1913-06-10 Johnny Kilbane W-TKO6 Jimmy Fox [Piedmont Pavilion, Oakland, CA, USA]

1913-06-11 Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA) (page 10)

Johnny Kilbane Proves Himself Real Champion and Gentleman
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JIMMY FOX TOPPLED OVER IN SIXTH ROUND BY FEATHER KING
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San Franciscan Beaten Before He Entered Ring; Is Let Down Easy.
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(By THE TIMEKEEPER.)

Beaten before he climbed through the ropes, and hopelessly ???? little Jimmy Fox fell flat on his face in the sixth round of his bout last night with Champion Johnny Kilbane. Before two seconds of the count had been tolled off Manager Joe Sullivan acknowledged defeat by tossing a small face sponge into the ring. Fox was on his feet almost instantly and wanted to continue, but the crowd had started for the door almost before the sponge made its appearance. It did not take a very alert man to observe that Kilbane had mercifully punched just hard enough to drop his opponent and yet not hard enough to seriously hurt him.

Judged by his performance last night, Johnny Kilbane is a thorough gentleman, possessed of everything that goes to make up a champion, and the most workmanlike little boxer this section of the glorious west has seen in years.

The champion could have finished Jimmy Fox in the first round had he been so minded, but there was too much at stake for him to take any chances, and he evidently realized that the fans had paid their money to see him in action. Kilbane gave the youngster in front of him every chance in the world and did not take advantage of him once.

Again and again he held back the old poppy wallop when the bewildered San Franciscan offered a target as big as the barn door. Fox landed just about six light blows during the five and a third rounds, and showed 20 seconds after the bell rang that he didn't have any more chance than a jack rabbit at the north pole. It was hardly a test of Kilbane's real ability as a fighter, for his stamina, endurance, nerve and absorbing power were not called into play at all. Of footwork, feinting ability, dexterity with both mits, and ability to time his blows, Kilbane is endowed wonderfully. It is small wonder that there are no boys of his weight left and that he must seek other realms in which to conquer.

Kilbane and Jimmy Fox entered the ring at 9:50, Kilbane wearing his emerald tights, and Fox black trunks. Joe Sullivan and Spider Roache were behind the San Franciscan, and Jimmy Dunn and Cal Delaney handled Kilbane.

When Referee Toby Irwin sent the two together it was plain that Fox was suffering from a bad attack of stage fright. He managed to send in light left jabs to Kilbane's face, but was immediately feinted out of position repeatedly by Kilbane, who hopped in and out like a darning needle, finally crossing Fox with a jolt to jaw that sent the latter into a clinch. Short right uppercuts to the jaw broke through the Fox clinches and set the local boy's mouth to bleeding. Kilbane appeared in splendid physical condition and twice as strong as his opponent.

In the second round, the champion forced Fox into cover at once with a series of lightning lefts and rights that were intended only to bewilder. Fox tried desperately to lead but missed Kilbane's head by two feet with a vicious left swing. Kilbane planted a stiff right to the jaw, almost ending the fight and while Fox covered up with both arms, the champion danced around him three times smiling. A second right cross to the same place sent Fox scrambling into a clinch in which Kilbane extended both arms patiently. When the bell rang, Johnny tapped his opponent encouragingly on the back and the crowd laughed.

Kilbane did not seem to extend himself in the third round, and yet Fox went to the mat three times, coming up like a flash each time. Kilbane was not anxious to end the fight and the blows which knocked Fox down were apparently not intended as knockouts. The bell found Fox taking the count of three, and as he sprang up toward the champion they exchanged a few passes, being separated by seconds. Fox was with difficulty restrained from continuing but Kilbane took his seat laughing.

The fourth and fifth rounds were nothing else than sparring exhibitions. Fox was a piece of putty in the hands of Kilbane, who played with Fox as he would with his sparring partner. The champion on two occasions measured Fox against the ropes, holding him there with one hand, and drawing the right back for the knockout. Then instead of letting it go, Johnny circled his opponent's neck and tapped him lightly on the back.

Kilbane waited until the sixth round before sailing in, and then a rapid artillery attack with both hands on his opponent's jaw put the San Francisco speed marvel on queer street. Fox desperately clutched Kilbane about the waist with both hands and was whirled around and around until he let go. A left to the stomach followed by a right cross, just hard enough to turn the trick, sent Fox toppling forward on his face.

Kilbane made a great impression on the crowd. The fans got no chance to even encourage Fox and they finally turned loose the applause on the champion.

Only one challenge was received and hint was from Eddie Campi who offered a $1000 side bet for a match with Kilbane.

Sailor Ed Petroskey of Yerba Buena slipped into the ring with his usual challenge to Bob McAllister for anything over 10 rounds and the sailor got a good hand. Red Watson and Tommy McFarland were also introduced as well as Cat Delaney.

The six round semi-windup between Joe Azavedo and Young Abe Attell went to the former by a decision, but Azavedo will be given little credit for the victory. He got nothing but jeers last night, while the applause went to the loser. The men were not evenly matched for Attell is nothing more than a featherweight and not a very hardy one, while Joe Azavedo is a husky lightweight who weighed a good deal more than the lightweight limit last night. Attell's cleverness was of little avail against the greater strength and weight of his opponent, and he tired rapidly after the fourth round.

Azavedo put up a good battle and displayed improved boxing form. The match, however, was ill advised.

Frank Rome and Sally Salvadore traveled six peppery rounds to a Salvadore decision. Rome fought wildly and without defense, depending entirely upon a vicious right uppercut to bring the bacon homeward. Salvadore avoided these and beat his man with straight lefts and the old right cross. Rome was in a bad way at the finish.

Kid Romen finally managed to put out ???? though the result might have been different had not Referee Irwin seen fit to award the fight to Romen when the bell rang at the end of the second round with Freitas just rising to his knees after the third knockdown. Freitas probably would have recovered during the intermission and come back strong.

The youngster ran into a right  swing to the jaw in the last minute of the second round, and didn't have sense enough to remain down long enough to clear his head. He kept jumping up only to be knocked down again before he could get his sense of direction. The bell saved him, but Referee Irwin evidently figured that Freitas would not be able to recuperate during the minute of rest.

In the four round preliminary, Wild Joe Belasco found all the stars in the universe after little Joe Reilly had been turned loose on him. The little Filipino jumped about like a rubber ball and succeeded in stopping every punch with his face. He was dreaming of sugar cane and bolos when Referee Irwin interfered and held up Reilly's hand.

Apparently the local fans figured that ringside seats at a world's championship ???? land, though they might be worth $10 in San Francisco. The ringside seats were the only ones that showed a scarcity of occupants last night, though the balance of the house was well filled and the promoters lost no money on the show.