Bob Fitzsimmons' loss to Jim Hall, fake or not?

1890-02-12 Evening News (Sydney, NSW, Australia) (page 2)

THE RING.

Hall v. Fitzsimmons.--There was an excellent house at Foley's last night to witness the match between the well-known middle weights, Jim Hall and Fitzsimmons. The advertised conditions of the match set forth that it was for forty rounds, £100, and the middle-weight championship. Certainly the display was not up to championship form. Hall was manifestly out of condition, as, after boxing two rounds, in which not much harm was done, he attempted to force the fighting, but his condition completely failed him, and at the end of the round two weak men were pushing one another about in the ring without strength enough to do harm of the mildest description. At the commencement of the fourth round Fitzsimmons advanced, and Hall accommodated him with a right somewhere in the vicinity of the jaw. Down went Fitzsimmons, who rolled on his back and kicked, but he did not get up when time was called, and referee Taylor adjudged Hall the winner. The business of the evening was preceded by some good boxing bouts between Ryan and Willis, and the brothers Griffo.

1890-02-12 The Australian Star (Sydney, NSW, Australia) (page 5)

BOXING.

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There was not a very good house at Foley's Hall last evening when business commenced, and, even when half-price time had arrived, the seats were by no means uncomfortably crowded. The reason for this may have been that the match between Jem Hall and Bob Fitzsimmons, said to be for £100 and the high-sounding title of middle-weight champion of Australia, was not sufficiently advertised, or it may have been a doubt on the part of the regular patrons of boxing contests as to its genuine character. Hall's appearance at ring-side on Saturday evening, when he seemed to be imitating the example of the once a nous Joe Nolan, who preferred to get himself fit on gin, was certainly anything but assuring. The color thus given to the ever-present suspicion in the minds of regular ring-goers, was somewhat confirmed last night by the utter absence of anything like genuine enthusiasm, or even the ordinary preparations for an important contest. Ice might have been fetching Melbourne prices by the way it was dispensed with. Those who paid to witness what they expected would prove an exciting encounter had some return for their money in the shape of a smart set-to between Starlight and his trainer, a pair of darkies, who boxed with a will, and were followed in turn by Willis and Ryan, and the brothers Griffo. Over what should have been the bonne bouche of the evening we could wish to draw the veil of silence, as the less said the better. Hall was in no condition for a 40-round encounter, and was completely at the mercy of his opponent in the third round. Yet, although Fitzsimmons had made a pretence of backing himself for a "fiver" on entering the ring, he made no effort to knock out his beaten antagonist when he had matters all his own way. We can only suppose that that formed no part of the programme, as Fitzsimmons soon after got knocked down too easily it appeared, and sprawling over the floor like a dying duck in a thunderstorm until he was counted "out." His defeat deceived no one who is in any way capable of judging the merits of a boxing match; not even the South Australian cricketers, who were present on the occasion, and who must carry away with them a curious opinion of the way in which these matters are ordered in Sydney. But what must they think of the way in which Hall's performance is belauded in the columns of a couple of our contemporaries, from one of which something better might surely have been expected. But why such a shrewd man of the world as the proprietor of Foley's Hall should allow his patrons to be disgusted with the way in which they are periodically treated, has always been a mystery beyond our comprehension.

1890-02-12 The Referee (Sydney, NSW, Australia) (page 8)

CHAMPION JIM HALL.

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Another Victory to his good Right Hand.

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The last fight Hall will have before leaving by the Alameda on Wednesday next was that with Bob Fitzsimmons, the clever and agile New Zealander, who has been looked upon as one of our smartest middle-weights for two years now. They fought for £100 and the gate money. Hall was all abroad in the matter of condition, having enjoyed himself a deal since he licked Boland, and confirmed his claim to the championship. There were three preliminary spars, Starlight and Anderson, both negroes, Willis and Ryan, and Griffo brothers giving pretty goes.

Hall was seconded by Jack Fuller and Dunn, and Fitzsimmons by Lewis. The latter looked in far the best condition, for Hall's white skin looked soft as that of a girl.

The first round was chiefly noted for Hall's long and effective left leads and heavy rights on the ribs, one of these nearly bringing Fitz down and for Fitz a clever countering and determined attempts with the right at the jaw. Hall evaded these easily, his quick instepping and neat guarding serving him well. Fitz got his shoulder well up to Hall's attempt at the point.

Round 2 was similar, though Hall did much more execution than Fitzsimmons, and discolored his left peeper with a hot right. He also stabbed the New Zealander in the mouth heavily, and visited his ribs hard and straight with the right.

Coming up to the third Hall carried out his avowed intention of taking all Fitz could give, and giving him a quick quietus if he could. He fought furiously, but Fitz's cleverness with his head caused the champion to beat the air and Bob's shoulders a lot, and he soon pumped utterly. Neither could do much damage, but Hall got awfully groggy, and nothing but his level head saved him. He kept his long left poking out, or came in with his forearm across Fitz's throat, and so was just able to last the round, recovering a bit by walking round and dashing in a good left in the mouth and a hard right on the jaw that shook Fitz up bad just on corners.

Very busy indeed were both men's attendants during the minute spell, and they came up middling well for round 4. Fitzsimmons looked very confident, and advanced smilingly to meet his antagonist. He feinted with his left to draw Hall, and laid his jaw bare for one second. Rising on his toes Hall brought the right smashing across, hissing through his teeth like a blacksmith welting hot iron. It dropped with all his weight and strength on Fitz's jaw, just above the point, and Bob fell in a heap under his conqueror's legs as the impetus carried him on. Right on his back he rolled, and lay screwing up his face and looking very cronk.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten--out, said Mr Jack Gowland, the time-keeper, and it was all over. The seconds dragged Fitz to his corner, but he slid off the chair again, and even when taken to the dressing-room did not seem to know where he was. Mr A. J. Hales was referee, and all arrangements were in perfect order.

1890-02-12 The Sportsman (Melbourne, VA, Australia) (page 4)

HALL BEATS FITZSIMMONS IN THREE ROUNDS

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By Wire--From Our Own Correspondent.

  SYDNEY, Tuesday Night.

The contest between the two middle-weights, Jim Hall and Fitzsimmons was over in three rounds and 10 seconds. Even money was laid, Hall being the favorite. Things looked pretty even till well in the third round, which Hall finished by getting three rights in at close quarters. Both were apparently in bad fettle, and the pace in this round made them very tired. As soon as they went up for the fourth, Hall landed right and left on the jaw, and Fitzsimmons did not come up to time. There was considerable surprise at the sudden ending.

1890-02-19 The Sportsman (Melbourne, VA, Australia) (page 4)

 BOXING IN SYDNEY
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Jim Hall and Fitzsimmons.
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From Our Own Correspondent.

Tuesday last I wired you the result of this match, Hall having won in three rounds and a few seconds. It was supposed to be for the middle-weight championship, and as Hall was about to leave for 'Frisco, some interest was taken in it. However, the least said about it the better. I had occasion previously to remark about Hall's carelessness in the matter of getting into condition, and giving his patrons a decent show for their money. This time he was far from fit. Fitzsimmons has a peculiar reputation, for, as far as I can recollect, all his matches have ended peculiarly. A while ago at the end of a very poor show he signified his intention of retiring from the arena, as "there was nothing in it." It would have been better for himself and the public if he had kept his word. If he doesn't show something better very soon, there will be very much less in it. In the match in question, Fitz, who is very tricky, appeared to hold his own for three rounds, but, commencing the fourth, Hall sent in both hands and he went down, deaf to the call of time, and though apparently very much dazed, recovered rapidly when the sponge went up. Enough said.

1891-03-23 The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, OH) (page 2)

FITZ IS WARM.
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He Is Ready For Jim Hall.
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The Early History of the Middle-Weight Champion.
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Baltimore, March 22.--Muldoon left town to-day. A reporter of the American told Fitzsimmons that the great wrestler would return to the city on Thursday, and as he had been deputized by Joe Harris, Jim Hall's backer, to arrange a match for Fitzsimmons and Hall, the reporter would like to get Fitzsimmons' opinion of his fellow-countryman. Fitzsimmons gives it thus:

"Hall should be ashamed of his conduct. He knows that I am under a contract; but as soon as that expires, which will occur in a few weeks, I intend to make it hot for all of them. It is very probable then that Hall will turn tail and take the next boat for Australia. I have known Hall all my life, both of us being raised in the same place. For a long time he posed as champion; I was content to work at the forge and eke out a living for myself and wife. I disliked notoriety, and was averse to going into the ring. About two years ago, I grew desperate and arranged to fight Hall. I beat him in five rounds, and was given ten shillings for it. When I picked up my street clothes I found that they had robbed me of every cent I had, including the studs in my shirt. Fake fights were then all the go, and for a mere pittance scores of young fellows would allow Hall to stop them in four or five rounds. I was a greenhorn at the time and sadly in need of money. We had a fake fight, with the agreement that I was to fall in the sixth round. When the third round had been finished Hall was so weak that he could hardly hold up his hands. I became disgusted, but in order to keep up my part of the contract took pity on Hall, and dropped to the floor at the beginning of the next round. I can defeat Hall to a standstill with any thing in my hands from a pillow to a sledge hammer. I then determined to leave home and try my fortune in America. I worked my passage over, fell into good hands and made a match with McCarthy. This chance was a god-send. I defeated him easily, and with the winnings paid off my old debts and brought my wife to America. Then followed my fight with Dempsey, which made me a rich man. I never saw Jack until I faced him in the ring, neither have I seen him since. Dempsey made a game fight, showed wonderful courage, but was outclassed. We, in Australia, thought him invincible. I found him an easy target."

"My next fight," continued Fitzsimmons, "will in all probability be with Ted Pritchard, the present champion of England, and who recently defeated Jack Burke in the Pelican Club at London. The Troy people offer $25,000 for the match, and, if Pritchard will concede to the terms, he will find me eager for the fray."

After the interview Fitzsimmons wanted to find a barber shop. When told that the good people of Baltimore prohibited such doings as shaving on Sunday, he remarked that it was a "bloody" outrage.

1891-03-29 The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, OH) (page 10)

MACON'S GOSSIP.
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Bob Fitzsimmons has made a good clean breast of his antipodean fistic career, and by so doing he has put himself much more favorably before the American people. His statement, which bears the impress of truth, shows that pugilism is not overly profitable in that far-off land. He beat Hall in five rounds there, and his reward for doing so was--just think of it--ten shillings, or, less than $2.50 of American money. Shortly afterwards Hall, who seems to have had command of some little money and was willing to part with it for pugilistic glory, offered Bob $75 to let him lick him in six rounds. Fitz accepted the offer, for he was in dire need of money, but he says he had hard work keeping his end of the bargain, as Hall was so tired at the end of three rounds that he had to fairly throw himself out in the fourth to get the money.

Hall has made a good many cracks since he came to this country about his willingness to fight Fitzsimmons, but after this statement he will have to come to Hecuba immmediately or be considered admittedly beneath Fitzsimmons' class. Billy Muldoon, it has been stated, came East with the power to make a match on behalf of Hall with Fitzsimmons, but up to date if any one has seen the color of his coin the fact has been strangely overlooked by the ever alert newsgathers of the press. Hall is unquestionably a remarkably scientific man. His performances in San Francisco show this, but that he is an out-and-out fighter remains to be proved. He was not able to best Billy McCarthy, whom Fitz and Jack Dempsey both defeated with ease, and certainly on this showing he would have no chance with Fitzsimmons.

  Macon.

1892-04-16 The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, OH) (page 16)

DID THEY FAKE
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In Their Australian Fight?
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Something About Jim Hall and Bob Fitzsimmons.
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"Smiler," an Australian Sporting Authority.
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Tells of the Australian Sluggers and Their Victories.
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He Says Hall Whipped Fitzsimmons "on the Square"--Other Matters.
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Now that Jim Hall and Bob Fitzsimmons are matched any reliable information about their alleged fake fight in Australia will prove interesting. The gentleman who refereed that fight is now in this country. His name is N.J. Hall, of Australia, better known as "Smiler," sporting editor of the Sydney Referee. "Smiler" was in Chicago the other day, and the Chicago Globe has the following about him:

"Smiler" came into the city unannounced, and when met by a representative of the Daily Globe at "Sol" Price's was surprised to think that his arrival had been known to any newspaper reporters. He had, as he put it, been riding in the cars for five days, was tired, and did not intend to visit the newspaper offices or have any thing to say until to-day.

"Now that I am captured," he said, "I presume I will have to talk. Now what can I tell you?" asked "Smiler," smilingly.

"Something about Hall and Fitzsimmons, of course."

commenced with fitzsimmons.

"Well, I will begin with Fitzsimmons, and wind up with any thing and every thing you want to know. Fitz was never considered of any account as a fighter at home, and he never won a fight to amount to any thing, but I happened to see him in a go with 'Starlight,' the colored pugilist, in which the latter caught Fitzsimmons a right-hand smash alongside of the head, which every body thought was a settler. Fitzsimmons came back and whipped his man. After seeing that I made up my mind that Fitz was a fighter, and advised him to go to America and get on a match with 'Jack' Dempsey. When the match was arranged I tipped 'Fitz' as a winner for which I was ridiculed and laughed at so much that I was honestly ashamed to show my face on the street. Every body in Sydney considered Dempsey a world-beater, but I was satisfied in my own mind from what I had read of Dempsey that 'Fitz' outclassed him, height, reach, strength, &c. I could not see how he could lose. Well, you know whether I was right or not."

"If Fitzsimmons was considered of no account in Australia, how did Jim Hall stand?"

"Hall! Well, if there ever was a fighter in this world Hall is the man. He was always considered away over Fitzsimmons or anybody else in his class in the fighting line at home, and for honesty and gentlemanly bearing. 'Gentleman Jim,' as we called him, took the cake. I hope you will excuse me for that slang remark, but I heard that in San Francisco."

"Did you referee that last fight between Hall and 'Fitz,' in which the latter says he laid down for $75?"

refereed the sydney match.

"Yes I did, and I will tell you just how it was, and I hope I will forever settle that controversy. Hall was matched to fight somebody. I can not remember exactly who it was, but I know that he had only been training a week, had taken considerable medicine, and was naturally very weak. Fitzsimmons worked hard every day, and was in the pink of condition. He paid a visit to Hall's training quarters and engaged him in a friendly bout. I did not see it, but from what I heard afterward 'Fitz' had a little the best of it. After that they both fell into the hands of a speculator named Cook, who intended bringing them both to America to match them against anybody and to give sparring exhibitions. This Cook arranged a fake match between them, and for some reasons, best known to Cook, he agreed to give Fitzsimmons $75 to lay down. I, of course, did not know anything about it at the time, but found it out afterward.

"fitz" was in the pink of condition.

"Well, as I was saying, the match was arranged and was to take place at Larry Foley's Hall. 'Fitz,' as I said before, was good and strong and in the pink of condition, while Hall was weak and sick. They appointed me, as you are aware, to act as referee, so before they shook hands I asked them both if the fight was on the square, and they both answered in the affirmative, and from the way 'Fitz' went at Hall and from the way the fight terminated I was satisfied it was on the square."

"How was the fight?"

"How was it? Why, 'Fitz' went at Hall like a whirlwind as soon as time was called and made it pretty lively for 'Jim,' and when the latter came to his corner after the round he was blowing like a porpoise. While Hall was sitting in his corner he said, 'What is he trying to do? Cross me?' I thought there was something crooked about the affair then, but the fight, as far as it had gone, looked straight. 'Fitz' repeated his tactics in the second round and did his utmost to settle Hall, but the latter's cleverness and generalship were the only things that saved him. Hall went to his corner at the end of the second round a very weak and sick man. He vomited, and I actually thought he would never go up for the third round. All this time 'Fitz' was anxiously waiting for the call of time, and when it was called he rushed across the ring at Hall, bent on finishing him then and there. He let fly his left, which was stopped cleverly, and then swung his right with such force that when Hall ducked to avoid 'Fitz' he fell against the ropes.

hall gets in a knock-out blow.

"When he straightened up he tried to find Hall with his left, but the latter, although weak, met him with a stiff one in the stomach. Fitz came again and Hall balked him with his left, and, putting his left glove on Fitz's face, shot the right swiftly across on "Bob's" chin and mouth, which knocked him down and out. Fitz fell flat on his face and did not recover for fully five minutes. When he was picked up it was seen that the blow had cut a gash from his mouth down to his chin.

"It was the clearest knock-out I ever saw, and I have seen hundreds of them. Now, you have the history of that fight, and I say now, if the fight was supposed to be a fake, it was no fake when the men met in the ring, for I never saw a fairer, squarer or a fight more on its merits, wherein Fitzsimmons was more anxious to win than that one; and if Fitzsimmons agreed to lay down, as he said he did, or as he was supposed to lead Hall to believe he would not be trying to double-cross him, for if ever a man tried to win a fight Fitzsimmons did in what he terms his 'fake' fight with Hall.

"I will say this much for 'Fitz:' I think he can whip any man in the world at 154 pounds, but if ever he tackles Hall at catch-weights there will only be one man in it, and that man will be 'Jim' Hall, for I do not believe there is a man living that can defeat him or make a fight with him at 164 pounds."

considers hall the superior man.

"There is any number of people who think that 'Fitz' outclasses Hall in America," said a bystander.

"So I understand. But they have never seen Hall fight. I tell you, he is cleverer, cooler and a better general than 'Fitz,' and, as I often remarked at home, I used to get a chill when I stood in Hall's corner. In a fight he was cool."

"Have you seen Dempsey since your arrival in the country?"

"I have. I stopped in Portland with him three days, and I tell you, I never met a finer gentleman, that is, for one in his line of business, in all my life. He kindly sparred for me while there, and I thought him extraordinarily clever. I of course was surprised to see such a small man for a middle-weight. Why, we would no more think of letting a man of his weight go against a middle-weight in Australia than we would have a feather-weight fight a heavy-weight. His name and "Tom" Sayers' ought to be bracketed."

"What kind of a man is "Mickey" Dooley?"

"Mickey!" We consider him the best, and without a doubt the greatest pugilist the southern hemisphere ever saw. He is a shade too heavy for the middle-weight division and a little too light for the heavy-weights, but for all that we think he can defeat any man in the world, bar Slavin, with bare knuckles. He has never been defeated at that game, and has beat all the men that Slavin and Jackson whipped. "Shadow" Maber, now in this country, is another phenomenal fighter, and I am pleased to say that I brought him out. It was when I was editing a paper in Brokenhill that I first saw the "Shadow." He came to my office and told me he could fight."

1885-05-04 Nonpareil Jack Dempsey W-KO5 Tom Barry [Mechanics’ Pavilion, San Francisco, CA, USA]

1885-05-05 Daily Alta California (San Francisco, CA) (page 1)

THE WHITE FEATHER.
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Harry Downie Backs Out of the Match with Jack Dempsey.

Up to half-past 9 o'clock last night a comparatively small audience had gathered in the Pavilion to witness the glove contest between Jack Dempsey, light-weight champion of America, and Harry Downie, middle-weight, of this city. At the hour mentioned the admission was lowered to fifty cents, but the doors were rushed and the crowd of "waits" poured in free of charge. The event of the evening was preceded by sparring exhibitions between the following local sloggers: Tom Kelly and a stranger from Butchertown, George Hamill and Ed. McDonald, Bill Price (colored) and June Dennis (colored.) These latter two began to exhibit so much pugnacity that Captain Douglas ordered them out of the ring. James Maloney and Joe Brown then followed as feather-weights. It was then announced by Ed. Willis that Harry Downie had left the Pavilion, giving as a reason that so many people had come in free that he did not propose to fight. The terms of the match were that the winner should receive seventy per cent. of the net receipts and the loser thirty per cent. The news of Downie's defection was greeted with groans and hisses. Harry Maynard was called for, and finally made up a match between Dempsey and Tom Barry, by agreeing to pay Barry $250 whether he won or lost.

Maynard also stated that he would never again make any match with Downie, and would, furthermore use every endeavor to prevent any one else doing so. At 10:40 o'clock Dempsey and Barry stepped into the ring. Barry was seconded by Munice Leo and Pete Lawler. Dempsey was seconded by Charles Taylor and Martin Murphy. Mike Cleary was selected to act as referee. The first round opened with cautions work, but Barry soon began to force the work and was sent flying through the ropes clear off the stage, not so much by a blow as by a rush and shove. Barry was back in a moment, but got a blow on his neck that felled him, but he was on his feet in a second. During this first round Barry very cleverly stopped some hard and well-directed blows. The little work that Dempsey did showed him to be a thorough master in the science of pugilism. He played with Barry as easily and unconcernedly as a cat would with a mouse. The second round was not of an exciting nature, and it was evident that Barry, while he forced the work, was in considerable awe of Dempsey's long left-handed reach. The third round was equally tame, Dempsey giving one or two specimens of in-fighting, and Barry standing well up to his work. The fourth round was but a repetition of the third, although Barry began to fail somewhat. The fifth round had scarcely opened before Dempsey dropped his left into Barry's neck and the latter staggered back in a dazed manner; another similar blow and Barry showed symptoms of a strong desire to remain seated on the floor, but finally stood up and received a gentle blow on the neck that knocked him out of time. Under the circumstances Barry did very well, although it was evident that he is no match for Dempsey, even at his best.

Maynard feels very sore over the way in which the crowd rushed the doors and charges certain parties with having put up a job on him. Downie sent word to the Pavilion, after he had gone away, that he would return and fight Dempsey if he was guaranteed $500 whether he won or lost.


1885-05-05 Daily Evening Bulletin (San Francisco, CA) (page 1)

Exciting Glove Contest at the Pavilion.

There was not a large paying audience at the Pavilion last evening to see the glove fight between Harry Downie and Jack Dempsey. The money came in so slowly that the price was reduced to fifty cents; but this reduction was not satisfactory, and a rush was made for the doors and the waiting crowd affected an entrance without money and without price. After some sparring it was announced that Harry Downie had left the Pavilion, giving as a reason that so many people had come in free that he did not propose to fight. A messenger was dispatched to Downey's retreat, but the derelict pugilist sent back word that he wanted the guarantee of $500 before he would appear in the ring. Tom Barry volunteered to take Downey's place if guaranteed $250 whether he won or lost. Maynard accepted the proposition and the contest soon began. The contest proved to be one of the most exciting that have been seen here. Although Barry had not been in training, he made a plucky fight, and forced his antagonist to do his best. After an exchange of blows which did not do any particular damage, Dempsey rushed at Barry and drove him backward with a left and right clean through the ropes and off the stage to the floor five feet below. The fall was so severe that it was thought for a moment that the fight was over, but Barry unexpectedly bounded back to the stage smiling, and rushed fiercely at his opponent. In the fourth round it seemed as if Dempsey could knock out his man whenever he pleased, bu the champion was magnanimous and refrained from punishing him. In the fifth and last round Barry was so plainly at the mercy of the New Yorker that Dempsey dropped his hands and made no attempt to strike his helpless opponent. Barry would not yield, however, and the champion gave him a shove which overturned him. The shock revived Barry and when he rose he rushed determinedly at Dempsey, who met him with a well-directed right-hander that laid the local man on his back and ended the fight.

1884-03-06 Jack Dempsey W-RTD9 Billy Dacey [Campbell's Hotel, Coney Island, NY, USA]

1884-03-07 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 9)

DEMPSEY DEFEATS DACEY.
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Determined Glove Fight at Coney Island.
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NINE ROUNDS DECIDED.
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Dacey Pulls Off His Gloves and Quits when in Good Condition.
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Within sound of the billows of the Atlantic as they dashed on the sea girt shore of Long Island a company of three or four hundred men assembled at an early hour yesterday morning for the purpose of witnessing the glove fight between Jack Dempsey, of Williamsburg, and Billy Dacey, of Greenpoint, who were, according to articles of agreement, to fight for the sum of $300 under the Queensberry rules. It was a cold day for the short haired fraternity, the snow storm of Wednesday having covered the ground to the depth of several inches. Coach hire was expensive and walking was almost out of the question, except to those who will defy the elementals as well as the law in search of illegal sport. The experience of the "swells" at the recent Henry and Murray fight, with the accompaniments of subpoenas as witnesses, kept this class of patrons away, and when the Herald reporter reached the scene of action at midnight he looked for a long time in vain for a sight at the face of a ringside frequenter. The barroom of the hotel was tolerably well filled, but those present were so far local residents. About some there was a flavor of the stable, both in appearance and aroma, suggestive of Brighton Beach, but the majority had that far away look and hands-in-the-pocket slouch habitual with those who frequent the country grocery. Two or three females made themselves very much at home in the barroom, but did not add anything to the respectability of the place.

It was a dull, melancholy gathering. The stable gang canvassed the probabilities on forthcoming races at New Orleans, while the locals maintained a stolid silence, and but for the oaths the assemblage was orderly enough for a prayer meeting. A Mr. Sullivan raised his doleful voice and informed the company, in response to a call for a song, that

France has the lily, England the rose,
Everybody knows where the shamrock grows,
Scotland the thistle that grows on the 'ill,
But America's emblem 's the violet still.

It was not until a gentleman unfolded a piece of painted oilcloth, produced a dice box and pair of dice, that the feeling of depression in the crowd was removed. In response to the invitation to bet on the chances of "under seven or even seven, a hundred can play as well as one," the racing gang first responded, then one or two of the New York sports chipped in, and the game received a fair amount of patronage, till a move was made for the ball room, on which a ring had already been roped out of about eighteen feet square. By half-past two o'clock the last quarter had been squeezed out of the local division, and all who could muster that amount were in the room, the company numbering little short of four hundred. Two lamps hung over the centre of the ring, fairly well lighting up the room. Everything was ready but the men, and of these the first to appear was Dacey, attended by George Fulljames and Jim Driscoll. Dacey entered the ring at a quarter to three o'clock, and it was well that he had all his clothes on, for Dempsey did not appear until half an hour later.

TWENTY DOLLARS FOR THE ROOM.

While the audience was finding vent for its displeasure at the non-appearance of Dempsey, the shrill voice of the landlady of the premises was heard in tones of expostulation, and forcing her way through a portion of the crowd, she shouted:--

"I want my money; I want $20 for the room!"

One of Dempsey's patrons made an elaborate speech to prove that the room had been tendered for what might be taken over the bar, and the landlady had to take the speech in lieu of the $20 she demanded.

At a quarter past three o'clock Dempsey, attended by Frank White and Dan Dougherty, stepped inside the ring, and disrobing at once commenced. Dempsey is twenty-one years of age, stands five feet eight inches, and weighed 138 pounds. Dacey was two pounds lighter, two inches shorter and one year older than the Williamsburg man. Both looked remarkably fit to fight, especially Dacey, whose face was the picture of health, and it looked odds on him as the men sat in their chairs. Betting was, however, at odds on Dempsey--first offers of even money, then $100 to $75 and $50 to $30, but Fulljames shouted in reply:--

"We want two to one or we won't back Dacey," and this put a stop to speculation.

A sportsman well known in cocking circles, and who answered for the occasion to the name of Mr. Gidden, having been selected as referee, he called the men to the scratch at twenty-five minutes past three o'clock. Both men stripped to the waist, Dempsey wearing blue trunks and Dacey white trunks, and on their hands they had fencing gloves, while another set was at hand in case of police interference, but there was no occasion to use these.

THE FIGHT.

FIRST ROUND.--Dacey, when he put up his hands, reminded one very much of Jem Murray, having the same vicious look and determined appearance. Dempsey, on the contrary, was easy in his movements. After sparring for some time Dacey led at the body, but was short. Dempsey then tried at the head, and they got to infighting and clutching at once. On breaking away, Dacey next got his right on the cheek, and Dempsey got home a good one on the throat. This nettled Dacey, who dashed in and landed a smashing blow on Dempsey's forehead, but the latter twisted Dacey off and he fell in Dempsey's corner. There was a good deal of grabbing and holding at the close of this round, and when time was called there was little to choose between the men.

SECOND ROUND.--Dempsey's forehead was flushed and swollen when he stood up for the second round. Dempsey led off with the left at the body without a return. Dacey then ran in and a succession of hugging matches took place. They then sparred for wind, and Dacey again began operations by a stinging right hander on the side of Dempsey's face. Dempsey was the next to do any business--a flush hit with the left on Dacey's cheek spinning the latter around. A number of sharp rallies followed, in one of which Dacey fell, jumping to his feet, at once resumed hostilities, and they were fighting fast when time was called.

THIRD ROUND.--Both came up blowing from the effects of the fast fighting. Dempsey, after a good deal of sparring, led with the left, getting home on the chest. Dacey ran in, but was met full on the nose with a warm left hander, which steadied him. Dempsey then missed a vicious right hand blow, and in a prolonged rally in one corner Dacey was very busy with both hands at the body. On breaking away they sparred for wind to the end of the round. An even bet of $25 was here made, and the offer of the backer of Dacey to lay another $50 failed to meet with a response.

FOURTH ROUND.--Dempsey was slow in responding to the timekeeper's call, and Dacey, after a few passes, went in to fight his man. Dempsey's replies were weak and his blows lacked force, so that the Greenpointer's friends were jubilant at the prospect of speedy victory and offered odds of $50 to $30 on Dacey.

FIFTH ROUND.--Dempsey kept away from his man as well as possible, as he was still weak, and Dacey was unable to get in any hard blows. In a rally in Dempsey's corner Dacey fell heavily, with Dempsey on top. This shook Dacey very much and the tide of battle at once took a turn. Dempsey forced the fighting and dashed in left and right, the latter drawing first blood from Dacey's mouth. Dacey clinched and held Dempsey at every opportunity and Dempsey had a lot the best of the fighting.

SIXTH ROUND.--Dempsey showed a slight cut on the cheekbone, under the left eye, and blood was also trickling from a wound on the side of Dacey's nose as they stepped forward. Dempsey did all the leading off in this round, and after he had visited Dacey's neck, ribs and mouth with his right, he got in a righthander on the ear which sounded above the shouts of the excited spectators. Dacey's ear was split and began to bleed freely. Dempsey was again favorite at the close of the round.

SEVENTH ROUND.--Both wanted more time and began with a long sparring bout. Dacey at last commenced by trying with the right at the stomach, but was short, and immediately dashed in to a clinch. After breaking away Dempsey delivered his left on the ribs and the men got to close quarters. Dempsey now fell off weak, and Dacey tried his best to wind him up fighting him for all he was worth till they were stopped. Dempsey was taken to his corner decidedly weak.

EIGHTH ROUND.--Dacey ran up to the scratch as if to dispose of his opponent at once, but then began sparring. A long shot with the left by Dempsey landed lightly on Dacey's chin, and the former, boring in, was well met by Dacey with both hands. Dacey then landed a stinging left-hander on the stomach, and Dempsey, rushing to close quarters, fought Dacey down in the corner. Dacey from this on did the better work, and when time was called he was fighting Dempsey in the latter's corner.

NINTH ROUND.--Dempsey was again slow in coming up to the scratch, but he was the first to make play with his left on the chin. He then jumped in, delivering a sounder on Dacey's jaw with his left and got back without a return. After a couple of rallies Dacey tried with his left, but was hotly countered on the mouth, the blow completely staggering him. From that time to the end of the round Dempsey landed blow after blow on Dacey's bleeding mouth, following him all over the ring and doing as he pleased with his man, whose replies were most feeble. At the call of time Dacey was taken to his corner, and then pulling off his gloves told his seconds he had had enough and would fight no more. Fulljames went across and told Dempsey, who at once came over and shook hands with Dacey. The men had then been in the ring 35m. 45s. from the first call of time.

THE POLICE BEHIND TIME.

A move was at once made for Brooklyn, and six coaches, containing seventeen men, were stopped by the police of the Bergen street station, Brooklyn, near the main entrance of Prospect Park. The occupants, together with the drivers, were arrested on the charge of misdemeanor. The accused, for the most part, gave fictitious names at the station house, and when taken before Justice Walsh later in the day some were unable to remember their adopted names. As there was no evidence against them they were all discharged.

1889-08-27 Jack Dempsey L-KO32 George LaBlanche (San Francisco, CA, USA)

1889-08-28 Daily Alta California (San Francisco, CA) (page 8)

DEMPSEY'S DOWNFALL.
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After Scoring Fifty Victories the Nonpareil is Defeated.
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KNOCKED OUT BY LA BLANCHE.
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The Laurel Wreath Wrested from the Champion Middle-Weight in the Thirty-first Round.
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The new exhibition hall of the California Athletic Club (formerly Armory Hall) located directly opposite the gymnasium of the club, was crowded to its utmost seating capacity last evening, there being fully 1600 persons present to witness the contest between Jack Dempsey and George La Blanche, two of the cleverest middle-weights in the world to-day, for a purse of $5500, the loser to take the $500. These two men had met about two years ago and fought one of the hardest battles of thirteen rounds on record. The fight was for the middle-weight championship of the world and the diamond belt presented by the Police Gazette of New York, which belt was held by La Blanche up to the time of his defeat by the "Nonpareil." The belt has been on exhibition in a Grant avenue tailoring establishment for the past week and has attracted considerable attention. The phenomenal success of the California Athletic Club and its increase in membership, compelled the Directors to seek larger quarters for their monthly exhibitions, and in securing Armory Hall the club adds another peg in the ladder of success, the seats being well arranged and built on the incline running from the north and south sides of the ring, which is thirty-two feet square and elevated from the floor about four feet. There is a gallery in the north end capable of seating about 300 persons, and in the south end private boxes, which will hold several hundred. The reporters' stand is located in a gallery on the east side of the ring, and was built expressly for members of the press, and to the credit of the Directors none others were admitted. Directly opposite, and on the west side of the ring, an elevated gallery has been erected for the time-keepers, and directly over their heads, and in full view of every person, is the dial which points to the expiration of the three minutes fighting time and the one minute rest, according to the Marquis of Queensberry rules.

Prior to the great event of the evening and precisely at 8 o'clock, Billy Jordan, the master of ceremonies, together with Billy Dacey, a clever light-weight of New York, and Jack De Lancy, his friend and companion, made their appearance and boxed four lively rounds. Billy McCarthy and Joe Choynski followed, Choynski going down in the second round and sliding on his ear under the ropes, filling the ear with resin. Gus Brown and Young Frenchy came next and gave a very amusing set-to of four rounds, Brown holding his own with Frenchy. It was 9:25 when Denny Costigan, Dempsey's second, made his appearance on the stage, followed by George La Blanche and Jack Dempsey. After some talk about the gloves, the dispute was settled by a toss-up, Dempsey winning. La Blanche was seconded by John Donaldson of Minneapolis and Paddy Gorman, the Australian, while Denny Costigan and Ed. Campbell of Oregon looked after Dempsey. C. C. Coleman acted as timekeeper for the club, while Ed. Graney looked after La Blanche's interests and Mr. Luxe Dempsey's. H. B. Cook acted as referee. At 9:36 the men shook hands and time was called.

First round--Dempsey came up, pulling up his trunks, and facing La Blanche, smiled at him. After a few seconds' sparring La Blanche was the first to lead, with his left, Dempsey stepping back, and the blow tapping Dempsey's shoulder. The men clinched at the ring side, after La Blanche had worked Dempsey into a corner. Dempsey worked himself out with a poke with his left on La Blanche's face. La Blanche worked Dempsey again into a corner, and swinging his right, caught the "Nonpareil" around the neck, throwing him to the floor, Dempsey going down on one knee.

In the second round Dempsey punished La Blanche about the face with his left. La Blanche forced the fight, Dempsey ducking and La Blanche going to the floor in Dempsey's corner.

From the third to the fifth round the men fought desperately, Dempsey punishing La Blanche about the face and eyes. During the latter round La Blanche swung Dempsey to the floor. Hisses were given for the Marine.

In the sixth round La Blanche grabbed Dempsey during a clinch and lifted him from the floor. The referee now cautioned the men for the first time. Dempsey continued to punish the Marine about the nose and eyes with his left.

During a clinch in the seventh round Dempsey hit the Marine in the mouth, the latter spitting blood.

In the eighth round La Blanche got in a heavy blow on Dempsey's ear as they were breaking away, causing Dempsey to run around the ring with his hand to that organ. La Blanche was hissed again, but followed Dempsey, who smiled and said: "Come on."

In the ninth round La Blanche swung Dempsey to the floor.

In the tenth round La Blanche, who had Dempsey against the ropes when the gong rang, hit him in the face. This riled Dempsey and he fought back desperately. La Blanche turned to go to his corner, followed by Dempsey, who wanted to go at him in any shape, but was sent back to his corner by the referee.

From the tenth to the eighteenth round both men fought desperately, Dempsey punishing La Blanche about the eyes, his left being nearly closed. La Blanche got in on Dempsey's face and nose several times toward the end of the latter round. Dempsey caught La Blanche square under the chin with his left, sending him to the floor. When he got up the gong rang.

From the nineteenth to the twenty-third round was a repetition of the former rounds. Dempsey in the twenty-third round swung the Marine to the floor.

From the twenty-fourth to the twenty-ninth round Dempsey continued to stab the Marine in the face, the latter rushing and being cleverly stopped by the Nonpareil's left. Dempsey hit the Marine a little low down and was cautioned by the referee. La Blanche rushed at Dempsey, getting home on Dempsey's wind, the latter going to the floor. Just before the gong rang Dempsey got in on the Marine's face with both right and left, the Marine slipping to the floor.

In the thirtieth round Dempsey got home heavily on the Marine's wind and punched him in the face, but the punishment did not seem to affect the Marine.

In the thirty-first and last round Dempsey sent in a good one with his left that found a place on the Marine's nose. Dempsey got the Marine into the latter's corner and gave it to him with right and left handers. The Marine worked out of the corner and facing Dempsey, led at him but fell short. Dempsey countered and the Marine retreated and, whirling suddenly around, caught Dempsey square on the nose in the same manner that Jimmy Carroll caught Blakelock. It was the first time this kind of tactics has been introduced into the California Club. The blow brought Dempsey face forward to the floor, striking his nose heavily, which started to bleed. The timekeepers were counting the seconds and had reached seven when Costigan shouted, "Get up, Jack." Dempsey raised himself to his knees and raised his arms in the air and looked around dazed. He was in the act of getting up when the referee announced "out." Dempsey arose, and staggering to the ring side, grabbed the ropes for support, saying, "Fight on;" but La Blanche had heard the decision, and was the winner of the $5000 purse, but not the middleweight championship, as that has to be fought according to London prize ring rules. Dempsey takes the short end--$500--and many of his friends are in the same boat. Many thousands of dollars changed hands, not alone in the Coast, but in the East.