SLAVIN V. M'AULIFFE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 18, 29 November 1890, Page 7

SLAVIN V. M'AULIFFE.

A FAMOUS VICTORY. I suppose the enthusiasm of Young Australia in regard to what is euphemistically termed a “ glove contest,” but which in police parlance was nothing more nor less than “ a fierce and furious prize fight,” has exhausted itself ere this, and that the eager craving for details has been allayed by the cable and otherwise. The confession must be made, despite the groans of advanced civilisation, that the fighting instincts of the British race delight in these exhibitions of skill, pluck, strength, and endurance. I don’t think Inspector Chisholm earned much popularity in any section of society when he intervened to stop the combat; but Mr. Partridge’e common-sense was applauded to the echo when he evaded a decision upon the legality of the contest, and practically told the parties to the issue to “ gang their am gait,’ subject to such responsibility as the law imposed. Lord Lonsdale soon brought the gladiators and their backers to the scratch, and the fight was fixed to take place at the Ormonde Club at the unreasonably early hour of fourTn the morning on the 27th September. Why such a time was selected no one can imagine. It was inconvenient for everyone, and not quite fair to the most interested parties, though they made no objection. The few day’s delay proved rather favourable to Slavin. Though a magnificent specimen of a man, of true fighting build and immense muscular power, he is nearly a head shorter than the Californian boy, whose superior reach and weight and greater cleverness with the gloves were considered to more than counterbalance the Australian’s bulldog courage, quickness, and capacity for taking punishment. The betting had therefore all along been in favour of M'Auliffe, though there were plenty who prophesied that the -‘devil in Slavin would pull him through without discredit. He never doubted himself. He argued in this wise—if he could beat Farnan (in three rounds), who beat Jackson, it was only reasonable to conclude that he could defeat M‘Auliffe, who was beaten by Jackson. At anyrate, he always asserted that he had “ a good thing on, and his confidence in himself never wavered. His trainer and backers were not always so sure as he was. Just prior to the date first fixed for the fight a very awkward contretemps occurred that upset Frank not a little. After his heroic behaviour at Bruges he went touring in England and made a mint of many. At one of the large provincial towns —either Liverpool or Bristol, I think—he took umbrage at the scanty preparations made for his reception and refused to exhibit. Legal proceedings for damages were commenced and could easily have been stopped, but Slayin haughtily disregarded all precautions, with the result that on the eve of his big contest he received the staggering intelligence from his wife (who was about to be confined) that bailiffs were in their house. In a few hours the worry reduced the poor fellow several pounds below his normal condition, and his backers became uneasy. Instant steps were taken to give him ease of mind, but, as may be imagined, the subsequent proceedings at the Lambeth Police Court, which looked as if they would imperil the whole business, were not calculated to improve his physical condition. However, he pulled up a good deal during the few additional days allowed, and on the morning of the 27th he stepped into the ring with his usual quick, springy tread, as fit as any champion need be. The Californian giant looked immense, but his arms looked soft and flabby, and his calves weak. Both men were wonderfully well received. A noisy crowd was present numbering about 200, including such aristocratic sports as Lord Lonsdale, Lord Esme Gordon, Lord Royston, Sir William Eden, Lord Marcus Beresford, Mr. “Abingdon” Baird. The betting was slightly in favour of Slavin, but the American money was not plentiful. When the men faced one another the betting was 21 to ,20 on Slavin, but before the first round was over Charley Mitchell, the boxer, was offering to £5O on McAuliffe, with no takers, so greatly had the confidence s of the Australians been shaken by the momentary superiority of the Californian, whose friends were shouting, “Why, it’s all over, M'Auliffe will win in a trot.” At the end of the first three minutes Slavin had unquestionably had the worst of the encounter. M'Auliffe . showed more science,

quickness, and general wariness, avoiding Slavin’s slightly wild deliveries with considerable success. Slavin, however, took his punishment with wonderful gameness, and seemed to care for nothing so long as he could accomplish his main object of getting as much infighting as possible. Before time was called he continued to get in a few heavy body blows as a foretaste of what was to follow. When the second round commenced not a few noted “a wicked look” on the Australian’s determined countenance which boded no good for his opponent. For a few seconds the advantage again rested with M‘Auliffe, but, ignoring all punishment, Slavin got to close quarters; and his heavy body-blows made his opponent show evident signs of weakness, and compelled him to shift about the ring with suspicious alacrity. Fighting M'Auliffe to the ropes, he compelled him to stand and face him, and lost no time in giving him a bang in the ear, which brought the giant to the ground. Dazed, and almost unconscious, M‘Auliffe rose just within the time allowed, and as soon as he had fairly regained his feet received the inevitable quietus in the shape of a swinging right-hander in the jaw. It was clear the Californian had received enough. He was unable to rise, and bruised and bleeding and nearly insensible was carried to his corner, defeated in smm. 45secs. A scene of the wildest excitement arose. Slavin retired and dressed, showing few signs of the punishment he had taken so pluckily. A scratch over his left eye was the only visible sign of the ordeal he had gone through. It was nearly five and twenty minutes before M'Auliffe conversed. He looked the very picture of distress, 'his face red and swollen, with several cuts. He could not account for his defeat, except by saying that Slavin had been smart enough to “ put him to sleep.” He frankly admitted he had been fairly beaten. Madden, his trainer, was a little more explicit. He admitted that the fight had been a terrific one from the very outset. Both men went in for “ slogging,” and either was liable to be knocked out at any moment if one of the terrible blows took full effect. “ Unfortunately,” said Madden, “ my man was hit in the right place.” It was inconceivable, he said, how such terrific fighting could have lasted more than a very few rounds. Richard K. Fox. M‘Auliffe’s backer, acknowledged that the fight had been fought fairly and that the best man had won, but he thought it really too bad that Australia should be in possession of both the heavy-weight and light-weight championship of the world. The description given of the fight shows how much reliance could be placed upon the assertion that the contest was to be a skilled competition for points. Slavin was surprised at winning so easily. He thinks M'Auliffe “a thundering good man at out-fighting for one so big,” but not a hard hitter. For his own part he never shared the expectation that M'Auliffe would knock him out in six rounds. He admitted he had received some good blows, but they most fell as he was getting away and did not do much harm, and he felt M‘Auliffe was slackening before the first round was over. Slavin has accepted the challenge to fight Peter Jackson with alacrity. He makes sure of carrying off the / 3000 purse. “ Jackson,” he says, “ cannot punish a man, and my forte is finishing,” and who can gainsay him after his recent performance. Slavin appears likely to settle in England. Sullivan shows no desire to fight Slavin ; indeed, he refuses to enter the ring for less than 25,000 dols. a side. Acting, he declares, pays better than fighting, and he has made “ barrels of money” this season. The result of the fight was soon known all over the world. Although fought in Walworth suburb at an exceedingly awkward hour, the result was speeding to Australia within twentyone minutes of the termination of the contest. The news was transmitted with marvellous celerity, occupying only one hour and twentytwo minutes in transit. The Australian cricketers on board the “ Ormuz ” heard the news at Plymouth, and were almost incredulous at Slavin’s easy triumph. The two pugilists intend shortly doing a little exhibition work in company, unless condemned to imprisonment for their recent breach of the peace. They were before the Court all day yesterday (Oct. 3), but no decision was arrived at. They were allowed to continue at large, an enormous bail being forthcoming for their appearance next week. —[From a Correspondent.]