The Ring.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 534, 14 March 1901, Page 6

The Ring.

It is report* d that another Maorilander freak will be lauLchid upon Sydney pugdom shortly (says the “ Bulletin ”). He owns more of legs ana wings than even Fitzsimmons. The newcomer, who has the endorsement of being Otto Cribb’s brother, is said to stand over 6ft high,

and scales somewhere about 9st. Otto used to tell that his streaky relative was as strong as a horse, but where such a lathy-built fellow can have more than ordinary power stored is a tough puzzle. Gus Rubin and Peter Maher met at the Pennsylvania Art Athletic Club, Philadelphia, on Dec 17, in a six round contest, that proved to be one of the fastest and most furious bouts of that length between heavy-weights which has been seen for some time. Under the local laws governing boxing contests, no decisions are permitted, judgment as to the outcome being left to the spectators. The concensus of opinion was that Rubin had by far the better of the fight, and clearly ou>-classed the Irishman, notwithstanding that Maher put up one of the gamest battles that he has for some time

The Oovent Hall Company, Cincinnati, under whose auspices the Jeffries-Rubin match will be decided, has consented to give the contestants 55 per cent of the gross receipts taken in on the evening of the contest, the victor to receive 75 per cent and the loser 25 per cent of this money. In the event of moving pictures being tak:n of the battle, both pugilists are to get 50 per cent of all the revenues derived from the exhibition of said pictures. Minneapolis, Minn, (says an American paper), is to be made a Mecca for prize fighters. Mayorelect Aimes, who has long been a patron of sport of all kinds, has announced that he intends to remove the restrictions that have been placed upon fistic encounters, and will allow glove contests in the future. Plans are now well under way for the formation of a great athletic club in Minneapolis, with George Siler as referee. The sum of 10,000 dollars has already been subscribed.

In his early pugilist days (says an American paper) Bob Fitzsimmons displayed the same confidence in his abilities to defeat any boxer in the world that he doer to-day. When Jem Mace, then champion of the world, visited Australia he belittled Fitzsimmons after the latter whipped the Maori, Slade. Fitzsimmons remonstrated with Mace, and in the heat of the argument offered to try a bout with England’s famous fistic hero himself. They donned the gloves, but before a blow was exchanged the spectators hissed Mace for taking advantage of a mere tyro, and so unanimous was the demonstration that the British champion, fearing trouble if the bout went on, walked to his corner. A. Stoneham, who trained Otto Cribb in Australia, has gone to America to look after the preparation of the young New Zealander. Otto Cribb has been matched to fight Matthews, a leading American welter-weight. In the States Matthews is regarded as about the best man in his class.

Tim Hegarty, the Victorian feather-weight, has been asked, by cablegram, to go to America to meet «he redoubtable Terry M‘Govern, at San Francisco. Hegarty was in Perth when he received news of the proposal, and immediately wired to say that he would be unable to catch the mail boat but would accept the terms offered, and leave by the next steamer, if that were suitable. Should this suit the promoters of the match, the Australian will cross the Pacific at an early date.