The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-03
ROUGH AND TUMBLE FIGHTING,
Pustlists Who Can Hold Their Own Outside
the Ring as Nell as In IL.

hnhAaNa Vhu y III luih hNlN V"h NN''aNN
the Ring as We'll as In IL.
The question has been often propounded
as TO Just what chance a champion puglist
would have in a rough and tumble fight,
/ provided his opponent was his equal in
strength and height. Many scrappers have
/ had some experience in this direction, and
/ not few have acquitted themselves with
| honor. During a fighters career he meets
all sorts and conditions Of folks, and unless
! he employs tact he will find himself in
volved in just one OF these Affairs.
Jim Jeffries thinks that all scrappers
should avoid rough and tumble encounters,
but adds that il such a bout comes boxers
way he should meet II like man.
Thus far have been fortunate In being
able 20 escape a rough and tumble fracas. y
said the champion the other night when the
question was put 10 him. As boy, though
/ was very much at home at Il, and think
IL was this training that gave me the idea
that would be good fighter some day
Mysterious BUY Smith was a good
pugilist outside the mig as well as in il, and
in a case Of Greek meeting Greek Smith
never failed to- show his pluck In the
ring Smith was an aggressive pugilist.
He invariably carried the encounter to his
opponent, depending on rough tactics TO
wear his rival down. While in the height
Of his fame Smith had many adventures
with persons who thought that they could
get away with him in an impromptl scrap.
About seven years ago Smith got into a
row on sixth avenue and whipped three
men inside Of twenty minutes in a rough
and tumble battle. Smith In a wav. pro-
voked the fight He had beer drinking
and when Young fellow, a giant in stature,
said something about the depravity Of
pugilism and those who represent the pro-
fession Smiths blood rose and he pitched
INTO the man for all he was worth. His rival
had two friends who were eager to help
him out and Smith put them out Of com
mission without mich trruhla
Kid Iayigne was fighter OF the rushing
type strong and willing and q good rough
and tumble artist. Lavigne did not fear
outside OF the arena. Layigne was sue
cessful AZ long as his opponent or oppo-
nents failed TO identify him. AZ soon as
they did, though the Kid seemed 20 lose all
courage and was easily worsted
Lavigne's friends tell a story Of a scrape
in which the former lightweight cham
pion became involved in Tenderloin re-
sort. The Kid cleaned out the place in
about ten minutes and felt proud OF his
achievement. After II was all over he began
70 make boasts and informed some Of his
well wishers who he was About an hour
after the AFFAIR occurred the proprietor Of
the place returned. and upon learning
what had happened and who was the cause
Of the disturbance he approached Iavigne.
The man was big, husky German. weigh
ing about 200 pounds, and very strong.
You vos Kit Lavigne, dot champeen
prizefghter. amt idf' the German in
quired Of the lightweight. Lavigne ad-
mitted the distinction
And you vos make trubble here. amt
idl. Lavigne could not help but acoui see
10 this TACT. As soon as he did the German
pitched into him, aud as pretty a rough
and tumble bout az one would wish 20 see
took place then and there. LaTRne's
science and str myth seemed to deselt
him and he was like pigmy In the pro-
pHetor's hands. In about five minutes
Lavigne was forced 20 CRY quits. After
II was all over both shook hands ana La
yigne and the German eventually became
fast friends.
Tom Sharkey. Terry McGovern. John
l.. Sullivan and Dave and Spike Sullivan
are good rough and tumble artists Sharkey
got his experience in this line Of gniellinF
while in the service Of Uncle Sam in the
navy, and McGovern in the streets Of Brook
Ign. Dave and Spike Sullivan are what
one may term natural born fighters and
are very much at home In these 20 AZ
you please miX-ups Pugilsts Of science
such a. Jim Corbett. Frank Erne. Jimmy
Britt, Tommy Ryan and Jack O'Brien.
are not very much up 20 rough and tumble
rules, and undoubtedly would get the worst
OF such bouts. Charlie Mitchell e an eT-
cellent rough and tumble fighter and has
often tested his ability In khis way