THE RING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9812, 23 August 1897, Page 2

THE RING.

"Weekly Press and Referee."

[By Starlight.]

Peter Maker took unto himself a life partner, in the person of Miss Agnes Toi pay, of Philadelphia, on July Ist, the wedding taking place at St. Thomas's Church, in that city. The happy couple sailed for the Old Country on July 3rd.

Johnny Van Heest defeated Jack Doughe.ly at tbe Grand Opera House, Oolnmb:;:., 0., on June 30th. Tlicy were to have fought a score of rounds, the winner to take 75% of the receipts, but ten rounds proved sufficient for Dougherty, his seconds throwing up the sponge after he had been floored twice in quick succession.

John L. Sullivan and Bob Fit.simmons were announced to box a few rounds at Ambrose Park, Brooklyn, N.Y., on Monday, July sth, at an outdoor festival promoted by Martin Julian, with an eye to the main chance. The superintendent of police made known beforehand, however, that he would not permit them to do so, even for points and with pillow glovos. However, nearly three thousand persons went there in the hope that they might see Bob and John L. face each other. In thie they were disappointed, however, as the police would not even permit the big fellows to punch the bag. A more disgusted crowd than that which wended its way through the gates homeward could not well be found on the " Glorious Fourth," which it is to be presumed the fistic stars duly celebrated after the lights were extinguished. " Kid " Lavigne and Young Griffo were to have boxed at the Arena, in Philadelphia, Pa., night of June 28th, but the former was unable to appear, and, to allay the disappointment of the spectators, Martin Judge was engaged to face the Australian, by whom he was altogether outclassed, the set-to being a fare.. Abe Hicken, who in his day was one of the cleverest light-weights England ever produced, and who won many victories in the hempen inclosure, and who left Australia some time since to take up his abode in London, England, is still a well preserved and hearty man, with an abundance of the old fire still in him. There is a prospect of a match being made between him and Bat Mullins, whose lively set-to with Billy Edwards at Harry Hill's in the old days was one of the; glove bouts that is still well remembered by ving-goiug 2STew Yorkers of a score or so of years agoue.

A fresh match haw been made between Peter Maker and Tom Sharkey, articles having . be.n drawn up and signed on June 24th by th . representatives of the principals, and " Buck " Connolly covering, it is stated, the? 2500 which the Californian deposited with Al. Smith before taking his departure for England (says a New York paper of July 3rd). The protocol states that the men are to fight to a finish with gloves of the regulation size, under Queensbury rules, for $5000 aside and such purse as may be offered by a r.putable club ; the fight to take place on November Ist or within ninety days after posting the second and final deposit, which is to be in Smith's hands not later than August 2nd. A roferee is to be named on the flay of mnking the final deposit, and the winner is to receive all moneys dependent on tho match.

Late English files to hand announce the death of Jack Burke, the " Irish Lad," who, it will be remembered, made a tour of Australia y.ars ago, and contested a boxing match w ;ii L. Foley, of Sydney,* at the old Carriiigton Running Grounds. The famous athlete died under pathetic circumstances. Having just previously sold his hotel at Islington, he determined upon a cycling tour, bnt, feeling ill, put up at the Belle Van Cheltenham, where ho was recognised by the landlord, Mr George Wilson, who had met him years before in Australia. Burke, remarking that he felt a bit off colour, and had caught a chill, indulged in a bath, and went to bed. Symptoms pointed to inflammation of the bowels, and peritonitis setting in, he died on the 29th of June, after only a few days' illness, despite all that three doctors could do. Burke met the inevitable fate of man with remarkable fortitude. On being informed that he had but an hour to live, he said, " What I Do you call this dying? I am in no pain whatever, and don't mind it." I ha*?e had maiiy a worse experience than this whilst training." He expressed a wish for some champagne, and on the doctor procuring a bottle and pouring out a glass, he smilingly remarked, "As I have only half an hour to live, doctor, you may as well let mc drink the lot." He bade all his friends an affectionate good-bye, and lapsing into uneonsciousnes?, passed peacefully away. He was not quite thirty-live years of age.

A London correspondent, writing on July Ist says :—ln tho hurly-burly of Jubilee week, the " great lite" between the coloured Australian boxer, Starlight, and George Chrisp, of Newcastle, attracted very little attention. The combat, which took place in Newcastle, ended very unsatisfactorily in the twelfth round, the darkey then being disqualified for foul fighting. Truth to tell, Starlight cut a very indifferent figure in the ring. He came to us with a record as long as a sea serpent, and was accepted by many as " a champion " in Australia at his weight, in spite of his five and forty years. He was credited with being a very clever, tricky, and slippery boxer, and on the score of his reputation not a few fancied bim for his engagement with Chrisp. The Newcastle man is strong as a horse and plucky withal, but slower than the proverbial coach horse. Yet in spite of this Chrisp proved quick enough to score a majority of points during the first half-dozen rounds. Thereafter Starlight seemed to lose his temper, and though cautioned continued to fight foul. His chief sin was holding his opponent with the left and punching him with the dexter glove, a proceeding whioh Starlight ayers passes muster in Australia, but which is certainly not countenanced by the Queensbery rules. The referee sternly cautioned Starlight twice against the practice, and, in consequence of a further flagrant transgression, ruled him a loser.