Pugilism & Wrestling.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 791, 29 April 1887, Page 13

Pugilism & Wrestling.

Dick Mattlews has again entered the ring, and has a challenge in the Sportsman to box anyone in Australia for a reasonable sum, the nuica to take place in Auckland.

SLAVIN AND COSTELLO. A DRAW AFTER 31 ROUNDS. THE FIGHTS A GAME BATTLE. GREAT EXCITEMENT. Since the arrival of the Americans, Mitchell and Costello, no one appeared anxious to meet the latter. He made overtures to Slavin after he defeated Dooley, but the Queenslander failed to make a match. Eventually by the persuasion ef hia friends be was induced to airange a meeting. Slavin evidently had not gone off after his match with Dooley, for he never fought in better condition. Costello had not undergone a preparation beyond sometimes accompanying Mitchell in his work. Foley’s was pretty well packed by nine o’clock, the Victorian snorting contingent showing up strongly. Slavia was seconded by Dooley and Jack Molloy. Mitchell attended to Costello. Joe Thompson and Geo. Hill held the watches. Jack Thompson was referee. Here if. may be remarked that very hard things were said about these officials. Making allowance for the usual excitement on these occasions, it must be said they could have given greater satisfaciion by watching the time more closely, A >econd or two makes all the difference iu a close coutest, so referees and timekee ~ers when accepting the office should recognise their responsibility, To summarise the match, which was really a middle against a heavy weight, there is no doubt flavin owe 3 his non-defeat to excellent condition and extra strength. The American is the most scientific boxer the colonies have seen for some time, and his exhibition of ring tactics was something worth seeing. His defence was all with his head and feet, for he hardly parried a blow the whole time. He had it all his own way iu in-fighting, and the way he * shouldered ’ his man and ducked to evade paniahment was greatly appreciated. Slavin boxed very pluckily, without doubt, and greatly astonished both his detractors and admirers. Still, he has a lot to learn before he cm meet a scientific man his own weight Costello now backs up his conviction that want of condition was against him by offering to make a fresh match at once. After time was called Slavin was the first to lead, but he struck short. Costello then got his left lightly on to Slavin’s wind, the latter returning the compliment. 3. hen Costello landed the right beautifully on the big man’s neck, Slavin responding with a left uppercut. Costello next landed his left in the Queenslander’s face three times in succession, but lightly. Immediately they closed, and time was called. The rounds were so mnch alike that it would be tedious to give them in detail. Costello was content to let Slavin force mat tere, and only let out when be saw an opening. Slavin, as is bis custom, wasted his blows in the air a great deal, the American being far too quick for him. Although Costello appeared to get home more effectually, it was anybody’s fight up to the seventh round, both men appearing a bit tired. Costello, who was smiling, had evaded several attempts of Slavin to corner him. In the eleventh round, the intervening ones having shown some give and take work, the American, who was not hittiug often, b it smartly, landed one into Slavin’s breadbasket, which made hm cry ‘Oh!’ Some cautious work followed, the Queenslander failing to reach his clever opponent. The Btranger had all the best of the fifteenth round, with a left on alavin’s jaw and another heavy one as he met him. He replied to a short one on the nose by a right on the bananaman’s ear. Sparring and feicliog followed, Slavin falling to properly home, and Costello landed an occasional right and left. At 10.30 the twenty-third round was started. Costello got a heavy left on Slavin’s jaw and partly turned him round. Slavin planted a left on Costello’s shoulder, the latter replying with three on the neck. The heavy-weight went ‘canny’ during the next round, and nothing was done, la the 25th round Costello swung round his left on to Slavin’s ear, and the latter, after striking short several times, at close quarters, got a nasty left on to the American’s ‘ phiz.’ It was now twenty minutes to eleven, and a declaration was made that the fight must be drawn at eleven, as the hall had to be closed. Slavin then went in to force matters,and got left and right in short. The 27th round saw Slavin rushing, and some hot close work resulted. Costello wa3 fighting cunningly, and getting his left up, Slavin striking two handed down blows. During the struggle Costello slipped dowu, and was hardly up when the strength of Slavin pressed him down again out of hug. He was np at ODce, and got his right home beautifully. The American’s forehead showed a bruise from contact with the floor. Some more close work, and the American was on the boards again as time was called. The excitement was very great, feeling running very high. Costello now appeared fagged, but as game as ever. In the next round be got a ( stinging left home, and evaded the rushes of tfie giant splendidly. During some in-and out fighting he got both right and left home, but the weight of the other man was boring him dowu. In the 29th round they hogged, and there being a cry of * a foul’ they were sent to their corners. The excitement was intense. At it again, and after some close work Costello got his right on Slavin’s ear twice, but was met with a right bander which staggered him, and after another tussle was on the boards as time was called. There was only time for another round, and as the braise on Costello’s brow where he hit the floor was bleeding profusely, there were calls to Slavin to go in and finish it. Costello was by no means done, and landed a heavy right and left on Slavin’s face. Some more close work, and after getting his left home, he again fell down. Up and at it. He got his left in without a return, and, out of a clinch, he laid right and left on to Slavin’s face. Though strong on his legs, the Queenslauder was too tired t-> use his hands well. Time was called amid a banal of excitement, the cries being on all sides 1 go in.’ The men were willing to continue, but time being up, it was made a draw, and both the fighters were

cheered. After the usual attention, neither was much the worse for the fray. DUNN V DXNNIE. On the 9th inst., at Melbourne. Dunn (the New Zealander,) and Dinnie wrestled their match in seven rtyles for £SO aud the allround championship. The styles were— Grreao-Rjman, Catch-as-catch-can, Scotch, Cornish, Collar-and-e?bovv, Side hold, aid Cumberland—one fall in each, the first four fa la to decide the match. These are the same styles in which Dinnie and Cannon wrestled a draw at t ie Altxaudra. Cumberland —There was eotne difficulty expereaced in getting the requisite hack-bold. When they did clinch there was a slip, followed soon after by another. Presently they got a strong grip, and soma vigorous tugging ensued. Their hands slipped to each otber’d neck. They held on firmly, Dunn hauling away. Finally Dmuie broke his hold, and came down on his hands on the carpet. First fall to Dunn. Time, 9 min. 20 sec. Scotch style followed. No hold was taken in the regulation 30 seconds, and the referee ordered them to wrestle. Almost immediately Dunn was drawn cloho in, and thrown flat on his face. He writhed about vigorously, and worked himself on to his hands and feet. Presently, with a quick movement, Dinnie was thrown, but was too strong to be kept under 30 seconds. Finally, Dunn was thrown heavily again. This time Dinnie locked his arms under the other’s, and kept him down. One fall to Diunie. Time, 8 min. 4 sec. Sidehold —Dunn won the toss, and took the underneath hold—a decided advantage. Then he twice tigh ened his belt in response to Dinnie. Getting to work, Dunn commenced quick leg play, and brought his opponent down. The operation was repeated a second time, Donal 1 dropping on his knees. Dunn kept his feet bard at work, with now a lock, and then a click. Then he crouched low down, and with a quick buttock brought Dfnuie over on three points. Two falls to Dunn. Time, 6 min. 40 sec. GRiECO -Roman. —They began with the usual neck play. Dunn was very quick, and brought I innie on his kneee. Dinnie bad hia revenge, hovever, for with a strong body hold he spreadeagled Dunn on the carpet. Leaning over him, Donald worked for the arm hold, and was partially successful. Dunn here turned quickly, and got away. From their feet again Diunie was brought over again with a species of buttock on to what was nearly a fall. By-the-bye, tie referee explained that flying falls should not count, but that a man must be down on two shoulders, 'i his accounts probably for the fact that two or three times it appeared to the onlookers as though Dunn had lost the fall. Presently Dinnie was down on his hands and kneeß, with Duun jumping from tide to side, looking for an opening. This pleased the spectators, who ciied, ‘Go it, Whistler,’ But he could do nothing, and Dinnie was soon on his feet. After more neck work, Dunn was throwD, and Dionie’s judge claimed a fall, but didn’t get it. Dunn was next seen crouched up frog fashion on the floor. Dinoie tugged away at him, and got him in a tight place. Dunn, however, turned quickly, first on one shoulder, then on the other, and finally sat np. Dinnie grabbed him round the body, and Dunn, to save himself, passed his arm round Dinnie's neck ; but be was forced over, with his arms l.ebind him. Dinnie forced him out of this on to one shoulder, and held him there for a few seconds. There was Borneo quick turning, and then Dunn worked out amid cheering. In a little while Duun was thrown heavily on hia face, but bounded up again before Dinnie could get down alter him. Then the referee gave them three minutes interval for a rub down, both men perspiring freely and giving evidence of hard work. Dnnn’s back, too, bore the marks of Donald’s finger nails. When they came together again Dunn was th rown heavily. As Dinnie worked for the arm hold, Dunn went on head and heels bridge. Dinnie kept werking at bis man, who had to tarn two or three times to save himsslf. He again went on the bridge, Dinnie at last forced him out, and getting a strong hold, put him fair on hie two shoulders. Two falls t > Dinnie. Time, 29 min. 10 sec. Collar and-Elbow. —They sparred for a hole. When they did grip, Duun began the leg work, getting a click time after time, aud endeavouring, with a great strain, to bring Dinnie over. Then Duun made a- series of rapid tries for his favourite buttock. From one of these Dinnie was forced among the chairs. Finally, with a clever trip, Dinnie was bi ought over. Three falls to Dnnn. Time, 7 min. 40 sec. Cornish. —Jackets were again worn. Thne was some strong wrestling, out of which Dunn came down heavily, the spectators crying ‘Fall, fall.’ The referee however decided ‘one hip and one shoulder only,’ and they went at it again. After struggling across the stage, Dunn partially turned round, Diunie seized his opportunity, aud, lifting him bodily, threw him a clean fall. Three falls to Dinnie. Time, 14 min. 10 sec. Time was naw drawing near for the close, and the speculation was as to whether the match could be finished. Mr Boucicault however, kindly allowed them an extra 15 minutes. The men at once came on the stage for the -''ecidiog bout. Catch-as catch can There was quick neck work, followed by Dinnie making an ineffectual grab at the other’s leg. Then he gripped Dunn’d wrist and swung him round. Dunn with a quick movement brought up his knee and broke Dinnie’s hold. Then Dinnie managed to grab a leg, and Dunn hopped round on one foot. From a body hold Duun was thrown on the carpet. Dinnie kept working away to pull the other’s arms from under him. The latter, however worked on to his feet In getting away Dinnie turned round, and Dunn made a comical grab at him. Dinnie again seized Dunn’s leg, and the latter came down, but turned over and got away. Then Dunn tried his favourite buttock, but without effect. He was then thrown, and Dinnie vrai trying to turn him over when—biff ! out went the electric light, leaving the wrestlers in Moses’proverbial situation. There were loud outcries of ‘ Finish it,’ ‘ We’ll never come to another if yon don’t,’ &c. The wrestlers, however, had no alternative but to leave the stage, the curtain slowly falling a 3 they did so. A few minutes after the light was turned on again, but by this time the dissatisfied spectators had left the theatre.— Abridged from the Sportsman.