Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-18

counted out by Referee r. P. Watson.
The men fought for purse of $500 and
side bets that amounted to about $1,000
more.
The affair was not q contest. 1t was
not even an exhibition. Only two blows
were struck, one when Burns hit Roche
and one when Roche hit the floor. The
whole thing was over before the great
crowd of spectators realized what was
happening.
The American fighter was a big favorite
in the betting. and odds OF 3 to l were
freely offered that he would knock out
Roche There were few takers even at
these odds, and the Burns hackers were
willing to give almost any price in order
to get their money down.
The theater was packed to the limit
long before the fighters began to pre-
pare to enter the ring. Seats sold at
almost prohibitive prices, and standing
room even was at premium 1t is said
that some of the seats at the ringSide sold
for s123 each. and other seats were eager
ly snapped up at SIS apiece.
Crowd Cheers Fighters.
Roche was the first to enter the ring
and he was enthusiastically received
by the audience. The orchestra struck
up 1.-THE Boys of Wexford as he
walked to his seat in the ring. Burns
sauntered lazily down the aisle, and clam
beed through the ropes while the
band PLAYED the Star Spangled Banner
Each Of the fighters was cheered Justify
but their receptions were mere whispers
when compared to the wild applause that
greeted the announcement made by the
master of ceremonies that it was largely
due to the efforts of Richard Croker, for
mer Tammany leader. that Roche was
able to enter the contest.
Croker occupied box at the ringside.
and he was forced to acknowledge several
times the tremendous cheering that greet
ed him. He was one of the most ardent
admirers of Roche. and he led the APP
plause when the Irishman entered the
ring.
There were seats for 1000 persons. and
every seat was occupied. Every available
foot Of space was used as standing
ROOM" and crowds of persons who were
unable to gain admission to the theater
surged bout outside the doors waiting
for bulletins from the inside Only two
They're in the ring and the second
was Roche is out"
Roche Was Slow.
At the sound of the gong the men
started toward each other, and it was
easy to see that the sluggish 1rishman
was no match for the clever American
in either speed or strength Roche was
the taller and heavier of the two. but
Burns began to dance in and out. look
ing for an opening and trying TO draw
his opponent into a lead. Roche paved
at Burns arms and then placed his
hands in front Of his face, whereat
Burns ceased his dancing and began to
peer at his opponent with an lnspectlVe
look The American was watching 1Or
an opening but Roche kept his hands In
front of his face. and Burns assumed
pensive attitude az If he were waiting TO
see what his antagonists intentions were:
The seconds were rapidly tlcklns on ana
nor blow had been struck. Inc spectd-
tors were silent and expectant
At this iuncture Billy NELL. one Oh
Rurns. seconds. inadvertently mentioned
that the $1,000 that Burns was Trying 10
bet on himself had been placed uIhe
assumed an interested look, and began
to peer more attentively at Roche for an
opening Neill was in talkative mood
and supplemented his remarks WIN 'he
assertion that, although the money nad
been placed it had been necessary to give
bip odds in order to get anybody to bet
on Roche. Burns pricked up his ears at
this, aud when Neill declared that he had
also made some stipulation about very
quick Knockout the American hShter be-
came wide awake
Knockout Came Suddenly.
He swept Roche with quick. bust
ness-like look. and suddenly tented with
his left. Roche almost threw fit at
the sudden movement. and as he dropped
his guard to stop the threatening blow
Burns jolted. him on the jaw with his
right. Then Roche began to fall He
shot out sideways and struck the canvas
floor a CHANGING blow. then slid along on
his side and finally came to a stop. face
downward. in the corner of the ring
1t all happened so suddenly that it took
the audience several seconds to appreciate
Roche