The San Francisco call., 1910-05-15

y enthusiastic gathering that filled the
special train out of New Orleans on May TO-
1870, bound for the spot where the champion
ship of the world to be decided once more.
Not since the great international contest between
Heenan and Sayers had the pugilistic world looked
hopefully toward d promised test of skill given
proof notably of its faith in the possibility of lift
ing the game from reproach. "Jem" Mace latter day
exponent of the manly science developed by its
masters, Mendoza and Belcher, had come to America
and had been matched with Tom" Allen for $500
and the worlds title
Mace was in every way the veteran of the profes-
sion. He was 80 years old. AS youth he had been
an itinerant instructor in boxing. Before his two
meetings with Tom" King in 1862 he had been
prominent in the ring for years. He had
fought thrice many pitched battles as any other
who then few colors within the squared circle"
His circuit had included England, Ireland, Australia
and America And now, we'll past the boxers prime,
with established and honorable record, he volun-
teered to restore the ancient traditions of the sport
after period of confusion and disorder by
honest test of manhood
Allen was the fttest opponent to dispute the great
fighter Born in Birmingham in 1841 he had the ad-
vantage of Mace by 10 years His in the ring
had been busy and successful including dozen
fights before his departure from England and four
in this country meeting with Mike" McCool
St. Louis the preceding year had been broken
up by mob and he had lost the decision after lead
ing all the way; but subsequent negotiations for
other trial with McCool had ended with the with
drawal of the nominal champion and Allen was now
in actual possession of the title
The special, after early start, proceeded to a
stretch of open ground three miles above Ken
nerville, La, where the ring was pitched near the
river. The crowd of 200, which included many we'll
known fight followers from all parts of the country
and from abroad, army officers and the members of
the Chicago baseball club ranged in orderly manner
about the ropes Mace and Allen, who had followed
the train a dummy engine, called forward by
Rufus Hunt, the referee and entered the ring with
their attendants for general hand shaking. Mace
was seconded by Jim" Cusick and Jerry Donovan,
and Allen by Joe" Coburn and Sherman Thurston.
At the stripping both showed in magnificent
condition, proof Of long and faithful training. The
spectators dwet curiously and adnlirngly upon the
wonderful physique of Mace, his trim muscle knobbed
figure his brisk, 1.-THE movements. The old champion,
full of the pride of body, had allowed himself
get of hand and revealed of the softened
lines and habby rolls which might have been par
doned in one rounding his of fighting years.
His eye was as bright, his skin fresh and firm upon
the whipcord ridges his pose as erect and easy as
when he first snatched the championship. And with
it all the calm youthful confident smile that had
overlooked many stricken fields He came to the
center al 100 pounds, Just seven pounds over his
weight in his fights with King eight years before.
Allen was man of hard, angular, powerful build a
more massive and formidable type than his opponent
Five feet ten inches in height, overtopping Mace by
more than an inch, he weighed in just before the
fight at I3 pounds. His usual weight was l80 and
the loss of the extra flesh gave gaunt, bony look
20 his heavy frame and long, muscular arms His
chest development unusually good high and
arched. He lacked the fine symmetry and model
proportions OF the veteran, but appeared every inch
a solid, strong and able fighter.
BACK TO THE SUN
Mace won the toss for position and placed himself
with his back to the sum- though, as proved in the
event. the advantage of little Importance to so
shifty and nimbe boxer. At the call of time the
men moved forward slowly to the center of the "a
foot ring and their hands for an instant in the
final handcasp from which they whipped instantly
on guard Mace fell away with springy tread study