BOXING MATCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 97, 2 June 1892, Page 8

BOXING MATCH.

Jack Nicholson v. Billy O’Brien.

On Wednesday evening last, in the presence of a large and respectable audience the above contest took place at the Zealandia Rink, and proved the gamest and toughest fight ever witnessed in Auckland. There were present fully 400 lovers of the noble art. At 8.30 p.m., before the men arrived, two bouts came off, the first between Paltridge and Dyer, better known as the “ Baby Bantam,” the former had a considerable pull in the weights, and the second between Evans and Driscoll. Both men showed good science, and went at it in rare style, in appreciation of which the audience were not slow in liberally subscribing. Mr. R. Sandall was chosen as referee, and Mr. George Hope as timekeeper, Mr. Warner as check. At 9.30 Nicholson stepped into the ring followed by T. Williams and Joe Cockbum, O Brien following with Pickering, J. Lendrum and R. Brown. Their fighting weights were 9st 41b and 9st respectively. Prior to starting there were several challenges thrown out, one on behalf of J. McConnell to box Sandall, and another from J. Saxon to box the winner of the present contest. Both received accommodating replies. At 9.45 time was called and the contestants shook hands.

Ist Round—Opened cautiously. O’Brien was first to fight, but Jack was ready and got away from a well intended smack from Billy’s left; Billy forced the fighting, and received several rib-binders, but no serious punishment.

2nd Round—Billy closed for in fighting, and hit with terrific effect, but Jack, after a clinch rushed to work and kept up his pepper on Billy’s ribs. 3rd Round—A good fighting round, hitting right and left on both sides, but many blows thrown away. 4th Round—Billy rattled in right and left, but was well stopped. Jack, who was fighting on defensive tactics shewed great activity. sth Round—After several mild exchanges Billy lunged but missed, and after a spirited rally they got to the the ropes where Billy’s second made a “ claim ” which the referee disallowed.

6th Round—Billy in landing was well met by Jack, who in the counters got home with good effect on the right optic, and cleverly retreated from a lunging spank from Billy’s right mawler. 7th Round—Both men sparring for wind ; but after a little manoeuvring they again came within distance, where Billy delivered some sharp thwacks on Jack’s ribs. Bth Round—Billy on getting within distance let fly with the left and got on J ack’s lip and nose. On retiring to corners Jack was bleeding from the nozzle. 9th Round—ln the counters both got home with good effect, and then retreated. After a pause they again went to work when Jack was particularly busy on Billy’s ribs.

10th Round—Several slight exchanges, and after one spirited rally they got near the ropes —Jack retreating, Billy followed him up, and in the counters both did execution.

■ 11th Round—Jack, after some manoeuvring, dashed the left on to Billy’s left cheek, when Billy immediately countered him heavily on the right ear which drew blood. Jack broke ground and appeared as if to fall, but as Billy came after him he recovered his perpendicular and met Billy with a couple of terrific blows over the heart. This was a really well fought round. 12th Round—Billy forced the fighting, making lunge after lunge, but Jack by some lightning work with his pins managed to avoid them all, receiving them chiefly on his shoulders.

13th Round—Both men came up smiling, Jack with his. left doing execution on Billy’s already damaged optic. Billy stood his ground and as Jack retreated followed up and delivered a slashing one, two, on the cranium.

14th Round—ln the counters both men fought desperately, Jack still going for Billy’s ribs, on which the punishment was plainy visible, whilst he escaped some terrific blows by ducking. 15th Round—Billy appeared to be no more fatigued than at the start. Jack on the other hand was not so rapid in his deliveries. After some exchanges Billy planked his left on his man’s head, and in a spirited rally drove Jack to the ropes.

16th Round—Both men took things easy. 17th Round—Billy led off with his left which Jack just escaped, and in a spirited rally Jack drove Billy round the ring administering some terrific rib-binders. 18th Round —Billy let out savagely at Jack, who just escaped from a terrific lunge which caused Jack to retreat in double quick time. 19th Round—Billy went in to force the fighting, when J ack after delivering one over the heart slipped near the ropes. He was on his feet in a second and several telling blows were exchanged. 20th Round—Both men took things easy. In this round they were called to “ break ” three times. 21st Round —Billy again forced the fighting, but although he was paying great attention to Jack’s frontispiece, the latter was sending in several terrific body blows. 22nd Round—Billy, after being stopped once, planted the left with good effect on Jack’s mug, and after some close fighting were ordered to “ break.”

23rd Round —Billy still led off, but his blows seemed to lack force whilst Jack was very busy on Billy’s ribs.

24th Round—Both men sparring for wind, and in a scrambling rally got to the ropes. 25th Round—Billy made a terrific lunge at Jack, but missed, getting home in return. Jack delivered the left in an effective manner on the os frontis. After some close fighting they were ordered to break. 26th Round —Some severe give and take work, administered in equal proportion. 27th Round—Billy adopted forcing tactics, as it could now be plainly seen he was the best conditioned, but J ack in a scientific manner received the attentions chiefly on his shoulders. After some give and take work they clinched.

28th Round—Billy tried hard to get the ‘ ‘ La Blanche ’ ’ on Jack, but failed. In the counters both got home with good effect. 29th Round—Billy opened by planting his left on Jack’s ear, and followed up with some good work amidst cries of “ Bravo, O’Brien.”

30th Round—Both got home with good effect and then retreated. After a pause Billy was particularly busy with his left on Jack’s cranium, when they clinched and were ordered to break.

31st Round—Give and take work of a very severe order without any particular advantage to either. 32nd Round—Billy got to work quickly and planted his left on Jack’s lug, which drew blood. Jack, who avoided some rattling well meant blows by his coolness and cleverness, acted on the defensive. 33rd Round —Billy opened, and again failed for the “La Blanche,” whilst Jack delivered some rattling punishment on Billy’s ribs. 34th Round —Noticeable for big in fighting on both sides, Jack doing the forcing. Billy cleverly avoided one “ death recorder.”

35th Round —Billy now tried forcing, and by his condition made things very merry for Jack, and several times just missed getting home. After a pause there was a sharp rally, in which they fought to the ropes. 36th Round —Billy still forced the fighting, but stopped for a moment, as some one suggested Jack had filled his gloves with water, since they looked wet. Billy came to force and J ack gave him a drink out of the wet glove, Billy returning the compliment with a stinger on the head.

37th Round—Midnight. Both men went to work in real earnest, first one and then the other doling out terrible punishment, but both still very plucky, and anyone’s battle. 38th Round—Jack took a decided lead in this round, and went for Billy all round the ring, and ultimately got home the long tried for “ sweetner ” and knocked Billy out at 12.15. This ended the cleverest and most genuine boxing match that has ever taken place in Auckland.

Mr. John Gallagher of the British Hotel was stakeholder and paid over to Jack Nicholson next day, Nicholson proceeding to Wellington to try conclusions with Matthews or Hill.

We have heard a rumour that a certain member of Wirth’s circus, well known in the fistic arena, is prepared to box any 11 st man in Auckland. We shall be only too pleased to put him on the track to be accommodated, if he will call on the editor of this paper.