The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-07-16

lasted 40, so, 60 or more three.mtn-
ute rounds, fighters had to be IN
condition and own courage: IN
that era athletes trained for long.
states permitting only 10 or Is
round contests, boxers gear their
speed and endurance to that ratio.
Some of the old-time fighters had
amazing capacity for absorbing pun
ishment. Jim Burge, Australian mlddle-
was his middle name. Burge M Billy
Lewis of San Francisco, fought on a
March day in 1893 at Ming's opera
house, Helena. 1t was billed as a fnlSh
fight. The bout ended in the 5sth
round.
For SO rounds Lewis peppered Burge
with straight lefts and rights; The Aus;
tralian's face was cut to ribbons and
swollen out of focus. Blood was drip
ping from his nose, mouth, n from
cuts on his face. There wasn't a mark
on Lewis. In fact, Burge did not land
a solid blow in the So rounds.
When their men went to their Or
ham, the referee, told Lewis that he
had a notion to stop the fight and
call it a draw, as the hour was getting
late.
you can stop h fight repneo
leWS. @OuJ yOu CdA Y SdAA AZ "
I'm winning the fight. You've got to
give me the decision" insisted Lewis.
Il can't do that" replied Needham.
This is a finish fight and unless. one
man is knocked out or quits, the bout
will have to be a draw if I step it. Any,
way, I'll go over to JlmS corner ana
Arriving at the Burge corner. Need
ham quite bluntly told the Australian
HAT he was going to stop the fight.
you're all in, Jim," explained Need
ham. you've put up a great flghI,
but there's a limit to everything. I'll
give you draw for your gameness'"
what? Gail this fight a draw
shouted Burge with indignation. "Gol
blime me, I'm good for 100 more
rounds. You can't stop us, blime me!
It's 2 fight to the finish n I've got
And that settled the matter. Fight
to the finish it would be:
Lewis was disappointed: His hands
were all used up from the constant
tattoo he had played on the face and
body of Burge for three hours; He wa
cutting the Australian with his wrists
and using his elbows ! the latter
rounds to favor his hands:
THE bell rang for the seth round.
Caueht So, Pitched l and Won
Burge, still boiling from h insult
that he might be unable to carry on,
ilmped from his r Discerning
Caution, abandoning his rol OF De
tense. he sailed into Lewis. The san
Franciscan was bewildered with M az
tack which was wholly unexpected. In
vain did Lewis try to r OH the oe-
termined Australian. u.d
A constant volley of blows was aine9
at Lewis midsection. AS Lewis 1Ileo
to over Burge landed a left, then q
right to the jaw.
lewis was out for lG minutes:
The fight to a finish ended IN the
one Way such fights Shoulo. 6e ttiaI
&c IT, NAV. hardly a customer IN n
house expected to see Burge emerge Is
winner. The last hour OF tne 1lgnS saw
Lewis punch n punch ms rs+ UppoT The
crowd would have applauded the rel
cree had he stopped the bout anytGne
IN that last hour stretch.
were oiven to Burge for his ability TO
take punishment. When he tore 9
in the seth round to win the 1lgn1' tns
house was in an uproar. Burge W e
toasted many times before ne ieII Gns
first. take a bow, n w lis sAoveo
hands in the air.
To Bar, Not Hospital
After ,he braWl was over, instead OF
Going to a hospital, Jim Burge repaired
fo a popular taproom to drink OF more
adulation and something IN q gIa.S;
a friend remarked :"You took an aWtu1
beating tonight, jim. You were lucky
to win" ,.-
tralian, II can lick Levi n
self, Jim, old boy, just let Lewis veal