The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-04
ERNE NOW CHAMPION
BUFFALO LIGHTWEIGHT DEFEATS
LAVIGNE IN A BATTLE THAT
WAS WELL. FOUGHT
MIsHAP PREVENTS KNOCKOUT

MISHAP PREVENTS KNOCKOUT
| End Might Have Been Reached I'm
the Seventh Round, but for an In
jury Sustained by Lavigne-Sag-
NAV Mans Nameness Was Mar
veuOus-FOught an Uphill Battle
and Lost
| BUFFALO, N. Y, July 3.-Frank Erne,
of this city, met George Lavigne. of
Saginaw, Mich, in the arena Of the Haw-
thorne Athletic club, sat Cheektowaga, a
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
1900 persons watched the contest, which
was briIn full of exciting episodes and of
hard and scientific hitting. Layigne went
down to defeat and surrendered his title
| in most creditable manner. He was
plucky and game to the core, and for the
first half dozen rounds held more than
his own against his adversary. In the
seventh round Lav1gne received terri
Die drubb1ng, and was only saved from
a Knockout by the timely interference of
the gong. Erne was looked upon then as
sure winner, 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
winner 1t was then found that he had
badly injured his left hand in the sew
enth round and if this had not occurred
Lavigne's undoing might have come in
half the time that 1t toook the Buffalo
man to win.
Both men stripped in splendid condi-
ton. Lavigne was the favorite, much
money being bet upon him at odds of
100 to go When the men stripped La
vigne looked to be the more finely drawn
Both were cool and confident AS the
fight progressed Lavigne's GOODNESS van
ished, while Erne never lost his self
possession for moment. The Buffalo
boy simply battered the title out Of his
opponent and, while not escaping a good
deal of punishment, he administered a
terrific drubbing to Lavigne. Toward the
end of the bout Lavigne's guard was use
less, and nothing but sheer gameness
kept the Saginaw Kid from going under.
Blow after blow fell upon his head and
body with relentless force, but he stood
IAAS Bun anu AOd6iib OoCh pIuCkIly ana dS
best he could.
IN THE RING.
Lavigne's seconds were his brother,
Billy Lavigne; Jimmy Robinson, of New
Orleans; Jack HaplaY, Of PHILADELPHIA.
and Billy st. Mary, of Saginaw Mich.
Erne's seconds were Frank Zimpfer and
Billy Huber, of Buffalo
Inc men were announced to box twenty
rounds, to a decision, for the lightweight
championship of the world
Timekeeper for Layigne was Jim Young,
Of San Fl ancisco. *'"H
When Honest John Kelly entered the
ring he was greeted with tumultuous
cheers, and the sports around the ring
side shouted: You're all right; we know
we will get an honest run for our money"
Jim Corbett stepped into the ring and
addressed the crowd, saying:
Gentlemen, I am getting into the best
OF shape, and will be ready to again fight
for the heavyweight championship with
the winner of the =Jeffries- Sharkey fight"
Lavigne looked to be in excellent con-
dition. @sf
As soon as the men had donned the
gloves Jim Kennedy Erne's manager,
and Billy Lavigne;gs representing his
brother, entered the ring and had a con-
sultation with Referee Kelly as to the
rules governing the contest. George Con-
sidine was added to Lavigne's handlers,
and gave the Kid some sound advice.
Then the boxers, with their handlers,
Joined in the parley with the referee as
to the rules, and they held the center
of the ring for many minutes. AS a re-
suit Of the confab between the principals
and their seconds and the referee it was
announced that the men had agreed to
box under the Marquis of Queensberry
rules.
BATTLE BEGUN.
Round One-Both fiddled for an opening
for over a minute. Lavigne was first to
lead, trying for the face, and was blocked.
booked 6o5 his left to neck Erne
peated moment later. Lavigne sent two
straight lefts to forehead, Erne sending
left to the ribs in return. After a clinch
Erne sent left. and right to face and
ducked Lavigne's counter. Ernes nose
began to bleed, and he parted a left to
his head, Lavigne tried two left swings
for the head, which Erne lodged, and
the round ended in a half clinch
Round Two-Layigne opened with
rush, but was blocked, Erne sending left
to body and right to neck. Lavigne coun-
tered, and then sent a hard left to wind
Lavigne, still forcing. sent his left hard
to face, but was met with terrible left
in stomach. Both fiddled and Lavigne
caught his man square in the chest with
a left, Erne putting left to stomach and
followed with a left hook on face. Erne
cleyerly blocked as5leEt lead for his face
and an exchange of lefts on body brought
the men to a clinch - Lavigne reached
Erne's face twice, and as a parting shot
tried to send his right over to head, but
failed. They got into, close quarters as
gong sounded .a''
Round Three-Erne came up fresh, with
Lavigne leading. They mixed it up three
times, and then Erne electrified the crowd
with a terrific left on the Kids face
Lavigne tried several feints to draw Erne
but they were ineffective. Erne sent his
left to body. 1t was hard, but the Kid
came back quickly, with a corking right
under the jaw, and sent a left to the face
without return. Once more the Kid
sent his left to face, Erne countering on
head: Lavigne then tried a left hook
which fell short, and he almost lost his
balance. Erne saw the opening, but the
guard and blocked
MEN FIGHTING HARD.
Round Four-Lavigne led with left to
Jaw, Erne clincfing. Lavfgne oVerreach-
! ed himself in another attempt, but re-
covered in time, with a saving block
Hard rights and lefts were exchanged on
the breast and neck and Lavigne, boring
IN, sent an awful left over the heart
Erne fought back gamely, but got another
crushing blow almost in the same spot
In reply to which he ripped a left to
WIND. Layigne swung two Wild lefts fail
ing TO land, and Erne. coming back quick
~, Strengthened the Saginaw man with
a right uppercut on the face, Lavigne
countering hard on the body. They were
sparring when the bell sounded.
Round Five-Erne was first to lead,
landing left on face Lavigne swinging his
both hands for the body. Erne threw
over his right to 10 bOdV q