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Show I I Rise of Mendoza, the " Great Master" -SEF9P I L : logical Claimant to the World's Championship I A little more than a. yoar after ''Tom'' Johnson's defeat of .1 Basic Per-rine, Per-rine, in 1780, tho champion, weakened by careless livinp, fell before "Bier Ben" Brain. Brain, a uourapoous and hard-hitting fighter of the old school, though not classed by contemporary critics with such ninn as Johnson and Perrins iu their prime, was still nominally nom-inally in possession of flic title when he died, in J 701. After hi.s defeat of Johnson he did not appear again in the ring. : While .Johnson was still undisputed lender of the sport, a new group of fighters was developing, headed by Itiehnrd Humphries. ''The Gentleman HoNcr." Daniel Mondoza, who was beginning to win laurels, was regarded as the greatest rival of Humphries. After a casual sotto by way ot trial they fought three limes, the. result establishing es-tablishing Mouiloza's superiority beyond be-yond O'icstion. Long before the death '' lie fights like no one else avo have ever seen. Such speed, such stgility and such craft havo never been exhibited within my memory of iho prizo ring. With him boxing is distinctly a science not a matter of brawn and wind and courage, though all theso ho possesses. Thoro is something more. Ho covers himself with wonderful skill, shifts and foots with the rapidity of a cat, and is over on the alert to gain legitimate legiti-mate advantage by a weakness or error of his adversary. Keen and intelligent, ho is quite the equal of .Humphries in strength and bottom." "AH the better conquest for .Dick." said Hamilton. "T am afraid you will find you have placed your man too high. However, the. question will be very shortly decided. There, remains one point I wish to settle with yon. The Law of a. Foul. "Humphries has one decided fault, though not a wilful one. Ho is uncer- eve to business, had been landing load after load of outsiders along the river bank at sixpence a head. When thoy felt themselves strone enough in numbers num-bers a shout; of "Hcavo hoi" rang out and to its rhythm they threw themselves them-selves against the fence. Tho timbers resisted only until the scores of solid shoulders caught tho swing and then, with a crash, the fence settled inward and tho wave of intruders swept in cheering. The ferryman plied a roaring roar-ing trade, and within ten minutes a thousand men were jammed about the earlier 500. When Humphries, surrounded by his immediate supporters, appeared from the inn at half-past ten not a vantago point within cyoshot of tho ground but held its clinging mass of spectators. Ifoofs, windows, fence wreckage, even lho slippery verge of tho river, swarmed with eager enthusiasts, who gave lii nit a ronsi'ng welcome. Humph-ries. Humph-ries. who seemed to be in the best of IThiid . Fight Between Daniel Mendoza and George Humphries at Doncastcr,, September 29, 1790. From "Puctlistica, the History of British Boxing" I of Brain. Mendoza was the actual and acknowledged champion. IVFendoza was the first man after Broughton, the father of pugilism, to found a definite school and to influence vitally tho progress of tho science. Ho loft an indelible impress upon its history, his-tory, and for nearly a hundred 3' ears his style, his maxims aud liis battles were studied,, ouotod and referred to as the legacy of the great master. "T saw thorn when thoy first flung fists at tho Cock in Epping," said Colonel IL-imilton. '''and Humphries showed himself the better man. He. donblod the lesson later at Odihani. 1 sec but one outcome." "I take it you missed their last meeting meet-ing at Stilton," said his companion, Sir Thomas Aprcoee. "I was umpire for Mendoza there, as T shall be again today, and L can assure you that Dan has becomo formidablo since those earlier ear-lier thrashings .you speak of." The two gentlemen were- walking near tho race course at Doneastcr, H was the Scllingcr and Cup week and the town was crowded with tho thousands who had eomo from all parts of Thig-laud Thig-laud for the racing and tho great fight between Humphries and Mcndov.a. Both wero ardent followers of tho fistic science, and as they had been called upou to act for the respective combatants, com-batants, thej- had met to talk over tho articles of agreement. That business having been completed, they found themselves with an hour on their hands until the time, set for Iho contest. "Humphries always has held that he was wrangled out of the Stilton fight," returned Hamilton. "It. has been a sore point with him Over since, and! I havo heard him rehearse it; blow bv blow. He lost on si foul, did ho not?" "He did, and 'should have lost earlier." ear-lier." said Sir Thomas, stoutly. "At the twonl.y-sec.ond round Humphries dropped before a. blow was struck. 1 called him beaten on tho spot, but yielded in face of tho clamor and because be-cause Dan was anxious to go on. Later Humphries repeated the ofionso so openly that there, remained no doubt and his own umpiro gave my mau the decision." "You will admit that Mendoza can hardly claim superiority on tho strength of such a result," said Hamilton. "Their brief rally al tho Cock proved nothing, but at Odiham Humphries won by straight fighting. The record is still in favor of tho 'Gentleman Boxer.' "I think had you seen their last fight 3'ou would not be so confident." answered Sir Thomas, thought fullv. "This bo3r Mendoza, to my mind, will 6hortl3' show himself to be the. foremost boxer of the day. Ho has come to the front wonderful'!- fast and has learned thy let-sons of years through a fow hot engagements. lie fought at Stilton in conquering stylo and was still strong at the finish. rain on his feet, as he showed when he lost the Stilton fight on a foul. Now, as I understand it, the rule which ssiys that a man must lose the fight if lie falls before a blow is struck was designed de-signed to prevent a sly boxer from stealing some moments of respite at a crucial time. Humphries, on tho other hand, is likely to stumble and fall wholly by , ngcidont. Would you he willing to extend some allowanco to him if you wero convinced that he did not mean to bo' unfair?" "T shonld not hesitate to exercise my judgment," answered Sir Thomas, promptly. "As you say, the article is common included in all sigrccracnts to close a loophole for c'owardicc. Tf the man was still strong and showed by his other actions that his intentions continued to bo honest and manly 1 should give him the benefit of a w'iuk. At Stilton T did not consider Humphries Humph-ries entitled to that advantage." "That is all I could ask," said Ham-ilton. Ham-ilton. "Come, it lacks half an hour of JO, and if I" know theso Yorkshire .tykes there will be no chance of approaching ap-proaching the stage unless we hasten." They 'turned their steps back toward the town, where the streets were already al-ready swarming and buzzing in the clear sunlight of a brisk September morning. As they advanced the crowd increased, .all faces being turned in the direction of the imi on the rivor bank whero tho fight was to take place. Countrymen wore in the majority, ma-jority, and the broad hum of Yorkshire speech rose on the air like the twang of a bass viol. "Surely not. .-.11 these will pay half a guinea for admittance," puffed Sir Thomas, as they elbowed aud wedged their way into the center of tho press. "Not if they can find some thriftier wsiv," said Colonel Hamilton, smiling. "TI103' arc likcr to tear away the inn bodily." At the expense of rumpled, clothing and much effort they reached the door of the inn and escaped the growing throng. Passing through, they entered en-tered tho inn yard, which had boon prepared as the scene of the combat. The rear of the inn itself formed 0110 end of the ground, which Avas closod on the two sides by tho blank walls of dwellings. Al the other end was tho bank of the Piver Don, along which ran a. stout palisade. n the center of this space a stage had been erected, about four fe'ct high and twenty-four feet square, railed and sodded. Spectators Spec-tators who had gained entrance took their places indiscriminately about' the ring, aud as the umpires entered betting bet-ting was in progress among tho supporters sup-porters of tho rival boxers. By 10 o'clock some 500 had paid their half guineas and wero packed around tho stage when Colonel Hamilton's Ham-ilton's prediction concerning Yorkshire Ihriffiuess aud pugilistic interest was verified A ferryman, with a sharp spirits, smiled and waved ga3'ly, then plunged through the crowd to the stage. Catching tho topmost rail he swung himself up aud over with an exuberant exhibition of strength and dignity that brought forth a storm of applause. Earned His Title. To Richard Humphries more thau anv other jnan tho gr.oat contemporary ad-vanco ad-vanco of the sport in public esteem was rightful' attributed. Ho had earned his cognomen of "Tho Gentleman Boxer" Box-er" by careful and honorablo conduct, and through social and mental accomplishments accom-plishments had drawn about himself a remarkable following. When Humphries Humph-ries was to fight royalty aud tho court did not hesitate to lend countenance to the science, and in his da.y it was accounted the fnshiouablo thing for men of rank to Htud.y self-defense under un-der some star of the prize ring. Distinguished Dis-tinguished patronage gave pugilisnii an impetus that it had not enjoyed since Broughton, and greatly increased the standing of the profession. Humphries hsul had uo serious competitor com-petitor in his own class until the rise of Daniel Mendoza. Ho had been quick to recognize tho threat to his superiority conveyed by tho rapid success suc-cess of this new fighter and had singled Mendoza out sis ono whose honors must be clipped. In their chance encounter at the Cock and their two subsequent battles a feeling of bitter porsonal rivalry ri-valry and host ility had grown up between be-tween the men. Humphries was determined de-termined that on this occasion he would settle the other's pretensions once for all. "Tho Gentleman Boxer" -was about five feet eight inches in height, ox-, tremely grnceful and well formed, -with a handsome intelligent countenance aud si frank" glance. Ho kept himself always al-ways in tho pink of condition and carried car-ried not an ounce of superfluous weight upon his finely moulded limbs and rippling muscles. As ho stood on the stage in the Doneastcr inn yard he looked and acted the confident athlete, secure in his strength and the knowledge knowl-edge of his game. He was attended by Ward as his second and Jackson as his bottlo holder. Another roar of cheers announced the arrival of Mendoza, whoso rcqeption was the warmer from tho fact that tho bulky, broad-shoulderd mau who followed fol-lowed him as second wns nono other than "Tom" Johnson, still tho undefeated unde-feated champion. Mendoza made his way to the stage and mounted soberly, seeking his corner with Johnson arid Butcher, his bottle holder. The two combatants then slipped off their coats, standing, stripped to the waist, in thin silk trunks and hoso and light; pumps. Each tossed his hot. in lho air as a sigual of readiness and defiance'. Daniel Mendoza. whoso name will always al-ways come easily to the tongues of fight followers as long as trials of manhood man-hood endure, had now reached the height of his skill and the mature development de-velopment of his tactique, though full recognition of his powers was still to be accorded him. Born in 1763, near Whilcchapcl. of Jewish parents, ho first appeared; as a public boxer in 178-1 and soon afterward began to rise rnpidLv in the pugilistic world by a scries Q remarkable re-markable victories. At a timo when theory and science waited upon strength and fho ability to take punishment, ho quickly established himself as an exponent ex-ponent of cleverness. He showed himself him-self the first great ring general, discovering dis-covering and demonstrating maneuvers that hail never been practiced by an3' of his predecessors. His stylo was oxtrcmcly neat, precise pre-cise nnd well thought out. His speed in hitting and getting away, his almost al-most .perfect guard and his ability at dodging and shifting while wesiring put an opponent wero his best points. In many ways ho might bo compared with James J. Corbctt. Like Corbctt, ho could land his blows almost at will, with greater acctirac3' than strength, and the tale of his fights usuall' showed that ho had made two hits to every ono for his advorsary. Like Corbctt Cor-bctt sigain, ho revived technique and stood at the head of a new school. Indeed, In-deed, until John L. Sullivan became tho dominant figure in pugilism and forced his own methods by sheer weight of ner.-oimlil v. Meiulo'-'a remsiined the model and lho guiding influence iu the sport. Many fistic, enthusiasts will remember re-member a time when rules, ndvico and tactics for fighters as laid down by Mendoza wero still current and standard. stand-ard. Mondoza's Physique Mondoza was not strikingly endowed physically bo'ond an unusuall.y broad, solid and manly chest, with powerful arms. Ho was about fivo feet, soven inches in height, presenting a compact and graceful ligure. Ho was noticeably weak in tho loins, but possessed good wind aud was seldom overmatched when struggling at closo quarters. Colonol Hamilton and Sir Thomns Aprooce having taken up their position just below the ring, it was agreed between be-tween tho seconds that the umpires should select a third to whom any difference dif-ference of opinion might be referred. The two gentlemen accordingly named Mr. Harvc.v Ashton to act. in this capac-iiy. capac-iiy. Betting grew brisk during tho last few mi nut us of tho interval, the odds boing 5 to 4 in favor of Mendoza. and readil3' accepted. It was believed by the supporters of Humphries that, although tho inforior of his antagonist in scienco, ho could repeat his formor viclorios by forcing tho pace. At a signal from the umpires tho two men left thoir corners aud advanced toward to-ward tho center of tho ring, while, tho throng foil silent to watch them. Humphries woro an oas3r smilo as ho toed his sido of tho mark and extended ex-tended his hand for tho grip. Mendoza was calm and intont, iixiug his enemy's eyes as ho approached. For an instant , For an Instant Their Hands Met, the Next They Had Fallen Warily on Guard their hands met, tho next they had fallen warily on guard. Humphries atood with his feet well apart smd his ar,ms up and out. It tvsis his custom to lead with the right and stop with tho left, aud ho depended upon the weight of his Tiod.y rather than length of swing for punishiug blows. Mendoza 's sittitudc was more uatural, if not so impressive. His arms wero held closer to his bod-. with his loft slightl' advanced, allowing him greater power at infighting, whero ho excelled, - "The Gentleman Boxer" had decided de-cided his pwn plan of campaign in advance, ad-vance, from his knowledge of Dan's tactics, No sooner had they drawn back from tho handshsike than ho began be-gan lho set-to with great dash and spirit, launching a tremendous right handcr, which Mcndeza avoided b3 stepping asido. Mondoza seized tho second of advantago to boro in with two swift jabs to the ribs, which drovo Humphries back. Humphries recovered recov-ered himself, however, and thc3' rallied fiercely, Humphries recovering his lost ground and landing twice on Dan's jnw. Tho Whitechnpel bo.y closed at this, and tliC3- wrestled .despernf cly, Mendozsi clinging to his adversary in lho trip aud taking part of the shock of the fall. Both men wore up and Jo their corners nirnbiy, tho crowd howling howl-ing approval of the equal division of honors. Humphries left his second's knoo and sprang forward witli undiminished vigor sit tho calling of the next round. He repeated his former maneuver with even greater determination, forcing Dan back with a ripping body blow that lho latter only partly parried. Humphries Humph-ries seemed set upon making Mendoza suffer in this round and slashed home twice with his right, following up with si swing to tho jaw. Dan met the attack at-tack manfully, covering himself neatly against the shower of blows and waiting wait-ing his opening calmly. He had been rushed back almost Lo the rails when Humphries 's first burst of enevgj betrayed be-trayed him into lifting his guard. "Mendoza "Men-doza ducked and rushed in, planting a jarring jab to tho ribs and hooking another an-other behind the ear. Humphries, staggorod by the last smash, ran in and closed, taking another clip to tho oar boforo he mtido his hold, lie tried a cross buttock, which Dan avoided, and thoy fell together, Humphries underneath. under-neath. Humphries needed the attention of his socond during the interval, plainly shaken 13' the decided check he had received. Mendoza 's friends went wild over his showing, having feared lest Humphries should ovcfwholm him in the first few exchanges. "The Gentleman Gen-tleman Boxer" sat on Iris second's knoo glaring at his enemy, while Jackson blow a. fine spra.y into his csirs aud refreshed re-freshed him with swab cloths. Mo-doza Mo-doza was still grave aud composed, having hav-ing apparently' suffered nothing beyond si cut under his mouth. When tho half mlnulo was called the men advanced to the center quickly, but It was Immediately apparent that Humphries Hum-phries had decided to change his method, having found the oLhcr too expensive, llo led oft with" caution, reserving himself for Dan's attack, and tho two sparred for some minutes without damage. This was exactly Mendoza's game. The crowd forgot for-got to cheer and watched In breathless hush while the boxers went through eonic of the cleverest and protliost manoeuvring manoeu-vring that had been ever been seen In ISngland- They circled slowly, Dan closing clos-ing In occasionally with a swift rattle of blows and seemingly invulnerable against tho other's return. He goaded his man continually. Humphries waa no match for him In such a test of dexterity, dex-terity, and twice, thrico and ugain Dan jumped In with one of his straight smashes to tho jaw. The last drovo -n?s adversary's head up and back, nnd Humphries, hopclcsBlv out-elitssod out-elitssod In science, resumed his rushing, with a cry of anger. Mendoza, who had been walling for Just this result, dodged a. terrific swing nt his head and launched himself forward, planting a full blow straight upon his opponent's mouth, with all his si rcnglh behind Iu Humphries was curried fairly off. hla feet and crashed to tho Moor, landing on bin shoulder?. shoul-der?. vVnrd and Jackson hurried forward for-ward and dragged blur to his comer, wlillo a frenzied burst of applause broke from the. spectators. Irrespective of partisans, parti-sans, In recognition of thu masterly work Of Mendoza, "What do you think of that?" nskod Sir Thomas Aprccco, turning to Hamilton Hamil-ton with a twinkle. "I am almost ready to believe you were right," answered the colonel, nodding. "Hut I shall first want to sec how Humphries Hum-phries stands It." To the satisfaction of his followers, Humphries stood It well. After the ministrations min-istrations of his attendants, ho walked steadily to tho center for the fourth round and led ofi litrongly, If with more cauilon. lie was rewarded heartily., tho throng recognizing his courage and nerve. Ho had not abated one jot of Ills confidence, which was ever ono of his best traits, and as he shot over a. snapping snap-ping left, to the face It. was e.ppnrent to all that "the gentleman boxer'' wns far from beaten- The blow drew t.hu crimson, crim-son, and Mcndosa, after an ineffective jolt, to lho body, closed. They wrestled und fell, without advantage to either. Humphries had recovered much of his strength at the opening of tho fifth round. As usual, ho commenced hostilities with a drive to the face, which Don avoided deftly. Mendoza giving ground, Humphries Hum-phries followed him with great resolution and landed a left-hander to tho ribs, which cut Dan's right side iu glancing. like U10 stroke of a saber. The Whltc-ohiipel Whltc-ohiipel boy was wary and allowed his adversary to force the fighting, since he seemed so minded. He struck Humphries repeatedly upon the jaw and neck, but seemed unable to get power Into his blows. The odds, which had rlson enormously enor-mously In Mondoza's favor, now fell again, for Humphries appeared to be fresh and willing. After some minutes of sparring and shifting Dan found an opening and stepped in to closer quarters. It was evident that Humphries method of keeping keep-ing him ofC with outstretched guard was not to his liking, and ho bored in with some telling body smashes. Humphries divined his purpose, jumped back nnd whipped out another of hj? powerful cuts to the ribs. Dan wa? alert tills time and caught the blow on his arm. nt thft same lime countering with a "handy smash to tho enemy's face. Humphries stumbled stum-bled and lunged to return tne blow, falling fall-ing a.s Dan skipped out of reach. Closing In. Tn tho sixth round Humphries was clearly In need of respite from Mendoza's artillery, and ho lost no time In closing for a wrestle Dan tried to avoid him. and got homo two chopping blows to tho faco before Humphries made good his grip. They struggled for nearly a minute, min-ute, hen Mendoza. who distressed his adversary exceedingly by jamming down his head and interfering with his wind, tripped neauy and fell on top. There seemed no end of resources from which Humphries drew his strength, and when time was called for tho .seventh round lie stepped up briskly, once more going on tho offensive. At leading off he delivered a ripping righthander that Dan could not (pilto avoid. Tho blow swept along the left side of Mcndoza's head, tearing tho ear and laying tho scalp open. Tho "VY'hltcchapoi boy did not seem worried, wor-ried, and after parrying two lunges, came hack strong with a clip over the other s eve. Thov wrestled and fell Immediately and when Humphries was propped on his second's knee It was seon that his right evo was closed and out of commission for the rest of the light. Odds on Mendoza. Men-doza. Jumped again. At the opening of lho eighth round Humphries started in for vengeance. Heedless of ropeatcd but Ineffective Jabs to tho body delivered by Dan ho set tho pace nnd again swung and lunged at the other's face. Mendoza was hard pressed and scorned unable to get in a tolling check, whilo he gave ground bIow-ly. bIow-ly. Humphries followed him doggedly, scorning Dan's shower of body blows and protecting his face while, he. drove forward, for-ward, llo landed four times on the left if side of Mondoza'f! head. furthf$ big .the car and cutting n Dan's left oyo. m pursuing ff clous attack lie again owna, 3 olf and foil. This rouid wm fi In favor of Humphries in (IP fall and the fact that' ho ? W heavily about lho body, m!' Kr ripped open his enemyk 3 loft arm In Bevernl places nn,v were badly In heed of tf,6n2ji When they camo t0 u,0 o the knowing ones 8ZCd them'? & forecast. The speed of hTft & now had been terrinc a?m cedentcd. and apparently ft orted himself to the u most .'. apparent lo the. experts that & hardly more than breathed hi wicked rushes and alacks ttu & protecting ),n)5elf ngiilrist ,1 S 5 jsnvd.,arh had cut" I Humphries, on the nihn,. ttSlcl,1,lm,B0We,f oral times he had lost 1,8 torn own Injury. It wa pi Vtlcidoi rant that he had lost the cloa ?' round, falling underneath or a t' Mendoza was as alert xo ihZ L: any watcher, and the crafty fla ,ti that his time was comlnc v Vi phrles failed to open the hexti his old dash and vim, but w cunning Dan proportionately t ti his aggressiveness Ho work & th.?, 0llcr'8 IonP eimrd and ri ! with altornato smashes rlnht ft As Humphries, enraged, otar it him again Mendoza caught hbi .V the Jaw nnd sent him craabl T floor. The Terrific Eno. h Dan repeated his success lni three rounds, sending Humph almost aa uoon as they began I Humphries had gono decidedly .1 his helpers had to lift him to' -each time. At tho thirteen! K Humphries swung his arms in t stumbled over his feet and dror 4 "Foul! Mendoza wins!' sM(j score of voices Colonel Hnmllf! to Sir Thomns with a muto mti' Mcndoza's umpire voiced the galJ tlmcnt. "It was no cowardice that? down. Let him go on and win I Sir Thomas had a. cheer niM i for that decision and the battU After the twentieth round'! foreboro to exert himself in 1 degree, for It was evident that i could not laat much longer, v I Jackson had almost to carry 'I j mark after tho calling of tin " was barely able lo Jab a fevi blows beforo Dan downed hlrri? b though battle-weary, was Btll collected and could walk wlthi i ance. Several tlme3 Humphrl I foro a blow was struck, but " would not take advantage ofi ness. At the twenty-llrih n exercised his right as second' it him to give up. $ "So," said Humphries he 5 puffed and swollen Hps. "I,i j twice and I'll beat him again, 1 my wind back. Let me try Itf? The fury of defeat seemed "tof new lcnso of strength after thlii three rounds he pulled himself!!-landing himself!!-landing some telling Mowb S'E-throwing S'E-throwing Mondoza In a cllfc throng cheered him unceosIngB beforo had "the Gentleman m nobly proved his courage. ButfM was for a beaten man, glvenilM orosity of tho crowd. The reaM was for Mendoza, still stror9 sure, righting with constantW .and judgment. Kot a man whiir on this day but acknowledged!? deserving winner and tho ch tho sport. .jS Tho end came quickly. BL temporarily freshened by "jfi grooming, threw himself furloi.. his adversary as if to crush1 weight of onslaught. Dan 1ce and slashed in with an upsprlntj thut split the other's upper llfcr his left cheek - cleanly. .rjE-dropped, .rjE-dropped, and as Ward rushed 1s intimated that ho was ready!!? When Ward conveyed this Intolfe tho umpires by an exprcsslvo gj-spectators gj-spectators broke Into a ihundjV tlon. which Mendoza mod08tljf edged. jflk. Humphries, when ablo to.ffr carried through the crowd onair dors of his friends nnd takenjSi chaise. Mondoza. after Bomm! walked to tho race course on'M and watched the racing. Vmi Thomas Apreeco and Colonel saw him some hours later. "Was I right?" asked SfrJ-polntlng SfrJ-polntlng out tho calm faced colj "You were right," said th "Ho is the master." |