The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-27
HISTORY OF THE RING.
Some Interesting Facts CuIIcd From
Its Pages.

Its Pages.
Fight history names the first cham
pion as Figg, who reigned from 1919
to 1880. Pipes and Greeting succeeding
him. One hundred years ago Jem Bel
cher held the title.
The Upton Slasher, from whom
Benny Yanger took his fighting nom
de plume, given the Chicagoan by
Paddy Carroll. was champion in 1850.
His real name was Perry, and he won
his title by defeating Paddock.
Tom Savers first came into fame in
1857 when he beat Perry. Three years
later Sayers retired after his fight with
Heenan. leaving the old belt open for
competition, Sam Hurst, the Staly-
bridge Chicken, getting it.
Jem Mace bobbed up in 1861 and re-
tanned the title for two years, when
he was beaten by Tom King. Mace
claimed the title because King re-
fused to meet him again. In 1866 Mace
fought a draw with Joe Goss. He
drew again with Baldwin in 81 and in
20 he defeated Tom Allen in America
for the championship of the world. In
~ Mace fought a draw with Joe Co
burn.
John L. Sullivan and Paddy Ryan
fought in 80 for the championship of
America. They met at Mississippi City,
Miss, and Sullivan won in nine
rounds. London prize ring rules pre-
vailed.
Jake Kilrain and Jem Smith, the
English champion, fought a draw in
81 for the title of champion of the
world. Two years later Sullivan won
from Kilrain at Richberg, Miss.
Bob Fitzsimmons' first championship
fight was against Jack Dempsey for
the middle weight championship. II
was at New Orleans, Jan. IA, 1891, and
Fitz won in thirteen rounds. This fight
broke Dempsey's heart.
Jim Corbett figured in big fights in
81, '92, "a and 80. FTe fought a draw
with Peter Jackson. May q, 1891, the
contest lasting sixty-one rounds. At
New Orleans, Sept. I. 1892, Corbett de-
feated John L. Sullivan in twenty-one
rounds for the championship of Amer
lea. Corbett met Charley Mitchell OF
England, Jan. 25, 1894, and won in
three rounds. Corbett and Fitz hooked
up at Carson City, New, March H.
1877, and Fitz won in fourteen rounds
= with the famous solar plexus punch.
Jeffries' first year of actual fighting
was in 's7, when he disposed of T. Van
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nine, Joe Choynski in twenty, while
he drew with Rubin in twenty rounds
Fftzsimmons was born June 4, 1862
at Elston, Cornwall, England, accord
ing to fight statistics. He is feet 11N
inches in hight. Jeffries was born in
1875 at Carroll, o., and is feet III
inches in hight.
The longest bare-knuckle battle on
record lasted six hours and fifteen min
utes and was between James Kelly
and Jonathan Smith, near Melbourne
Australia, in 1855. The longest bare
knuckle fight in America lasted four
hours and twenty minutes. j. Fitzpat-
rick and James OrNeill being the prin-
cipals. This was at Berwick, Me-, in
1850
The longest glove fight in America
was at New Orleans, April 6, 1898
when Andy Bowen and j. Burke went
100 rounds to a draw. the fight last.
ing seven hours ana nineteen minutes
Jack Everhardt knocked out Ton
Moriarity in six and three-quarter sec.
onds at Philadelphia in '95. The Eng.
lish record is six seconds, in which
time Harry Pigeon knocked out Billy
Lambert
Jack Jones beat Patsy Tunney a.
Chesire. England. in 1926. in a figh
which lasted 276 rounds.
The first ring fight in America was
between Jacob Hyer and Tom Beaslay
in 1916