Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-04
ERNIE WHIPS LAvlGNE.
CAPTURES LIGHT WEIGHT CHAM
PIONSHIP IN TWENTY ROUNDS.

tSy telegraph to V.rginian- Pilot.)
Buffalo. n. Y. July 3.-Frank Ernc.
OF this city. met George Lavigue. of
Saginaw Mich. in tho arena of the
Hawthorne Athletic Club at Check
towaga. a suburb of this city. Tonight.
ana after fighting twenty fierce and
clever rounds, wresied the lght-weieht
championship OF the world from the
Western man. Over 1000 persons
watched the contest which was brm-
ful of exciting eXpisodes and of hard
and scientific hitting. Lavigne went
down to defeat and surrendered his title
in most creditablc manner. lie was
plucky and game TO the core. and for
the first half dozen rounds more than
held his own against his adversary. In
the seventh round Lavicuc received -
terrible drubbins and was only saved
from Il Knockout by the timely inter
terence of the gong. Ernc was looked
upon then as sure winner, but in the
subsequent rounds 1t was seen that he
had lost some of his steam. Just what
was the cause of this was not ascer-
tanned until the bout had reached the
unit of twenty rounds and Ernc had
been declared the winner 1t was
found that he had badly injured his lief,
iiand In the seventh round and il this
mad not occurred Lavigne's undoiny
might have come in half tho time that
1t took the Buffalo man to win
Both men stripped in splendid con-
much money being bet upon him MT
ODDS Of 100 to 90. When the mer strip
ped Lavigne looked to be the more fine
~ Drawn. Both were cool and conf
dent. AS tho fight progressed Lavisne's
GOODNESS vanished. while Erne never
lost his self possession for n moment.
me Buffalo boy simply battered the
80
not escaping good deal of punish
lnent. lie administered n terrible drub-
hihg 10 Laviene. Toward the end of
the bout LaviEne's guard was useless
ana nothing but sheer gamencss kent
tne Saginaw Kid from going under.
BLOW after blow fell upon his head and
ocdy with relentless force, but he stood
the gaff and fought back pluckilv as
best he could
oi'ioiated as referee. Erne weighed in
at 1859 and Lavigne at 1873.
Lavisne's seconds were his brother.
Billy Lavigne. Jimmy Robinson. of
New orleans; Jack Hanley, of Phila-
delphia. and Billy St. Mary. of Sari-
nav, Mich.
Erne's seconds were: Frank zimpfer
George Salce and Billy Huber all Of
Buffalo. "a
The men were announced to box
twenty rounds to a decision for the
lightweight championship of the
world
When Honest John Kelly. of Nev,
York. was introduced as referee he
was greeted with tumultuous cheere
ana the sports around the ringside
shouted: You are welcome. We know
we Will get an honest run for our
money" va
CORBETT GETTING IN SHAPE.
Jim Corbett. who sat ut the ringside.
was called upon to say connecting. Cor
oe.t stepped into the ring and ad-
dressed the crowd. saying:
Gentlemen. am getting into the
best Of shape and will be ready to
again contest for the heavy-weicht
compromising with the winner OF the
Jeffries-S harkey fight"
GAME TO THE END.
In the 2oth and final round the men
Shook hands in Il gingerly fashion and
i-avigne tried n left for the head. Erne
broke ground. but came back imme
diately with right and left on the face.
I1aViSne's countenance at this moment
was anything but prepossessing. both
eyes being closed. Right and left blows
10 the body brought Lavisne's guard
down. and then IIrne smashed his right
10 the neck and hooked high right IN
the lace without return. Game to the
core: LaNlgne withstood this punish
mcnt and went to his opponent as IL he
were only beginning the bout. Erne was
relentless. however. and forced the
pace. fighting his man as If his life
depended on the result. Lavigne never
weakened. but took his punishment like
stole. but it was all day with him,
and though beaten almost to n stand
still he returned to his corner having
lost the championship. but none of his
many friends and admirers,