The record-union., 1899-07-04
The Title Wrested From Him by
Frank Erne of Buffalo
At the Arena Of the Hawthorne Athletic
Club at CheektoWaga, n. Y.
Over Seven Thousand People Wit
ness the Contest, Which Was
Was Full of Exciting Episodes
and Hard and Scientific Hitting
From Beginning to End.

BUFFALO, July 3-Frank Erne OF
this city met George Lavigne OF Sagi'
nav, Mich, in the arena OF the HaW-
thorne Athletic Club at Cheektowaga,
suburb of this city, tonight, and after
fighting twenty fierce and clever ROUNDS
wrested the lightweight championship
of the world from the Western man.
Over 1000 persons witnessed the con-
test, which was brim full of exciting
episodes and of hard and scientific hit
ting. Lavigne went down to defeat,
and surrendered the title in a most
creditable manner. He 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 Lavigne re-
eeived a terrible drubbing, and was
only saved from knockout by the
timely interference of the gong. Erne
was looked upon then as sure win
ner, but in the subsequent rounds it
was seen that he had lost some OF his
steam. Just what was the cause of
this was not ascertained until the bout
had reached the limit of twenty rounds
and Erne had been declared the WIN,
ner. 1t was then found that he had
badly injured his left hand in the sew
enth round and if this had not oc-
CURED Lavigne's undoing might have
come in half the time it took the Euf-
falo man to win.
Erne weighed in at 1884, and havigne
at 135 pounds. Lavigne was the IA
yorfte, much money being bet on him
at odds of 100 to 80. When the men
stripped Lavigne looked to be the
more finely drawn. Both were cool and
confident AS the fight progressed La.
vignes GOODNESS vanished, while Erne
never lost his self-possesson for mo-
ment. The Buffalo boy simply battered
the title out of his opponent, and while
not escaping a good deal of punish
ment, he administered a terrific drub-
bling to Lavigne. Toward the end of
the bout Lavigne's guard was useless,
and nothing but sheer gameness kept
him from going under. Blow after
blow fell upon his head and body with
relentless force, but he stood the gaff
and fought back pluckily as best he
could -
Lavigne's seconds were his brother,
Billy Lavigne. Jimmy Robinson, Jack
Hanley and Billy ST. Mary of Saginaw.
Mich. Erne's seconds We're Frank Sim.
per and Billy Huber of Buffalo.
The men were announced to box
twenty rounds to a decision for the
lightweight championship of the world.
:. When Honest John Kelly entered the
ring he was greeted with cheers.
Jim Corbett stepped into the ring and
addressed the crowd, saying: Gentle
men, 1 am getting into the best Of
shape, and will be ready again to con,
test for the heavy weight championship
with the winner of the Jeffries- Sharkey
fight
Lavigne looked to be in excellent con-
dition. AS soon as the men had donned
the gloves Jim Kennedy, Ernes man.
ager. and Billy Lavigne. representing
his brother, entered the ring and had
consultation with Referee Kelly as
to the rules governing the contest. AS
a result of the confab it was an,
nounced that the men had agreed to
box under Marquis of Queensbury rules.
S Round 1--Lavigne was first to lead.
trying a left for the face, which was
blocked. I4avigne hooked his left to the
neck. Erne countering on the body.
These blows were repeated a moment
later. Lavigne sent two straight lefts
to the forehead, Erne sending a left
to the ribs in return. After clinch
Erne sent left and right to face, and
ducked Lavignes counter. Ernes nose
began to bleed and he parted left to
the head. Lavgne tried two left
swings for the head. which Erne lodged
and the round ended in half clinch.
Round 2-Erne sent left to the body
and right to the neck. Lavigne coun-
tered, and then sent a hard left to the
wind. Lavigne sent his left hard to the
face, but was met with a terrible left
in the stomach. Lavigne caught his
man square in the chest with left,