Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-25

San Francisco, March 24.-Elaborate
preparations had been made for hand
ling the crowd, and at 6 O'Clock the
doors of the gallery section were
thrown open in order to allow those
holding general admission tickets TO
get in out of the rain and avoid the
rush and confusion when the more ia
vored ticket holders should arrive.
Mindful of its experience with the JEFF
fries-Sharkey fight, when the temper
airy amphitheatre collapsed, injuring
many persons, the management used
every means to avert a recurrence of
this trouble. Seats were built on
substantial foundation under the direct
supervision Of the fire department, the
rear rows being only two feet above
the floor. The ring, placed in the cen
ter of the arena, was six feet above the
main floor, affording good view from
all points Of the big building.
The betting public was in suspense
hour John L. Sullivan, who had been
decided on by both men, proved too
elusive, despite many kilograms sent
to various points in an attempt to
locate the ex-champion and bring him
back to San Francisco. Sullivan was
supposed to be in the southern part OF
Of hi .
not abandoned until late in the after
noon, when the club took matters IN
hand and sought another man to act
in the capacity as judge of the contest.
Choynski suggested several local fistic
experts, all OF whom were unsatisfac-
tory to Mccoy, who insisted upon an
eastern man being chosen. Jim Ken
nedy, of Brooklyn, manager OF Frank
Erne, and an associate OF w. A. Brady
in some of the latter's enterprises, was
finally chosen. Mccoy was satisfied
with Kennedy and Choynsh agreed to
the choice rather than cause any trouble
or delay when the hour OF entering
LuG TllS
Betting continued lively this evening
at 10 to 6 in McCoy's favor.
The seconds acting for each man were
as follows: McCoy-Homer SeIby,
Jack Steiner and Frank Purcell.
Choynsli-Eddie Greaney, Tom Muir
ply and Charles Tilson. The prelim-
inaries to the big fight comprised three
four-round bouts between local anna
tours.
Choynski weighed in at 167 pounds
and Mccoy at 159. The weights az
the ringside were approximately l68
and 100 pounds. Both men appeared
to be in perfect condition, notwith-
standing the fact that they were unable
to do much outside work during the
past week owing to the rainy weather.
ATS O'Clock the building began filling
rapidly, and all were seated without
undue confusion. Seating arrange
ments were as near perfect as could be
imagined. Six thousand seats were
placed, and besides all these being fill
ed, a thousand or more were standing
around the outer edge Of the room.
After the preliminaries which were
very tame exhibition affairs, there fol-
lowed long wait.
1t developed that the cause Of the
delay is due to McCoy's demands that
the winners share Of receipts be de-
posted in one corner of the ring. This
was finally agreed to, but there was
delay in counting the money in the
box.
At 1925 p. m, Choynski made his
appearance, followed in the ring by
his seconds. He was given hearty
greeting by the big crowd. He wore
trousers and a red sweater and took
the southeast corner OF the ring.
At 9:45 p. m. Mccoy climbed through
the ropes, shook hands with Choynski
and spoke a few words of greeting. He
wore trousers and black sweater and
took the opposite corner. Choynski car
ried a box of rosin across to Mccoy and
sprinkled some on the floor for his adj
versary. Mccoy was introduced by
Billy Jordan as the coming champion
OF the world, which declaration was
greeted with wild applause.
Jim Kennedy was then introduced as
the referee. Both men were bandaged
about their hands. When Mccoy strip
ped he wore short white trunks, loose,
like those of sprinter. He appeared
pretty finely drawn.
Choynski stripped TO a very short
loin cloth. He showed up well, his
massive shoulders quite overshadowing
those CT Mccoy.
At 10 ?. N. the referee called the men
TO the centre and gave instructions
They agreed to break away clean.
Round AFTER lively sparring in the
middle of the ring Mccoy led with his
left for the body but missed Choynsk
was on the aggressive but did not lead
until Mccoy landed light on his neck
McCoy swung left for head and Joe
dueked Toe landed lightly on top of