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FRANK P. SLAVIN. "the Sidney cornstalk." was born in Maitland. N. S. W. January 8, 1862 Height 6 feet ½ inches. He fought draws with Buffalo Costello. Nine rounds: Jack Burke, eight rounds; Buffalo Costello,, thirty-three rounds (London rules). Beaten by Peter Jackson, In London, ten rounds and Jim Hall, same place, seven rounds.
His principal victories were over Bill Farnum. seven rounds: Henry Laing. ten rounds; Martin Power (London rules). Seven rounds, Tom Burke, four rounds Sam Manahan two rounds Scotty  Burke one round, Professor Babes one round Tom Taylor two rounds, Jim Fogarty. three rounds; Mick Dooley. eight rounds; Jack Burke, three rounds; Bill Goode, London, five rounds; Frank Young, one round: Joe McAuliffe (London), two rounds; Jack Ellis , two rounds; Jake Kilrain nine rounds; Frank Craig, London, Two rounds. He returned to Austrailia, and after defeating all challengers, again went to England and put up $2,500 to fight anyone in the world. John L. Sullivan preferred .Slavin offered to expenses and fight In America, or allow expenses and fight in France. Sullivan had no time to respond to the Australians offer For Jem Smith, who had fought a draw with Kilrain, for The Police Gazette belt, at once picked up the gauntlet and agreed to meet Sullivan. A meeting was held and a match at once ratified for a battle according to London prize ring rules, for a $2.00O a side. Meantime Slavin was matched with Bill Goode for a glove contest, for $2.000 a side, which he won easily, and Smith also took on a match with Peter Jackson, which ended in Smith's defeat. While the men were preparing for The fight speculation was brisk. and large commissions were put on Slavln. the bulk of the money coming from Australia.In fact, there was so much money behind the Australian that Smith, who was the favorite at first, fell in the betting, and Slavin was made the first choice, at 6 to 4. Win, Tie or Wrangle. As the day for the battle approached Smith's it is said were eager to break off the match. Slavin was arrested but on furnishing bonds he was allowed to go scott free. When it was known he would not fight in England Smith's backers then came to the conclusion that their champion must fight or forfeit, and they engaged twenty five well picked men to accompany the champion to Belgium , and "win. tie or wrangle" was their motto. The Australian was informed that if he did not have a strong corner he would not receive fair play. And Slavin's backers at once made arrangements to have a number of select men. With a peaceful idea of the Quaker order, at the ring. Tickets to the battle were limited; nevertheless, a large delegation crossed the Silver Streak to the trysting place. The ring had been erected on a private Estate and the party cleverly eluded The gendarmes who believed the battle would be fought at Chantilly Both men entered the ring in first-class condition. Smith weighed 185 pounds, while Slavln weighed 195 pounds. After the umpires were elected they and the referee took up their position. The colors of the men were tied to the stakes. and the seconds gave their champions a final rub down. Slavin seconds then examined the spike, on Smith's boots, and all was ready for the fight. On time being called. the rivals faced each other, Slavin smiling, while Smith had a peculiar but determined look. Both men being now Inside the ring, Baldock said addressing Slavin’s second "Which corner will you have, who replied "It doesn't matter, Baldock." "All right, we'll have this one." Baldock and Harper then led Smith to the right-hand corner. As a matter of fact, there was nothing to choose, the ground being almost perfectly level and In good condition. As the men were being stripped. Baldock devoted the brief interval to a few hurried instructions to his principal. Smith was divesting himself of a grey ulster. Slavin being attired in a dark ulster . Baldock said “We are ready in two seconds If you'll take your coat off." Kirby crossed to Smith, In order to examine the spikes in his boots. Baldock “The spikes are all right; we are allowed four spikes.” Referee – “so long as they are not too long.” After a pause. during which the preparations were completed, the referee added: "A word before they begin. I hope you will all keep quiet and help me as much as you can." The Squire to Slavins second "How long are you going to be over there?" Baldock: "Are you ready”. "Yes” was the reply. Where upon the men and seconds advanced to the center of the ring and shook hands. They retired to their respective corners. Time was called and the men stood up for battle. Battle of Giants Start. Round 1 The men sparred warily for an opening, neither seeming Inclined to take liberties. All of those who expected to see Slavin jump in and out of the fighting were disappointed, nor were they treated by Smith to the vigorous Initiative which he took with left-hand body blows in his recent fight with Jackson. Smith led off and was neatly stopped Slavin then led but was short. In his next lead he hit Smith on the mouth, but not heavily. Smith then got on the side of Slavln's head with his left and just escaped a hard right-hander, responding with the left and right In the stomach. Endeavoring to follow this up, he was foiled by Slavin getting awav. by mutual consent however, they both hit out left and right. Slavln reaching the mouth and Smith the left eye. Slavin missed a vicious upper cut an Immediately after was short again with right to the jaw. In the clinch Slavin twisted Smith over. Time two minutes and 20 seconds. Slavin was bleeding from the mouth and Harper claimed first blood Which was allowed. Round 2 Slavin came up eager for fight and as soon as smith was within Distance led off impetuously with the left.the blow was wild and would scarcely Have inflicted much damage had it fallen where intended. Smith was on the alert and promptly ducked.the men clinched and fall. A foul was claimed by Smith’s seconds ostensibly on the grounds of being spiked, but it was Slavin who went back to his corner limping. “He has spiked our man” said one of Smith’s supporters. “Why, it is our man who has been spiked” came the reply from Slavins corner, referee says “they spiked one another” Baldock (to the other side) “Ah you’ll get the worst of All that if you try it” The signs of punishment were more visible on Slavin. Time 12 seconds Round 3 As the men walked to the center. Smith was followed by Baldock and Harper. "Seconds out of the ring," called the referee, to which Baldock replied. "No, you can't have the seconds out of the ring. We have a right here." Slavln made a feeble push with his left hand. Smith stepped In with the left three times In succession, hitting hard as he advanced and forcing Slavin back a couple of paces. The Australian met him with right and left, with the result that Smith went down. On his way back to the corner Slavln looked around with a beaming countenance at his opponent on the ground. First knock down claimed for Slavin by Cosnett. Allowed. Time.22 seconds. Rounds 4 and 5 Nothing of iInterest in either of these rounds. The former occupied IO seconds. The latter 2O seconds. Round 6 The Australian came up very eager, leading with his left. Smith got back In his corner, where tie got the left flush on the mouth. The blow did not chase away the smile on the Englishman, and presently he stepped In and landed the left on the mark, getting away nimbly. Smith then hit Slavln over his guard, reaching the mouth with some force. Smith Is Knocked Down.A little disturbance sprung up at the ringside,, and the referee stepped Into the ring and appealed for quite and order. Smith fainted, drawing his opponent easily. The Fighting now became very fast in favor of Smith who at Close quarters usually began with the advantage. In the end however Smith was down, his own deliveries Having been repaid by a heavy blow which Opened up a gash over the right eye. Time I minute. Round 7 To Smith “ All you want to watch is that right hand” as they toed the line. “Patsey how do you feel” asked Harper “Oh Oh” Responded Slavin carelessly, pulling himself together as he moved foreward “All right”. The sparring again took place in Smith’s corner, when the invader failed to get a left home and was hit left and right in the ribs.Slavin slung the right But it was an inch or two short.He was then nailed on the right with a right. Smith endeavoring to follow up this with a straight punch with the left. A rally ensued in Smith’s corner and someone kicked Slavin from outside the ring. No claim was made from his corner and the referee had either been caught Napping or could not see sufficiently far. The round was ended by a blow which caught Smith on the side of the head and sent him without any great force to the ground. Time 30 seconds. Round 8 Slavin led with the left and was stopped. In the second attempt he got the left home On the chin, with the right heavily on the ribs,and jumped back into The middle of the ring.both fiddled for an opening but Smith backed up. When they came together again Slavin tried with his left slinging It for the first time in the fight, and missing. both men led landing left and right. Smith was near his corner and it must be admitted That the movements of Harper and Baldock ,as they urged their man on, were inconvenient enough to have justified a prompt suggestion from the referee. Slavin fainted repeatedly with the right hand and was laughed At by his adversaries partisans for 2showing” that formidable weapon. When he did try with it he was stopped. Smith shooting out the right And obliging his eager opponent to jump back. Again Slavin loosened the right as a sort of preliminary to letting It go, but he was jeered at and taunted by those who hung over the ropes, and instead of following Smith to the side of the ring he Apparently deemed it prudent to retire once more to the center. Smith tried with the left, but was short.. Coming again Slavin sent out A left and right excitedly but missed.he at last got home With both hands and Smith went down. Time I minute 35 seconds. Round 9 After working smith to the ropes Slavin poked awkwardly at his opponent with his left ,but without much power. He was again short with the left. whereupon Smith tried with the left.Slavin getting away.as they came together Slavin fainted at the body. Smith admonished him not to hit unduly low.For the only time in the fight They were on Slavin’s side of the ring, and the Australian sent out a feeler with right and left successively immediately after getting the left home by the face. They were at this juncture close to the ropes in the direction of Smith’s corner and as they neared a knot of shouting Smithites , one of the latter hit Slavin over the ropes on the top of the head. Claiming the foul the Australian knocked Smith down with a well directed right hander on the side of the head.Counter Claims of foul were at once made from Smith’s corner, but on what grounds it would be impossible to say: indeed inconceivable. The timekeeper exclaimed “Jem can win the fight himself,why don’t You leave off and let him win” Time 1 minute. Round 10 It was once more necessary for Slavin to go into his adversary’s corner.Smith apparently entertained a strong aversion to the open and was particularly fond of the close companionship of his friends.He was the first to lead off but the attempt was ineffectual . Slavin too was short with his left. Smith appeared anxious to keep his opponent off. and as he sparred In his corner he threatened continuously with his left. Slavin fell back, but Immediately returned, and simultaneous deliveries with both hands brought on a clinch. In which they tumbled to the ground side by side."It's the best round you have had,"said Baldock. Round 11 "How do you like that. Grecian?" demanded Harper, as Slavin came forward for the next bout. "This is not a two-round Job, Patsey." Slavln took no notice of these amicable attentions and went to work again with a will. He drove Smith back again on the ropes and was only prevented from doing mischief by the menacing attitude of those who stood outside the ropes. He retired to the middle of the ring, but., as though he found the solitude there distasteful pushed forward and again forced Smith to the ropes. Here he stood undecided whether to lead off or await the attack, but the attach did not come, and Smith seemed perfectly willing to allow his restless antagonist to fatigue himself with as much marching and counter marching as he might care to Indulge In. Harper and Baldock were unfortunately somewhat conspicuous In their methods of Inciting their own man and of discouraging his opponent. The truce was broken by a straight left-handed blow. which fell on Smiths nasal organ. The second left hander opened a wound on the left cheek bone, and for the moment Smith presented a. gruesome spectacle. Slavln again got home with the left but Smith returned effectively .whereupon Slavln tried again without avail. The Englishman now tried to take the lead, but Slavln screwed his head around In time to avoid a hard shot with the right, which went over his left shoulder. A spirited rally came, during which Slavin landed on Smith’s mouth and Smith fell. Time. I minute and 25 seconds. Round 12 The seconds sent them up remarkably clean considering the amount of punishment that had been dealt out and that the least tap sent the blood Flowing again.both men started in intending to do their utmost To bring matters to a climax, and as Smith was followed from his corner by Harper and Baldock the referee called out again”seconds, keep your corners”. Smith retreated slowly backward and was hunted down inch by inch by his opponent who however at the last minute stepped back instead of making the intended lead.this was repeated and in the third venture Slavin drove a right into the ribs and got away. He worked Smith into the latters corner again and sparred until Smith led off. Slavin stepped back and Smith was short.Slavin lunging with his left Was also short and missed his opponent who ducked. Smith went after him and met with a right, and on Slavin once more leading Smith gave him the shoulder. “Remember that left had Jem” observed Baldock but the same expedient was resorted to when when Slavin tried another lead. The Australian at length shot out another lead of left and right, the latter knocking Smith of his feet, the blow landing on the jaw. Time 1 minute 36 seconds. Round 13 To meet his antagonist Slavin once more was compelled to go into Smith’s corner.”That’s all right” said Baldock “Stand right there and remember The left hand” Both made play with the left.Smith punching out feebly and Slavin jumping away.returning Slavin led off and was neatly stopped. a sharp rally ensued to Slavin’s advantage. One of his blows being a tremendous right hand punch in the ribs. A spectator complained They were stuck in Smith’s corner again. The words were hardly out of his mouth before the Australian , regardless of consequences, let the left go with great force catching Smith flush on the nose. Going on again he was met by Smith and a rally ensued in Smith’s corner.an extremely singular scene was now witnessed.closely accompanied by Baldock and busied with Smith the Australian did not seem to realize for an instant that he had actually supplanted his opponent in his own corner.he appeared absolutely hemmed in his back Being against the stake itself. While Smith was sparring the ringside Supporters were to hanging over the ropes in a cluster so that the Impression really conveyed was that of Slavin being mobbed. During the confusion Smith broke from behind the seconds and punch Slavin left and right, getting away from the return.two or three persons Positively kicked Slavin about the legs. further parley was cut short by a sudden alarm of “Police”.there was a partial stampede from the ringside as the cry was taken up and repeated. Smith’s seconds appeared to have detected intruders from the Main road but the said intruders were not to be distinguished on a close scrutiny. Under the influence of the panic however Smith had been covered and hurried from the ring .Slavin remained in his corner, deaf to the voice of the charmer.he was more than once invited to likewise flee from the clutches of the law but his sole answer consisted of an appeal to the referee, with a pithy addition,as he gasped after the retreating figures “It’s no use, any man can do that if he is licked”
Ordered To Fight AgainSmith then turned back to re enter the ring with his seconds “where’s the referee”demanded Slavin . the referee was not far off and upon decrying him Slavin called upon him saying “give us your decision from the articles” during the pause which ensued the Australian added “I am an Englishman.why the blazes don’t you give an Englishman fair play”
Baldock to the referee “Do you order them to fight on” Slavin ( astonished ) “Eh, what’s that” A voice in the rear “What after a man has left the ring”
Round 14 Slavin in the middle of the ring with folded arms and Smith barely out of his corner.both began to spar for an opening but Smith backed away as before.the Australian took up a position in the center of the ring, away from the dangerous corner. “Come this way Frank” was shouted .hostilities commenced in Smith’s corner, Slavin getting into his opponents chest with his left and Smith retaliating with a good left hander on the chin. in a second attempt Smith was short. Baldock said to him “Wake up, you have got him now” whereupon Slavin shot out the left at Smith’s stomach but was stopped .Slavin then brought the right swiftly across and caught smith on the jaw and again hit him with left and right.they clinched and in the struggle a man from behind Smith hit him on the jaw. Slavin continued to fight with Smith as if nothing had happened But there were several cries of “Foul” backed up by the referee “Yes I saw that”. The round ended by Slavin throwing Smith.When each man had gone to his corner The referee appealed to vehemently by Slavin himself said” I shall Refuse to act any longer.I shall declare it a draw”. “What’s this” exclaimed Slavin more surprised then ever. As the spectators turned from the ringside Slavin sprang to his feet vociferating “I came 16,000 miles to win, and why don’t you give a man a chance, you are an Englishman and why don’t you give a man fair play” But it was no use, the Smith gang had come to “win, tie or wrangle” and With a weak hearted referee they got away with it.
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