The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-03-27
(..old Man sGrunnp', at Ringside.)


ampionship of the world between
Jess Willard and Frank Moran at
Madison Square Garden, Saturday
might The old amusement resort
was crowded to the raftera Could
p. T. Barnum have witnessed the
scene he would, have turned green
with envy at the size of the audience.
Never in the good old days did "P. IT,
ever draw such crowd to the big
arena
Crowded in the vast auditorium
were high brows and low brows- For
coming lights in the boxing game; ac-
tors, baseball players, gridiron stars,
pelitieians Fandyess sit is safe to say,
that even gunner were present.
In one corner of the stadium were
! a. group of Kerry men led by Jim
fCoffey, and who rooted their heads off
Flor, Frank Moran. Men who made
land lost fortunes in the boxing gam e
were in attendance. Among this
fclass was Sam Fitzpatrick one time
manager of. Jack Johnson, ex-heavy-
weight champion of the world Sam
locked pretty seedy and he didn't
have nickel. Nevertheless he
manner.
Among the celebrities at the ring
side was our own 'tSlim" Brennan of
iAcorn fame. He was in the company
Of Benny Leonard who fights Freddy
welsh for the lightweight champion
! shin. Friday night at the Garden. 9th
er local sports Who with eSsed the big
fight were Da1 M Walker, Jack Cor
Idon, George Eford, Dan Hatfield,
George Dwyer, ex-Police Commission
/ err George s. Hill, Billy Clarity and
many others. Seated in the press
Tom Magner. the celebrated scribe,
who is said to own most of the prop
erty in Baldwin street
Outside the building spectators,
were doing a thriving trade. But
two doors from the Garden one specu-a
qator took up his stand in the win.
daw of a tailor shop and he was
doing a land Office business selling
admission tickets for SIS.
An early as O'Clock lines were
forming outside the Garden. The
doors were opened at Ga and police
and firenen had difficulty maintaining
order Fans eager to gain admit
tance were fighting for places in the
line and the buzz" wagon was twice
called to carry away peace breakers.
About O'Clock the interior of the
vast structure was fast filing up
and by the time the IleviHsky Savage
bout began the auditorium was
crowded Speaking about this bout,
It was Levinsky all the~way and "a
few times it looked as though he
would finish Savage. who appeared
$reat1y overweight. Cat-calls and
Kisses greeted the finish of the first
two rounds OF this exhibition burt with
the Beginning of the third round the
battle became interesting.
Bring on the big fellows '-'fWhere
, Is the dub champion ?"-tsCone on
Moran''-'sLet's see the new cham
pion Of the world -'sMaO-R-A-N
spells the new charn pion.' % were a
-, Eo11 Ta<7 r1TTf Inv
followers Of the challenger.
= A murnnlr was heard at the lower
end of the arena and TIE bulky form
OF Hard seen approaching
Through a crowded aisle surrounded
sby a group of seconds He was the
cefved applause which was not en-
couragfng to a champion of the world.
Suddenly a thunderous roar broke
out in the eastern wing of the Gar
den as the red hair of Moran was
seen as ne endeavored to pass
through a crowd of admirers, all en-
saeavc rfzfg to shake ms hand. Moran
WAS all smiles as he clamibered
Through the ropes amid deafening
appIause from the multitude y
He went to his corner and appear
ed drawn and pale. He wore light
was tucked under his belt It was
hardly visible, however. Willard
was now posing for the camera men
Moran was called to the side of the
ring to posse Willard reached out
and grasped the hand OF the cha1leng-
er and both smiled as they firmly
shook hands. In this position they
posed for the camera. men. It was
the first time either had seen the
other, excepting their photographs. in
the newspapers.
Announcer Joe HUMPHREYS held up
his hands for order and the bell
sounded Humphries then introduced
the '.c1everest man that ever wore the
heavyweight crown, James j. Cor
bett." Corbett received an ovation.
The sannouncer then introduced the
greatest hitter that ever held the
heavyweight title, Bob Fitzsimmons.
A tremendous ovation was accorded
#'itzsinmons as he pIoughed his way
down the aisle on the western side of
the arena. He was dressed in a
Swallow taiI''-coat and wore a silk
hat. He clambered through the ropes
and grasped hands with Corbett. Sud
denly, as If to battle. F'itz squared off
and tented a straight-from-the-sh shout
der blow at Corbett's jaw Jim ducked
and said: DON'T do it, Bob as he
held one hand in front of his eyes.
The pair chuckIed and the audience
reared All this time the fans were
FALLING for, John l. Sullivan. The
gong sounder for order and Hum
phrfes held both hands aloft. Peace
suddenly .reigned as Humphrfes was
heard saying: ST have the pleasure,
fa4seE and gentlemen, to introduce to
you the grand old Roman OF them all,
the man who was always on the level,
Behold. JOHN L. SULLIVAN
Such an ovation as was given the
veteran of the ring has never been
equaIed in any gathering In the city
of New York. according to George
Ionsfdine, a veteran follower of all
sports in Manhattan. The rafters rang
as Sullivan climbed through the ropes,
Ellis Eotrnd form was covered by q,
nafty black suit and the most con-
eDicuous part OF John LIS makeup
was the gray moustache that was
burned up on both sides like that OF
Kaiser VT1lhelmss. The applause was