The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-26
Fistic History

1t will be thirty-nine years tomor-
row since Arthur Chambers defended
his title in the lightweight division
in a battle that was among the long
est and hardest fought in America. In
number of rounds it surpassed even
the famous Burke-Bowne battle in
New Orleans in 1898, when the Irish
man and the mulatto lightweight
pounded each other for 40 rounds.
The opponent of Arthur Chambers in
that historic encounter on March 27,
1879, was Johnny Clark, and they bat
tied 1875 rounds before Chambers was
declared the victor.
Clark fought like demon and sew
eral times during the long struggle
it seemed that he would triumph.
In the end the superior stamina and
cleverness of the champion prevail
ed Chambers retired from the ring
soon afterward and the title which he
bad held since 1872 was permitted to
lapse, and was claimed by George
Fulljames, the Canadian, Charley
Norton and Jack Dempsey.
Arthur Chambers might have claim
eli lllc llS11l"Ol5LL OA1eII1lPtO1lSIl1P VI
the world, as he won the American
title by defeating Billy Edwards, who
had whipped Joe Collyer, the English
lightweight champion. Chambers
held the lightweight title for seven
years and retired indicated, Both
of his two greatest battles were
fought on Canadian soil. His fight
with Edwards, by which he annexed
the title, was staged on an island in
Lake ST. Clair. 1t was pretty much
of a fake, as Edwards, a slim, grace
full boxer, was having all the best OF
the argument when the sturdy Cham
bers, badly battered and all but
beaten, was declared the victor of a
foul. At the end of the thirty
fourth round one of Arthur's seconds
bit him on the shoulder. After time
had been called Chambers clinched
and dragged Billy down on top OF
him. In a few seconds he screamed
Hes biting mel" The referee saw
the marks of teeth on Arthur's Shout
ders and gave him the decision. Ed
wards was so enraged that he biffed
the referee and then ran to the lake
and jumped in. The water was very
cold and he soon reconsidered and
crawled out.
Tommy Sullivan and Arthur Rice
fought a 2O-round draw at New Lon
! don, Conn, on March rs, 1901, just
seventeen years ago today. Connec-
ticut was then popular fighting
ground for the boxers, owing to its
| proximity to New York city, where
the game was prohibited. Sullivan anG
Rice were among the leading con-
testants for the crown worn by Terry
McGovern. Earlier in the year SuIli-
van had whipped Joe Bernstein al
New Britain and Billy Barrett a.
Hartford, and Rice had defeated High
| McPadden at New Haven. Tommy
Sullivan succeeded Young Corbett as
| champion in 1904, and held the title
until 1908, when he was defeated by
Abe Attell.
Joe Goss, former heavyweight
champion of America, died on March
20, i'll his 47th year. He was native OF
England, and fought his first ring
battle in 1859. In 1868 he fought
Jem Mace, and put up game bat
tie with the gypsy, but was knocked
out after SIS minutes of fighting.
In 1866 he met Mace again and
fought a draw, but in a third con-
test Goss was again defeated. Joe
afterward came to America and in
1876 he fought Tom Allen. another
Englishman, for the American
heavyweight title. This was at Gov
ington, KY, and Goss won on a foul
Goss also whipped Jimmy Elliott
another title claimant, and was the
acknowledged king of the American
heavies until 1880, when he was
matched with Paddy Ryan, a native
of Ireland, at Collier Station, Va
Goss was then in his 42nd year, and
by far the oldest man who has ever
held heavyweight title. In spite OF
his age he put up a game and scien-
tific battle, and it was not until 81
rounds had been fought that the
Irishman, who was nearly IA years
| his junior, put the old veteran tc
sleep. AT 40 Goss was probably the
best man the game has ever had al
that age, with the possible exception
of the late Bob Fitzsilnmons, who
was also great gladiator at the two
score mark.