Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-18
THE SPORTING NEWS.
THE PUGlLISTS.
THE BRETON
 FOUGHT WELL,

FOUGHT WELL Frankie Neil Given a Sound
 Thrashing by Jem Bowker
 Joe Walcott Arrested
 for Murder Other News.
 London, Oct IS.-Frankie Neil, ban tamweight champion of America, was decisfvely whipped last night in the historic ring of the National Sporting club by Jem Bowker, the undefeated British champion, who is now the champion of the world, that title being the issue of the battle.
 Besides winning the worlds bantam weight championship, Bowker took a $1,O00 purse, a $1,5OO side bet, and gifts of hundreds of pounds from Brit ish sportsmen who backed him as long as there was an American in sight to bet in guineas or dollars.
 The bout went the full twenty rounds, but after the first ten 1t was all Bowker's battle The Briton forced the fighting in the last half, Neil cov- ering up aI waiting for chance to knock him out. The chance never came, though Bowker fought with both hands and made the pace.
 Neil's blows, which had sent his American rivals to the ropes and to defeat, did not worry the British cham pion, who proved to be as game aa any man who ever stood up in the famous ring.
 He was remarkably fast and with speed combined great hitting power. He slipped like lightning and landed effectively with both hands so fast that he got no return. His blocking was beautiful, and the American ex- perts present declared that he was the best little boxer they had ever seen. combining all the merits of the British and American boxing styles, with something of science not possessed by any other, not even Trimmer at his best
 The club house was crowded, and Bettinson, the manager, had to refuse tickets to hundreds, owing to lack of room Record prices were offered Tor seats, but those fortunate enough to hold the invitations held on to them.
 NeiPs record as a whirlwind lighter and the presence of many prominent A Il can favorite. The betting opened at 5 to on Neil and heightened to 6 to 4.
 The Americans wagered their money frantically. John R. Considine, Bob Pinkerton, George Fuller Golden, Paul Arthur and George Weedon offered to bet $2,5OO at a time all over the house, and were taken up until their bank rolls gave out. Frankie Neips father bet ali he had in the world. Scores of Americans. not usually identified with betting on prize fights, wagered large sums.
 It was carnival of speculation, and the electric light lit up a turmoil of men in full evening dress and white kid gloves betting hundreds and thou sands Of pounds with nonchalance.
 Many Britons backed Neil, but there was a strong party of sporting men who liked Bowker and they took every dollar that was offered. The Ameri- cans were eager to get action, and not until more than S1OO,0 had been re corded did they feel satisfied.
 The boys appeared amid scene of intense but subdued excitement, as the rules of the club forbid demonstra. tions. Both scaled exactly 116 pounds. Bowker was short, stocky, pink ana TuQQY. N6ll WAS pd1S dhu AOOASSA drawn too fine.
 l. Frankie looked a thoroughbred all over. and the crowd, forgetting rules, applauded him as though he were prima donna. Bowker, who was to battle for England against the Ameri- can wonder, was given an ovation. Then came silence, which only the first bell broke.
 Neil adopted waiting tactics from the first round, standing with head low and hands before his face, allowing Bowker to punch at will. He seemed to think he could tire his antagonist. :. Occasionally he thrust his head against Bowker and slugged, but the Briton met kim half way and drove him out of range. Neil waited too long and Bowker broke his block, getting to the upper part of his head with swishing. corkscrew blow that blacked both Frankie's eyes.
 Tn the third, fourth and ninth rounds Frankie took the offensive and had Bowker going.
 He landed a tempest of blows, and then let up. and the Americans whose S1OO, 900 was at stake began to ask why he didn't finish, as he was In America finisher par excellence.
 After the tenth round he continued his waiting tactics with his face bleeding and his eyes closed.
 It was apparently Neils last rally in the tenth, for after that Jem put it all over him. Neil only occasionally landed.
 Bowker won easily. He was cheered by everyone, including the Americans who had lost fortunes. Bowker showed himself to be great, and Neirs phenomenal left might as well have been anchored, as it seldom reached it's mark.
 The opinion was that Bowker simply oubfought Neil and punched the life out of him, so that when in his rallies he got the Briton started toward de- feat he had nothing left to go on with. Bowker finished as strong as a bull.
 Neil was a great disappointment. If he is a whirlwind he didn't demon strate it.
 Peggy, Bettinson, manager of the National Sporting club, will take Bow