THE AUSTRALIAN PRIZE FIGHT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 666, 2 April 1879, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN PRIZE FIGHT.

FOLEY v. HICKEN.

THE PRELIMINARIES. The fight between Foley and Hicken, for the Championship and £1,500, took place at Moaraa, near the border, on the -New South Wales side. At seven a.m. the men stepped into the ring and shook hands in the ordinary manner. Hicken offered to bet Foley £100 more on the result. The Sydney Champion, however, declined to take more than £10. The betting at this time was 2 to lon Hicken, whose science was expected to defeat the acknowledged superior strength .enduring power, and youth of his opponent ; in. fact, the anticipations' orally expressed on all sides were that Hicken would blind his opponent in the firstfew rounds, but that if he did not, Foley must outlast the older man and win the fight. THB FttHTf . Then commenced round one. Hicken led, but was cleverly stopped. Foley then got heavily on to Hicken's nose, drawing first blood. Hicken missed a chance, but got on to the Sydney man's eye at the next attempt, following this with five sounding blows on Foley's ribs. There was then some very equal close fighting, and both* went down. This was not only the first, but the longest round, 22 minutes. In round two Foley got on Hicken's eye, and Hicken on Foley 's ribs. The Northerner tried the left, but found it of no use. Both then sparred for an opening, and Hicken again got on to Foley's ribs. They then closed, and both fell. Foley had by this time showed such good science and defence, and had damaged Hicken so much in' the face that 15 to 10 was offered on him at the close of the round, but found no takers. RoUnd four, in the first part, was like the preceding one, consisting first of sparring, and then countering. Foley then got a severe one for nothing on Hioken, . and they, hugged across the rope, and "off" was cried by the referee. In round five there was some goodcountering, Hicken still being able seemingly only to get on to Foley's ribs, while the Syndey man returned it with good interest about the face. There was some good fighting all over the ring in favor of Foley. At last they closed, and both went down. Hicken was showing the result of his punishment in an alarming degree about the face, while Foley had only a few face marks, although his ribs were much punished. Round six was a good round fought all over the place, and again considered in Foley's favor. Some close fighting followed, and Hicken slipped down from Foley. Round seven was a short round, Hicken got on to Foley, and then away, ' Foley following and throwing the Victorian champion heavily. . Round eight commenced with sparring for wind on the part of Hicken, who appeared much distressed. Then followed some good countering. Foley got straighi on to Hicken's face, and after some close fighting Hicken went , down again. In round ten, Hicken in letting go, slipped and fell. In round eleven, both tried for an opening and then there was some close fighting, resulting in Hicken getting the upper cut, which cauued him to go down. • The twelfth round commenced with countering on both sides, and it looked any odds on Foley, who was not, apparently, in the least distressed, while Hicken Was dreadfully punished. They closed and there were some cries of "foul" from the spectators. Hicken went down. - .■>.. Round thirteen began with sparring for an opening on Hicken's side. Foley tried the left, but Hicken was too Wary. On Hicken getting off with a reply he also got on to Foley and damaged his eye again. It was evident that the fight was practically over, Hicken, however, got on to Foley's ribs once more, but received another on the eye in return, and it was evident that his eye was fast closing up. Seme good pluokly

fighting on Hicken's part followed,- and then they closed and both went down— Hioken under. . , In round fourteen, after some feparr* ing, Foley once more got in his ".One two" on Hicken's eyes, the latter, as usual, replying on Foley's ribs. Bound fifteen began with some sparring. Foley then put in a terrible blow on Hjcjken's ribs, which evidently knocked wlfat little wind he had com* pletely out of him, and. was a complete settler. Hicken turned completely over and went down. In round fifteen there was some dose fighting until both went down, Hioken again under. THB CONCLUSION. Bound sixteen was the lant. In spite of the terrible punishment he had received Hicken managed to come' up to time, 'but it was a mere farce, for Foley knocked him all round the ring until lie fell on his knees,- and it was quite evident that he could never b» brought up to time again, and the sponge was thrown up, a shout proclaiming that Foley had won this good battle After -a fight which lasted one hour and twenty minutes. The. New South Wales champion, Foley,' is now the champion of the colonies. He showed himself throughout not only a very hard hitter and one capable of taking a great deal of punishment if offered, but a really scientific boxer. No doubt he has greatly' improved since his performance with Newton and with Groves. All present were unanimously of opinion that great credit is due to Mace's training, he having brought out the winner in a most perfect condition, and having taught him much of science he possesses. Mklbourne, Friday. The subject of the late prize fight is still the topic of conversation in the city, and competent ' authorities say Foley is the best man of his weight in the world. Both men came down by the late train last night and at every station Foley received quite an ovation, there being loud cheering and cries of •'Advance Australia." He was as lively as a kitten, and the only marks about his face were slight discolour** tionsofthe skin in places, with some puffineas. At each station he appeared at the carriage window, and acktow ledged the cheering and had some con* versation with the crowd. Hicken re. mained in a closely-curtained apartment, attended by Ned Bitten and Christie. His face is terribly damaged, and hardly recognisable as a face at all. Foley visited him at his hotel before leaving Echuca. Foley received a tre» mendous ovation on his arrival at Melbourne. * •