The Fort Wayne Sentinel , sat 26 February, 1910
The Rise of Mendoza
A little more than a year after "Tom" Johnson's defeat of Isaac Perrins, in 1789, the champion, weakened by careless living, fell before "Big Ben" Brain. Brain, a courageous and hard hitting fighter . of the old school, though not classed by contemporary critics with such men as Johnson and Perrins in their prime, was still nominally in possession of the title when he died, in 1794. After his defeat of Johnson he did not appear again in the ring. While Johnson s still undisputed leader of the sport, a new group of fighters - developing, headed by Richard Humphries, "The Gentleman Boxer." Daniel Mendoza, who was beginning to win laurels, was regarded is the greatest rival of Humphries. After a casual set to by way of trial they fought three times, the result establishing Mendoza's superiority beyond question, long before the death of Brain. Mendoza was the actual and acknowledged champion.
Mendoza was the first man after Broughton, the father of pugilism, to found a definite school and to influence vitally the progress of the science. He left an indelible impression upon its history, and for nearly a hundred years his style, his maxims and his battles were studied, quoted and referred to as the legacy of the great master.
I saw them when they first flung fists at the Cock in Epping," said Colonel Hamilton, "and Humphries showed himself the better man. He doubled the lesson later at Odiham. I see but one outcome."
"I take it you missed their last meeting at Stilton." said his companion. Sir Thomas Apreece. "I was umpire for Mendoza there, as I shall be again to-day, and I can assure you that Dan has become formidable since those earlier thrashings you speak of."
The two gentlemen were walking near the race course at Doncaster. It was the Sellinger and Cup week and the town was crowded with the thousands who had come from all parts of England for the racing
and the great fight between Humphries and Mendoza. Both were ardent followers of the fistic science, and as they had been called upon to act for the respective combatants, they had met to talk over the articles of
agreement. That business having been completed, they found themselves with an hour on their hands until the time set for the contest.
"Humphries always has held that he was wrangled out of the Stilton fight." returned Hamilton "It has been a sore point with him ever since, and I have heard him rehearse It blow by blow. He lost on a foul, did he not?"
"He did, and should have lost earlier." said Sir Thomas stoutly. "At the twenty-second round Humphries dropped before a blow was struck. I called him beaten on the spot, but yielded in face of the clamor and because Dan was anxious to go on. Later Humphries repeated the offence so openly that there remained no doubt and his own umpire gave my man the decision."
"You will admit that Mendoza can hardly claim superiority on the strength of such a result," said Hamilton. "'Their brief rally at the Cock proved nothing, but at Odiham Humphries won by straight fighting. The record is still In favor of the “Gentleman Boxer.'"
I think had you seen their last fight you would not be so confident;" answered Sir Thomas, thoughtfully."This boy Mendoza, to my mind, will shortly show himself to be the foremost boxer of the day. He has
come to the front wonderfully fast and has learned the lessons of years through a few hot engagements.He fought at Stilton in conquering style and was still strong at the finish.
"He fights like no one else we have ever seen. Such speed, such agility and such craft have never been exhibited within my memory of the prize ring. With him boxing is distinctly a science, not a matter of brawn, wind and courage, though all these he possess. There is something more, he covers himself with wonderful skill, shifts and foots with the rapidity of a cat, and is ever on the alert to gain legitimate advantage by a weakness or an error of his adversary.Keen and intelligent, he is quite the equal of
Humphries in strength "
"All the better conquest for Dick," said Hamilton. “I am afraid you have placed your man to high. However, the question will be very shortly decided. There remains one point I wish to settle with you.
The Law of a Foul.
"Humphries has one decided fault, though not a willful one. He is uncertain on his feet, as he showed when he lost the Stilton fight on a foul. Now, as I understand it, the rule which says that a man must lose the fight if he falls before a blow is struck was designed to prevent a sly boxer from stealing some moments of respite at a crucial time. Humphries, on the other hand, is likely to stumble and fall wholly by accident. Would you be willing to extend some allowance to him if you were convinced that he did not mean to be unfair?"
"I should not hesitate to exercise my judgment, answered Sir Thomas promptly. "As you say. The article Is commonly included in all agreements to close a loophole for cowardice. If the man was still strong and showed by his other actions that his intentions continued to be honest and manly I should give him the benefit of a wink. At Stilton I did not consider Humphries entitled to that advantage."
"That is all I could ask," said Hamilton. "Come, it lacks half an hour of ten, and if I know these Yorkshire types there will be no chance of approaching the stage unless we hasten."
They turned their Stops back toward the town, where the streets were already 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 Inn on the river bank where the fight was to take place. Countrymen were in the majority, and the broad hum of Yorkshire speech rose on the air "Surely not all these will pay half a guinea for admittance " puffed Sir Thomas as they elbowed and wedged their way into the center of the press.
"Not if they can find some thriftier way” said Colonel Hamilton smiling. “They are liker to tear the Inn away the Inn bodily”
At the expense of rumpled clothes and much effort they reached the door of the Inn and escaped the growing throng. passing through they entered the Inn yard which had been prepared as the scene of the combat.
The rear of the Inn itself formed one end of the ground, which was closed on two sides by blank wall of dwellings. At the other end was the bank of the river Don, along which ran a stout palisade. In the center of this space a stage had been erected about four feet high and twenty four feet square, railed and sodded. Spectators who had gained admittance took their place about the ring and as the umpires entered betting was in progress among the supporters of the rival boxers.
By ten o’clock some five hundred had paid their half guinea and were packed around the stage when Colonel Hamilton’s predictions concerning Yorkshire thriftiness and pugilistic interest was verified. A ferry man, with a sharp eye to business, had been landing load after load of outsiders along the river bank at six pence a head. When they felt themselves strong enough in numbers a shout of “Heave Ho” rang out and to its rhythm they threw themselves against the fence. the timbers only resisted until the scores of solid shoulders caught the swing and then, with a crash, the fence settled inward and the wave of intruders swept in cheering. The Ferry man plied a roaring trade, and within ten minutes a thousand men were jammed about the earlier five hundred.
When Humphries, surrounded by his immediate supporters appeared from the inn at half past ten not a vantage point within eyeshot of the ground but held its clinging mass of spectators. Roofs, windows, fence wreckage, even the slippery verge of the river, swarmed with eager enthusiasts who gave him a rousing welcome. Humphries who seemed to be in the best of spirits, smiled and waved gaily, then plunged through the crowd to the stage. Catching the top most rail he swung himself up and over with an exuberant exhibition of strength and agility that brought forth a storm of applause.
Earned His Title
To Richard Humphries more than any other man the great contemporary advance of the sport in public esteem was rightly attributed. He had earned his cognomen of “The Gentleman” by careful and honorable conduct, and through social and mental accomplishments had drawn about himself a remarkable following. When Humphries was to fight Royalty and court did not hesitate to lend countenance to the science, and in his day it was accounted the fashionable thing for men of rank to study self defense under some star of the prize ring. Distinguished patronage gave pugilism an impetus that it had not enjoyed since Broughton, and greatly increased the standing of the profession.
Humphries had no serious competitor in his own class until the rise of Dan Mendoza. He had been quick to recognize the threat to his superiority conveyed by the rapid success of this new fighter and had singled ou t Mendoza out as one whose honours must be clipped.in their chance encounter at the Cock and their two subsequent battles a feeling of bitter personal rivalry and hostility had grown up between the men.
Humphries was determined that on this occasion he would settle the other's pretensions once for all.
"The Gentleman Boxer" was about five feet eight inches in height , extremely graceful and well formed, with a handsome, intelligent countenance and a frank glance. He kept himself always in the pink of condition and carried not an ounce of superfluous weight upon his finely molded limbs and rippling muscles. As he stood on the stage in the Doncaster Inn yard he looked and acted the confident athlete, secure in his strength and knowledge of his game. He was attended by Ward as his second and Jackson as his bottle holder,
Another roar of cheers announced the arrival of Mendoza, whose reception was the warmer from the fact that the bulky, broad shouldered man who followed him as his second was non other that “Tom” Johnson, still the undefeated champion . Mendoza made his way to the stage and mounted soberly seeking his corner with Johnson and Butcher his bottle holder. the two combatants then stripped of their coats standing stripped to the waist in thin silk trunks and hose and light pumps. Each tossed his hat into the air as a signal of readiness and defiance.
Daniel Mendoza, whose name will always come easy to the tongues of fight followers as long as trials of manhood endure, had now reached the height of his skill and the mature development of his technique, though full recognition of his powers was still to be accorded him.Born in 1763 near Whitechapel, of Jewish parents he fist appeared as a public boxer in 1784 and soon afterward began to rise rapidly by a series of remarkable victories. At a time when theory and science waited upon strength and the abilty to take punishment, he quickly established himself as an exponent of cleverness. He showed himself the first great ring general, discovering and demonstrating maneuvers that had never been practiced by any of his predecessors.
His style was extremely neat, precise and well thought out. His speed in hitting and getting away, his almost perfect guard and his ability at dodging and shifting while wearing out his opponent were his best points. In many ways he might be compared with James J. Corbett. Like Corbett, he could land his blows almost at will, with greater accuracy than strength, and the tale of his fights usually showed that he made two hits to every one for his adversary. Like Corbett again he revived technique and stood at the head of a new school .indeed, until John L. Sullivan became the dominant figure in pugilism and forced his own methods by sheer weight of personality. Mendoza remained the model and guiding Influence In the sport. Many fistic enthusiasts will remember a time when rules, advice and tactics for fighters as laid down by Mendoza were still current and standard.
Mendoza's Physique.
Mendoza was not strikingly endowed physically beyond an unusually broad, solid and manly chest, with powerful arms. He was about live feet seven Inches In height, presenting a compact and graceful figure. He was noticeably weak in the loins, but possessed good wind and was seldom overmatched when struggling at close quarters.
Colonel Hamilton and Sir Thomas Apreece having taken up their position just below the ring, it was agreed between the seconds that the umpires should select a third to whom any difference of opinion might be referred. The two gentlemen accordingly named Mr. Harvey Ashton to act in this capacity, Betting grew brisk during the last few minutes of the interval, the odds being Five to four In favor of Mendoza. and readily accepted. It was believed by The supporters of Humphries that, although the Inferior of his antagonist in science, he could repeat his former victories by forcing the pace.
At a signal from the umpires the two men left their corners and advanced toward the centre of the ring, while the throng fell silent to watch them. Humphries wore an easy smile as he stood his side of the mark and extended his hand for the grip. Mendoza was calm and intent, fixing his enemy's eyes as he approached. for an instant their hands met, the next they had fallen warily on guard.
Humphries stood with his foot well apart and his arms up and out. It was his custom to lead with the right and stop with the left, and he depended upon the Weight of his body rather than length of swing for punishing blows. Mendoza's attitude was more natural. If not so impressive. His arms were held closer to his body, with his left slightly advanced, allowing him greater power at infighting, where he excelled.
"The Gentleman Boxer" had decided his own plan of campaign in advance, from his knowledge of Dan's tactics. No sooner had they drawn hack from the handshake than he began the set-to with great dash
and spirit, launching a tremendous right hander, which Mendoza avoided by stopping aside. Mendoza seized the second of advantage to bore in with two swift jabs to the ribs, which drove Humphries back.Humphries recovered himself, however, and they rallied fiercely, Humphries recovering his lost ground landing twice on Dan's jaw. The Whitechapel Boy closed at this, and they wrestled desperately, Mendoza clinging to his adversary in the trip and taking part of the shock of the fall. Both men were up and to their corners nimbly, the crowd howling approval of the equal division of honors.
Humphries left his second's knee and sprang forward with undiminished vigor at the calling of the next round. He repeated his former manoeuvre with even greater determination, forcing Dan back with a ripping body blow that the latter only partly parried. Humphries scorned set upon making Mendoza suffer in this round and slashed home twice with his right, following up with a swing to the jaw. Dan met the attack manfully, covering himself neatly against the shower of blows and waiting his opening calmly. He had been rushed back almost to the rails when Humphries' first burst of energy betrayed him into lifting his guard. Mendoza ducked and rushed in, planting a jarring jab to the ribs and hooking another behind the ear. Humphries, staggered by, the last smash, ran in and closed, taking another clip to the car before ho made his hold. He tried a cross buttock, which Dan avoided, and they fell together, Humphries underneath.
Is Badly Shocked.
Humphries needed the attention-of his second during the interval, plainly shaken by the decided check he had received. Mendoza s friends went wild over this showing, having feared lest Humphries overwhelm in the first few exchanges.
The “Gentleman Boxer” sat on this seconds knee glaring at his enemy , while Jackson blew a fine spray into his ears and refreshed him with swab cloths.Mendoza was still grave and composed having apparently suffered nothing beyond a cut under his mouth.
When the half minute was called the men advanced to the centre quickly, but it was immediately apparent that Humphries had decided to change his method, having found the other too expensive. He led off with caution reserving himself for Dan’s attack and the two sparred for some minutes without damage.this was exactly Mendoza’s game. The crowd forgot to cheer and watched in breathless hush while the boxers went through some of the cleverest and prettiest maneuvers that had ever been seen in England.
They circled slowly, Dan closing in occasionally with a swift rattle of blows and Seemingly Invulnerable against the other's return. He goaded his man continually. Humphries was no match for him in such a test of dexterity, and twice, thrice and again Dan jumped in with one of his straight smashes to the jaw.
The last drove his adversary's head up and back, and Humphries, hopelessly outclassed In science, resumed his rushing, with a cry of anger. Mendoza, who had been waiting for just this result, dodged a terrific swing at his head and launched himself forward, planting a full blow straight upon his opponent's mouth with all his strength behind it. Humphries was carried fairly off his feet and crashed to the floor landing on his shoulders.
Ward and Jackson hurried forward and dragged him to his corner, while a frenzied burst of applause broke from the spectators, irrespective of partisans, in recognition of the masterly work of Mendoza. "What do you think of that” asked Sir Thomas Apreece, turning to Hamilton with a twinkle. "I am almost ready to believe you were right," answered the Colonel, nodding. "But I shall first want to see how Humphries stands it."
To the satisfaction of his followers. Humphries stood it well. After the ministrations of his attendants he walked steadily to the centre for the fourth round and led off strongly, if with more caution. He was
rewarded heartily, the throng recognizing his courage and nerve. He had not abated one jot of his confidence, which was ever one of his best traits, and as he shot over a snapping: left to the face it was apparent to all that "the Gentleman Boxer" was far from beaten. The blow drew the crimson, and Mendoza, after an ineffective jolt to the body, closed. They wrestled and fell, without advantage to either.
Humphries had recovered much of his strength at the opening of the fifth round. As usual, he commenced hostilities with a drive to the face, which Dan avoided deftly. Mendoza giving ground. Humphries followed him with great resolution and landed a lefthander to the ribs, which cut Dan's right side in landing, like the stroke of a sabre. The Whitechapel 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 the blows. The odds, which had risen enormously in Mendoz.a'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 him off with outstretched guard was not to his liking, and he bored in with some tolling body smashes. Humphries divined his purpose, jumped back and whipped out another of his powerful cuts to the ribs. Dan was alert this time and caught the blow on his arm, at the same time countering with a handy smash to the enemy's face. Humphries stumbled and lunged to return the blow, falling as Dan skipped out of reach.
Closing In.
In t h e sixth round Humphries was clearly in need of respite from Mendoza's artillery, and he lost no time in closing for a wrestle, Dan tried to avoid him, and got home; two chopping Mows to the face before
Humphries made good his grip. They struggled for nearly a minute, when Mendoza. who distressed his adversary exceedingly by jamming down his head and interfering with his wind, tripped neatly and fell on top.
There seemed no end of the resources from which Humphries drew his strength, and when time was called for the seventh round ho stepped up briskly, once more going on the offensive. At leading off he delivered a ripping righthander that Dan could not quite avoid. The blow swept along the left side of Mendoza's head, tearing the ear and laying the scalp open. The Whitechapel boy did not: seem worried, and after parrying two lunges, came back strong with a clip over the other's eye. They wrestled and fell and when Humphries was propped on his second's knee It was seen that his right eye was closed and out of commission for the rest of the fight. Odds on Mendoza jumped again.
At the opening of the eighth round Humphries started In for vengeance. Heedless of repeated but ineffective jabs to the body delivered by Dan he set the pace and again swung and lunged at the other's face, Mendoza was hard pressed and seemed unable to got In a telling check, while he gave ground slowly. Humphries followed him doggedly, scorning Dan's shower of body blows and protecting his face while he drove forward. He landed four times on the left side of Mendoza's head, further mutilating the oar and cutting a gash above Dan's left eye. In pursuing this audacious attack he again overreached himself and fell. This round was distinctly In favor of Humphries. In spite of the fall and the fact that he
had suffered heavily about the body. Mendoza had ripped open his enemy's side under the left arm in several places and both men wore badly in need of the ministrations of their seconds and bottle holders.
When they came to the centre again the knowing ones sized them for a final forecast. The speed of the fight up to now had been terrific, almost unprecedented, and apparently each had exerted himself to the utmost. but it was apparent to the experts that Dan had hardly more than breathed himself. His efforts had been directed to stalling the wicked rushes and attacks of the other, protecting himself against decisive
blows and at the same time indicting as much damage as possible. He was still in reserve, and though badly cut up had not suffered vitally.
Humphries, on the other hand, had tried his vigor Severely. His wind distressed him. Dan's body blows had had their effect. One eye was useless. Severaltimes he had lost his temper to his own injury. It was
particularly significant He had lost the close of every round, falling underneath or alone.
Mendoza was as alert to these facts as any watcher, And the c r a f t y lighter knew that his time was coming When Humphries failed to open the next round with his old dash and vim, but began to fight, cunning Dan proportionately increased his aggressiveness. He worked in past the other's long guard and rocked him with alternate smashes, right and left. As Humphries, enraged, started after him again Mendoza caught him fairly on the jaw and sent him crashing to the floor.
The Terrific End.
Dan repealed his success in the next three rounds, sending Humphries down almost as soon as they began to rally. Humphries had gone decidedly weak and his helpers had to lift him to his corner each
time. At the thiteenth round Humphries swung his arms in the air. stumbled over his feet and dropped. "Foul! Mendoza wins!" shouted a score of voices. Colonel Hamilton turned to Sir Thomas with a mute
question, but Mendoza's umpire voiced the general sentiment.
"It was no cowardice that sent him down. Let him go on and win if he can." Sir Thomas had a cheer all to himself for that decision and the battle went on. After the twentieth round Mendoza forebore to exert himself in any great, degree, for it was evident that Humphries could not last much longer. Ward and Jackson had almost to carry him to the mark after the calling of time and he was barely able to jab a few harmless blows before Dan downed him. Mendoza, though battle weary, was still able and collected and could walk without, assistance. Several times Humphries fell before a blow was struck, but Sir Thomas would not lake advantage of his weakness.At the twenty-fifth round Ward exercised his
right as second and urged him to give up.
"No," said Humphries between his puffed and swollen lips."I beat him twice and I'll beat him again, once I’ve my wind back. Let me try it further."
The fury of defeat seemed to give him now lease of strength lifter this, and for three rounds he pulled himself together, landing some telling blows and once, throwing Mendoza in a clinch. The throng cheered
him unceasingly. Never before had "the Gentleman Boxer" so nobly proved his courage. but the tribute was for a beaten man. Given in the generosity of the crowd. The real applause was for Mendoza. still
strong, quick, sure, fighting with constant precision and judgment. Not a man who saw him on this day but acknowledged him the deserving winner and the champion of the sport.
The end came quickly. Humphries, temporarily freshened by Butcher’s grooming-, threw himself furiously upon his adversary us if to crush him by weight of onslaught. Dan leaped back and slashed in with an up springing blow that split the other's upper lip and cut his left check cleanly. Humphries dropped, and as Ward rushed to his side intimated that he was ready to quit. When Ward convoyed this intelligence to the umpires by an expressive gesture the spectators broke into a thunderous ovation, which Mendoza modestly acknowledged.
Humphries, when able to move, was carried through the crowd on the shoulders of his friends. Mendoza, after some patching, walked to the race course on the Town Moor and watched the racing. "There Sir Thomas Apreece and Colonel Hamilton saw him some hours later. "Was I right'.'" asked Sir Thomas, pointing out the calm faced conqueror. "You were right," said the Colonel. "He Is the master."