MURPHY-GRIFFO FIGHT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 54, 6 August 1891, Page 9

MURPHY-GRIFFO FIGHT.

(From Sporting Standard.} Great interest was taken in the fight between Alfred Griffiths (Griffo) and Billy Murphy for the purse of 15OSOVS., given by the Sydney Amateur Gymnastic Club and the Feather Weight Championship of the World. The hall was thronged, notwithstanding the price of admission was a pound. Public opinion was pretty well divided. J. L. Sullivan, accompanied by his satellites, arrived pretty early, and was introduced by Mr. Corbett, the secretary, and was received with great enthusiasm. After that had subsided, the business of the evening com menced with a couple of rounds between Chummy Brown and young Fungell, both promising members of the Club. Then came the attraction of the evening. Murphy, attended by his trainer (Charley Taylor) and his seconds Tom Taylor (The Redfern blacksmith), and Funnell, was the first to enter the ring. He was immediately followed by Griffo, whose trainer was Jack Bateman, his seconds being Jack Fuller and Eddie Seymour. When, stripped, the condition of both men was eagerly scanned. Griffo stripped in perfect condition ; his fine knit frame showing he was every inch a fighter. Murphy appeared to be rather fine drawn ; he also had been thoroughly trained, his skin being like parchment. Mr. Corbett

announced that Mr. Belisario would officiate as referee, the time would be registered by the Club’s patent chronograph, whilst Mr. W. R. - Vergoe (of the Melbourne Athletic Club) would also officiate with the watch to assure perfect accuracy. The men then shook hands, and faced each other waiting for the call of time. Round I began. Both men faced each other, and shaped for a possible opening blow. Murphy stood with .his legs slightly bent and drawn considerably apart, with his left well out to keep his man at bay, and his right ready for one of those thumping vicious blows which he knows full well how to give. Griffo by standing more •■erectly made up the slight difference in height, and with his head well back, and his feet much closer together than those of his opponent, was ready for the fray. Murphy led, and tried with his left for the head, but fell short, while a couple of body blows which followed in quick succession were also too short to be of any service. Another attempt, however, brought his left on Griffo’s body, but quick as lightning the latter got in a left stab on his opponent’s throat. Following up this advantage he tried at once for the chin, but failed, and got a breaster in return. Some smart exchanges then took place ; but Griffo, by tricky, skilful work, got clear of Billy’s dangerous right, and dropped a corker fair on the tall man’s face. Then Murphy went -in hot and strong, and succeeded in puttipg in a very effectual ribber, from which, however, Griffo did not seem to suffer. For a moment Some in-fighting occurred, and the men were still at it when time was called. . Round It.— Murphy led again with his left, but being unsuccessful in reaching his agile opponent, swung round his right, and popped it on to Griffo’s ribs. A clinch ensued, and Murphy followed with another on the ribs, but the little fellow more than repaid him for his trouble by crushing his right on to his mouth. He then retreated, and following him to the rapes Murphy tried to swing in his right, but could not. do so, and Griffo, measuring his distance, sent in, another left stab on the breast. The Visitor then pulled himself together, and popped in a stinger on the face, which was taken in good part, and returned almost immediately afterwards. Billy sought .to rush things a bit, but Griffo was not to be hurried, whilst he had “ an eye like an eagle ” for the other man’s right, Some in-fighting occurred, Griffo using his right freely ; and, finally, after ducking and getting ou- of danger once or twice, the champion jobbed Billy’s ear with his left in a way that pleased his backers immensely. The . fight was getting warmer than ever when things hummed down owing so tha sounding of the gong. Round 3. —After some long range sparring, Murphy rushed forward intending to liven up matters, but Grif. ducked cleverly, and allowed his man to pass harmlessly by. Left and right-handed shots on the part of Murphy were each avoided quicker than it takes to tell. Alternately they chased one another to the sides of the ring, Griffo keeping his enemy off with dead straight lefts, whilst the latter could not manage to account for the tricky ducking and clever leg work of his antagonist. The latter jobbed home a left on the chest, and out of a clinch seemed to Strike again rather quickly, eliciting a few hoots, although both "men were fighting remarkably fair. A Tally then ensued, and just as the bell sounded the close of the third round, the local man, after receiving a fair-sized body blow, retaliated with a staggering left on the chin.

Round 4. —Hostilities ware commenced by Murphy, who lunged with his left and planted it lightly on the side of the little ’un. The latter responded gamely, however, and after both had done a lot of rushing witn- ; out any serious damage, Griffo planted his right on the side of the New Zealander’s dial, and Murphy returned the compliment a minute later. Both men showed a desire to get home on each other’s opticsj and just as - Griffo sent in one for Murphy’s snout, the latter got one home on his opponent’s jaw, which brought him to the boards. The sturdy little man was not at all hurt, but Wisely took his ten seconds, whilst Murphy sat on the ropes and waited for his coming once again. Then, when the pair faced one -another once more, he aimed a smashing right-hander at Griffo’s head, but the latter wisely decided that it would be as well not to be at home when it came, and so, cleverly ducking, allowed Murphy to lose his centre of gravity and reel to the ground. Following the tactics of his rival, Billy determined to also take out. his allotted spell, and just as the ten seconds had expired time was called and the men retired to their 1 corners amidst ringing cheers. Round 5. —For the first time Griffo led off with a nrighty dangerous-looking right intended for the ribs, but, cleverly lodging, Murphy tried his right without avail, for Griffo’s wonderful nimbleness was truly marvellous, and the way in which he ducked blow after blow fairly charmed his admirers. A clinch, followed by a couple of others in quick succession, and Murphy just missed with his right, whilst Griffo crossed and did good work. Billy shortly afterwards landed his man a nasty left-hander on the side of the head, and followed this up with a staggerer on Griffo’s left ear. Still Griffo smiled quite pleasantly, which kinder riled the New Zealander, and he sought to bring home the La Blanche hit but failed.' Griffo then charged, and got home one or two, whilst Murphy missed with a terrific blow from his right just as the gong sounded. Rovnd 6.—After a little finicking, Murphy came in - with his right, and tried a nasty upper-cut, which missed its fiiatk'. Following him up he managed to lop on one to the little fellow’s ear. After retreating half round the ring Griffo came in with a spurt, and landed an unexpected left full in the face of his man, followed by another Upper-cut delivered quick as greased lightning. This roused Murphy up, and he dropped a back-handed left Oh tb- thte nose of his antagonist. But the champion still kept busily pounding away, and in return received a nasty . cbrker in the ribs.

Round 7. —Once again Murphy sought to hasten matters, by rushing in with his right ready for a good one, bnt coiiid not score, Griffo dropping in his right on the stomach of 'his adversary. Murphy got home a heavy

left stab twice, and Griffo retaliated by putting in a real good upper-cut. Long range fighting eventuated, and ended by Griffo dropping in suddenly and planting a left full in the dial of the other man, and slipping out of danger. Murphy continued to be on the aggressive, and sent in a good blow on the ribs, but was kept in check by steady shots at his head from the sure left of the little fellow. Round B.—Both men came up looking fresh, and Griffo set the ball rolling with a good left on the ribs, and continued on with two left-handed stabs delivered very smartly. Once again the visitor tried hard to bring home his heavy right, but every time he swung that dangerous weapon Griffo would duck and get the blow on the back of the head without any damage. Once, however, Billy shot out his left and got it home as the champion ducked, but the latter responded with both hands and raised a lump on Murphy’s head. Griffo drove a terrible left at the face of his man, but this was avoided and a ribber given in exchange. Then Griffo put his left in Billy’s phiz, and the men closed, some heavy in-fight-ing taking place. Both men got home repeatedly, and made the pace a cracker. Round 9. —As the men came up it could be seen that the pace was beginning to tell, and neither were as fresh as when they came up in No. 8. Murphy stabbed twice with his left, and Griffo put in two heavy punches on the jaw. Griffo, after missing twice, dropped down on Murphy’s frontispiece with his left. Again he tried, and missed on two occasions, Murphy taking things steadily. Both got in some heavy body blows in the course of a genuine fighting rally, which was stopped by the call of corners.

Round 10.—On a start being made Griffo crossed with his right on Murphy’s chin. Long distance work ensued, Murphy malting advances which made Griffo retire. Billy followed, and got his right partly on to Griffo’s ear' Close against the ropes Murphy tried with his right, but Griffo ducked, and breaking his opponent’s guard drove home a left one in his face. He also put in useful work with both hands, and neither seemed sorry when corners were announced.

Round 11.—Griffo again put into exercise all the cunning or his feet to keep him clear of the advances of Murphy. He succeeded in getting in several face blows, and Murphy settled down in real earnest to his work. Rovnd 12.—When this round started, Murphy at once endeavoured to force the fighting, and bearing in fiercely landed his left on Griffo’s head gear and a right on the ribs. A couple of clinches then occurred. Griffo then sent in two or three good blows, but not much heavy work was done on either side.

Round 13.— Murphy once again started off with a terrific rush, and somewhat cowed Griffo, but the latter popped two beautiful ones on his face, and Billy responded with two left-handers. Then he tried with his right but failed, and henceforward both men seemed to tire somewhat.

Round 14-—ln this the visitor came up fresh, but Griffo landed him one fair on the throat, which shook him up considerably. Only for a moment, however, for once again he sailed in, landed a smoking right on the ribs, and tried again for the head, but Griffo ducked and let him slip to the boards. Murphy did not take his allowance, but faced his man speedily, though nothing further was done in the round.

Round 15. —A give-and-take round, in which points were evenly divided. Round 16.—Murphy put his right fair on the side of Griffo’s ear, and followed him round the ring; but Griffo kept bobbing up, and putting in a blow now and then.. Round 17. —Things cooled down a bit at first, but Murphy livened up matters by planting one on the champion’s ribs. Griffo, who at first seemed tired, then became aggressive, and put his left on the ear of his opponent very nicely. Round 18. —This was distinguished by some clever sparring, and vicious attempts on both sides, but nothing much eventuated. Round 19. -Both fought cautiously, Murphy leading with the left for the breast, and getting a similar one in return. The round was a tame one. Round 20. —A few smart exchanges occurred, but no damage was done, blows getting home principally about the body. Round 21.—Murphy led, but no damage, his left for the head falling short. Griffo put his left on the face, and Murphy bearing down upon him crowded him round the ring. Both men were tiring fast. Round 22. —The fighting, which had been wonderfully fair before, now changed. Out of a clinch, Griffo seemed to strike rather quickly, and Charlie Taylor called out wildly to the referee. But a moment later Murphy adopted manifestly unfair tactics, and struck Griffo time after time while clinched. Tremendous excitement ensued, and in the midst of all the turmoil time was called. Still Murphy, who stated he did not hear the Call, pressed heavily on Griffo, who slipped to the ground under his weight, and amidst immense excitement the referee jumped up, and declared for Griffo on a foul. Murphy in a speech announced that his right hand had given way, and was either broken or seriously injured. In the course of his remarks, the vanquished Billy was understood to say that Griffo would make a fortune if he travelled round the world. He was a little wonder, and he (the speaker) would not mind travelling anywhere with him. He expressed himself fully satisfied, and declared that Griffo was the better man.

Barney Donovan, and Billy Murphy, have met, the former being lOst 21b, and Murphy 9st 51b. Barney had worked at his trade all the time up to the day of the fight, while Billy went in for six weeks active preparation, but notwithstanding this, Donovan gave Murphy a fearful doing and won with the greatest of ease.