GREAT DAYS OF PUGILISM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 61, 3 June 1927, Page 6

GREAT DAYS OF PUGILISM

PRIZE-FIGHTING IN EIGHTIES PRINCE OF WALES AS BOXING “FAN” MEMORIES of old-time pugilism are recalled by an American boxing writer, in an interesting article on the life of Mr. H. K. Fox, a famous fight promoter of the eifhtiL who occupied a position in the world of sport similar to Tex Rickard's place ir. present-day ring enterprises.

The many great heavyweight international championship battles which Mr. Fox had promoted and financed, both in America and on the other side of the Atlantic, during the 80’s especially, made him not only famous in America, but in England, Ireland. France, Australia, New Zealand and other sport-loving countries. On one of his first visits to England he was greatly surprised at his popularity and hearty reception, extended to him by a host of the leading sportsmen of that country. He was made a member of the old Pelican Club and many other highclass clubs of London, where he made many distinguished friends and hobnobbed with the nobility and even the royalty. THE PRINCE AND THE PUBLISHER He frequently met the former Prince of Wales, who afterwards became King Edward VII., not only at some of the select clubs, but also on Derby days at Epsom Downs race track. “I found the Prince a very genial and democratic gentleman,” said Mr. Fox after one of his trips abroad. “He seemed to take considerable interest in boxing and congratulated me for the manner in which I endeavoured to elevate the sport. “The Prince spoke very familiarly about the unsatisfactory ending of the fight between Tom Sayers and John C. Heenan in 1860, and although he evaded answering when I asked him rather bluntly if he had witnessed the mill, I’m rather inclined to believe he was there incognito. “Those .on the inner circle in England knew very well that the Prince was very fond of seeing a rattling fistic bout, and would frequently, under cover, go out of his way to witness one, in especially his young enthusiastic days, when he was full of life and pleasure seeking.” THE PRINCE AND JOHN L. It was at the old Pelican Club, by the way, that the sporty Prince induced John L. Sullivan to box a few hot rounds with his clever sparring partner, Jack Ashton, in 1887. It was a very exclusive affair and only the most intimate pals of his Royal Highness were admitted. Among them were nineteen English peers, thirteen of whom were earls.

The Prince and noblemen w, ■ highly denied with Sullivan's bj liant showing.

■ You’re the quickest big man I ever saw, and with such a wonderful blow •• declared the Prince at the fln sh he extended his hand to the old ch .', ' pion. I 0" ,? een ?, to be a regular all-round good fellow,” answered John L as hi slapped the Prince on the back jo cosely. in rather a too familiar mm" ner tor a pugilist to act toward a royal personage. But the genial Prince only smilci and bade the old champion warrior m revoir. Sir William Gordon Cummings on behalf of his royal goodniV offered to pay John L. and his s >arrhw partner for their snappy exhibition but the champion said: “Xo not i pound from a friend like the' Prince He’s too good a fellow.” SMITH-SLAVIN FIASCO In 18S9 Jem Smith was the recoir msed heavyweight champion of the United Kingdom. Mr. Fox was not a great admirer of Smith, because the Britisher depended upon his ringside mob to win his battles for him. usually in a rought-and-tumble manner * ‘ The publisher hadn’t forgotten how the tough Birmingham gang had robbed the publisher’s game battler. Jake Kilrain, out of a just victory in France a couple of years previous. So it was really the busy publisher who induced Frank P. Slavin to civil lenge Smith for the “champior ship of England and Australia.” Furthermore, I’m quite satisfied it was chiefly Mr. Fox’s money that backed the husky Australian for 2.500 dollars a side against Smith. Although the publisher never publicly acknowledged it he posted the stake for big Slavin. ANOTKER~ORDER ~ The Ancient Order of FrothBlowers is not going to have things all its own way. The recent Order of Joiners has just been initiated. Qualifications for membership include the ability to get 10 drinks or more in succession without shouting. Members can rise to the eminence of the “Court Plaster.” highest post in the order, through lower orders such as the “Leech,” the “Barnacle,” and the “Tick.” However, Mr. Fox made no secret to me about his efforts to have the foul champion defeated. The desperate Smith mob might have made it mighty unpleasant for the publisher o:r anyone else in England at the time who attempted to interfere in their c.astardly doings. So probably this was one reason why Mr. Fox did not show his hand in the Smith-Slavin disgraceful affair. The burly Englishman and Australian battled according to the old London Prize Ring rules, near Bruges. Belgium, on December 23, 1889. What a terrible, rough, unjust deal poor Slavin got from the mob, when they found the courageous Australian was far too much for Smith. Slavin had Smith beaten from the very start, but the fierce gang hit him with brass knuckle-dusters, clubs, bottles and everything they could lay their hands on. Joe Veysey, the referee, was absolutely helpless and after 14 rounds of blood and thunder he was glad indeed to call the disgraceful melee a draw and get away with his life. The indignant members of the Pelican Club expelled “Squire Abingdon” (George Alexander Baird, the multimillionaire ironmaster) from the club, and the stakeholder paid over the money to Slavin, w r ho was promptly declared the rightful “Champion of England and Australia.”

LEGALISING BOXING IN ENGLAND “There’s no use of trying to have a fair ring contest in Europe under the old rules,” said the publisher after this rank, foul affair. “I now intend to co-operate with Lord Lonsdale and try to legalise boxing under the Queensberry rules in England. I’m perfectly willing to engage the highest legal talent, no matter what it costs” Slavin and Joe McAuliffe, of California, had attempted to box in a London club about this time, but they were stopped and arrested by the police. Lord Lonsdale and Mr. Fox immediately retained Sir Charles Russell, former Lord Chief Justice of England, at a very large fee, and the latter, who was considered the greatest lawyer in England, made a test case of the Slavin-McAuliffe match in the highest courts. It was a hard, bitter fight, but Sir Charles finally won out, and boxing under Queensberry rules in regulany organised clubs was declared officially legal. It was a grand victory for Lora Lonsdale and the American publisher, even if it did cost them quite a pot of ready cash. Under the new lawful rulings tho National Sporting Club and many other boxing organisations sprang up all over the United Kingdom. The gallant old manly sport was rejuvenated and has ever since enjoyed great prosperity and popularity. Not only in England, Ireland and Scotland, but all over Europe, America, the Dominions and elsewhere.