Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-31

Fighting with the fists is generally
supposed to have originated with the
Greeks, but recent discoveries OF
carved figures in boxing position have
shown that the art Of fisticuffs was
know to the ancient Assyrians long
before the Greeks appeared in history.
Using the hands in combat being a
natural thing, it is likely that boxing
was known to other civilizations,
thousands of years before even the
ancient Assyrains.
In England. where f~isticuffs was re-
vived, boxing without any set rules
has gone on for many centuries. In
the earliest days ~eye-gouging. kicking
and other rough and tumble fighting
methods were INDUCED in until the
time of James Figg. the first acknow-
lodged British champion, who opened
a theater for ring fighting in Oxford
Road, London, 1743.
Even then there were no rules worth
considering until Rules for the bet
ter regulation of the sport. approved
by gentlemen, and agreed to by pugi-
lists"
One Of these rules provided that I'm
order to prevent any disputes. the time
4 man lies after a fall, if the second
does not bring his mar to the side of
the square within the space of half
a minute, he shall be deemed a beaten
man"
Figg was a teacher of broadsword
and other weapons as well as Il boxer,
and was supposed to be '~'unrivalled in
England with the sword" 1t was quite
the thing to train with Figg before d
duel. But his Introduction Of public
boxing made his reputation. He fought
many finish bare-fist fights himself,
often before King George II, and mem
bers Of his court.
"Muffers"-First Boxing Gloves
In 1747 Broughton, then English
champion. advertised the first use of
boxing gloves, which were invented for
training purposes only. and not used
in ring fights.
Broughton advertised: THE whole
theory of that truly British art. with
all the various stops, blows, cross
buttocks. etc, incident to combatants,
will be fully taught and explained,
and that persons of quality and distic-
ton may not be debarred from entering
into a course of these lectures, they
will be given with the utmost tender
ness and regard to the delicacy of the
pupil, for which reason Mufflers are
provided that will effectually secure
them from the inconveniency Of black
eyes, broken jaws, and bloody noses
Much later n "Mr. Jackson gave
boxing instruction at his elegant
rooms. Il. Bond ST. where on one
occasion fights were held before the
emperor Of Russia, General Blucher.
the king of Prussia. Princes Frederick
and William of Prussia, Lord Lowther,
General D'York etc. These visitors
looked at Champion Cribb with eyes
popped out-and asked for another
show.
First to Make Fortune
Apparently the first fighter who
made a fortune out of boxing was
tom Johnson. who after contendine
for the championship Of England, il
about 16 fights, retired and became
respectable, having by his extraordin-
airy success realized the astonishing
sum of nearly five thousand pounds
About a quarter of what lightweight
champion Benny Leonard received q
few months ago for Il no-decision
bout with Lew Tender.
I like that retired and became re-
s%pectabIe!."
Unfortunately. Tom Johnson didn't
stay respectable" Having squand-
cred his fortune he had to fight again,
and being old and soft was beat al
most lifeless." and shortly afterward
died from the sever blows he had
received"
Fighting was a tough game in those
days.
Fight Goes 1875 Rounds
The toughest Of the old time fights
were between English and Irish cham
pions. One of these went 125 rounds,
and both Purcell, the Englishman.
and McCarty from ireland, were beat
en- out of resemblance to anything hui
man, each in turn being caught in
chancery.' and hammered into a state
of collapse only to be revived in the
half minute interval by brandy admin
istered by their seconds.
In the 10Th r"~@a tho lrIshman