1907-05-10 Packey McFarland W-PTS10 Maurice Sayers (Milwaukee, WI, USA)

1907-05-11 The Milwaukee Journal (Milwaukee, WI) (page 8)

BOUT A SLOW ONE
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PACKY M'FARLAND WINS OVER SAYERS.
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Milwaukee Lightweight Makes Miserable Showing Against Chicago Stockyards Champion in Windup Bout Before the Badger Club. Steve Kinney Wins Sensational Fight from "Chicken" Duffy.
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In a disappointing fight Packy McFarland, the Chicago stockyards champion, won a ten-round verdict over Maurice Sayers of Milwaukee in the windup bout before the Badger club last night. Neither fighter displayed any form and the spectators were disgruntled. Sayers fought way below his usual standard, while close followers of the game figured that McFarland did not show anything near the speed that had been anticipated.

The Milwaukee boy contented himself with fighting on the defensive from start to finish and Packy kept after him continuously, turning the bout into a running match for the greater portion of the time. At infighting McFarland was clearly Sayers' master and the local boy never had a chance at this style of gaming. But at the long range milling Sayers showed up strong and had he continued to keep away from his opponent he might have fared better. He also showed considerable cleverness at times. In ruggedness and strength McFarland towered way above Sayers. Packy was entirely too strong and when he roughed it with Sayers the latter invariably got the worst of it. Sayers said after the fight that he was quite weak after the third round and could not get any force behind his blows. Although the weight agreed upon was 133 pounds at 3 o'clock, Sayers weighed in at 129 pounds. He is unable to account for this decrease in weight, as he had trouble in making less than 133 several months ago.

McFarland started off with a rush and in the first two rounds got quite a lead. He continued after Sayers in the third and fourth, but in the latter session Sayers performed better. He used his long left jab with effect and slowed up the Chicagoan considerably. In the fifth Sayers again employed the same tactics and for a time it looked as if he might be able to even up matters, but Packy refused to remain on the defensive and started rushing again with the result that he soon was far in the lead again. After this McFarland carried the fight to his opponent in every minute of the milling and at the conclusion had a big shade over the home boy.

Although the showing of McFarland disappointed quite a few of the fans, it is explained that the running tactics employed by Sayers handicapped him and prevented his best work. Although he is a willing mixer his blows do not appear to have as much steam behind them as has been claimed. He did not hurt Sayers to any extent and he might have his troubles with a more sturdy fighter.

The semi-final was a sensational affair, there being four knockdowns in the first round. In the opening period Steve Kinney and Tommy Duffy, the principals, both let go rights, connecting at the same time, which sent both to the mat. Kinney jumped right up but Duffy took the count of nine and when he arose he was tired, but to the surprise of everybody he again floored Kinney. Then Kinney retaliated and there was another knockdown. Kinney stood the fast pace better than Duffy and when the second session opened he went after his man with a vengeance, the result being that he soon had the Chicago newsboy champion down for the fatal count of ten.

Frank Kuchler, former amateur champion of the M. A. C. did not make a howling success of his first professional bout, Billy Moorehead earning the verdict over him in the third round. Kuchler showed himself to be a game fighter, but displayed poor form while on the defensive.

Young Gardner won over Jerry Nelson after six rounds of fast fighting in the opening contest.