John H. Clark, the Noted Light-Weight Boxer.
John H. Clark was born In County Galway, Ireland, May 18,1849. He arrived In America June 11, 1870. He stands 5 feet 6-1/4 inches in height, weighs about 150 pounds, but on the night previous to his battle with Arthur Chambers scaled 126 pounds. In his youth he had mastered the art of clog and jig dancing, and not long after his arrival was afforded an opportunity to show what he could do in that line on the stage of the Bowery Theatre. It was during the period that he was performing there that he was brought conspicuously before the public, by being the unfortunate youth who, while looking in the door of Matt's oyster-house, in tho Bowery, received a bullet in the leg from a pistol fired by George McCloud and which was intended for Joe Coburn. After his recovery he began to frequent sparring exhibitions, making his first appearance at 'The Arbor"' in West Houston street, on the occasion of somebody' benefit, and on Nov. 18. 1871, he gave an exhibition there himself. On Nov. 30 following the engaged in a glove contest there with Arthur Chambers, and, although he showed that his education in that line had not been neglected, he was not scientific enough for Arthur, who was awarded the victory after they had contested twelve rounds in forty minutes. Shortly alter this Clark went to Philadelphia where he has resided ever since. He was then matched to fight Arthur Chambers for $2,000 and the light-weight championship of America. The battle was fought in Canada, on March 27, 1879, and after a stubbornly contested fight Chambers won in 136 rounds, occupying two hours and twenty minutes. Clark in this fight showed that he was a thoroughly game pugilist, but the general opinion was that he was trained too fine. Clark is now proprietor of the Olympic Garden, corner of Eighth and Vine streets, Philadelphia, Pa.
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