Year: 1873

The challenge OF Ben Hogan to Tom Allen, made
on the eve OF the letter's victorious battle with
Mike McCoo has been one OF the most sensational
events In Western prize ring history OF late years,
and the excitement has rather increased than di-
mnished since the match was made. Allen has
always ranked among the best men with his hands
in the world, despite his defeat by Mace. while the
terrible punishment which he administered to
McCool three weeks ago seemed to stamp the chal-
ienge OF novice who had never entered the magic
circle nothing more nor less than an ebulliron OF
madness or over confidence. Hogan, however,
promptly backed his def with dollars and those
his own, which has been regarded sufficiently
convincing proof OF his being In earnest, and put
himself into the hands Of the McCool faction to
undergo his preparation, which was accepted as
proof that the fight was on the square. Indeed,
hear that there is bad blood between the two men,
and 1t the longcherished hostility between the
Allen and McCool partisans which made the late
hight SO sharp and sanguinary. The same cause may
lead on the eventful 2Sth to similar results in the
shape Of what Harry Hotspur called "Dloody noses
and cracked crowns.n


HoGAN's HISTORY.


After signing the articles (by which the men
agree to fight fair, stand-up fight, according to
the rules Of the London prize ring for 81 00o the
fight to take place within fifty miles OF this city,
men to scale at catch weightl, Hogan at once went
Into training, under the superintendent OF "Dub-
lin Tricks,n who had acted as Mike McCoors
mentor. Hogan, though he recently halls from
Pittsburg, Is an old New Yorker, and was, IL am
not mistaken, born in the First ward. He has
been by profession trainer and gymnasium
keeper, and was concerned as trainer in some OF
the long dis stance walks against Weston. When he
came to this city he was In good rude condition,
that he has had no occasion for severe work or
wasting. he win likely fight about fifteen pounds
under Aliens weight. He strips well; being big
and muscular; Is broad across the shoulders,
though not SO deep In the chest as his anita gonst,
than whom he Is about two inches less in height.
HIS length OF reach Is noticeable he spars well and
is clever on his pins, and claimed TO be Aliens
superior IN wrestling. Here his friends think he
will have the better OF the Englishman claiming
to throw Allen Will atone for the formers advan-
tage in size and strength. he is about twenty
eight or thirty years OF age and mas never before
appeared in the ring


Allen Is sufficiently well known to need no de.
scription. After defeating McCool he induQed in a
week OF drinking, which would not seem to have
been dictated BY prudence IN view Of his having SO
soon to tackle another man OF unknown callbre and
capabilities. However, this ''lushing' once over
he set himself steadily to work, nominany under
SELF and having been in the pink Of condition at the
time OF his fight and undergone no punishment of
any consequence therein he should have plenty OF
time to get himself ready for the all evenuuI day,
big with the late OF Hogan and ST. Louis


CONFIDENT OF VICTORY.


Both men are confident Of victory. Allen pro-
fesses his ability to "eat up" Hogan In less than
quarter OF an hour and his friends are laying hats
full OF money that he wins In ten and fifteen min
utes, while on the main event they are Offering all
sorts OF odds up to two to one. Hogan Is no less
confident, and blows his own trumpet even more
loudly than his friends do. very heavy moneyed
interest is at Hogan's back, and all the bets that
Aliens friends viii lay their at odds or on
his winning in q short time are promptly taken up.
Hogan himself Is investing very heavily on the re-
suit and backs himself So So rsey and talks SO loudly
grave doubts Of his sanity and declare that he Is
IN the tolls OF ring OF adroit sharpers, who are
nattering his vanity and quietly, through their
agents. taking up all the bets he IS laying on him
sell. Still there s no doubt that q good deal OF
genuine support has been extended to the Pitts
burger, and that he will carry good deal Of
money.


Hogan's Jtdes Achntes, and one of the principal
getters up OF the fight, is Mike Ganley, the liquor
dealer, who was once well known in Brooklyn,
your City OF Churches--where he formerly resided
hght will come on, II he has to carry the men to
Canada or Kansas.


THE FIGHT WILL TAKE PLACE


AS to the probable breaking up OF the battle by
che authorities, no fears need be entertained on
this score. The Missouri of1cers Will arrest the
two principals and compel them to give bonds TO
keep the peace within the State, and the police
will be on hand to see that the excursonlsts leave
town peaceably. The fight will undoubtedly be
fought In Illlnos but whether the boat Will 60 up
or down stream will be kept dark to the last mo.
are burning to avenge themselves upon the bruis-
for the recent invasion OF the sacred soil OF ST.
Clair county,


sharp and sanguinary, Allen intending to force the
fighting from the word. His friends have good
deal OF money laid on his winning in short time,
and as Hogan Is the younger man, and Allen has
been doing considerable drinking which might
tell against him in protracied struggle his tao
tics are to go to close quarters at once and force
the fighting.