PUGILISM.
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Interest at Fever Heat.
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Interest at Fever Heat.
The big glove contest scheduled for tomorrow night at the Business Men's gymnasium between young Peter Jackson and mysterious Billy Smith will certainly be a great affair. Both contestants are in the very best possible condition and this will certainly mean a good contest.
The men are now on edge and waiting for the gong to sound. They will simply do enough work now to keep in condition. The weighing in process will be gone through with tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Both men are well under the weight limit, which is 145 pounds. If either man weighs more than the weight stipulated in the articles he will forfeit $100 to the man at weight.
The advance sale of seats goes far ahead of any previous contest ever given by the club and the crowd will surely be a record breaking one.
1900-09-10 The Cleveland Leader (Cleveland, OH) (page 8)
PUGILISM.
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ALL IN READINESS.
All arrangements have been completed for the 20-round contest to-morrow evening before the Business Men's Gymnasium Club between "Young" Peter Jackson and "Mysterious Billy" Smith. Both men have taken their final hard work before the contest. Yesterday they devoted their time to light road work to keep down their weights. The advance guard of out-of-town sporting people who will attend the contest arrived last evening, and more are expected to-day. All arrangements have been made to handle a large crowd. The main bout will begin promptly at 9 o'clock.
1900-09-11 Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (page 6)
BOTH MEN ARE CONFIDENT.
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Statements From Smith and Jackson on the Eve of Battle.
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A Championship is at Stake.
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While Cleveland has never been much behind the other cities in this part of the country in any line of sport, a championship contest in the roped arena has never been decided here, and had the old-time rules which governed pugilistic affairs prevailed, the chances are that no such event would be forthcoming for some time to come. Under the rulings that put science at par and discount brutality, however, a championship contest was arranged, and the followers of boxing have been waiting for this, the eventful day, for a long time past.Young Peter Jackson and Mysterious Billy Smith will meet at the Business Men's gymnasium, on Bank street, tonight, and the winner will have a good claim on the welterweight championship. The records of the men which have been published have set all the "dope" experts to figuring, but as the men have fought in widely different circles there is little to be gained from figuring out their records.
Jackson has beaten nearly everybody in his class in the west, and no one need be told what Mr. "M. B." Smith has done in the east. The men will come together tonight as strangers and there is every reason to believe that they will be extremely close acquaintances before they leave the ring.
Each contestant picks himself to win in tonight's contest in the following personal letters to the sporting editor of the Plain Dealer:
"I will show Jackson that I am his master tonight. I know he's a tough fellow, but then I've always had hard ones to beat and I have no doubt but that I will beat "Bishop's Black Demon." I am in better shape now than ever before and if I don't win it will not be because I am not in condition. I am very confident of victory. I want Tommy Ryan after I win from Jackson. Mysterious Billy Smith."
Jackson writes:
"I know Smith to be an exceptionally good man, but still I have no doubt as to the outcome. I am just as confident as ever. I never like to say I can beat anyone until I have done so. I prefer to do all my blowing after the contest is over. I will surely do my best and you can rest assured that I will bring home the laurels. My condition is all that could be wished for. I am in perfect fix.
"Young Peter Jackson."
The doors will be open at 7 o'clock and the entertainment will begin promptly at 8:30 with a four-round bout between Denny Gallagher and George Siddons.
Smith and Jackson will enter the ring precisely at 9 p. m. Smith will be seconded by Prof. Jimmy Kelly, Mike Barry and Joe Maxfield. Jackson will be looked after by "Biddy" Bishop, Ed Chartrand and Grant Nickens.
The public is warned by the club against purchasing tickets from scalpers. Those desiring to buy tickets can do so today and tonight at the club and at the usual sporting resorts about town. In this way purchasers can have no fear of buying counterfeit tickets.
The preliminary bout will begin at 8:30 and the main event will be on shortly after 9 o'clock.
1900-09-11 The Cleveland Leader (Cleveland, OH) (page 6)
PUGILISM.
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WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.
After a great deal of discussion "Young Peter" Jackson and "Mysterious Billy" Smith will meet in a twenty-five round contest for the welterweight championship this evening before the Business Men's Gymnasium Club on Bank street. "Rube" Ferns was originally engaged to meet Jackson, but he backed out of the agreement after articles had been signed and the forfeits posted, and hence Smith was engaged to take his place. The latter is a more formidable opponent for the colored man, as he has had more ring experience and has also defeated some of the best men of the day, including Joe Walcott. That this bout is attracting the whole pugilistic world is shown by the large number of out-of-town sporting men who are arriving to witness the contest. It is expected that fully 300 of them will be here.
With the coming of the sporting men, the betting on the result of the contest has greatly increased. The result is that several big wagers were made yesterday afternoon, in which Smith was the favorite at 10 to 9. The Jackson people are backing their man at these odds. There is still plenty of money in sight, and it is quite likely that when both men enter the ring to-night the betting will be even. Jackson takes a wonderful amount of punishment, even to get in a blow, and his backers are pinning their money on his strength and staying qualities.
The main go will start promptly at 9 o'clock, with Lavigne as referee. The men are now down to the required weight and there will be no trouble on this score. The doors will open at 7 o'clock. A large number of extra seats have been placed in the building. The curtain raiser, which will be a four-round bout between Denny Gallagher and George Siddons, will be called at 8:30 o'clock. Following are the views of the principals for this contest:
"Mysterious" Smith--I am going to do my best to win. I am in good condition, in fact I never felt better in my life and if I lose I will have no excuses to make. I know Jackson is a good man and I know he is a hard fellow to beat. If I don't win it will be because he is a better man. After this contest I will challenge Tommy Ryan.
"Young Peter" Jackson--Smith is, I think, the best man I have ever gone against. I am confident I will win. I can't say just how I'll fight him until I get into the ring, but I will surely give my supporters a good run for their money, and Wednesday will see me the champion. I am in good condition and have trained hard and faithfully. I think every one will be pleased with the contest.
Professor James Kelly--I have trained Smith myself and his condition is all that could be desired. I think it will be the greatest glove contest ever seen in this city.
"Biddy" Bishop--You can rest assured that Peter will win. I have been with him each day that he has trained and have worked with him, and he is in perfect condition.
1900-09-12 Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (page 6)
TOO FIERCE A BATTLE.
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The Smith-Jackson Bout Stopped by the Police.
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Eighteen Hard Fought Rounds.
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Wonderful Gameness Shown by the Western Colored Boxer.
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Mysterious Billy Smith and Young Peter Jackson boxed eighteen hard rounds before a big audience at the Business Men's club last night, and because the bout began to look a little rough toward the end, the police representatives requested that it be stopped.Early in the match Smith discovered an old sore spot on Jackson's left ear and he went after it. The result was that while the colored man was not in the least distressed there was too much blood flowing to please either the spectators or the contestants.
Jackson put up one of the gamest battles that has ever been seen here, and when he was finally stopped he insisted that he was not hurt in the least and begged to be allowed to continue. The examination that followed after the western boxer was taken to his dressing room showed that his injury looked far worse than it really was, but there seemed to be plenty of cause for stopping the bout, and it was for the best interests of the boxing game that it was not allowed to go farther.
Jackson protested vigorously when he was sent to his corner and justly claimed that he was as strong as his opponent. At the time the bout was terminated Smith had the best of it on points, but Jackson was proving that he is well entitled to all the confidence that was placed in him.
Smith started out in the lead for the first three rounds, but while he landed often his blows did not hurt. In the fourth round the colored man held the mysterious Billy even and then came so fast that he had the better of the next two. The seventh it was even again, but the next was all Jackson's. After this he did not show so well, and while several of the remaining rounds were even Smith did the better work on the whole.
There was a long delay on account of selecting a referee. Both parties had agreed upon Billy Lavigne, but at the last minute Smith's managers put in an absurd objection, based upon the statement that Lavigne and Biddy Bishop, Jackson's manager, are personal friends. Mat Hinkel, the president of the Newburg Driving club, and manager of the Rockport Athletic club, was finally selected.
Denny Gallagher, the same old-timer who has been seen here in all sorts of contests for the last few years, and Kid Phillips of Saginaw went on for a curtain raiser. The bout was of two-minute rounds, with gloves that looked like pillows. No decision was to be rendered. Even under all these restrictions the boxing was fast enough to keep the audience interested all the time, and had the gloves been regulation size and the rounds the prescribed length there would have been a fierce battle on. As it was, it was impossible for the men to harm each other, and the only danger was from loss of wind. At the same time, the match was one of the most amusing that has ever been seen in the club's preliminaries.
Mysterious Billy Smith and young Peter Jackson were not long in appearing, but the audience, impatient for the main event, kept up an almost continuous uproar. The men weighed in without difficulty at 145 pounds at 3 o'clock. Neither one was up to that weight.
Smith was first to enter the ring, and behind him were Prof. Jim Kelly, Mike Barry of Chicago and Joe Maxfield and Bob Bell of this city. Smith wore bandages on his hands and unusually high trunks. Jackson came in a little later. He was attired in a loud bathrobe and wore no bandages. Behind him were Biddy Bishop, Grant Nickens and Ed Chartrand. There was quite an argument over a referee, Manager Lavigne having declined to act. "Spike" Sullivan, the famous lightweight and Tom Couhig of Buffalo were introduced to the audience, and there were cries for both to referee. There were also cries for Mat Hinkel, Tom Jenkins and others. Everybody yelled for his favorite, and it was worse than a political convention. It was impossible to agree upon a man for a long time, but it was finally agreed to have Mat Hinkel act in the ring, with two judges on the outside, who were empowered to overrule the decision of the referee. Spike Sullivan and the sporting editor of the Plain Dealer were agreed upon as judges.
It was after 10:30 when the men were called together. At this time odds were offered at 3 to 1 on Smith. Jackson put on light bandages just before the bout started. Tom Jenkins was the official timekeeper.
Round 1--Jackson made the first lead lightly; Smith came back with left and right on body. Smith put left on head. Jackson landed straight left on body and face, but they were light. In two close mix-ups Smith had the better of easy infighting. Smith hammered Jackson on the kidneys repeatedly with his right after blocking his leads.
Round 2--Smith rushed from his corner and landed left and right on the head. He kept on rushing and was cautioned for hitting in a clinch. He had Jackson worried and the black boy kept hanging on. He came back fast, however, and put in several good lefts on the body. The wind up was fast.
Round 3--Smith landed repeated rights on Jackson's kidneys, Jackson fighting low. Jackson landed left in face. Smith landed left and right on face and kept up his kidney blows. Jackson hung on and was slightly worried. Smith met Jackson's punches with straight lefts on the neck. The round was decidedly Smith's, Jackson fighting low and giving opportunities for hammering on the kidneys. He hugged often.
Round 4--Smith opened with straight left and right to head. A left to jaw was Jackson's first really hard punch. Smith landed straight left twice to face, then missed several vicious body blows. Jackson landed lightly on face and body, but they didn't count. The round was the most even so far.
Round 5--Jackson got in a hard left to body but most of the blows were light, the colored boy doing the rushing. Jackson landed right on head and Smith in a clinch put right to body. In clinches Smith used right on face and body, Jackson leading for face with left. They mixed it up in the middle of the ring on an exchange of face blows. As the bell rang Jackson led left for face, Smith coming back with right. The round was fast and Jackson showed up well.
Round 6--Jackson used his left effectively on face. Smith landed a hard left on neck and put both hands to the wind. Smith began to show the effect of the face blows. In the clinches Jackson held his own. Smith's uppercuts with right were blocked. The white boy was rushed to the ropes. They were mixing it in the middle of the ring and Jackson, by his showing, began to make a few friends among the spectators, even money being offered.
Round 7--Jackson put back Smith's head with a straight right. They mixed it and in clinches Smith got in a couple of good body blows. Jackson's lefts and rights to face began to tell and Smith clinched often, getting in body blows, which were growing visibly weaker. Smith missed a couple of swings, but the round ended soon.
Round 8--Both were cautious, but when they mixed both swings right and left to face. Smith sent straight left to wind, pushing Jackson to the ropes. Jackson landed a terrific left on chin and repeated. Smith clinched and got in right on body. Smith landed right on the neck as the bell rang. It was Jackson's round.
Ninth--Jackson opened with the same left to jaw, Smith landing kidney blows in the repeated clinches. Smith rushed Jackson to the rope with rights and left to face. The white man began to lead right to face, Smith blocking. The round was even.
Tenth--Smith after opening with a straight left to the wind landed once or twice on face. Jackson blocked Smith's uppercuts and then ducked his face into a left. Jackson countered hard with left reaching face on Smith's rushes. The round was even.
Eleventh--Jackson reached Smith's bad left eye. Smith rushed the black boy, uppercutting right and left. They fought into clinches, both landing hard. Jackson slipped down and was hit, but it was unintentional. Smith hooked right to jaw at the close of the round. It was Smith's.
Twelfth--Billy rushed Peter to the ropes. They began to rough it. Jackson began to bleed on the left ear which Smith kept pounding. They landed rights and lefts on head, Jackson slipping down. Peter put back Billy's face with a left and both were fighting hard and furious at the end of the round, which was Smith's by a shade.
Thirteenth--Smith put left to Jackson's ear, but matters were evened by Peter's straight ones to face. Smith landed a couple of hard body blows, but devoted most of his attention to Jackson's ear. The round was even.
Round 14--The early part was tame. Smith's right to ear hurt. In a clinch the white boy uppercut with right. Smith sent a hard left to stomach and Jackson seemed very tired. On exchange Smith had slightly the better. It was slightly Smith's round.
Round 15--Smith opened the round by rushing Jackson all over the ring. Smith got a hard right to wind and met Jackson's rushes with blows to face, which were closing the black boy's left eye. The round wound up with Smith sending a left to face which made Jackson rather dizzy. It was Smith's best round so far.
Round 16--Smith's right swings to head made Jackson very weak and closed his left eye, but the colored boy was game and took his beating, getting in several light blows himself. Again Smith's round.
Round 17--Smith got in all of the earlier blows, landing on face and stomach. Jackson swung left to face, but Smith continued to play on Jackson's ear. It was all Smith's.
Round 18--Smith uppercut. Smith kept putting left and right on face and neck and right on the sore ear. Jackson only kept smiling and kept coming back whenever he found an opening.
While the men were in their corners the police objected to further bloodshed and the battle was stopped. It had gone long enough and fast enough to suit the most ardent admirers of the boxing game and while Jackson lost the decision, he won many friends.
1900-09-12 The Cleveland Leader (Cleveland, OH) (page 6)
FIGHT WAS STOPPED.
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Smith Had Best of It When Police Interfered.
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END OF EIGHTEENTH ROUND.
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JACKSON TOOK A WONDERFUL AMOUNT OF PUNISHMENT.
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COULDN'T LAND DECISIVE BLOW
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ALTHOUGH "MYSTERIOUS BILLY" LANDED ON FACE AT WILL.
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The Finest Boxing Bout Witnessed Here for Years.
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After eighteen of the fastest and fiercest rounds ever witnessed in this city, "Mysterious Billy" Smith was given the decision over "Young Peter" Jackson before the Business Men's Gymnasium last evening. The contest was originally scheduled to go twenty-five rounds to a decision, and had not the police interfered it is quite likely that it would have gone to the limit, for, although Smith had the best of the contest with the exception of three rounds, he was unable to finish the colored man, who seemed to be a glutton for punishment and was ready for more. When the contest was stopped his left ear was in bad shape, it being partly torn off, and his left eye was closed, but he was still game.Some of the blows that Smith landed on him would have put any ordinary man out of the business, but they did not seem to bother the colored man in the least. While the crowd seemed to think that Jackson was having the worst of it, the colored man did not think so, and was always ready with his trusty left hand when he had a chance to use it. If Jackson had Smith's experience and knew something about ring generalship he would be one of the best fighters in the business to-day. He can take punishment, but he cannot defend himself, and is very awkward on his feet, as well as in the use of his hands. He has only one good puncher and that is his left, and he had only a few chances to use it, but it showed every time. Smith had him guessing all the time, and clearly earned the decision. In only three rounds did Jackson seem to have any the best of it, the fifth, sixth, and eighth rounds. When the contest started, it looked as though it would be a walkaway for Smith, for he landed at will, while Jackson seemed to be in distress. But in Jackson the public were fooled, for he was ready for the call of the bell when the police stopped the contest. He was game to the core, and the crowd, after the tenth round, appreciated his gameness and cheered him on until the contest was stopped.
It was a cosmopolitan crowd that witnessed the contest; in fact, it was the largest crowd that has attended a boxing show here since the Lavigne-Daly contest several years ago.
There was a long delay between the curtain raiser and the main bout, and the crowd was impatient. "Mysterious Billy" Smith and "Young Peter" Jackson were the principals for the main bout, which was scheduled to go twenty-five rounds to a decision. They were matched to weigh under 145 pounds, and both tipped the scales under that weight. It was just 9:30 o'clock when Smith entered the ring. He was looked after by Professor "Jimmy" Kelly, "Mike" Barry, "Joe" Maxfield, and "Bob" Bell. He looked to be in excellent condition, although he had a big plaster on his kidneys. Jackson showed up a few minutes later, wrapped up in a bathrobe. He was looked after by "Biddy" Bishop, "Ed" Chartrand, and Grant Nickens. There was another delay when the men entered the ring over the refereeship. While the argument was on Spike Sullivan and Tom Couhig, the fast lightweights were introduced, and it was announced that they would appear before the club in the near future. The betting was $100 to $80 on Smith, and several wagers were made at these figures. There were calls for "Spike" Sullivan, Matt Hinkle, and Tom Jenkins. Finally the crowd became so demonstrative that Manager Lavigne announced that he "would give the men five minutes to decide between themselves, and if in that time they could not agree the club would appoint the referee. When the five minutes were up Lavigne appointed Matt Hinkle to referee. Jackson objected and the club called "Spike" Sullivan. After a long argument Jackson agreed to Douglass White, but the latter refused to serve. After a wait of forty-five minutes it was finally decided to accept Matt Hinkle and a proposition of two judges on the outside, who were to make the final decision. To the two judges Smith at first would not agree, but finally consented.
At once Jackson made arrangements to begin proceedings, thus causing another delay until he put on his bandages. When Jackson stripped he looked in excellent condition and wore a green ribbon around his waist. Smith appeared to have the better of it in height and reach, and it was plainly seen that both were trained to the hour. At 10:30 o'clock both men shook hands.
First round--Jackson led lightly on wind, Smith countering with right and left on body. Smith put his right on the face. In a rush Smith put his left on face. Jackson dodged cleverly from a right swing and got away neatly from an uppercut. Smith kept playing repeatedly with his right on the kidneys. In a fast mix-up Jackson put his left hard on the face and Smith countered with two hard rights over the kidneys. Honors were even.
Second round--Smith rushed as the bell rang and put his left squarely on the eye. Smith kept rushing and caught Jackson with a left swing on the jaw, which dazed the colored man. He appeared weak and kept hanging on Smith with every lead, while the "Mysterious" played continually for the wind. Jackson was unable to lead a square blow and repeatedly clinched to save himself. It was all Smith's round.
Third round--Smith at once played for the kidneys, Jackson taking a crouching position. Smith put his right and left on the jaw without a return, Jackson being unable to land. In a mixup, Smith landed right and left on the head and face, Jackson being very tired. Near the end of the round, Smith started to take things easy, looking for an opening.
Fourth round--Smith started to end matters and rushed with right and left to the face. Jackson feinted with his left, Smith coming back strongly with a hard right swing. Twice in succession Smith landed his left on the face. He tried to rush but Jackson dodged cleverly. In close quarters Smith put his right on the jaw. Twice Smith landed his right over the kidneys, but the blows did not appear to affect Jackson, who went back to his corner strong when the bell rang.
Fifth round--Jackson started to mix up matters at the start, and put his left on the head and kidneys and in close quarters Jackson put his right and left on Smith's face. In a rush Jackson slipped to his knees. Twice Smith tried his right on the jaw but fell short. Jackson in another mixup placed his right on Smith's jaw. Near the end of the round the fighting was fast and furious, both giving and taking a great deal of punishment. Jackson appeared to be tired when he went to his corner. Jackson had slightly the better of it.
Sixth round--Smith was cautious when they came up this time, but he caught Jackson with a left swing on the jaw. In a mixup Jackson put his right on the jaw, without a return. Jackson was just warming up and he put his right and left on the jaw, forcing Smith to the ropes. A left jab on the nose brought the claret from Smith's nose. It was all Jackson's round.
Seventh round--Jackson blocked cleverly left jab for wind. Both were fighting viciously, Smith leading, putting his right and left on face, Jackson countering with a right swing on the jaw. Smith dodged cleverly from two vicious swings. He was on the offensive and twice put his left on the face. This was the tamest round of the contest thus far.
Eighth round--Smith rushed and put his right and left on the head and wind. In another rush Jackson was nearly pushed through the ropes. Jackson changed things a second later when he landed his right twice on the jaw without a return. Jackson poked his left on the wind. Smith worked hard to land a decisive blow, but Jackson was always on his guard. This was Jackson's round.
Ninth round--Smith jabbed his left on the wind just as they came to the center of the ring. In a hot mixup Smith had the better of it, putting his right over the kidneys. In another mixup he rained right and left blows on the face and jaw without a return, Jackson seeming to take the punishment without a murmur. This was Smith's round.
Tenth round--Smith tried to follow up his advantage and put right and left on the face and wind without a return. Jackson did not seem to be able to use his right. Three times Smith crossed his right over on the jaw, Jackson never offering to return. Two strong left jabs on the face knocked Jackson's head back, but he was always ready for more, while Smith was tiring himself out in the attempt. This was Smith's round.
Eleventh round--Jackson allowed Smith to do all the leading, and the latter was doing all the work, landing right and left on head and face. Getting Jackson near the ropes he put right and left squarely on the jaw, which would have put any man out, but Jackson was ready for more. Smith followed up his advantage. Jackson landed his left on the jaw, and just as Jackson was slipping to the floor, Smith put a right on the kidneys.
Twelfth round--Smith put his left in the wind as a starter. He started to wind up matters, but Jackson took his punishment gamely, and landed his left squarely on Smith's jaw. This was a very hard round, and both men were tired when the bell rang.
Thirteenth round--After sparring for wind for a moment, Smith put his right over the kidneys. Jackson countered with a left on the face. Smith kept playing for the bad left ear, but Jackson was cautious, and put his left on the jaw. A right poke on the wind made Jackson wince for the first time during the contest. Honors were even.
Fourteenth round--Smith slowly forced Jackson to the ropes, and then put his right on the jaw. Jackson ran into a left jab on the jaw, Smith countering with right on the head. Smith started to rush, and put right and left on head and wind, without a return. Smith seemed to be tiring, and his blows lacked steam.
Fifteenth round--Smith rushed Jackson to the ropes, and put right and left on the head and face. Jackson dodged cleverly from a vicious right uppercut, but Smith changed tactics for the kidneys and bad ear. Smith put his right over the heart with his whole force, but Jackson came back for more. In a mix up, Jackson put his left on the jaw. Just as the bell rang, Smith put his right squarely on Jackson's head. This was one of the fastest rounds of the fight.
Sixteenth round--Smith kept putting his right and left all over Jackson without a return, any one of the blows being strong enough to put an ordinary man out. In close quarters Smith, with a vicious right hand uppercut, landed on the jaw, but it seemed not to bother the colored man, he being a glutton for punishment.
Seventeenth round--It was the same old story, Smith starting to do the rushing, putting his left and right on the head and wind. Jackson rushed into a left hand jab on the jaw, but it did no damage. Three times did Smith land his right over the bad ear, but Jackson was game to the core.
Eighteenth round--Smith kept playing all over Jackson's injured ear and bad eye, while the colored man did not seem to be able to defend himself. He was strong when the bell rang, but the police ordered the contest stopped.
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"Denny" Gallagher and "Kid" Phillips, announced from Saginaw, Mich., gave a four-round setto with twelve ounce gloves as a curtain raiser. No decision was to be given. The contest created plenty of amusement, as Gallagher had all of the science, while Phillips did not have the first rudiments of ring generalship. He kept the crowd in an uproar by rushing Gallagher, and made it interesting. Each round would usually start off with "love taps," but when they got warmed up, it became all the more interesting.
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