The age-herald., 1898-11-12
BOXING EXHIBITION AT. ATHLETIC CLUB Some Very Creditabls and Interesting
 Bouts AMONG MEMBERS OF CLUB Jones and Ross Had Not Trained We'll and Lost Their Wind. THOMPsoN-BlDDLE GO EXCITING Ed. Warren Served as Punching Bag for Oscar Gier-Practice of the
 Football Team Begins
 Tonight.
THomPsON-BlDDLE 60 EXCITING

Last night at the Birmingham Athletic club over a hundred boxing enthusiasts as- sembled to see the first sparring tourna- ment of the year They witnessed a very credible and interesting exhibition While all of the men were not in as good trim as they might have been, they fought we'll and had plenty of ginger in their blows. As a prelude to the boxing, several musi- cal selections were rendered by gentlemen who were present.
 The entertainment opened with an exhibi- tion of bag punching by Prof. Harry Miles Prof" is easily the best puncher in the city and his work was greatly appre- ciated and enjoyed.
 The first sparring match of the evening was one between J. P. Ross and Sid B. Jones. Neither one had been in training long enough and the work told on their wind. Still they put up very creditable fight Ross fought in a dignifed stand still manner while Jones buzzed around and around. Honors were very nearly even.
 The most exciting contest of the even- ing and one which had been looked for ward to with interest was the bout between Jack Riddle and Carey Thompson. Both HIGH are SSititiiiC, dIc Hdlu uhA both were in good condition. They ap- preached each other cautiously and for ten or fifteen seconds see-sawed around without passing blow. But they soon warmed up, and the scrap became hot. Riddle is probably the more experienced fighter and he got in several pretty stiff jabsaon Thompson's eyes. The latter stood him off well, however, being very clever in his lodging, and succeeded in returning in a right vigorous manner, a number of Bid- dle's blows. Thompson came off just a little the worse for wear.
 Piclsah " Scrapers
 The management next introduced two pckaninny boxers, who put up by far the best. scrap of that kind that has been seen in Birmingham. They were stripped in the regulation fighting style, and the vicious swings which they put in were very comi- cal. 'F 7 "5Nf' ssst
 Professor Miles and Dan McDonough then gave what turned out to be spectacular bout for points. There were blows deliv- cred that would apparently have killed an OK, but they seemed to have had not the slightest effect Miles and McDonough. It is not known whether the individuals were simply too tough to be hurt or wheth- CT the blows lacked driving power.
 The last scrap on the programme was one between Oscar Gier, the well-known local professional and an unknown The latter failed to turn up, however and in order that the audience might see the pretty points in MT. Gier's boxing, Ed Warren very kindly consented to serve as the punching bag for the occasion. He has been out of practice for over a year, but he served his purpose well. It was not alto gether a dead bag, though for he made several rushes and got in some nice punches on the rolling mill champion.
 The tournament was a success in nearly every particular, and it is very probable that another one will be arranged within a month or two.
 Announcement was made during the even- ing of the ten-round go which has been arranged for next Friday evening between Oscar Gier and Joseph Rowe of Chicago. me latter is almost unknown in Birming- ham boxing circles, but he is said to be a good one. The fight will be for points and wlll take place at o'clock. There will be several preliminary bouts. The admission will be s1, and tickets will be sold alr next week. r
 Football Practice
 The football team of the Athletic club will have its first practice tonight on the tennis court grounds across the street from the club Lights will be put up today and the ground will be. marked off in gridiron fash ion. Captain Belden urges that all .--e applicants come promptly at o'clock and bring with them all the football clothes they have. It is not known yet when the first game will be played, but Manager Laird is trying to get one with the army officers at Anniston the latter part of next