The Ring.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 461, 25 May 1899, Page 4

The Ring.

HOLLOWAY v. CURRAN.

At the National Sporting Club, London, Jim Holloway, the light-weight champion of South Africa, defeated Jim Curran, of Rotherham, on a foul, though when the referee stopped the fight he was much the better man. The match was for £lOO a side and a purse of £125. The following account of the contest is from the London Sportsman: — Of the two, Holloway claims much the better record, for, whereas Curran has failed to win a fight of note, and suffered defeat at the hands of Harry Greenfield, Spike Sullivan, and Johnny Hughes (twice), the Africander hat only had his colors lowered on one occasion, while he subsequently inflicted a crushing defeat on his conqueror. With the exception of his contest with Jewey Cook, all Holloway’s battles have been decided in South Africa. A man able to take the ring at 10st, Holloway has invariably been called upon to meet men much bigger than himself. At home he bears the reputation of a good, honest fighter, a man who has never been concerned in a “ cross,” or consented to lie down on an opponent. He won the light-weight championship of South Africa by defeating Arthur Tully, the Australian, while just before leaving for England he defeated Jack Valentine, a man who for some time held the amateur middle and heavy weight championship of the Colonies, though not a youngster, being in his thirty-first year, Holloway is a well-preserved man, a muscular fellow of the wear-and-tear sort. He is noted for his stamina and hard hitting rather than for cleverness, and he is one of those who never know when they are beaten. At the Green Man Holloway found most comfortable quarters, and, wanting for nothing, he progressed, in his training as his best friend could wish. The business of weighing was gone through in the little room set aside for this sort of thing at the National at two o’clock. As usual, the place was packed. Holloway scaled naked, and Curran in his singlet, and both were returned at 9st 131 b. The brown skin of the Africander compared favorably with the fairer hue of the Englishman, and as far as looks went, Holloway appeared harder and better trained than his opponent. After the men had passed the weighing, offers were made to take 60 to 40. Nothing was done, and, though a point lets would have been accepted, not a bet was made. Despite this, the contest was looked for ward to with a fair amount of interest. Cur. an, who paid a visit to America last year, was reported as having made much improvement, and though in his last fight at the Na ional he went down in easy fashion before Johmy Hughes, there were many who did not forget the excellent show he gave in his contest with S’pike Sullivan. According to his own account, Curran did not receive the treatment he deserved when in the Sta 1 es, and, personally, he was full of confidence as to the result of his battle with Holloway. The last-named was quite as much in love with his job as the Englishman, and brimful of vitality and good spirits, he would not hear of defeat. At the scale the men shook hands cordially, Holloway expressing the wish that the best man might win. When the members assembled in the evening, Curran was established favorite, and after 50 to 40 had been betted several times on the Englishman, the odds rose to 6 to 4. At a quarter to eleven Jim Holloway and Jim. Curran appeared fur the event of the evening. Both were well rectived. The stranger had in his corner Mike Nol.n, Bill Heffernan, and’Bill Baxer. Behind Curran were Ben Jordan, Anthony Diamond, and Billy Rotchford. Mr Angle and Mr Beitinson superintended the fastening of the gloves. Roth tlm principals were enveloped in dressing g >wus. lhe seconds h d a ch?er as well as the boxers, and at ten mi utea to eleven rhe contest commenced. The start was peculiar, Holloway stood wide, and looked pounds the lighter. Alter some feinting, the stranger jumped in with the left at the body. A clinch ensued, and while in holds Curran tried in vain to land a blow. Holloway caused some amusement by covering his face with the gloves. The first round was pretty well all clinching, and not half a dozen good blows were struck. In the second there was some improvement. Holloway set to work, but he was countered full in the face. The Africander bored in, however, and landed the right heavily on the head. Curran, in reply, sent a hard left on the mouth, and then they clinched in a way that tried the patience of the referee. Two rounds passed with littl« in it. Once Curran got a rap on the side of the head, and only saved himself from falling by clasping his opponent round the body. The ttiird round went in favour of the Rotherham man. His left found its way three times to the face of the Africander, and try as he would, Holloway failed to make any headway. Coming up for the next bout the Britisher again showed to advantage, and three times he got home fair and square on the mouth. The blows, however, made no impression on the stranger, and the more he-was hit the more he came for the music. When they took the middle for the fifth time, Curran was in front for points, with Holloway quite as strong as his rival. The stranger now made a grand effort. Fighting almost as fresh as at the start, he went for the Rotherham man at a rare bat.

Two spanking righthanders on the head made Curran clinch for safety, and “ Curran, you are holding,” came in loud tones from the referee. Curran objected to this, but Mr Angle told him to box, and not talk. Keeping up the attack, Holloway fairly tested his man for this round, and getting the best of some punishing work, he was the stronger when the men went to their corners. From this stage to the finish the affair was ( fought out on anything but fair lines. Holloway was not at fault, but Curran, as the Africander began to land, resorted to more holding. Putting a lot of life into his work, the stranger staggered the Englishman now and again with right-handed blows on the head. Curran lost his power, and though getting in some hits, his blows lacked steam. Frequently he was cautioned to no purpose, and all the while Holloway pegged away, hitting when and where he could. By the time twelve rounds had been disputed Holloway was far the stronger man. Curran’s leads were feeble and ill-timed, and as he repeatedly held the other man’s left glove the referee disqualified him half-way through the thirteenth round.