92 ROUNDS IN IRISH RED HOOK (1864)
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It was an amazing feat even for the times.
Although fights were often arranged for the amusement of their onlookers or the profits of the inevitable bettors back then, unauthorized prize fights were, even in 1864, against the law.
It was in that year that just such an illegal “Feather Weight” contest was arranged, “in the rosin yard at the foot of Van Brunt street at 7 o’clock” the morning of 4 December.
IRISH BARE-KNUCKLE BOXING
The Irish, it was maintained, were known for their fighting spirit, and Red Hook, having no dearth of wiry Irish lads looking to swing a punch or two at any adversarial comers, this particular match did not appear to be an uncommon occurrence.
There was no main stake in the result of the fight, noted the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, but “small bets were plentiful, and over $1,000 in greenbacks were said to have changed hands on the issue.”
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle called the affair “disgraceful,” but then went on to describe the “prize fight” and its participants in the most glowing and respectful tones, noting that “the lovers of the manly art rejoiced.”
THE CONTESTANTS
One of the boys was Paddy McGrath, “who belongs at the corner of Van Brunt and Wolcott street when at home, and employs his time in arranging ropes on board a schooner.”
The paper described him as “a well-made, keen-eyed young man of about 20 years of age, and well calculated to deal blows at an adversary.”
The other contestant was Mike Clare, “who came on the field with a strong feeling in his favor.”
He weighed “about the same as McGrath, or between 110 and 111 pounds. Both men are well known on Red Hook Point and among the ‘fancy’ generally as promising members of the profession.”
THE FIGHT
The bout “was a very tenacious one, and lasted one hour and fifty-two minutes.”
There were “92 rounds fought, every one of which ended in a fall with the exception of two.”
McGrath “gained the fall 92 times, and Clare stood boldly up and fought well even after all these heavy falls had shaken his body and tended to bring down his ‘pluck’.”
Surprisingly, the police “did not interfere in the matter” and the “parties engaged with their friends were not molested.”
“Another set-to between these parties,” it was promised, “will occur before long.”
Clearly, someone was making money on this.
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