The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-28
WIN Make No More FIGHTS.
CHAMPIONS EASY
With PARTNERS

While manv writer's have devoted
columns to the champion boxers who
have appeared upon the stage in exhi-
bition bouts, 1T is but seldom one reads
about the sparring partners of the IA
nous glovemen. It is true the public
pays its money primarily at the door
to see the champ and takes but pass
ing interest in5ahe assistant; stin the
spar11ng partner forms an important
feature OF the exhibition II he boxes
too slowly, the bout drags. If he is too
speedy he will make his boss look too
slow In comparison and that would
never do. He must box just so; gage
his work according to the pace set by
the star.
If the sparring partner is smart and
quick to learn, he will pick up tricks
that will liven up the bout and make
1T look like the real thing. He
will know when to duck in spectacular
fashion; when to, aim wild swing
for the jaw that he does not intend
to land, and to take a seemingly hard
punch on the mis- glove. at the same
time making 1T appear as though it
landed on his chin or neck. In the
rallies that always wind up the rounds
he draws his head in between mis-
shoulders, turtle fashion, and whales
away with both hands The specta-
tors think that each man is doing his
best to fiatten the other and the big
applause follows. It's all in the game
and knowing how to do it.
The salaries of sparring partners
cover a wide range 1t is said that
Jim Jeffries has paid as high as $500
week, but that is an exception The
better class gets 800 or SIS a week.
The figures run as low as $40 and $50.
The average is about SIS. AS a rule.
they are not punished severely in the
exhibitions, because 1t is speed rather
than hard punching that makes the
bout look attractive from in front.
About the only part Of the anatomy
that really suffers is the left ear. That
member generally becomes puffed up
from the many right swings that land
on It, and in many instances requires
almost constant medical attention.
The idea of the champion is to put
up fast snowy bout, in which he
lands the more clean blows: but there
is little steam behind them, and that
makes 1t easy for the sparring partner.
The two exceptions were Bob Fftzsim-
mons and Kid Lavigne. Fitz had .
way of swapping short body punches
that hurt. He hit possibly harder
than ne intended. but the sting was
there just the same Mike Conley, who
made one tour with Fftz. said that
every time he boxed with him Ii was
like taking a part in a real fight. Dan
X
seasons, was generally pretty we'll
bunged UP.
Lavigne Worst.
Kid LavTgne was tine worst of all.
He didn't know how to box lightly.
1t was a case of fight from the start.
and woe be unto the sparring partner.
The first time Lavigne ever boxed on
the stage the writer happened to be
present. The Kids" brother Bill
was carded to work with him. The
Kid was very fond of his brother but
as soon as he saw the lights, the sea
of faces and felt the gloves on mis-
hands he forgot where he was. He
thought 1t was a real battle, and as
soon as the bell rang he tore after Bill
like hurricane. The first punch, a
left swing, ripped Bills eye open and
almost sent him spraying into the or
chestra. He had a difficult time get
ting through the three one-nninute
rounds. Down In his dressing room the
Kid cried and said he didn't mean to
hit SO hard. Jack Hanley finished
the week out. He had his own
troubles, and had to be on the watch
continuously, or he would have taken
a nap when least expected. Most OF
the other noted boxers were easy with
their sparring partners. John Il. Sui
Ivan had Dan Dwyer and later Ed
White for assistants, and always put
up an interesting set-to Jack Demp-
sey used Denny Costigan and never
|pummeled him UP very badly. Jack
McAuIiffe and Jimmy Nelson always