THE RING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 13

THE RING.

M'AULIFFE V. CONLEY. The fight between Joe M‘Auliffe and Mike Conley (the Ithaca giant) took place in Melbourne on the 26th October. Conley weighed 1891bs and M'Auiiffe 220. The following description of the fight is given by the Sportsman’s correspondent:—The * Ithaca ’ pugilist feinted a few times, hoping thereby to draw out his opponent, and by some hoo k or crook to get inside that big, long arm which aimed directly at his nose. It was no use, M'Auiiffe would not budge an inch. He watched like a oat every movement of Conley’s. Finally, the latter seeing that manoeuvres such as feinting, &c., were unavailing, he employed other tactics, the like of which not only surprised M'Auiiffe, but every other man in the house. The terror of Wisconsin, who was determined to get within close range, lowered his head on a line with his body, and made one mighty rush at the big fellow'. As he advanced he sent his fists wind-mill fashion at the head of M’Auiiffe, and the latter caught the blows on the top of his cranium. Anticipating a rib-roaster, Conley olinohed his antagonist, and then using all his weight he forced M'Auiiffe across the ring and against the ropes. Whiie the latter’s back leaned against the ropes, Conley attempted, by planting his left glove on M'Auliffe’s nose to force his head back, and into such a position that in breaking away he could swing his right and catch the big ’an on the neck before he could recover from his surprise. The scheme might have 1 panned out ’ successfully if M'Auliffe’s neck was not strong enough to resist the attack. When Conley found that his great power was not sufficient to press back his opponent’s head to the position he hoped for, he took his Move from the big fellow’s nose, and swung his right fist ; the blow was caught by M'Auiiffe on the shoulder, and as the latter had just begun to realise the situation, he stepped quickly up to Conley, who was now on the retreat, and sent a savage left-hander at the latter’s head which was neatly avoided by a clever duck. Conley, seeing that his foreign style of attack confused his opponent, lowered the head again and attempted the same game as before. M'Auiiffe this time stepped aside, and as Conley was shooting past him, he made a savage attempt to land on the Ashland man’s neck. The blow overshot the mark, and Conley escaped what certainly would have been a finish to him'. In the second round, before Conley could get himself ready for another ‘ billy goat ’ attack, M'Auliffe’s left shot out and Conley’s nose caught it square. It staggered him, and as another left-hander came in quick succession, he (Conley) fortunately ducked it, or otherwise it would certainly have kuocked him down, as there was a power of steam behind it. M'Auiiffe quickly gathered himself after the mis 3, bnt before he could despatch another message Conley had closed in and grabbed him by the neqk. He held on firmly, and it was amusing when the referee ordered a ‘ break away ’ to see the look on Conley’s face. He was frightened out of his boots, so to speak, think, ing every moment M'Auliffe’s big right, would come crashing on his ear. He was not long in suspense, however, for just as soon as the clinch was broken, Mac planted his left hand glove ou Conley’s chin, and like a flash out shot that famous right, and scarcely had it made an impression on Conley’s left ear when the latter’s head struck the lower ropes, which saved it from contact with the hard floor. Mike was very much dazed ; he was gasping like a fish out of the water, and it was with the greatest effort he regained his feet when the ten seconds’ time was called. He had, however, sufficiently recovered his equili. brium to know that another right-hander would put him to sleep, and, to avoid a smash, he rushed like a tiger at his opponent, who stood quietly and composedly awaiting his coming in the centre of the ring. As he came with the intention of grasping the big ’un around the neck, he re-

oeived a left-hander straight from the shoulder on the forehead, and as quick as lightning that grizzly paw—the right—followed up on the jugular, and that was the last that poor Mike Conley could remember of his engagement with the Pacific Coast champion pugilist. Peter Jackson easily beat the winner on the 26th December.

Burke has challenged Slavin to another encounter. Slavin is willing to fight to a finish for any amount.