The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-06

Jim Jeffries is boxing champion of the
world regardless of the opinion many
witnesses of the recent fight had of the
decision of the referee, and his decision
that he will fight no more this year
which means he will retain the cham
pionship for 1900
There is international significance in
that fact for promoters of sports in con-
nection with the Paris exposition next
year are planning match between the
worlds champion in boxing and the
French champion of savate,
The art of boxing is known to almost
every person in this country Savate,
which is essentially French art, COM
bines the use of the feet and hands,
kicking as we'll as punching being al
lowed
Jeffries will undoubtedly represent
the art of boxing, and Charlemont past
master in the art of savate, Will con-
tend with him. Each will follow his own
style of fighting, the purpose of the con-
test being to demonstrate which is the
better art of defense and punishment.
Boxers and followers Of that sport
have held in contempt the French style
of fighting, claiming good boxer could
easily defeat good exponent OF the
French style. But lovers of the game OF
boxing were treated to disagreeaole
surprise last week when Charlemont
won such a contest against an English
boxer named Driscoll. He won in the
seventh round by kicking Driscoll on
the knee For six rounds Driscoll had an
apparent advantage, but in the seventh
Charlemont kicked him on the knee SO
hard that he was doubled up and could
not continue the fight.
THE sAVATE.
The savate is little known in this
country, and few pugilists understand
it's graceful intricacies. Occasionally
some broad shouldered longshoreman
will attempt to patronize wiry little
Frenchman, and be surprised to find
that small and mild hammered person
converted into a revolving battery. He
may be laid low by powerful and
well directed kick under the chin.
Boxing with the feet and hands has
been carried to high state of perfec-
ton by some French masters of the
art. The training requires not only
great strength and endurance but all
the grace and skill of stage dancers.
Every muscle in the human frame is
brought into exercise. Boxing, fencing,
foot ball and more are combined in
lHiS intricate HnelnOQ OF OlleISe anu ue-
tense.
AS far as the courtesies of the ring
are concerned, the savate matches
have about the same rules as contests
fought under the regulations which
bear the name of the Marquis of
Queensberry. When two Frenchmen
come out to fight with their hands and
their feet they first bow profoundly to
each other, raise the right hand above
lNy
and then retire to get within good
kicking and striking distance.
Savate means an old SHOE, but the
feet of the French fighters are encased
in buskin or light shoe securely
strapped. 1t is called a chausson, mean
ing "a sock" and the Frenchman pre-
fers to use that expression. There have
been many changes in the art since
Frenchmen began to kick each other
with such old shoes as might come to
hand.
ON THEIR HANDS
the fighters wear gloves resembling
those employed in the American and
English prize rings, except that the
gauntlets are attached. Fighters gener-
ally wear trousers of some light ma
terial, resembling fine duck AS the
blows are delivered the trousers brush
each other and make a slight rubbing
noise. which accentuates the various
movements.
1t will be observed that many of the
traditions of English boxing are pre-
served in the savate. The French
sport was developed by such masters
as Lozes, Decour and Leboucher.
Charles Lecour went over to England
and took lessons of English boxing
masters, from whom he learned some
points which were incorporated with