The chronicle=news., 1913-02-20
ABBOTT SHINES
IN BOUT WITH
HARRIS

Il could hav. pu, out Abbott in
any round last nl.ht had chosen
to take advantage OF my opportunities
10 mix the fighting. ! Will fight
him again At any time. Abbott. how
ever, gave me The hardest battle I
have had."-Statcment Of Fireman
Hurris,
II was ready to quit after the first
round but Bob watkins wouldn't let
me. After the first round felt bet
ter and I gained confidence every
round. have no desire to fight uOy
more. John Abbott.
John Abbott marathon runner
and amateur athlc,c. stepped Into the
limeiiEht aa II promising white
hope" last night. battling ten rounds
to u draw with Fireman Harris at
the Eiks' club.
Tho showing made by Abbott was u
surprise and outside OF tho first
round when Abbott was saved from
"a knockout by III. gang. appeared to
be u good match for Harris. lf there
had been u hair line decision II would
probably have gone to Abbott. bull
the decision Of itcf.Eoa Chris Waller
In calling the contest draw was
Abbott was The aSKres-
s0r and brought the light to Harris
from start to finish. Ills bl0wA
however. did no, fcazs the fireman
who finished without scratch.
Blood WAS flowing from Abbotts ncse
in stream when the bout ended.
The fireman floored Abbott three
times. In the iirst round LANDING u
long Hrm swing that laid Abbott out.
the bell ,oundci and Abbott was
lifted into his corner.
The contest throughout was tame
with both men spnrrinS at long
range. When Abbott would rush In.
the fireman would clinch. Now md
then somo good infighting was done.
but the houorS were even. several
times II appeared as though Abbott
was buttcrinE Harris about the ring.
landing at will. but IN reality hc waa
hammcriuK away ut the flrcmans
arms that covered the vital places.
Encouraged by his friends Abbott
Kept Harris ON the defensive and
other hand. kept away and nppur-
emily had no desire to mix IL. In
this is the chief criticism Of Harris
last rJGht. His admirers declare
that had he brought the fight to Ab-
bott TINT In some round Or other hc
would have found the opening that
he could have taken advantage OF
with knockout walIop. Harris has
the punch and needs but the Oppor-
tunity 10 slip II In.
Viewing the contest last night
from every standpoint allowance
must be made for the nervousness
exhibited by Abbott In his first ring
appearance. Considering bis lack Of
actual experience one is Inclined to
say that the marathon runner showed
the better Of the two. On the other
hand In Justice to Harris one rcaiii-
cx that the fireman did not ''lst him-
self out" as hs would have done had
the contest been anything else than
an exhibition. Abbott landed the
srcaicst number Of blows. but the
blows had no effect whatever on
Harris. The blows Of the fireman be-
gan to inflict punishment on Abbott
toward the end Of the contest. Har-
rIs fell to the floor three times. but
nt no time WAS he squnrciy knocked
down. Once Abbott bore him to the
floor In clinch. Once Harris
tripped and once, missing u vicious
swing. he slipped TO his knees.
Il could have put out Abbott In
any round ] wanted to had waded
into him. declared Harris today. II
Will fight him any time at any place
on any terms Abbott on the oth-
or hand need feel no d!scouragement
over his splendid showing and has an
equal chance OF defeating the big
fireman should they meet again. by
all means a second match should be
arranged and certainly the mill last
night awakened considernb ble inter-
est. The quite general sentiment is
that Abbott with training will prove
the master Of Harris. Giving the
former all due credit for his show
ing. all predictions are beside the
mark. A second contest will decide.
Abbott In n statement made TO Harris
today rcclured that he would not
fight again and that he was ready t.
quit after the first round last night.
but Bob Watkins wouldn't stand for
II.
Tho first preliminary was u four
round exhibition between Bob Wat
kins, once a topnotchcr In the heavy.
weight class and Kid West. The OK
hibition was somewhat tame und wa
declared a draw, the colored mar,
taking it easy throughout. The see
ond event was a battle royal between
~.