The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1914-01-30

Rome, in its glorious days Of culture,
sport and wealth, had its grand fighting
arena, within the majestic walls Of the
famous Coliseum. London has her Crys-
tai Palace, Olympia and other battling
arenas. France has built of late many
grand halls for 6stic combats Athens
has her great stadium, but none Of
these arenas is so interesting to the
American lovers Of sport as our own
Mad SON Square Garden in New York
City, where so many professional and
amateur sporting events have been
staged during the past forty years.
The old wooden and brick building
known as Gilmore's Garden at first,
was pulled down and the new grand
structure was built ON the same site
and opened up in 1890. 1t would be
utterly impossible to give n passing
notice to the many sporting affairs that
have been held on this historic site, in
which speed, strength, stamina, skill,
gameness and science predominated. .
A Lucky Arena for Sullivan. \
John L. Sullivan certainly game
considerable popularity and fame in the
old Garden. On February 7, 1852, he
became champion Of America by de-
fcating Paddy Ryan in nine rounds at
Mississippi City. On the following July
~, hot, sweltering night, John l.. beat
tricky Tug Wilson before an immense
crowd and $4,000 gate.
Sullivan in 1888 defeated Charley
Mitchell in three rounds, and in the
same year stopped Herbert A. Slade in
the same number of rounds in the old
arena.
In 1882 Sullivan gave Joe Coburn a
chance to get bit Of money with him
in friendly exhibition that was
packed 10 the doors; but, of course,
John Il. got the lions share Of this
affair. However, Coburn was very glad
to, get the short end Of the gate money,
as he was old and broken down.
Sullivan's next victim ut the old
Garden was Prof. John M. Latin, who
put up a stiff fight, but only lasted
three rounds. That event came off No
vember 10, 1884, and one week later
Sullivan punched All Greenfield, an, al
legged champion Of England, into defeat
in two swift rounds in the same old
ring. ... -. .,..
SO you can plainly see that the old
Garden was indeed q lucky spot for
John 4. II brought him wealth and
fame galore for three of his best years
in the ring. Besides these regular glove
contests, Sullivan has had several very
large benefits in the old and new Gar.
den that netted him quite pot Of
money.
Mitchell Got His. ~
Although Charley Mitchell lost to Sui.
Ivan, he got big bank roll for the
three rounds. Something like $4,000.
Not so bad for three sessions, ehi
Then when he agreed to meet Sullivan
the second time the latter showed up
in a maudlin condition and the mill
was declared of, but not the 900
pate, which they cut in two between
them. tr' ~
Mitchell and the late Billy Edwards
boxed in the. Garden in 1854. It was
farce, as Billy was an old, helpless
man, and Mitchell put him away in
three rounds. They are said to have
divided up $4,000 for this burlesuue.
Charley then met Dominick MeGaf
fiery, and they put up a very scientific
battle for four rounds. The late INA
con- Mccormack was the referee, and
declared MoCaffery the winner. This
pair mnst have split up another $l4 900
gate. Pretty soft in those days, boys,
Tor four rounds with big gloves.
Jim corbett, Also.
When William A. Brady was Jim Cor.
belts manager he popularized Cort EFT
IN every way possible. He put him on
the stage as nm actor, and hired the
Garden for several fstic shows Just
before Jim defeated John L. Corbett
in his day made quite a bank roll mt
the Garden in many exhibitions and
other affairs.
The Irish champion, Peter Maher,
made his American debut in the Gar.
den in 1890, when he knocked out Jack
smith and Sailor Brown, each in one
round, Maher also put away Frank p.
Slavin a few years later in the big
arena before a host Of admiring fans.
Among them might be mentioned the
late Charles A. Dana, the famous editor
Of the New York Sun, and the late
United States Senator Roscoe Conkling.
Both were delighted with the Irish.
mans performances.
The year 1900 was a big boxing one
az the Garden. II was in August of
that year Bob Fitzsimmons polished Off
Gus Rnhlin in six rounds, after almost
going the X o. route himself Jim Cor.
hett met Kid Mccoy. Joe Walcott and