The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-18
Ruhlin's Early Career.

lGeo- Sller, in Cincinnati Enquirer
Gus Ruhlins sudden climb to the second
top rung of the pugflistic ladder has set
the followers of the sport talking RUN
ms ms early adventures in pugdom, his per-
slstency IN pegging away against adverse
criticisms and his determination to be-
come a fighter have been recounted time
The story of his first ring fight. how
ever. mas never appeared in print, and
his opponent look like anything but a
ance in the ring was With big big @ Yank''
Kennedy, which the latter won. This
told TO me by Ben Nolan, wei known by
old Chicago club men as a boxer and
in 1884 said Ben, II was working for
the Werner Printing company at Akron,
ohio. as pressman: Rubin was the stock
man; and his brother, known as Texas
Rubin, was the boss machinst. In April
OF that year a travelling combination of
boxers ana wreStiers hit the town and
boxers was one Jim Thompson of Cleve-
pion heavyweight of the state. He was
feet 10 inches tall and weighed about IS5
pounds, strong and fairly clever He con-
sidered himself a wonder simply because
he had knocked out a number of easy
marks Rubin at this time did not know
the rudiments of the hit. stop and get
away game, but was anxious to become
a fighter and notified the manager of the
combination he would box his champion
four rounds. Ruhlin'S brother got cOnsid-
erably worked up over the AFFAIR and
knowing I was posted on boxing. asked
me to take Gus in hand This was two
days before the contest was scheduled to
take place and too short time to teach
him anything.
Il took him in hand. however, and in
straight and jab at Thompson's head
whenever he got within distance or when
in reserve and use it only when an OPP
portunity to land effectively presented
itself
we were all on hand the night of the
contest, anxious to see how Gus would
fore time was called for the first round
1 advised him not to lead, but to stick
out his left and jab and look as fierce as
possible Not blow was struck in the
nrst round. thompson Tented and
danced aroud quite cleverly, but could not
draw Rubin out There he stood with
his left sticking out full length, and look
ing fierce. And so it continued during the
round In the second round the crowd
yelled for Thompson to knock him out.
but Gus carried such determined look
with that left sticking out, that Thomp-
son thought he had been steered against
strative and egged the champ on. but
he was chary. Gus appeared dangerous.
Once he got close and Rubin remember
ing instructions. stuck out his left, showed
right. That was enough for Thompson
He dropped to the floor, and With a
scared look on his face, crawled on his
hands and knees to his corner.
What's the matter with you? Are
you going to quit? asked one of his sec
onds.
N not gong 10 De knocked out by a
dub. If that fellow had hit that time
he would have knocked my head off, was
Thompson's rejoinder.
Gus did not know what to make of the
situation. He had licked the champion of
the state without hitting him and he
thought the game was easy. That was his
first appearance in the ring.
THE next day" continued Ben 81 took
him in hand and worked him about three
hours night twice week. principally
or straight hitting. I do not wish to take
the credit of bringing him out. as l think
Billy Madden is entitled to that, but GER
tainly think I assisted in laying some of
his pugiliStic foundation stones.''