THE SULLIVAN-MITCHELL FIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 100, 28 April 1888, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE SULLIVAN-MITCHELL FIGHT.

Thk dotails of Uio fistic encounter be. tweeu Mitchell, the English champion, and John L. Sullivan, the supposed invincible

Boston biuiser, are very voluminous. The outcome ia in favour of Mitchell, and Sulli-

vau's American partistuiH are much elm

grincd, confessing that his career as a prizefighter is ended. The affair took place on March 10th on the training-grounds of Bat-on Rothschild, ab Crevil, franco, tuicl was declared a draw after thirty-nine rounds. Tlino, 3 hours 11 minuteH. The men fought in a pelting rain, which seemed to havo v bud. effect on Sullivan. Ho was unable to knock Mircholl out, though he hit him many times, tb«j latter being too skilful for him. Both men wore badly hurt in the hands and much exhausted. After the light, they were arroated by the French authorities, and released on bail, which they forfeited. Sullivan* friends bclicvo he was overtrained. Mitchell .fought carefully, avoiding Sullivaiw'a blows as much iva possible, and making the latter do as much moving as possible. Betting was nearly even on 'Mitchell toward the closo and it looked as if the tight would continue until dark, but at the closo of the thirty-ninth round the fighters agreed t.i shake hands and call it. a draw. Mitchell was improving at the time, but Sullivan was weak. The fight had been well advertised and more dilh'culty was experienced in eluding the hari{re:S-on, who wanted to see the mill, than in escaping the police, whose vigilnnco was tempered with discretion. LONG ODDS OFFERED. Before the battle began the Sullivan contingent was jubilant and willing to bet long odds that its man would make mincemeat of his opponent in no time. A oonipttriaon between the ,men seemed to justify this confidence, which was shared by .Sullivan himself. He was bigger and looked stronger than Mitchell. Behind him van the prestfge of many victories. It is no secret that he expected at the end often minutes to knock Mitchell out. THE MITCHELL CRO"WD DISCOURAGED. The Mitchell men wore not in such fine spirits: When the place s»lectod for the ring was reached it was raining hard and the weather was raw and cold. Sullivan'a magnificent iigure was much admired., and he had a conlident air about him. Mitchell peerned to feel as if ho had undertaken a big job, and his attempts to emile were without success. At the beginning of the fight Sullivan discovered that Mitchell had legs and brains, and knew how to uso them to advantage. Again and again Sullivan tried his tactics, which havo so often been crowned with suoccfi but when he^ot where Mitchell had been standing a moment before, the latter was on the ground, or around tha corner. More than once Mitchell wrapped his arms around Sullivan, effectually saving himself ; from being hard hit, and when shaken off foil upon the muddy ground, where Sullivan could only glare at him. SULLIVAN WINDED. Sullivan expended a great deal of wind and energy, but inflicted little damage on the agile Mitchell. When his wind began to grow short, Mitchell bocame bolder and assumed the offensive. Sullivan was frequently adjured to '* go in and finish him." But his laboured breathing was the only response. Ho had not enough strength left to fulfil bis contract. Nevertheless the men indulged in a groat deal of hammering, which drew blood and caused bruises, but the blows lacked force sufficient to secure a decisive victory for either by a i knockout.

Mitchell displayed more pluck than he has been credited with, and Sullivan less powers of endurance than hie admirers expected. As tho light had the appearance of being an endless affair, the backers of the two men held a consultation and agreed upon a draw, the two weary fighters readily acquiescing. . .