The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-16
September 70, 1890.
Prom "Pugilistiea. the History Of British Boxing

square. rallied and sodded. Spectators who had
gained entrance took their places indiscrimtnately
about the ring. and as the umpires entered betting
was in progress among the supporters of the rival
boxers.
By ten o'clock some five hundred had paid their
half guineas and were packed around the stage
when Colonel Hamiltons prediction concerning York
shire thriftiness and pugilistic interest was verified.
A %ferryman, with a sharp eye to business, had been
landing load after load Of outsiders along the river
bank at sixpence a head. When they felt themselves
strong enough in numbers a shout Of ''Heave no."
rang out and to its rhythm they threw themselves
against the fence. The timbers resisted only until
the scores Of solid shoulders caught the swing and
then, with a crash, the fence settled inward and the
wave Of intruders swept in cheering. The ferryman
piled a roaring trade, and within ten minutes a thou
sand men were jammed about the earlier five hun
dred.
When HUMPHREYS. surrounded by his immediate
supporters, appeared from the inn at half-past ten
not a vantage point within eyeshot Of the ground but
held its clinging mass Of spectators. Roofs, windows,
fence wreckage, even the slippery verge Of the river.
swarmed with eager enthusiasts, who gave him 4
rousfng welcome. HUMPHREYS, who seemed to be in
the best Of spirits, smiled and waved gayly, then
plunged through the crowd to the stage. Catching
the topmost rail he swung himself up and over with
an exuberant exhibition Of strength and agility that
brought forth a storm Of applause.
Earned His Title.
To Richard HUMPHREYS more than any other man
the great contemporary advance Of the sport in pub.
lie esteem was %rightfully attributed. He had earned
his cognomen Of the Gentleman Boxer by careful
and honorable conduct, and through social and men,
tai accomplishments had drawn about himself a re-
markable following. When HUMPHREYS was to light
royalty and the court did not hesitate to lend coun-
tenance to the science, and in his day 1t was &C.
counted the fashionable thing for men Of rank to
study self-defence under some star Of the prize ring.
Distinguished patronage gave pugtlism an impetus
that 1t had not enjoyed since Broughton, and greatly
Increased the standing of the profession.
HUMPHREYS had had no serious competitor in his
own class until the rise Of Daniel Mendoza. he had
been quick to recognize the threat to his superiority
conveyed by the rapid success Of this new fighter and
had singled Mendoza out as one whose honors must
be clipped. In their chance encounter at the Cock
and their two subsequent battles a. feeling of bitter
personal rivalry and hostility had grown up between
the men. HUMPHREYS was determined that on this
occasion he would settle the others pretensions once
for all.
THE Gentleman Boxer was about five feet eight
inches In height, extremely graceful and well formed.
with a handsome, intelligent countenance and a frank
glance. He kept himself always in the pink Of condi.
ton and carried not an ounce Of superhuous weight
upon bis finely moulded limbs and ripping muscles.
AS ne $1,000 on the stage IN the DOncaSter Inn yard he
looked and acted the confident athlete, secure In his
strength and the knowledge Of his game. he was at.
tended by Ward as his second and jackson as his bot
tie holder.
Another roar Of cheers announced the arrival Of
Mendoza. whose reception was the warmer from the
fact that the bulky. broad shouldered man who fol.
lowed him as second was none other than .Tom'
johnson. still the undefeated champion. Mendoza
made bis way to the stage and mounted s0berly, seek
Ing his corner with Johnson and Butcher, his bottle
holder. The two combatants then slipped of their
coats. standing. stripped to the waist, in thin silk
trunks and hose and light pumps. Each tossed his
hat In the air as a signal Of readiness and defiance.
Daniel Mendoza, whose name will always come
easily to the tongues of fight followers as long as
trials Of manhood endure, had now reached the
height OF his skill and the mature development Of his
tactiQue, though full recognition OF his powers was
still to be accorded him.. Born In 1863, near White.
chapel. of Jewish parents, he first appeared as a pub.
lie boxer in 1884 and soon afterward began to rise
rapidly in the pugilistic world by a series Of remark.
able victories. At q time when theory and science
waited upon strength and the ability to take punish.
ment, he quickly established himself as an exponent
Of cleverness. He showed himself the first great ring
general. discovering and demonstrating manoeuvres
that had never been %practised by any Of bis prede.
cessors.
His style was extremely neat, precise and well
thought out. His speed in hitting and getting away.
his almost perfect guard and his ability at lodging
and shifting while wearing out an opponent were
bis best points. In many ways he might be compared
with James j. Corhett. Like Corbett, he could land
his blows almost at will, with greater accuracy than
strength. and the tale Of his fights usually showed