A NINETEEN-ROUND FIGHT.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 219, 8 November 1888, Page 2

A NINETEEN-ROUND FIGHT.

PETEB JACKSON IN AMERICA. AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION KNOCKS OUT BOSTON'S COLORED CHAMPION. TERRIBLE PUNISHMENT DEALT OUT. The two greatest colored champions of the pugilistic art who ever stepped into a ring met at the rooms of the California Athletic Club on August 24, and decided an international battle which had created great interest in the sporting world. The Californian Call gives the following description of the great battle;— Long before the time advertised for the contest to begin last evening the spacious exhibition-room of the club began to fill with members, and by the time the men entered the arena seats were at a premium. The ring, whch was a twenty-foot enclosure when Cleary and Mitchell fought, had been enlarged io twenty-four feet, and as an extra precaution against the spectators crowding upon the ropes and hindering the fighters an iron-pipe railing, four feet high, was erected at a distance of three feet from the ropes. ENTERING THE RING. Godfrey, who entered the ring first, at 9.30 o’clock, was attired in white knee pants, bicycle shoes aud wearing the American colors. He wore a heavy overcoat, and looked in fine, condition. Jackson entered the ring a tew moments after his opponent, clad in white tights, with blue stockings and a blue belt, carrying the Australian colors, blue and white. He was seconded by young Mitchell, champion middleweight of the Pacific Coast, and Sam Fitzpatrick, the “ Australian Comet,” who attended to his training. He also wi4Kp . long overcoat. Jim Corbett was chosen time keeper for Godfrey and W. Naughton for Jackson. Dave Eisman held the wa-’eh for the club. The President of the club stated that at a meeting of the board it was decided to bring the best men in the world together, and that Charley Mitchell and Jack Dempsey had been communicated with and the club was waiting for their answers.

When the men stripped for action Jackson's skin shone with an unmistakeable lustre, resembling a dark piece of flee old Spanish mahogany. Hie massive and deep chest and broad lines displayed a grand development of muscularity denoting the possession of exceptional strength, He also possessed superiority in height and reach, and with his keen, good natured eye, symmetrical form and graceful freedom of attitude, looked from head to foot an athlete to whom, if the heart were there, anything might be poseible. Godfrey, although four inches smaller than Jackson, was as round as a ball, the muscles on his back, shoulrers and arms standing out in bold relief, and giving unmistakeable evidence of enormous strength and power, FIRST ROUND. Having gone through the customary friendly salutation at the scratch, each man threw himself back into position. There was at this moment a silence that might be felt; and the eager glances directed toward the combatants evinced the interest with which every movement was being anticipated by the members of the California Athletic Club, who surrounded the ring. Jackson held his left well balanced, ready tor a shoot; his right across his breast, Godfrey held his left rather low, with his right in such a position that, to the eye of an expert, meant mischief when sent on its mission. After putting out a few feelers, Godfrey led with his left and caught Jackson slightly on the breast. The latter stepped back, and, after a few feints, he sent out his left and caught Godfrey on the side of the neck. Godfrey got a good right hander on Jackson’s left side, which angered the latter. Jackson then settled down to work, and sent in a hot shot with the left straight, at Godfrey's mouth. The little fellow stood it well, but could not stop Jackson’s heavy blows, SECOND ROUND. When the mon came up the second time, it was easy to see that Godfrey had made up his mind that he must be cautious, and he merely watched his opponent. After a little sparring, Jackson’s long left arm suddenly shot out, and Godfrey went square on his back from a blow in the mouth, which brought the olaret. As soon as he rose the Australian

was upon him, and played hand ball with his head. Godfrey showed signs of weakness and sparred for wind. Jackson kept pegging at him and landing nearly every time, receiving no punishment in return. At the end of the round everything was in Jackson's favor. ' He was cool and easy, while Godfrey was blowing hard. The crowd began to see the great advantage Jaekson had, and how easily he landed on ' Godfrey, and many offered odds on the colonial man. 1 THIRD ROUND. Jackson moved up easily towards Godfrey ! and when within reach he sent his left out ! quick and caught Godfrey squara on the ' “smeller.” Following it up Jackson hammered his opponent with his right and left against the ropes. Godfrey seemingly not being able to understand the Australian’s style of fighting, which was fast and telling, Godfrey got in an occasional blow, but tor the one he landed on Jackson he got three in return. The round ended in favor of Jackson. FOURTH ROUND. Both men sparred cautiously. In one lively exchange Godfrey got one on the left ear. In the next rally Godfrey hit Jaokson in the throat, knocking bis head back, but doing little damage. Jackson retaliated by driving his right into Godfrey’s left eye, cutting it badly. Godfrey tried to get in a wicked right arm swing, which is hu great blow, but Jackson’s wonderful lightning duck saved him and coming up inside Godfrey’s guard he punched him unmercifully with his left and right. FIFTH ROUND. Jackson’s long reach of arm stood him well in hand, and seeing the advantage he had in this respect he lost no opportunity to plant it again and again on Godfrey’s nose. Godfrey played for Jackson’s body, and he got in on it a few times. Jackson kept planking his left on Godfrey's nose, and the blood from the latter came streaming down in torrents. Godfrey kept getting blow after blow on tha nose until he was actually covered with crimson. Ho stood his punishment well, and it was surprising to ses him stand up before such terrible loft handers as ho was getting from Jackson io the mouth and nose. Jackson’s tights were now smeared frith the olaret from Godfrey’s nose. sixth ROUND. Both did some light sparring, Godfrey reaching Jackson’s stomach with his right, causing the latter to wince. Fightinz at close quarters followed, and Jackson landed first with his left and then with his right on Godfrey’s eyes. The latter was badly used up at the end of the round. His left eye was bleeding, and he looked distressed, He walked jauntily back to his corner, however, and smiled as he eaw the blood dripping down on his tights. SEViNTH ROUND. Godfrey came up somewhat groggy but full of gameness. Jackson, with that peculiar glide of his, got within range of his game and slap, bang, went hia right and left on Godfrey’s mouth and body. Godfrey landed his left on Jackson's ear, and the latter cross countered him heavily. After manoeuvring around the ring Godfrey charged at Jackson and smashed him a couple of blows on the neck, The latter returned the compliment with double interest. EIGHTH ROUND. Both watched for an opportunity to get in a knock out. Godfrey was fresher than in the round before, but fought on the defensive. Godfrey led with his left, but Jackson merely threw out his left and stopped it against Godfrey’s nose. The latter began to see that he was getting the worst of it, and triad to k-‘ep away, but was not able; for Jackson with hia side steps forced him into the corner, and went at him hammer and tongs. Godfrey fought back, but could not land hie swinging blows on the agile Jaokson, whose head seemed to ba anywhere but in the place his opponent's fists were. A out over Godfrey’s right aye showed where a hard blow had landed. [The description will be completed in OtiK next issue.]