Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-11
SPOTLIGHT
SPORTS
1878 and Purely Wonderful
BY GEORGE HUBER


tn he Nr,L
by P. Egan, London 1878.
This is downright wonderful reading even If voure mn
particularly interested in boxing Pierce Egan (772
was Engands best sporting writer of the early century
and his various books collectors items "Boxiana"
Two Volumes costs the better part of 500 bill when it cal
be found The copy have alas borrowed one and tn
man wants it back right now.
Among the other delightful books Egan wrote are hi
BOOK on Sports collection of everything from bull bait
ing to cricket Life London which is tvpcal of the fs
life OF his day and which illustrated by Crukshank ant
mistress OF Royalty, about the Prince Regent and one
MS lady friends, actress Mary Robinson.
APPARENTLY PIERCE EGAN was at home in all classe
OF English society," from what he calls The Cornthian Pill
lars of the State and the Upper Customers of the
nifty to the milling coveS" of pugism.
He must have enjoyed life to the fullest certainly h
was enthusiastic in everything he it's sheer 10
10 read his prose He has charmngy indirect way of writ
ing using ~ words where one would do nowadays and inter
spreads his lines with capital letters and italics emphasis
Instead of saying that certain boxer was drinkin
man. he had him rvetted to the charms the bottle
another boxer, he wrote, Training is but of ttl
USE He generally had the of his stomach wei
diluted with copious lbaons of Deadys brilliant fluid
Another of his boxing heroes apparently had trouble witt
the law At rate The Recorder was compelled
TO send him to try the effects of another climate"
BOX1ANA IS A COMPLETE and very readable history o.
the early days of the ring sport in England fighters
any note are included with round descriptions
tner important matches Even brawls
lights were mentioned when they concerned pugilists
One OF Egans boxing heroes Michael Ryan who today
would be described hotheaded Irishman But in Egans
style Ryan was native of that country whose peculiar
warmth OF disposition has often subjected the inhabitants
to numerous unpleasant situations serious
frequently defeating their intentions and in too many
instances. overpowerng their lively discernment. The
slightest reproach nSnuaed against Paddys land
him impetuous and untractable"
Ryan lost several fights because of his ungovernable
temper One OF them was "a most desperate conflict" with
Tom Johnson for the heavyweight championship Fear
uaS Ore-n Tr,in
courage was finer displayed" Egan But Ryan
got into an argument with his second about conduct
the battle and his temper became overheaed was
easy mark for Johnson who short time almost had
been knocked out.
TOM CRIB THEN the champion was Egan's particular
hero especially after his battles Tom Moneaux
the American Negro who the first
the title from England According Egan who usually
referred to fight followers The Fancy Crib possessed
perception of Genera-the fortitude of Hero-and the
science of a thoroughbred Professor"
Egan reports that the first Moneaux fight was so des-
perae that TO distinguish the combaants by their
would have been utterly impossible dreadfuly
their faces beaten Crib rounds aer SIS minutes
OF unprecedented milling" Crib also second. and
shorter fight against Moneaux in which he punishment
was truly dreadful on both sides"
Among the more prominent of The Fancy in attendance
at the second battle the Marquis Queensberry along
with numerous lords, srs honorables and esquires
AMONG THE AUTHORS earlier heroes was James Ffgg
a
neat finished boxer Egan also about one GREETING
who had not been for repeated nebrty have
come frst-rate pugiSt Then there another fighter
known as Buckhorse who distinguished for his
Gus amours with the nymphs of the town"
Jack Broughton who wrote the first rules boxing and
originated the use of gloves in sparring sessions
master of the science according Egan champion
for 10 years until h proud title unuckily torn from
his veteran headhs fame epsedand his future prospects
ruined"
Also ruling champion for a time Henry Pearce
best remembered the Game Chicken. he had to retire
when copious batons at the shrine of Bacchus added
the fond of the softer impaired his health
Still another OF Egans heroes Dan Mendoza, con-
sdered one of the most elegant and scientific Pugists
the whole of boxers and might be termed complete
artist" Mendoza Spanish Jew fight for the title
when his opponent, John Jackson "a elegant fighter
took hold of Mendoza by the hair him in
that defenseess state Egan adds that 1.-The contest
time it continued was exceeded in point of severity
THERE ALSO WERE occasional suspicious of hum
plugging in those days and Egan gets very with
fighter who grossly forfeited all pretensions honour
losing Intentionally. He also hints that performance
certain Irish champion to question: and reports
that the knowing completely dshed least
those who were not in the secret and the poor Paddles
were literally ruined"
The Irish had the last laugh this one however Harry
Sellers who had the questionable fight had the emerty
to visit the Black Dog Tavern ST. Patrcks Day.
suited Mr.. Harvey lampblack maker who wearing
shamrock. fight ensued, and although Mr. Harvey
stranger to the science he completely punished Sellers
IN quarter OF hour Sellers thus deServedy dsgraced
and beaten, fell into dsrepute and oblivion"
AIS well that ends well, however. Egan was able to
report that boxing by the time of Cribs championship had
risen in public esteem and that matches conducted
with the utmost propety and decorum that the female
part OF creation might attend"
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