Salt Lake Telegram | 1918-02-23 | Page 8 | Bolcher Failed in His Comeback

BOlCHER FAILED IN HIS COMEBACK February is a notable month ni nl prize ring annals but few tew more interesting battles have been fou fought ht during the tho month than the one pulled off years ago on the famous race course at Epsom Epsom Ep Ep- Ep- Ep som sorn Downs England Jem Belcher the ex champion who had retired six years previously because of having been struck In the eye by a ball baU while playing attempted to come back and wrest tho the title from Tom Cribb Although his sight was was badly impaired im ii- impaired im- im paired and his physical condition was far from perfect Belcher showered the clumsy clum clum- sy Cribb with a rain of blows which al almost almost almost al- al most won him the fight Cribb was game and had plenty of endurance however and when the would-be would come-backer come had worn Torn himself out proceeded to polish him off to the tho que queens queen's ens en's taste lIe He aimed his blows at Jems Jem's good eye and at last the old timer was forced to quit This mill was of course course with bare fists gloves being unknown unknown unknown un un- un- un known In the good old times Belcher had been a butcher In Bristol before taking up pugilism At the age of 17 he defeated Britton one of the old I uns and when only 19 he earned the right to the title by knocking out Joe Berks In the fourteenth round of a grueling gruellIng gruel gruel- lIng hag encounter It Is recorded that Berks against whom Belcher had held a grudge had to be taken off oft the field in a coach while the youngster was scarcely bruised Cribb the victor of the famous bout of February 1 1809 had fought his first battie battle battle bat bat- tle tie In 1805 defeating George Maddox after after aft aft- er cr more snore than two hours houis of terrible bat bat- Cribb later fought the big American Amen Ameri can negro Tom Molineaux knocking I Amerl-I him out with a blow that broke the colored mans man's Jaw He Xe was never defeated and voluntarily relinquished the title when ho he decided to r retire I