foul tactics by hitting in the
clinches; and, despite the referees warn
ing, he persisted, and finally roughed 1t
to such an extent that Leary retaliated,
and they INDUCED in a rough and tun-
BILE on the floor, when the officials Of the
club stopped the bout in the first round.
The brevity of the preliminary necessi-
tated brief delay before the appear
ance of the two principals.
Sullivan was the first to put in appear
ance, followed by Martin and Joe Fla
herty of Lowell and Austin Rice of this
city, who were his handlers; while Nc
Grath was seconded by his brother, Jim
McGrath, William Whalen and Sam
Rice. The timer for Sullivan was Jerry
Regain, and for McGrath, Charley
Smith; while Jim Gaffney of this city
held the watch for the club. Both men
weighed in below 140 pounds
The bout opened with the men start
ing slow, but they warmed up soon,
when Sullivan started the claret by
landing on McGrath's nose. Before the
second round closed both men were
putting from their efforts, and evidently
appeared delighted when the gong
sounded.
In the third round Sullivan made sew
eral right and left swings, while Nc
Grath swung wild, and before the round
closed was decidedly groggy.
The fourth round was likewise Sulli-
vans, but in the fifth McGrath fresh
ened up considerably and did most of
the leading.
In the sixth McGrath continued on the
aggressive and landed frequently on the
body, while Sullivan would return on
the face and head.
In the 7th round Sullivan started out
to finish his man, but he misjudged Nc
Grath's ability to withstand punish
ment; and, at the close of the round
honors were even.
A succession of stiff lefts in the Sth
caused AIcGrath to appear ready tc
drop out, but in the 9th round it was
give and take.
In the 11ta round Sullivan closed Me,
Graths left eye, and in the 18th round
he he'd him again going; while in tins
18th Sullivan succeeded again in land
ing on McGratt's head and partially
closed his right optic. The fight contin
ued for the remaining round in varying
manner; neither man being strong
enough to do any effective Furnishing
but with honors alternating. In the 1911
round both men were groggy, ana {
good punch from either would have end
ed it.
McGrath showed the greatest recuper
alive power; and when the 18th ROUND
opened, both men went at it in nurri
cane rally, which then kept up for the
three minutes and were on their feet al
the end and the bout was declared a
draw.