The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-01-02
Grawley-War Bout Was the SeVePest
 In linn EIisfflls.r

While battles in the old prize rf'ag- often lasted more than a. hundred rounds, and were measured in time by hours, pugilfstic historians are generally agreed that the severest bout ever fought was not one of these long dragged out engagements. but a contest which lasted only eleven rounds and occupied only twenty-six minutes. It was eighty eight years ago today. on January ?. s27, that Je1n Ward, etthe Black Diamond, P champion of England, met Peter Crawley, known as Young Rump- stoak,, at Royston, CrawIey. butcher by trade, had been fighting since he was fifteen, but this was his first tryout for championship honors. At that period a big proportion of the bruisers were butchers, and the cockneys of the London markets were always scrapping. At the time he was matched with Ward for the title, CraWIey kept butchers shop, with q boxing school on the second fIoor--a novel combination of businesses
 Craw1ey stood over six feet in height and had an advantage of ahrea inches over Ward, but both weighed about the same
 The memorable and ferocious bat tie began with a minute or two or spaFring, but after that it was an ex- change Of smashing blows in rapid succession. Jem landed two punches to CrawIey's one, but they lacked the terrible force of the blows delivered by the butcher
 Tn the first round, Ward blocked Peters first hard blow and countered with a smash which laid open the flesh above one of Peters eyes aud stretched him on his back. GraWley was covered with blood when he foed the mark for the second round. Af- ter a rapid exchange, CrawIey saw an opening, and landed with the force of a mules kick on Wards temple. For a. brief space it was thought the blow had killed Ward, but lem quickly recovered and faced his hard hitting antagonist
 In the third, fourth and fifth rounds Ward was felled by terrific blows on the nose and mouth The rapid action and terrible punishment were already telling on both men, and the sixth round ended when both fell together, after an exchange of sIedge- hammer punches. A ross-buttock which sent Craw1ey to the grass mo- m mentarily unconscious ended the sew enth round. CrawIey appeared all in, and 10 to 1 was offered against him.
 Ward tried to land 8. knockout in the eighth, but so wearied himself that he fell forward on his face. The worn gIadiators accomplished little in the ninth and tenth rounds, when both fell from sheer exhaustion. In the eleventh it was apparent that Ward was scarcely able to stand, and Peter, with a final suInrnoT1ing Of his strength. put all his waning power into 8 blow which caught Jenn full in the mouth. The champion was rendered senseIess and deaf to the call of ''Time,' and Peter Crawley, himself unable to stand, was pro claimed champion of England
 In 8 battle shorter in time than a modern ten-round bout Jem VEara became an ex-champion.t For hours he remained unconscious, and he was forced to spend several days in bed, while the victor's condition was lit- tie better. Hundreds of Wards packers were ruined by the result Of this brutal contest Although the rightfuI champion, Peter resigned his new honors rather than defend them against Ward, and Jenn resumed the title when he had fully recovered. Relinquishing the gIories of the prize ring. CrawIey retired to the humble position of a tavern keeper. and be- came a famous breeder and fighter of game cocks.