THE RING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9763, 26 June 1897, Page 5

THE RING.

[Br Staemght.]

Billy Murphy talks of returning to New Zealand again. Luok has been a stranger to him for many a day, remarks a Sydney writer.

John L. Sullivan is anxious to fight Bob Fitzsimmons in March next year, and has found a backer willing to put up $5000 as a side bet.

According to a letter received by the Melbourne Sportsman from Joe Goddard, he and Tut Ryan signed articles (in April) to fight, and a week later Tut backed down without giving any reason. The National Sporting Club of London hat offered a thousand pounds purse for a meeting between Dan Creedon and Fitzsimmons. The contest is to be limited to ten rounds of two minutes each.

George Ruenalf, a Maori, writes to the Sydney Referee from Goulburn (N.S.W.) offering to fight any middle-weight for a small side wager and the whole of the gate. Ruenalf gave a boxing display at Goulburn on June Ist, and reporting it a local paper says:—"There was a large attendance at the Fitzroy Rooms, Auburn street, on Tuesday evening, to witness an exhibition of the noble art, arranged by George Reuoalf (Maori), a recent arrival from New Zealand, and who is at present conducting classes in Goulburn. Ruenalf is a clever exponent of the art, and his style was much admired. He sparred with Jack McLean and George Karkoe, three rounds with eaoh, and also displayed his method of tuition. In addition he is a very good skipper, and in company with Fred Jobson he nave a very interesting and instructive musical spar, in which several of the latest hits and mysteries of the ring were gone through in time to musical strains. The evening wa* also taken up with friendly bouts between Karkoe and W. Broughton and others. The affair was well conducted."

England and America are each claiming Fitzsimmons as its own since his defeat of Corbett. Australia and Maoriland had as big a share in making the great fighter. History records that " Kildare was in 1497 removed from the Deputyahip, which was in time vested in Walter Fitzsimons, Archbishop of Dublin, a declared enemy of the Geraldines. Fitz's Irish descent is undoubted. Even, his birth would not make him English, for the Cornish, like the Welsh, are more Celtic than the Scottish High» landers. England likes to claim the dog oh top. Like Mace (the gipsy), Fitzsimmonn, the Cornish-born son of an Irish policeman, is hailed as a champion specimen of AngloSaxon manhood.— Bulletin.

An international glove contest took place at the Olympic Club, Birmingham, on May 3rd between H. Greenfield, of London, and L. Burns, of New York, for the 9sfc Championship and £350. Burns, who looked, in better condition than the Englishman, was the favourite. The Britisher forced the fighting, and at the same time played a wait* ing game. His forte is a cross, and with the right hand he prodded and prodded away at the Yankee until the opportunity for which he was waiting presented itself. Burns was a bit cramped in his style, but from the outset it was seen he would take his death or win. Cleverness and generalship, however, were on the side of the Londoner. Greenfield forced the work from the first call of time, and fighting in far more cunning fashion than his rival he scored fast at the outßot. Burns fought with plenty of dash, however, and though his boxing was not of the orthodox order he hung on in » manner that gave much confidence to hia supporters. When the men stood up for the eighth round, one man was just about as strong as the other. Burns had bustled Greenfield about just previously, and not a few thought the Yankee was going to make his long expected effort. Greenfield, however, evidently had something up his sleeve. He allowed the visitor to rush him round the ring, and then slipping aside he timed his man to a nicety. The Londoner's right went across like a flash, and alighted full on the point of the jaw. Burns, a second or two before full of fipht, dropped like a log to the floor, where he lay on his side until counted out.

Wm. King (alias Sweepy) died, aged 86,, at Hinckley, on May 3rd. He wis a champion of champions. He trained and seconded Paddy Gill eight times, and was connected with every kind of sport. King brought out Dan McNulty, Morris Roberts, Jack Jones of Porttnouth, and was a great friend of Harry Broome, Tom Sayers, &c. The deceased was associated a good deal with Joe Vickers, now mine host, of the Old Wheel Inn, Leicester-row, Coventry. He frequently challenged the world for Vickers ana found money for several of Joe'a battles. King was sensible to the last. Oar New York exchanges state that the heavy-weight contest between Peter Maher and Tom Sharkey will be decided in that city fii July. The agreement, which both men have signed, calls for a purse of $15,000, of which the winner will. William A. Brady, who offers the piase, bain view for the battle ground a building in Harlem capable of seating 15,000 persons. Jimmy Colvillo, of Boston, will act as raferes.