The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-04
P|JGS HAVE REAL F|GHT
TWIN CITY SPORTS WITNESS HOT
co AT COLUMBIA
HEIGHTS
MINNEAPOLIS VS.. ST. PAUL
Ben Debbs, of This City, and Billy
Potts, of Mayor Ames' Town,
Have Eight-ROund
Go.

It has just leaked out that one of the
fastest fights in the history Of ring con-
tests in Minneapolis took place Friday
night in dilapidsted barn at Columbia
heights, between Billy Potts, Of Min
neapolis. and Ben Debbs, of this city The
battle was bloody one and lasted for
eight rounds. 1t resulted in draw, but
the fifty or more Twin City sports who
had given up S. each to see the game
were highly satisfied with the evenings
entertainment
The fight was not on the fake order.
1t was the real thing and the kind that
made the rafters of the barnyard arena
ring with the plaudits of men who love
the manly art whom it is exhibited by
gamesters who arc out for gore.
In the fifth round the St Paul man
hooked a terrific right on the jaw OF
young Potts and sent him to the floor in
a heap. Potts came to on the ninth
count, and went at his opponent in the
text round with all the viciousness Of a
Terry McGovern.
Debbs was fiattened out twice. but re-
gained his feet and his consciousness be-
fore the fatal ten seconds were doled out.
1t was a poorly matched contest as far
as weights were concerned for Potts
weighed in at 1906 pounds, while his op
ponent touched the beam at 1876. Never
theless the Minneapolis fighter was the
1dNOTll6 dIltT the IOuilO. anu HSdAly
labbed and hooked young DebbS to an
uusavory finish.
Both men were covered with blood ear
" in the game and presented a CHASTITY
appearance in the dimly lighted stable
as they strove with all their might to
knock each other out.
SPORTS HAD TO WALK.
The fight had been arranged, after the
customary pugilistic chickering's, early in
the week. and word was quietly passed
around to the inside circle early Fri
DAY afternoon. They were instructed to
take the o'clock car for the Heights in
order to catch the last extension car
which travelled toward the scene Of the
conflict. Since the closing down Of the
rolling mills the owl on the extension
line has not been running after $50. A
number of the sports were not aware OF
this and were compelled to walk full
two miles through the mud in order to
reach the barn.
The affair was pulled off with great
secrecy in order that the names of the
fighters and the promoters should not
reach the ear of the ever vigilant police
department 1t was too good a nrfx-up
to keep mum. however, and yesterday
the details of the sickening battle was
current topic of conversation.
number of st. Paul admirers of fsti-
TO wager on their man." There was
very little betting, however, on account
OF Potts inferiOrity as to weight
The two youngsters did no tagging at
any stage of the game. They fought like
tigers and went in for blood from the
instant time was called. After three short
rounds the crude make-shift of a ring
looked like the bloody section of a slaugh-
tering pen, and excitement ruled SUI
preme
1t looked as though everything was
over but the shouting in the fifth round,
when Debbs landed the terrific blow
that sent young Potts sprawling to the
bottom. The Minneapolis boy proved
himself a game fighter, however, and
pulled himself together in true profess
sional style. He went after the heavy
boxer in the next three rounds in a man
ner that made the Minneapolis contingent
yell to their hearts content
All were of the opinion that a bright flu
ture is in store for the little fellow who
was not afraid