The Ring.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 475, 31 August 1899, Page 8

The Ring.

GODDARD LOSES ON A FOUL. A Sensational Encounter.

I thought we had heard the last of Joe Goddard when he fizzled so atrociously in his fight with Gus Ruhlin (writes Sam Austin in the N.Y. Police Gazette}, . but he has evidently found Chicago a desirable place to resume operations. He appeared there the other night in a six-round bout with a native negro slugger called “ Klondike.” As usual, he made a “ bloomer, and after doing every conceivable thing not allowed by the rules, he was disqualified for fouling, to the satisfaction of a host of disgusted spectators. The men agreed to hit in clinches, and this led to plenty of rough-and-tumble work and some dirty play on the ropes, in which Goddard was to blame. Finally, in the third, both went to the mat “Klondike” on top, and clawing like a ground hog. A police official was the quickest on the floor, and took a running jump in the mixup, and got them apart. After that he permitted them to fight, break clean, and the third round was started over again. “ Klondike ” was wrestled down to his knees, and Goddard swung on him, losing on a foul. Goddard’s last fight was sensational, to say the least, even though devoid of science. , „ , . , The old fellow has got to the end of his tether, and is more of a false alarm now than anything else. Ha refuses to make a match except for a certainty, and the best he tries to get is a draw if he can last long enough, but more often he quits deliberately or loses on a foul, an easy way of getting the money, but poor consolation to the deluded spectators, who are fooled by a good name and a defunct reputation into believing that they will see a good fight. Goddard’s day as a pugilist has passed.

When Jim Jeffries reached his dressing room after laying Fitzsimmons low, he was perhaps the happiest man in the big city. He jumped about gleefully, shook hands with everybody, hugged first one and the other of his trainers, and acted like a man thoroughly crazed with joy. The spectators, as they passed out of the huge amphitheatre, continued to cheer vociferously, and the sound reached the burly Californian as he sat on the side of his cot, divesting himself of his ring attire.