The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-13
Jack Dempsey and Irish Burke
Fight Ten-Round Draw in St. Louis
by JAMES j. OoRBFTT.
tcopYrght, 1917 by King Features Syndicate. Ine.l

third man" had failed TO put In his
appearance, announced to the crowd:
4 call this fight draw"
The fact that Burke had held Demp.
scr even for ten rounds piqued the
"Nonpareil' and from then on over a
period OF several years he tried to get
another match with The Irish Lad. "
Dempsey wanted 20 battle TO "A finish
with Burke but Burke refused, One
meeting. apparently. with the great
Jack Dempsey. had beer enough for
him
That contest concluded Jack Denp-
sey's flfth year In the ring. During
that time he had engaged I'm forty
four ring battles without suffering
defeat 1t was an amazing record and
one without parallel in the history OF
the welterweight and middieweight d.
visions u II any wonder that Denp-
sey became the puguistic idol and bis
praises were chanted in all parts of
the world
The history Of the prize ring is re-
plete with many remarkable incidents
of gaIneness and courage. But / doubt
whether there is anything that paraI-
lels the performance OF Jack Demp-
sew in his fortvhve round contest with
1887. which fight climaxed another
remarka BILE year for the "Nonpareil- ="
Having INDUCED in forty-four con-
tests without suffering n defeat up 10
the end Of 1855. Dempsey started OFT
lin 1887 by whipping Mike Boden In
four rounds. On February :, he beat
Jack Tangdon in four rounds and three
days later defeated Denny Killian, also
in fanr rounds He followed those
triumphs by Victories over Biddy
RaFer, Eddie Reede, Jimmy McHugh.
Billy Dacey, Ned Mccain, Frank Bos-
worth, Denny Kelieher and Billy
IGabig,
And then came his fight with
Reagan for a $4,000 purse and with
tho middleweight championship OF the
world at stake. II was fought under
London prize ring rules which count
ed every knockdown round,
Efforts to put on the bout in New
York city were foiled by persons who
were opposed to prize lighting. SO "A
Long Island battle ground was select
ed secretly. II was located about 100
miles from New York city, A tug con-
vcyed the party OF twenty including
pi ;neipals. seconds and spectators, to
its destination. arriving soon after
sun up
The ring was stretched on the sea-
shore. When Reagan entered IL was
noticed that he was wearing a murder
Gus spike Immediately under the great
toe on each shoe instead Of under the
ball of the foot as the rules OF fght-
ing then provided. Dempsey's sec
onds protested against spikes in such
a place. Reagan refused to remove
them. The referee. seeing that IL he
insisted upon such an action that the
fight probably would he called of by
Reagan, finally ruled with Reagan but
cautioned him against using them In
foul fashion.
The first round was hardly under
way before Reagan, rushing at Demp-
sey. jumped into the air and in COM
ing down scratched Jacks leg with
his left toe spike. Dempsey cautioned
Reagan to be careful For answer.
Reagan backed away and then rushed
Dempsey like a mailman. Leapfng
high as he neared the "Nonpareil'
Reagan came down with his left foot
fore most
The left toe spike of Reagan's
caught In Dempseys leg Just below
| the knee and ripped six-inch cash
one inch deep. 4 CHASTITY wound As
Reagan went into Dempsey. Jack
caught him a blow on the chest and
Reagan went down on his back and
the round was over.
When-Dempsey stepped back after
flooring Reagan IL looked as If ne was
about TO faint. The blood was gush
ing in torrents from his leg and cover
ed the ground where he stood. Jack,
Itottering and pale as ghost, had to
be led back to his corner. Demp-
sey's umpire demanded the fight on
the ground that Reagan had twice
fouled Jack. The referee. after soms
elaboration, refused to grant It. rui-
mg. Efforts to stanoh the now Of