Thursday, August 26, 2010

1911-03-14 Packey McFarland ND10 Owen Moran (Bronx, NY, USA)

1911-03-15 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 10)
M'FARLAND ALL THE WAY
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AMERICAN FIGHTER EASILY OUTPOINTS OWEN MORAN.
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Remarkable Science of Chicagoan Bewilders British Boxer--Rushing and Slugging by Moran Easily Checkmated--Big Crowd at Fairmont A. C.

A great exhibition of scientific boxing enabled Packy McFarland of Chicago to score a signal victory over Owen Moran of England in a ten round bout at the Fairmont A. C. last night. A crowd that packed the building expected this result, but nobody looked for such a brilliant performance as that shown by the American.

McFarland's wonderful speed was chiefly responsible for his success. He was lightning in attack and defence. With an unerring left he jabbed Moran incessantly and scored the points so rapidly that Moran was at times bewildered. Dancing in and out with remarkable footwork the Chicago lightweight was so fast in landing blows and avoiding them that he was easily the master.

Moran had natural strength and a hard wallop in either hand, but McFarland's defence was so invincible that very few effective blows were driven home. When Moran found that he was outclassed in scientific boxing he tried rushing and slugging, but McFarland knew how to checkmate him at this style with beautiful skill.

McFarland had the better of every round but the first, which was even up. He kept cool under fire and boxed cleanly and fairly. He did not lose his temper and was the sportsman always. Moran was extremely good natured, laughing repeatedly when hit and made no excuses for his defeat.

The bout was purely one in which real science was displayed by both men and as the veteran Charlie White described it, "one of the classiest seen in New York in many years."

When the bout began McFarland, straight as a ramrod, sparred beautifully for a moment. He feinted with puzzling rapidity and then began shooting in light lefts to feel the Britisher out.

As the battle progressed and McFarland's confidence in himself increased he began to speed up to the top notch. Then it was that Moran discovered that he was opposed by one of the greatest boxers the ring has ever produced. McFarland was as quick as a flash. His hands shot in with great precision. If he didn't lead he was blocking or ducking away from heavy swings.

Up to the third round the men were extremely cautious and very few hard blows reached their destination. But in the third round McFarland put in so many clean cut punches that it was then evident that he had taken Moran's measure. Moran rallied in the fourth round and tried to mix it at close quarters. McFarland was equal to this emergency and showed that he knew as much about this kind of fighting as at long range. The fifth round bristled with fast boxing, but there was such a lack of heavy hitting that the crowd showed some displeasure.

In the sixth round McFarland's speed was greater than ever. He forced the issue so persistently that Moran was driven into the ropes, where he fell from the force of a push, not a punch. McFarland had the Englishman beating a retreat under rapid fire tactics in the seventh round, and for a moment it looked as if something serious might happen.

After that great boxing by McFarland carried him further to the front and he won in a blaze of glory. "McFarland was too heavy for me," said Moran after he had dressed. "He was also too quick; I didn't have my usual speed, though I felt good. Packy isn't a hard hitter but I'll admit he is a very clever boxer. I will box him again at 133 pounds at 8 P. M. and I'll bet $5,000 of my own money against $1,000 of his that I can beat him. I want a longer battle, however."

"I had no trouble at all," said McFarland, who was all smiles. "He didn't hit me more than half a dozen times in the whole affair. I was satisfied to outpoint him, for I simply wanted to show my superiority as a boxer. I ate three square meals to-day and yet I only weighed 134 at scaling time. I don't believe I was more than seven pounds heavier than Moran, who is a clever fellow and a dangerous puncher if he can land. But as he couldn't land, why, he lost."

It was estimated that the reservations paid by members reached the $15,000 mark. The boxers received separate sums for their services but the figures were not made public. It was a satisfactory contest in every particular and one that will not be forgotten in a hurry.

McFarland and Moran went to a Russian bath in 125th street at 5 o'clock to weigh in at 135 pounds. McFarland stripped to the buff and did not move the beam when he hopped on the scales. He said he actually weighed 134 pounds. As Moran prepared to weigh Packy smilingly pushed him from the machine.

"You needn't weigh, Owen," said the Chicago boxer, "I know you are well under the limit."

"All right, my boy," responded the little Englishman, putting on his clothes, "I'm much obliged." Moran declared that he didn't carry an ounce more than 129 pounds. The men had dinner at different restaurants and then went to nearby hotels to take naps. McFarland told his friends that he had sprained a tendon in his right ankle several days ago, but that the hurt was not serious and would not interfere with his work. It was closely figured that when the boxers climbed into the ring McFarland would have about eight pounds on Moran, considered a pronounced advantage. Packy was a strong favorite.

The clubhouse in East 137th street neat Third avenue was the gathering place for a big crowd even before the doors were opened. Hundreds of these boxing fans had no idea of trying to get into the building, but they wanted to see the fun. Taxis, autos, carriages and hansoms brought the members to the doors in bunches. The club officials had gray coated policemen on guard and nobody was admitted without a membership ticket.

Inside the building the seats were soon occupied until more than 2,500 members were ready for the fun. Among them were many well known men, including William Travers Jerome, James Mahoney, William S. Devery, Eugene McGuire, Bob Vernon, P. J. Dwyer, J. G. Follansbee, George Considine, Fred Houseman, Tom Sharkey, Dave Johnson, John A. Drake, A. B. Hudson, Anthony Drexel Biddle, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Kid McCoy, Tom O'Rourke, Patsey Haley, Jesse McMahon, Ed. McMahon, James Rowe, Willie Shaw, Alderman Brown, Arthur McLean, Alderman C. Smith, Deputy Superintendent of Buildings Halberstand, James Clancy, William Brennan, James Kenny, James Meehan, Jr., James Meehan, Sr., Frederick Humphries, Commissioner Henry Brittner, Assemblyman J. Silverman, former Sheriff Tom Foley, Eddie Curry, Alderman Johnny White, Markie Mayer, William Smith, Honest John Kelly, Max Blumenthal, Bob Rose, Henry Tobin, Sim Walton, Algernon Daingerfield, Joe Vendig, Harlem Tommy Murphy, Tom Costigan, John Walters, Frank Moore, Dick Lee, John J. Murphy, Willie Shea, Edward Barrow, Harry Shafer, One Round Hogan, Dan Tone, Pal Moore, James DeForest, Emil Thiery, TOm Messenger, Joe Norton, Paul Armstrong, Wilson Mizner, Sam Brenner, Abe Attell, Joseph Hughes, Harry Pollok, Lester Doctor, Harry Von Tilzer, Nat Goodwin, George F. Johnson, Ed. Downey, Robert Davis, Sam Lewis, Roach Lewis, Jack Cooper, Dan O'Rourke, W. J. Connor, Gus Rogers, John H. O'Brien, Frank O'Brien, Edgar Murphy, Warren Barbour, Charley White, Ben Coffey, Eddie Foy, Dan O'Reilly, Jakey Josephs, Morris Rose, Michael C. Padden and George Rauchell.

Just before McFarland and Moran appeared One Round Hogan, Frank Klaus, Tommy Maloney, Johnny Marto, Joe Coster and other fistic celebrities were introduced. Then came the star lightweights and the crowd received them with enthusiasm.

McFarland's seconds were his brother Johnny, Young Corbett, Bob Cannon and Emil Thiery. Moran was handled by C. J. Harvey, Jeff Berry, Jimmy Johnston and Fred Sears. The referee was William Joh.

When they stripped for action it was seen that McFarland was a bit taller, with a longer reach. He seemed to be trained very fine. Moran was sturdier in build and, although lighter, he appeared to have plenty of raggedness. They shook hands at 10:30 o'clock.

First Round--They sparred a moment until McFarland moved in with a light left, Moran smothered it. McFarland led again with the same result. As Packy continued to force it, Moran countered on the ribs. McFarland put a slight left on the throat and in a quick mix Moran hooked the right to the ear. They came to close quarters, each punching the body. Then McFarland tried left leads until he found an opening for an uppercut. Moran mixed it to a clinch and on the break they stood off and sparred to the bell, with honors even and no harm done.

Second Round--McFarland quickly put in lefts to the nose and mouth, dancing away from a hard counter. He cut out the pace with more jabs until Moran clinched. Then Moran rushed with a double swing, Packy backing to the ropes. They exchanged swings on the head and McFarland put hot shot into the stomach. Moran clinched and McFarland used a free hand. Packy was so fast in his attack that the Briton received several swift jabs in the face. Then Moran began to cut loose, but he found that McFarland had a superb defence. It was pretty work with the round in McFarland's favor.

Third Round--McFarland put a sharp left on the ear and bored in to a clinch. Moran rushed, but the Chicago man ducked and clinched with great skill. At short range they both used body blows and then at long range Moran missed a right uppercut for the jaw. McFarland cut out an even faster pace, jabbing with the left and hooking the right into the body. Moran stood up and countered stiffly, but McFarland continued to do the leading. Moran missed more short jolts and getting into a clinch they roughed it a trifle. They were sparring at the gong, the round being just a shade in Packey's favor on work and blows landed.

Fourth Round--Moran put a solid left on the eye as McFarland came in with the usual jabbing tactics. McFarland paid some attention to the ribs and Moran countered hotly on the mouth. Moran stood close then and swung left and right to the body and jaw, but the blows were glancing and did no harm. McFarland forced the scrap until Moran dashed in with a left in the ribs. They exchanged swings and also landed hard wallops in the body. McFarland put the right over to the jaw a moment before time was up, but the Briton only laughed. The round was McFarland's by a shade.

Fifth Round--Moran rushed in with a left in the stomach. Packy backed away to the ropes. Moran stood close for a mix, McFarland jolting him on the jaw with a quick left. McFarland put in swift bodyblows, Moran countering heavily on the neck and wrestling in a clinch that followed. McFarland landed a left over the eye and rushed Moran to a corner, where the Briton cut loose with a heavy swing on the ear. They mixed it to a clinch, after which McFarland met a wild rush with a belt on the neck. Moran mixed it again, but McFarland outpointed him. So far the blows of both men lacked steam and some of the members hissed. The round was McFarland's.

Sixth Round--Moran jumped in with a hard left on the mouth. McFarland responded with a quick volley of jabs until the men were locked. Packy put a stiff left on the chin and when he rushed in to follow it up Moran ducked and sprinted away. McFarland kept after him, however, and never let up in his jabbing tactics until Moran suddenly jarred him with a right on the neck. Then Packy blocked a moment, after which they mixed it and both landed solid blows on the head. Moran was driven to the ropes, where he fell, but he jumped back into the ring and ran into a hard mix just as the bell rang. McFarland's round on points.

Seventh Round--Moran ran full tilt across the ring and put a left on the neck. McFarland mixed it and with a right hook on the chin he made Moran clinched. McFarland was chain lightning in his attack and Moran was forced to counter for a moment. Then Moran rushed wildly and both landed long swings on the neck. Moran's mouth was bleeding, but he wore a smile and met another advance with a solid right hand punch on the jaw. Packy came right in, however, with the inevitable left, also driving in the right to the jaw with such force that Moran went into the ropes. McFarland's round and the crowd in an uproar.

Eighth Round--Moran rushed, as usual, but he received a sharp left in the mouth. Packy stood up and outboxed his man for a moment until Moran bored in desperately. McFarland then put in three quick lefts that rocked Moran's head and made the crowd laugh. Packy's left was a beauty and Moran could not block it. McFarland also used a right hook with some effect until Moran rushed like a bulldog into a clinch. McFarland received a hard punch on the ribs but he paid no attention to it and proceeded to outpoint the Britisher to the gong. McFarland's round.

Ninth Round--McFarland walked into a clinch and on the break Moran landed a hook on the neck. Moran also swung left and right but did no harm because of Packy's great blocking. McFarland then stood up and shot lefts into the Briton's face. Moran finally countered in the stomach. In a half clinch Moran tried a jumping hook, but it was smothered and McFarland then feinted his man into knots. Packy's left went squarely to the mouth and Moran mixing it drove him to the ropes. Moran tried a left shift and missed the head by a foot just as the round ended. McFarland's round on points.

Tenth Round--Moran blocked a couple of lefts and then began to swing for all he was worth. His blows did not land, as Packey slipped away, but McFarland quickly came back with left and right on the head. Packey also cut loose with another volley of punches, all of which reached Moran's head. In a hot mix Moran pounded the ribs, but McFarland started another attack that made Moran duck and clinch. McFarland met a rush with a great right in the stomach and before the round ended he caught Moran on the jaw with a right swing. It was McFarland's round and he won easily on points.

A partial knockout ended the first preliminary in the second round. The principals were Artie Edwards and Mickey Finnegan, featherweights, who came on for four rounds. Finnegan had received some hard punches when he suddenly let fly a long hard righthander that landed flush on the jaw and put Edwards out of it.

Walter McGirr and Jimmy Smith, welterweights, came next in a heavy hitting bout scheduled to go four rounds. Referee Jon stopped proceedings at the end of the third round after McGirr had been floored.

Another bout of four rounds brought together Kid Fisher and Jimmy Dempsey, lightweights. The latter was overmatched and in the second round, when he was receiving hot shot from Fisher, the referee interfered.

Light heavyweights, Bobby Handy and Billy Howard, followed in a mix arranged to go six rounds. A sledgehammer left squarely on the nose made Handy sit down, blinking and gasping, in the first round, and as he had no further chance the referee waved him out of the ring amid roars of laughter.

Willie Green and Kid Alberts then clashed for six rounds at light weights. These men possessed some real cleverness, and they boxed so evenly for three rounds that the crowd enjoyed it immensely. In the fourth round they slowed down, both tiring, but Green doing the more effective work with blows in the body. Alberts tried to force matters in the fifth, but his blows had little steam and Green had the better of it. The pace was so slow that some of the members whistled waltz music, while others cried "Take 'em off!" They fought fast and furiously in the last round. Alberts landed several jarring blows on the neck and jaw, while Green kept on driving in wallops to the breadbasket. On the whole the bout looked like a draw and the fickle crowd applauded as the men went away.

Babe Davis and Young Roach were introduced for a four round exhibition. They were strong looking feathers and proceeded to mix it strenuously. Both were staggered by smashes on the jaw before the first round was a minute old. They slugged without a breathing spell in the second round until Davis began to cover up on the defensive. Davis rallied in the third and soon had Roach's nose bleeding. Davis poured in all kinds of blows then and finally knocked Roach down with a hook on the jaw. The latter wanted to continue, but the referee said "Enough!"

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

1920-09-04 Pete Herman ND10 George Lee (New Orleans, LA, USA)

1920-09-05 New Orleans States (New Orleans, LA) (page S4)
HERMAN GIVES LEE BOXING LESSON
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Sammy Good Beats Sailor Blanque In 10-Round Semi-Windup
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BY HARRY MARTINEZ.

Pete Herman, world's bantamweight champion gave George Lee, the Chinese bantam from San Francisco a boxing lesson for ten rounds at the Tulane Club Saturday night. The bout went the limit because Herman let it go. The champion showed that he has lost none of his cleverness in the ring by his flashes at intervals that nearly took the Chink off his feet.

The exhibition was far better than Herman's last appearance here against Ritchie. Lee did not seem to suffer from stage fright and tried the best he knew how against the little title holder. In fact, the crowd of 4000 or more who saw the show, applauded the Chink for managing to duck and sidestep Herman at times when he appeared in danger.

Herman put on an attack for Lee in the sixth round that made him realize he was boxing a champion. He got Lee into a clinch, started his tattoo-like tactics and then threw so many gloves at his face that he didn't seem to know where they were coming from. After this round, however, Herman took things easy and boxed around Lee as the latter made an attempt to land.

The real attraction came out of the semi-windup. Sammy Good, a 142-pounder from San Francisco, making his first appearance, gained the decision over Sailor Blanque. Good is also in Sammy Goldman's stable. He gave Blanque the toughest fight he has had in a little while. Early in the scrap he opened a cut over Blanque's left eye and kept after it. Blanque rallied in the ninth and tenth rounds, but not enough to even matters.


1920-09-05 The New Orleans Item (New Orleans, LA) (page S6)
CRAFTY CHINESE BOXER GOES TEN WITH PETE

George Lee, the Chinese bantam champion, went the limit of ten rounds with Champion Pete Herman at Tulane arena Saturday night, and by boxing on the defensive throughout, with an occasionally flash of fighting, Lee thwarted the efforts of the Italian to land a knockout.

Herman tried for several rounds to make Lee lead, but the Chinese boy isn't anybody's fool and played a waiting game throughout. George made occasional flashes at close quarters and scored with a left jab and hook and at least half of the fans on hand gave the Chinese several rounds of applause.

The champion is still as fast as ever and had Lee stood up and swapped punches it is doubtful if he would have gone the limit. But George was ever on the move and on the defensive and made the sort of fight that Johnny Fisse used to win with when Herman was a semi-windup boy.

In at least three rounds Herman tried as hard to score a knockout as ever he did, but Lee took many a good smack on the jab and the two handed body attack when compelled to and danced out of danger when the chance presented itself.

As one of the ringsiders said: "He's sure a smart fighter for a Chink."

The semi-windup was chuck full of fight and the fans disagreed with the decision, which was given to Sammy Good. The Pacific coast battler proved to be a better ring general than Blanque, and a better puncher, but Blanque carried the fighting to him and was in much better condition at the finish.

Blanque conceded considerable weight to the visitor. Good used this weight to advantage in the clinches and in the closing rounds hung on. He wasn't in the best of condition, having taken the bout on a few days' notice.

The fans liked this bout a whole lot better than the main event.


1920-09-05 The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA) (page 14)
Herman Toys With Lee Throughout

All was needed last night at the Tulane arena was Mr. P. T. Barnum, few wild cats, a tiger and several elephants. Pete Herman would have made up the remainder of the show and again rung true that old and well known saying "the public likes to be fooled." Pete was scheduled to battle George Lee, the Chinese bantam weight in a ten round no decision contest, and on two occasions, Peter battled the sixth and ninth rounds.

In these two stanzas he rocked the Chinaman from pillar to post and had the ex-laundryman on the verge of a knockout. However, no doubt figuring Sammy Goldman was keeping a watchful eye and the old percentage was at stake, Herman usually started the rallies 20 seconds before the bell in each of the rounds. There was no question of his superiority in these or the other sessions. But the rally was always too late and since the bell would sound when the Chink was ripe for a final punch, the knockout was delayed.

From the first to the tenth round, the match resembled one of the usual gymnasium workouts, the Chink occasionally landing a blow through sheer accident, or when Herman grew careless and allowed the Chink to penetrate his guard. Herman hit Lee several hundred times and on several occasions we imagine the Oriental must have imagined a glove factory was hurled in his direction.

The only satisfaction the handlers and admirers of Lee got out of the bout was that Lee stayed the limit. There is hardly a fair minded fan who would not wager the family undershirt Herman could have stopped the Chink had he fought in the early rounds as he did in the latter part of the sixth.

Herman, no doubt, believed he needed a little workout for the Burman match in St. Louis Monday night and took same at the expense of the local patrons at one, two and three. The proof Herman did not exert himself throughout was demonstrated when Lee left the ring unmarked. Watson, a preliminary boy, inflicted more real damage to the Chink than the champion.

You tell 'em limburger, you're strong.

The semi-windup between Sailor Blanque and an alleged Sammy Good was won by the latter. It is said that Good is a ringer and is really Jack Goodman, an old time Pacific coast battler. Sammy or Jack was in no condition, but had enough wallop to win over Blanque. Two preliminaries preceded this bout.

Friday, August 13, 2010

1895-12-02 George (Kid) Lavigne W-PTS15 Joe Walcott (Maspeth, NY, USA)

1895-12-03 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 4)
LAVIGNE WINS THE BOUT.
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WALCOTT FAILS TO FINISH HIM IN FIFTEEN FIERCE ROUNDS.
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The Saginaw Boy Takes Heavy Punishment, and Outstays His Rival--Thousands Cheer the Clever Combatants--Both Boxers, Especially the Winner, Severely Marked--Casper Leon Wins the Opening Bout at the Empire A. C.--Elms Scores a Knock-down in the Fourth Round, but Loses the Fight on a Foul.

Empire A. C., Maspeth, L. I., Dec. 2.--Those who like to see good glove contests came to this place early this evening to witness the much talked of fifteen round bout between the colored cyclone, Joe Walcott of Boston, and George Lavigne, the "Saginaw Kid." When the match was made some weeks ago it was stipulated that the men should weigh in at 133 pounds, the lightweight limit, at 6 o'clock tonight. When the time arrived for the pugilists to mount the scales it was found that both were under the limit, the announced figures being about 131½ pounds for each.

Walcott, as in all his other encounters, was the favorite, more because of his tremendous hitting powers than anything else, but in order to win the battle to-night he was compelled to put Lavigne out before the fifteenth round ended. In other words, if Lavigne was on his feet at the expiration of the go, he was to be declared the victor. Sam Fitzpatrick, Lavigne's trainer, said before the men entered the ring that Lavigne would undoubtedly last the fifteen rounds, while Tom O'Rourke smiled knowingly, and told his friends that the colored boy would win.

The crowd came early and in large numbers. The trolley cars from Brooklyn and Williamsburgh were packed, and the special trains from Long Island City were overloaded. Free tickets were as scarce as hens' teeth, and the deadheads who surrounded the entrance to the Empire Athletic Club's arena were, with few exceptions, unceremoniously turned down.

The preliminary battle carded between Jerry Marshall of Australia and Solly Smith of California was an uncertainty at 7 o'clock because Marshall was three pounds overweight. The men agreed to weigh in at 120 pounds, give or take 2 pounds, but Marshall tipped the scale at 3 o'clock this afternoon at 125 pounds and Smith at 118. The latter made a kick and refused to go on. Efforts were made to bring the men together, but in case they declined it was arranged to pit Joe Elms of Boston against Casper Leon of New York at catch weights.

Tim Hurst was the referee, as usual, Frank Freeman held the watch, and C. I. Harvey was the announcer. It was shortly after 8 o'clock when John L. Sullivan came in and took a seat near the ring. He was cheered for fully five minutes, and in response he lifted his silk tile again and again. A half hour later there were fully 3,500 persons present, including all the well-known local sporting men. It was finally decided to put on Elms and Leon. They were scheduled to box six rounds. When this was announced there were mingled hisses and applause. The building was corded to the doors when the fighters appeared at a few minutes before 9 o'clock. Tommy Ryan and Charley White were behind Leon, while Elms was in the care of George Dixon, the featherweight champion, and Joe Gordon. They shook hands at 9 o'clock.

First Round.--Leon led at once, but Elms came back with right and left on the head, and Casper ducked. They mixed it up with honors even, and then Elms rushed with a left on the neck. Elms rushed again, but this time Leon met him with a series of frightful swings and uppercuts that sent the Boston man to the floor. He jumped up and was clinched at the bell.

Second Round.--Leon landed a heavy upper cut and Elms clinched. Again Leon sent his left in straight and threw his right onto the jaw, but Elms was full of fighting and hugged and roughed it until the referee had difficulty in breaking the men. Elms rushed into a hot left as the bell rang. He was taking a hard punching.

Third Round.--Leon landed a straight left on the nose that drew the blood in torrents, then Casper shot in a right upper cut and a left on the neck that sent Joe to the ropes. Elms put in a good right over the heart, but Leon only laughed, and hit the Boston boy a hard blow in the mouth. Leon drove his left to the jaw, and Elms staggered, but he was still on his feet at the close.

Fourth Round.--After a moment's fiddling Leon landed a hot right on the throat. Elms landed a chance right-hand blow on the jaw and sent the New Yorker to the floor. Joe lost his head and tried to hit his man when he was down. Then as Leon got up Elms grabbed him around the legs and tried to throw him. Referee Hurst interfered at once and disqualified Elms, at the same time declaring Leon the winner. It was a decision that met the approval of the entire crowd. Time of the round, 1 minute and 38 seconds.

The stars of the night were not slow in entering the ring, and there was an ovation for each when he crawled through the ropes. Walcott's seconds were Tom O'Rourke, George Dixon, and Joe Gordon. Lavigne's esquires were Sam Fitzpatrick, Tommy Ryan, and Ted Alexander. The principals were ready to box at 9:25.

First Round.--Walcott sent his left to the jaw at once. Then he drove his right to the ribs, but Lavigne got in a good right on the neck. They exchanged lefts, and the Kid missed a hard right that flew over Joe's head. Lavigne's right landed over the heart and Walcott sent in a left on the eye that made George wince. The Kid, however, came back with a corking right on the jaw, and clinched when Joe rushed. Lavigne's work was clever.

Second Round.--They got together, Walcott putting his right over the heart. Then Joe's left went to the ear, the Kid responding with a hot cross counter on the jaw. Walcott rushed like a mad bull, but Lavigne sent right and left swings in on the head and neck until the crowd was simply wild. Walcott, however, showed no effect from the punching and went to his corner laughing.

Third Round.--Walcott's left was well stopped, but Joe's right upper cut landed, and Lavigne was a bit dazed. Lavigne came back with rather light blows and did no damage, while Walcott drove in fearful blows that were bound to tell in the end. The Kid was clearly on the defensive now, and ran away from the awful punishment that was rained upon him. But he turned suddenly and staggered Walcott with a right and left on the jaw. The cheering was terrific.

Fourth Round.--Walcott rushed, but the half dozen blows he tried to land were well stopped. The Kid put a hot left on the mouth and a tremendous right in the wind, only to get a straight left in the mouth. Walcott continued his rushing tactics, but Lavigne was away, and looked all right as he took his corner.

Fifth Round.--They exchanged lefts at long range and then clinched. They got closer and Lavigne drove Joe into a corner, where the fighting was of the fiercest nature. When they came out Walcott drove two hard blows to the face that drew blood from the Kid's nose. Walcott's blows were simply terrific, but Lavigne seemed to be right in it when he rushed Joe to the ropes just as the bell rang.

Sixth Round.--When the bell rang Walcott was after his man like a flash. Lavigne's left eye was almost closed and his nose was bleeding, but he fought gamely on. Walcott seemed to be slowly but surely chopping the white man to pieces, although the latter was doing wonderfully well. A hard swing from Lavigne sent Walcott to his knees, but he jumped up and sailed in fiercer than before. He was not hurt, while Lavigne was a bit tired as he went to his chair. It was certainly a great battle, and the crowd was wildly excited over it.

Seventh Round.--Walcott sent in his right on the mouth, and Lavigne responded with a hard one on the ear. Walcott rushed into a clinch, but on the break Lavigne hit him on the ribs with telling effect. Walcott's left landed on the damaged eye, while the Kid's best blow during the remainder of the round was a right in the neck.

Eighth Round.--They got to close quarters at once, and Walcott swinging a hard left to the ear. Lavigne came back with right and left on the face, but the blows were not heavy, and Walcott quickly retaliated with some tremendous upper cuts that made Lavigne see stars. Still the Kid was full of ginger, and went to his corner in good shape.

Ninth Round.--Lavigne was wary as he came up, but Walcott was after him and sent in some heavy body blows. Then he shot his dangerous right onto the left ear until that organ swelled to twice its natural size. Walcott saw his opportunity, and rushed in like a madman, but Lavigne's defence was wonderful, and he stayed the round out.

Tenth Round.--Walcott's left landed straight on the nose. Joe swung his right, but the Kid ran. They got to close quarters and exchanged heavy body blows until Lavigne clinched. They broke away and Lavigne landed a straight left that sent Joe's head back. Walcott returned the compliment with a fearful upper cut in the wind. They were sparring at the close.

Eleventh Round.--They began at close quarters and were clinched in a jiffy. Walcott again tried his best to knock the Kid out, Lavigne being clearly on the defensive. A fearful right swing almost cut Lavigne's left ear off, and both men were spattered with blood. The Kid, however, was fresh when he sat down.

Twelfth Round.--Walcott landed at once on the bruised ear. Lavigne rushed back with two hard lefts that sent Joe to the ropes. Walcott came on again like a whirlwind, and Lavigne had to clinch at short range. Lavigne landed a couple of stiff lefts and a great right upper cut that boomed his stock immensely. The round was Lavigne's and the cheering was terrific. It was a beautiful brace on the Kid's part, and Walcott was surprised.

Thirteenth Round.--They exchanged swings, one of Walcott's being very wild. Then the Kid rushed Joe to the ropes, where they indulged in infighting until they clinched. Lavigne rushed Walcott to the ropes a second time and got in a great left on the jaw. Walcott looked a bit discouraged when the bell rang.

Fourteenth Round.--Walcott started in to finish the job by raining left and right on the head and neck, but Lavigne came back with such a hard right that Walcott lost his balance and slipped to the floor. When Walcott got up he rushed, but the Kid was not there. Then Lavigne rushed and beat Walcott with both hands until Joe was on the run, and when the bell sounded he was in his corner, apparently at Lavigne's mercy.

Fifteenth Round.--This was the final test, and as Walcott came up he looked beaten. Lavigne drove his left to the jaw and Walcott staggered. Still it wasn't a very dangerous blow, for Walcott kept pegging away until the bell rang. Lavigne was still in the ring, and of course, per articles of agreement, he got the verdict.

It was one of the greatest fistic battles on record, and the consensus of opinion was that to a finish at the weight the Saginaw boy might win. Walcott was certainly used up in the last two rounds, and but for Lavigne's cautious tactics might have been put out. At any rate Lavigne's exhibition was wonderful, and he received an ovation as he left the ring. His face was badly punished, while Walcott did not show many marks of the battle.

Joe Walcott was seen in his dressing room after the battle. He was very much disappointed over the result. He thought that Lavigne was the greatest man in the world at his weight, and had no excuses to make. Walcott hurt his right hand in the battle and could scarcely lift his shoulder. His face showed signs of punishment. Lavigne's countenance was a sight after the go. His left ear is badly lacerated and his nose is considerably puffed up. When seen by a Sun reporter he said:

"Walcott is a hard puncher and a dangerous fellow, but I was confident from the start. I guess my claim for the light-weight championship is undisputed."

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

1912-02-06 Packey McFarland ND10 Kid Burns (Bronx, NY, USA)

1912-02-07 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 9)
M'FARLAND EASILY OUTBOXES KID BURNS
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Chicago Lightweight Shows Skill in Ten Round Bout at Fairmont A. C.
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LOCAL BOXER ALMOST OUT
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Burns Lands Wallop in Ninth Round Which Closes McFarland's Left Eye.
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Although he was outpointed in a fast ten round bout at the Fairmont A. C. last night, Kid Burns, the local boxer, was proud of the fact that he closed Packy McFarland's left eye so tight that vision was obscured. Burns landed a heavy blow in the ninth round on the Chicago wizard's optic and it swelled so rapidly that the ringside spectators were astonished.

McFarland had not received a black eye in many months, so that Burns's achievement was remarkable. But in other respects Burns was outclassed. McFarland tried hard to put him out on several occasions, but the West Sider was too strong and managed to keep his feet, though under terrific fire. Nearly 3,000 fans saw the battle and many more were turned away.

According to the articles of agreement Burns had to make 138 pounds at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, while McFarland was not compelled to get on the scales at that time. In compliance with the new rule of the State Athletic Commission the men also weighed in at the ringside a few minutes before 10 o'clock. McFarland tipped the beam at 136 and Burns at 139. William Joh was the referee.

First round--Burns rushed and was blocked. McFarland also stopped a hard swing and drove a left into the ribs. Burns rushed again but McFarland stepped away. Packey cornered his man and they exchanged swings. McFarland side stepped another attack and shot a left hook to the mouth. He followed it with a sharp left to the ear and put a right into the stomach. Burns tried slugging but could not land with effect. McFarland easily took the round.

Second Round--McFarland drove a left to the nose and then smothered a rush. Packy missed a right, but reached the neck with a stiff left. McFarland ran in with a left in the stomach and put on so much steam that Burns had to clinch. A right in the ribs and a left hook under the jaw sent Burns to the ropes, where he covered up. After that Packy punched him with both hands when and where he pleased. McFarland's round.

Third Round--Burns reached the stomach with a long left. He followed it up with a hard rush and McFarland mixed it with him so hotly that the West Sider backed away. Burns covered up his jaw and received body blows. Then he mixed it again, McFarland outpunching him. Packy blocked several wild wallops and also did some fine ducking. After that he puzzled the local man with swift blows and took the round.

Fourth Round--Burns planted a solid left on the neck. He stood up and mixed it hotly until McFarland put him on the ropes. Packy blocked several cyclonic swings and forcing his man to a corner he whipped in hooks and uppercuts until Burns hung on. Burns received a solid punching all the way to the bell, but he managed to keep his feet. Packy had the round.

Fifth round--Burns opened with a glancing left on the neck, whereupon McFarland began to tear in with rapid blows in the face and stomach. When Burns didn't cover up or clinch he missed numerous wild swings, for McFarland was as fast as the wind on his feet and displayed dazzling skill. McFarland later on worked hard with hooks and uppercuts, evidently trying for a knockout, but Burns was too strong in the legs. Packy's round.

Sixth Round--Burns had a lump under his left eye when he came up. McFarland stopped a left and ran in with a stomach punch. Burns rushed and McFarland grazed the point of the jaw with a fierce right hook. In a mix Packy landed sharply and Burns soon covered up. Burns shot in a couple of lefts to the face, but the next moment McFarland fairly smothered him with rapid fire smashes. Packy's round.

Seventh Round--Packy stepped away from a left and as Burns rushed he caught McFarland on the neck with a right. Packy almost lost his balance as he skipped away, but he was on top of Burns in a jiffy with a storm of blows. Burns clinched to escape this red hot punishment, but McFarland forced him to a corner to hand out more relentless punishment. Burns began to bleed from the mouth and when the bell rang he was in evident trouble. McFarland's round.

Eighth Round--The first blow McFarland landed was a hot left in the pit of the stomach. Burns rushed desperately but more body punches made him clinch. A right hook on the jaw made Burns reel and a left on the neck put him on the ropes. McFarland used a right repeatedly in an effort to stop his man, who was very tired and badly outclassed. Burns probably escaped a knockout by covering up and clinch. Packy's round.

Ninth Round--Icebags were placed on Burns's jaw just before he responded to the bell. When he came up he rushed, but Packy wasn't there. McFarland then stepped in with blinding hooks and jabs, Burns countering on the shoulder. Burns stood up for a mix, but McFarland soon made him clinch with heavy wallops. In a corner Burns got a severe punching, but he rallied now and then with heavy swings. One of these blows practically closed Packy's left eye, but he took the round just the same.

Tenth Round--McFarland tore in with a left on the neck and Burns began to slug for all he was worth. Both landed stiff punches on the head and as Burns held his own the crowd went wild. McFarland had the greater speed and stamina, however, and put Burns on the ropes. Burns mixed it, but McFarland staggered him with a right hand swing to the neck. This punch weakened Burns and he lost his steam. McFarland was the winner.

Monday, August 9, 2010

1910-05-25 Jim Driscoll ND6 Pal Moore (Philadelphia, PA, USA)

1910-05-26 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA) (page 10)
PAL MOORE WINS FROM DRISCOLL
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Local Boy Holds Off Englishman; Who Fails to Show Best Form
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Jem Never Given Chance to Set and Is Peppered Good and Hard by Moore, Who Has Lots of Speed
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Pal Moore, the clever featherweight of Philadelphia, had the better of Jem Driscoll, of England, last night at the National Athletic Club in one of the classiest six-round contests witnessed in this city for some time. Driscoll appeared to have lost some of his former speed and Moore landed easily two punches to the Englishman's one.

Driscoll seemed tired at the end of the bout, while Moore appeared able to have gone six more rounds without any trouble. The Philadelphian surprised his many friends by the manner he fought and he also surprised Driscoll by his fast work, especially at long range. The Englishman did not show the form he did when he fought Abe Attell in New York, although he kept at Moore all through the six rounds.

Moore put up the best fight of his career and seemed to have improved much since his last bout with Tommy O'Toole at the same club. The Philadelphian kept up a fast pace and he fairly rocked the Englishman on numerous occasions with hard left jolts to the jaw. Driscoll appeared unable to get inside of Moore's guard, as the latter easily warded off any damaging blows that Driscoll sent his way.

ROUND ONE.

Driscoll sent left to wind and right to body. He then put two rights to ribs and jabbed left to face. Driscoll sent both hands to body and head and Moore smashed right to face. Driscoll jabbed left to face and Moore put straight left to wind. He then put three light lefts on face and Driscoll crossed right to eye. Moore jabbed left to nose three times, and Driscoll hooked left to eye. Driscoll swung right to ear, and Moore swung both hands to head. Driscoll jabbed left to face twice and they exchanged lefts to head. Moore jabbed left to nose and jolted two rights to chin.

ROUND TWO.

Driscoll sent left to wind and left to eye. They exchanged left jabs to face, and Driscoll drove right to head. He then hooked left to chin and sent Moore back with left swing to face. They exchanged rights to head and Moore drove two rights to chin. He then shot right to heart and Driscoll sent three lefts and two rights to face and Driscoll jabbed left to nose. Moore missed three straight lefts and then put light left on face.

ROUND THREE.

Driscoll put two lefts to body, and then complained to the referee of Moore's rough work. They fought around the ring with Moore landing the most punches. ???? drove right to ribs twice and hooked left to chin. Moore hooked left to face and then jarred left to mouth. Moore sent three straight lefts to face, and Driscoll chopped two lefts and a right to head. Moore sent right to ribs and Driscoll put light left on face. Moore swung right to jaw and they exchanged rights to jaw.

ROUND FOUR.

Driscoll's left went to wind twice and Moore swung left to nose. Moore swung left to ribs and they clinched. Moore sent both hands to head and Driscoll drove right to head. Moore hooked two lefts to ear. Driscoll jabbed left to nose and right to head. Moore hooked left to ear and Driscoll jabbed left to face. Driscoll drove right to body and each jabbed left to face. Moore swung both hands to head and shook Driscoll with two rights to jaw. Moore swung three rights to head and each sent right to body. Each swung right to head.

ROUND FIVE.

Moore jabbed three lefts to face and then sent two more to the same place. Moore hooked left to head twice and Driscoll jabbed two lefts to face and drove right to body. Moore uppercutted right to chin and hooked left to face. They exchanged left jabs to face twice and then repeated. Driscoll put right on kidneys and Moore swung left to neck. He then jabbed left to face and hooked left to ear. Driscoll crossed right to neck and swung it to jaw. They exchanged lefts twice, and Moore uppercutted right to chin and each sent right to face.

ROUND SIX.

Moore swung left to wind, and each jabbed left to face. They repeated the jabs twice, and Driscoll swung right to neck. Moore chopped two rights to face and Driscoll drove right to heart. They exchanged left and right swings to head and Moore sent right to heart. Moore then hooked left to neck and Driscoll crossed right to chin. Moore jabbed left to face twice, and Driscoll swung right to ear. Moore jabbed three lefts to face and swung left to jaw. Each swung right to head and Moore drove right to chin. Driscoll jabbed left to face and they exchanged hard rights to jaw.


1910-05-26 The Boston Journal (Boston, MA) (page 11)

PAL MOORE GIVES DRISCOLL A SHOCK
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Boston Journal Special Wire.

Philadelphia, Pa., May 25.--Pal Moore, the 18-year-old Philadelphia featherweight, caused a big surprise at the National Athletic Club by defeating Jem Driscoll of England in an impressive manner in a bout which went the limit of six rounds.

Moore landed two blows to the Britisher's one, and made his rival miss many of his leads. Moore's showing was a revelation. He walked in and shot lefts and rights to the head and body. Driscoll did not show the speed tonight that he has done here on former occasions. He was sluggish and Moore pushed him all over the ring. He was tired at the finish, the final bell being welcome. A big crowd saw the fight and cheered Moore at the finish.

The first and second rounds were even. Moore rallied even stronger in the third, which was distinctly in his favor. The little Philadelphian maintained his advantage in the fourth.

Moore started the fifth with several lightning jabs to the Englishman's face. He hooked to the face and Driscoll came back with jabs. Moore continued hammering Driscoll's head and body with mighty swings. He also put a right-hand uppercut to the chin and jolted a right to the face at the bell. Pal continued his tactics in the sixth and easily held his lead.


1910-05-26 Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) (page 13)
PAL MOORE WINS FROM DRISCOLL IN PHILA. BOUT
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British Champion Loses a Six Round Battle.
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JEM WAS NOT AT HIS BEST
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APPEARED SLOW AND SLUGGISH AND TIRED TOWARDS CLOSE OF THE BOUT.
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PHILADELPHIA, May 26.--In one of the most sensational six-round bouts ever decided in this city Jem Driscoll, the featherweight champion of England, was completely outpointed by Pal Moore, of this city, of the National Athletic Club last night. The Philadelphia boy, who is still in his teens, carried the fight to the British champion after the second round and had the latter clinching, holding, side stepping and using all the artifice of the ring to escape punishment.

Driscoll brought the blood from Moore's nose with a straight right-hand punch in the first round. After that the Englishman did not land an effective blow. Moore's leading with his left hand, which worked like a piston rod, kept Driscoll blocking, ducking and clinching in order to keep his jaw out of harm's way. Frequently Moore, when Driscoll clinched, drove the Englishman completely around the ring, using right-hand uppercuts and forcing Driscoll to break ground.

Each round of the fight was a regular scream. The crowd stood on its feet and cheered Moore from bell to bell with his skillful left. The blows lacked force, otherwise the bout may have had a decisive ending. Driscoll showed great generalship, ducking blow after blow, and sidestepping Moore's lightning-like rushes.

In the fifth and sixth rounds the Englishman seemed to tire and Moore was on top of him at every moment. The Philadelphia boy tried hard for a knockout by leading with his right hand, but there was not steam enough back of the blows to do any damage.

The public is not assured that it saw Driscoll at his best, but in the exhibition he gave last night, Moore beat him all the way after the second round.