Omaha daily bee., 1910-07-03
First Great Fight
Between Heavies
When Jack Stark Whipped Jem
Broughton More Than Cen
fury Ago.

Tomorrow will see the great heavyweight
battle between Jack Johnson. the present
champion, and James J. Jeffrles. How diff
ferent will be the meeting OF Jeffrles and
johnson from the first battle for this COW
eted distinction 1t took place in the long,
long ago. In 1850, to be exact, and in Eng
land. The story of it makes interesting
reading. Jack Broughton, one of the COM
batants, was q Thames riverman. He had
practiced the manly arts of foil play, back
sword, cudgelling and boxing" since the
days of Fig, the first great public fighter
From 1743 his amphitheater in oxford road
had been the center of pugilism.
Jack Slack, the other man, had been a
butcher In Norwich. He was fully three
inches shorter than Broughton, but his
weight was the same.
On April II, 100 years ago, at noon, they
came together at Broughton's amphitheater
and two finer gladiators never faced each
other in the history Of pugilism. They
wore no gloves or bandages on their hands.
When the prellmnaries were over the
men moved with dignity to the center OF
the ring amid a breathless silence.
Slack waited for the veteran to open the
contest. and Breughton slashing out sud
denly, sent his right home on his oppo-
nelt chill instantly inc SlicnCe Win
which the spectators had awaited the first
clash was broken by wave OF applause,
and as Slack ripped in three ineffective
blows the shouting swelled in volume.
Matters went all in favor the cham
pion for some time, but 1t wac a signif-
icant fact that in spite Of the terrible
handling he had received. the butcher was
showing few signs OF distress.
So guthugasi was the duka nf
land, however. that ne offered to bet $4,000
at odds Of 10 10 on Broughton. Captain
Cleveland, who had been instrumental In
promoting the match, quietly took the
wager.
AS the men came up for the seventh
round Broughton's great chest was rising
and falling with deep rapid breathing.
Slacks second blow ripped open the vet
Grams ear, but before the butcher could re-
cover, Broughton had smashed in his
stomach blow with which he had ended
many contest. 1t caught Slack fairly in
the body and dropped him on his knees
| like a sack. To those who knew Brough.
| ton. It was matter for wonder that the
butcher recovered so quickly
| But he sprang up strong and ready for
4 the next round. He got past the veterans
| guard at a cost of stunning clip on the
ear, and catching him fairly, with a mighty
effort sent him spinning on his back. II
was clean, mastery fall, and the amphi-
theater Numbered with the spontaneou.
roar Of approval, in which even Brough
toms supporters Joined. The champion was
J in some distress as he sought his corner.
A little later on the veteran was dazed
by terrific blow between the eyes. In.
stead OF aiming a blow at his man, h,
reached out his arm as though cropping foi
his adversary. The butcher began to raiI
blows on the face and body at win.
They sprayed Broughtons face repeat
eddy, but to no purpose. He was blinded.
And led to the center Of the ring, tn,
mighty champion OF hundred battle.
raised his huge fists that had laid low Sc
many stout opponents, and struck out un
daunted. still hopeful OF wrestling the vic
tory that had so often been his
Forgetful of his terrific punishment
urged on by his indomitable spirit, h,
sprang in with uplifted fists. For an in
slant Slack saw himself threatened. II,
drew his right hand to his breast anC
dashed out with the chopper blow--a sid,
swing from the elbow.
The back of his fist caught the champion
under the jaw, lifting him from his fsst
and hurting him headlong. Broughton's sec
onds tried to lift him, but he sank bac
With a groan-beaten.