Professor William McClellan

"A DESPERATE PRIZE-FIGHT"

"NINETY-FOUR ROUNDS FOUGHT-THE CONTEST DECLARED A DRAW"

-San Francisco. August 19, 1879

"The McClellan -Donovan hard-glove fight, for $1,000, took placeat Platt's Hall last night."

"McCleellan was apparently improving, when at the close of the ninety-fourth round-at 1;10 A.M.-the referee declared a draw...This decision gave great dissatifaction...There were several fouls claimed against Donovan for hitting McClellan when down, but they were not allowed.'

-New York Times. August 20, 1879

Billy Edwards, William McClellan, Harry Maynard and Arthur Chambers

The period from the end of the Civil War until the rise of John L. Sullivan in the 1880's saw prizefighting in America have a decidely English flavor. Wtih the arrival of a number of English proponents of the manly art, the illegal profession of prize fighting took on a certain air of respectablity under the guise of sparring contests. Many a fist fighter made a living as did the Professor W. C. McClelland.

"Wm. C. McClellan's sporting house, corner of Fifty-third Street and First avenue, is now one of the popular resorts of Gotham. McClellan has twenty-two pupils."

-Police Gazette. April 5, 1884

Between, an ocassional "sparring contest" with side bets, and the operation of a sporting house, the incomes of well known pugilists were often supplemented by the holding of a benefit in their honor, the majority of the proceeds going the honoree.

Vintage Antique Broadside

Very Rare

Price: $ 950.00

Circa 1883

Size: 4 1/2 x 11 inches

Condition: Fair. Edge fraying, not affecting content. Would effectively present floated on a mat.

Shipping and Handling $10.00 in the U.S. $15.00 to foreign destiantions.

9000-2311

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