The Washington times., 1922-01-17

Arrach1on was certainly q haro
guy.
The judges Of the contest studied
the thing over, then they awarded
the decision to the body Of Arrachion.
Some man, Arrachion!
Yes. this was a long time ago.
A long. long time ago. Two thou.
sand years back. But 1t shows that
In personal conflict the men of those
times had quite q bit of tenacity.
They say Thesus, son Of Aegus.
King Of Athens, invented boxing. II
that was boxing. Big Bertha was a
pea shooter. The boys who fought
with the caestus were the forerun-
ners Of the pugilists of today.
Creugas was a rugged chap Of the
period. strong and willing, and
good two-handed hitter. He was
matched with Damoxenus, who was
tougher than Joe Grim and a great
local favorite.
They wadod right In and fought
until they were both so weary they
could hardly stand. The house was
doubtless In an uproar. The judges
were I'm . fearful quandary. Our
Madison Square Garden judges
have settled Il easily enough by
simply awarding the decision 10
the fellow who seemed behind. after
their usual manner OF handing
down decisions.
caestus days loved . real finish.
Finally Il was agreed that the
contest should be decided by two
blows. The lads were to take one
sock ut each other, IN turn, on the
same part Of the anatomy. Creugas
got the first crash.
He put everything he had behind
q whack to Damoxeuus knob, and
Damoxenus was jolly drunk as a
result. His knees sagged beneath
him, we presume, and he was Keeling
all around the ring.
II looked as II 1t were curtains for
Damoxenus, but he suddenly closed
with Creugas, and in violation OF
the conditions, he seized Creugas
under the ribs and tore out his
bowels.
This caused considerable com.
the judges promptly disqualified
Damoxenus and awarded the decision
to Creugas. As near as we can make
out from q rather hazy narrative Of
the event. Creugas was as dead as
q mackarel at the finish, but no
doubt the decision plea sed his family.
Then there was another fellow, q
Crotonian Pancratiast, told of by
Aelian. who dropped dead while his
seconds, or what answered the pur-
pose of seconds in those days, were
Juggling him to the judges stand to
receive a garland. They paid 'em
off In garlands in those times,
wreaths Of shrubbery.
xrn,,lA V,naLa a hf0 hif
with Charley Thorley. one Of our
present-day boxing commissioners.
Charley runs a florist shop and
would charge the boys plenty for
those garlands. Can't you see Benny
Leonard fighting fifteen tough rounds
with Lew Tender, or somebody, for
sconce piece of horticultural skill?
Another contender Of the caestus
chuckling times once swallowed all
his teeth TO conceal the fact that
a good smack in the mouth from
his opponents fist had injured
This established an unsanitary
custom that prevailed through the
days Of the London prize ring
rules. In those days first blood
was considered important, so 70
was not uncommon for pugillsts
to INCEST dislodged molars to hide
damage.
We have never heard, however,
Of . fighter chambering all his
teeth. They generally saved some
for supper.
Prize fighting, or az we call It In
more subdued terms today, boxing.
Ia a survival OF the personal conflict
between individuals as n species of
amusement that began with deadly
weapons. The gladlators Of old Rome
fought with swords.