The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-01-25
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FIRST FIGHT FOR AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
REMARKABLE FOR ITS SAVAGE FEROCITY

such interest In prize fighting Of
has been developed as the result
of Jack johnson holding the
heavyweight title.
Jim Jeffries is beseeched to
come out OF retirement and fight
johnson, 1t being conceded that
he is the only white heavyweight
capable of snatching the crown
from the dusky native of Calves
ton. The Tibes believes the
public will be interested in the
fights of early American cham
pions, the first of which, the Tom
Hyer-Yankee Sullivan go, is print
ed today.
Although prize fighting flour
ished in England in the eight
zenith century, 1t did not gain a
foothold here until the nineteenth
century was well advanced. One
of the earliest battles recorded
was in 1848, between the first
American champion, Tom Hyer,
and that tough Importation from
the "ould sod" Yankee" Sulli-
van, whose real name was Frank
Ambrose Murray.
This battle was remarkable for
its one sidedness and savage char
acter, as well as for the fact that
the stake, $4,000 a side, was the
largest that had ever been fought
for.
Although Hyer was endowed
with advantages in height, weight
and reach. Sullivan's experience,
gained in victories abroad over
Hammer Lee, Vince Hammond,
Tom Secor. Prof. Bell and Bob
Caunt. made him favorite with one
element, while Hyer's defeat Of
Country" McCluskey, Sullivan's
right-hand man, made him popu-
lar with the American born.
The i'll feeling between Hyer
and Sullivan was increased when
Sullivan, while intoxicated, at
tackled Hyer and was soundly
thrashed. This led to the match.
The battle was fought at Rock
Point, Kent county, Maryland, the
weather being bitter and the
ground frozen.
The fight, under London prize
ring rules, permitted wrestling,
and upon his ability as a wrestler
Sullivan depended fully as much
as upon his prowess as a boxer.
But Hyer's strength offset Sulli-
vans skill in the embraces, and he
not only won every fall that closed
the rounds, but battered his op-
ponent until, from sheer exhaus-
tion, Sullivan could not longer re-
spond to the call of time.
The first round indicated the
flow of the battle tide. Darling
at his big antagonist, Sullivan
failed to land, but received a wal
lop that laid open his forehead
as clearly as lance cut. Again
he rushed, but his blows were
avoided. He secured his fayorfte
under hold" however, and his
supporters shouted, believing that
one or two cross buttocks would
break Hyer. But 1t was the latter
who won the fall, throwing Sui
Ivan heavily and falling upon him.
In the second Hyer took a posi-
ton at the top of a slope. Sulli-
van landed on Hyer's left eye, re-
ceiving a counter on his right.
Both fought like gamecocks, Civ
ing and taking terrific blows. An
effort to throw Hyer failed, and
Sullivan's hopes fell.
Realizing that he had met his
match, Sullivan fought valiantly,
dropping Hyer with terrific blow
on the neck. He was severely
punished in the next round, which
ended when he went to the ground
Hyer on top.
Throughout the battle, which
went 1G rounds, the fighting was
terrific. Sullivan was the aggres-
sor for 10 rounds, although all
the fighting was in his corner.
Many of Sullivan's leads went
wild, and Hyer's reach permitted
him to counter almost every effort
his adversary made.
In the fourteenth Sullivan was
going fast, and Hyer, assuming
the offensive, "fibbed" him on the
ropes, after which he threw him.
In the fifteenth Hyer again put
Sullivan on the ropes, and catch
ing his arm, gave 1t a wrench that
caused Sullivan to yell with pain.
In the sixteenth Sullivan walk
ed from his corner, weak and
trembling, his left arm helpless.
Hyer let fly with left and right.
and Sullivan took the punishment
without wincing. Hyer threw him
heavily. Sullivan could not rise,
land had to be carried to his cor
liner.
The fight lasted II minutes and
1S seconds. and for ferocity has
seldom been equaled. The punish
ment delivered in so brief a time
eclipsed anything In ring history.
Throughout, Hyer was cool and
collected. while Sullivan lost his
head and was carried onward only
by his indomitable courage.
e-.