THE BOXING KANGAROO IN LONDON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 10, 13 January 1893, Page 2

THE BOXING KANGAROO IN LONDON.

The Daily News writes :— " The boxinff kangaroo has arrived. Having escaped pur" chase bj Mme. Bernhardt at Sydney, drowning at Colombo, and death from grief from the loss of his wife, he is at the Westminster Aquarium, challenging the world t» box. John L. Sullivan having declined the invitation in Austra ia, the new ohampion is understood to have his eye on Corbett or Peter Jackson. He made his bow at tae Aquarium on November 17 before a large aud delighted audience, and fought six rounds with Professor Landerman, his captor, trainer, keeper, and friend. The contest was to be strictly nnder the Marquis of QueeD sherry's rules, but we regret to Bay that the representative of Australia showed a disreputable and unprofessional determination to use his feet. .-He always, however, began and ended well, Shaking hands first of all, promptly ceasing hostilities at the call of "Time," and keeping to his own corner between the rounds. There he squatted with the most unconcerned air in the world, exoept that now aod then he examined his boxing gloves with discontent, for which he had good reason, as one of them ultimately came off. Ia this position he had no appearanoe of being 7ft high, but on drawing himself np to box he was plainly that muoh. The begins ing of the oontest was all in favour of the man, who peppered the kongaroo well about the head. The animal seemed to enjoy the operation, throwing its muzzle up to receive the blows on the throat, ana following the professor when he retired. A few blows which it gave in return were not very effectual. Recognising this fact it tried to leap on the professor's chest, and nearly succeeded. At the end of the round the man sat on a chair, where he was fanned and rubbed down. The kangaroo sat on its tail, too, at the beginning of the next round, the appendage stiffening, and serving as one of the legs «f a tripod. Towards the close of the fight the man began to lose. His opponent, it is said, likes boxing. He does pot, how* ever, keep quite cool. Getting a little excited after the third rqiind yesterday he did not wait to Ibe attacked, out commenced hostilities in a way the Marquis of Queensberry never dreamed of, rising in the air and dropping from a considerable height with both gloves in the professor's face, lt was clear that he was better at attack than defence. His attempts to jump on the professor's chest became more ana more frequent. Once or twice the man turned his back, and the kangaroo seemed inclined to leap on that. In the fourth round he grasped the professor's gloves and only let go on the call ot "time." The fifth and sixth rounds he finished by clasping his opponent round the neck and throwing Inn) to the grqund. At the clqse the professor was in profuse persperation, but neither he or the kangaroq >yas hurt, There is qqthing cruel aboiit the exhibition and a very great deal that is interesting. It is amusing and novel. It is a singular illustration of the power of training ; and it affords an opportunity such as no managerie ein give for a lesson in natural history.'