1913-12-29 Jack Britton ND10 Al Dewey [Peerless Athletic Club, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA]

1913-12-30 The Scranton Truth (Scranton, PA) (page 8)

JACK BRITTON DEFEATS DEWEY
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Too Fast and Clever for Luzerne County Fighter Who Makes Good Showing.
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YOUNG CONWAY ON TOP
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Jack Britton, known as the Chicago wizard, and who has trimmed nearly all the topnotch 135-138 pound boys in the land, Packey McFarland excepted, outpointed Al Dewey of Wilkes-Barre last night in ten rounds before the Peerless A. C. in that city. The battle was one of the most exciting staged in that burg in years. Every round was a thriller, Dewey doing his utmost to land a knockout blow while Britton was jabbing away at him and avoiding wallops in clever fashion. About 1,700 spectators were in the arena.

Britton's principal stock of trade was his left hand which he used to jab his rival throughout the fight. Sometimes he would land five jabs on Dewey's face and head without getting a return. Jack didn't do much at infighting for the simple reason that this is the department in which he is weak. He is a wonder at long range and whenever Dewey permitted him to fight at that style, the visitor had things his own way.

Two Went to Dewey.

Dewey had two rounds in the fight and the others were Britton's by a wide margin. The first was Britton's and the second went to Dewey. For the next seven rounds Britton outboxed Dewey enough to give him a good lead. Dewey made a garrison finish and deserved the round, although he didn't do all the fighting in that period.

The second, seventh, ninth and tenth rounds were the stellar periods of the engagement. The seventh found each boy standing toe to toe walloping away at one another. In this round Britton shot his famous right across twice and one of them gave Dewey a shaking. In the ninth round Britton shot the same right to Dewey's jaw but Al simply smiled and went back for more. Dewey took good punishment, but was not cut up very much. Had he been able to get away from Jack's left handed jabs it would have been a closer exhibition.

Conway the Winner.

In the semi-final Scranton had a representative in the person of Young Conway of the South Side. He met Rubber Gibbons of Ashley for the fifth time in about two months. Conway won the bout by a good margin, although neither scored a knockdown and neither was marked up to any great extent. It was a first class scrap and pleased the sports who were put out by two preliminaries that had been cut short.


1913-12-30 The Tribune-Republican (Scranton, PA) (page 12)

DEWEY OUTPOINTED BY JACK BRITTON; FIGHT GOES LIMIT

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Famous Chicago Pugilist Finds Wilkes-Barre Boy Tough Customer. Young Conway Winner.

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Special to The Tribune-Republican.

  WILKES-BARRE, Dec. 29.

Jack Britton, of Chicago, considered one of the greatest fighters in the world, outpointed Al Dewey by a good margin before 1,100 fans in the Peerless club arena tonight. The combat went ten rounds, the limit, with neither boy suffering a knockdown and with neither being badly cut up. Britton was by far the cleverer and there was no question but that he won. However, it must be said that Dewey put up a slam-bang argument--his showing being better than was expected of him by some of his best friends.

Britton had height and reach on Dewey and used the reach to good advantage. The Western fighter was as heavy, if not heavier, than his opponent. It was said both boys entered the ring weighing under 138 1-2 pounds. But if one of them was over the person was Britton.

Britton Had Good Left.

Only occasionally during the battle did Britton shoot his terrific rights over. In most rounds he was satisfied to jab away at Dewey, some of these reaching his face, but a majority going to his forehead. He did little fighting in the clinches. With his advantage in reach he managed to keep away from a number of Dewey's hard rights, although on one or two occasions Al made them reach their mark and Britton's face took on a surprised look.

It was a splendid battle. Each round had a lot of action, Britton satisfying the sports by his clever footwork and boxing, while Dewey's continued forcing of the milling won for him the admiration of the big crowd. Britton had about seven of the rounds by a good margin. Three were fairly even and one went to the local boy. Dewey's best rounds were the second, ninth and tenth. He was fighting in wonderful style at the close.

Dewey a Tough Boy.

After the battle I asked Britton what he thought of Dewey and he said: "He's a good, tough boy, and don't let anyone think otherwise." Dewey was well pleased with his showing. He admitted that Britton was one of the cleverest boys he ever tackled. "He has a dandy left jab and that right of his carries a wallop, too," said Dewey.

It was the greatest crowd that the Peerless club has ever catered to. The total receipts amounted to about $2,400, of which Britton received $1,000. He fought under a guarantee with a privilege of percentage. It isn't known what Dewey pulled down.

Young Conway, of Scranton, and Rubber Gibbons went the limit in the semi-final, with Conway winning by a larger margin than he did last Thursday, when the two boys fought in Scranton. Conway hit the harder blows tonight and worked better at infighting. Gibbons' best work was in using his left hand jab. It was a dandy bout.

The referee announced that Porky Flynn, of Boston, and Jack Curfey, of England, heavyweights, fight next Monday night. On the following Monday night Frankie Burns tackles Tommy O'Toole.

There were about 100 Scranton sports at the mill.

  BUB.

1913-12-30 Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) (page 14)

DEWEY FORCES BRITTON IN TEN ROUND DRAW

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DEWEY STAYS LIMIT WITH JACK BRITTON

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In a battle "Al Dewey of Edwardsville stayed the limit with "Jack" Britton of Chicago in 10-round mill at the Peerless A. C. last night. The local boy was on the short end at the close of the fifth round, but from that time on Dewey took the aggressive and forced the fighting. It must be conceded that Al proved himself a game, clever fighter and that he gave his opponent all he was looking for.

The crowd was one of the largest that ever attended a mill at the Peerless A. C., nothing left but standing room at 8:30, and the fans continued coming until time for the main bout to start. Naturally the majority were in favor of Dewey, but Britton also had his admirers.

The latter was there with a wicked left jab which he shot to Al's face time after time, only to have Al come back with a vicious right to the head or body. Britton's famous right did not seem to be working and he seldom landed with it. Dewey forced the going and kept boring in all the time, but he was wild and many of his blows were wasted through the clever dodging of Britton.

The first round was fairly earned by Dewey, who landed left and right to the wind and a corking left to the head. Britton jabbed Dewey in the face with his left, but not hard enough to hurt.

Britton won the second, third and fourth rounds, by pushing that left jab over on Al's proboscis with alarming regularity and drawing blood from the Edwardsville lad. Al came back with a couple stiff lefts to the face, but not enough to balance up with Britton's jab.

The fifth was one of the best of the match. Dewey rushed matters at the start and landed two left hooks to Britton's face which shook the latter. "Jack" then came back, assuming the aggressive and took the round. His best blow was a right uppercut which fairly raised Dewey off the floor.

Dewey showed a lot of stuff in the sixth round and made a wonderful spurt, planting a right hook to Britton's head and then coming through with three smashes to the mouth. The visitor was unable to keep Dewey back with his left jab in this round. Dewey won all the way.

The seventh session was pretty even, Britton trying to score with a chopping right, but Dewey made him miss several times. The eighth was a repetition of the seventh.

Dewey put on steam in the ninth, but Britton kept him away in fine shape, neither boy doing much damage. The tenth and last round was full of action and Dewey had a shade on his opponent, landing several hard rights.

The semi-final between Rubber Gibbons of Newtown and Jimmy Conway of Scranton was a fine battle. Both boys were in there fighting all the time. Conway earned the decision by a shade. Gibbons was bothered by a bad right hand which he sustained in his bout of Christmas afternoon.

Billy Welsh of Pringle and Kid Pritchard of Forty Fort met in the first preliminary and Welsh put his opponent away in the third round with a hard right to the jaw.

In the second preliminary Johnny Cooney of Ashley put the kibosh on Spike Hennessey of East End after one minute and forty seconds of the first round had elapsed.

In an added bout Johnny Cooney took on Freddy Haefling for four fast rounds and the milling was about even.

Jack Curphey, heavyweight from England, a new man in Dewey's stable, was introduced and it was announced by the referee that he would meet Porky Flynn in the wind-up at the Peerless A. C. next Monday night.

SHORT SPORTS OF ALL SORTS

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Crisp and Breezy Comment on Current Events; Pertinent and Newsy

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Were you at the Peerless A. C. last night?

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If you weren't you missed a corking good bout.

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Dewey fought the best battle of his career and surprised a lot of the knowing ones.

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Britton's left jab was a beautiful thing to watch and he kept banging away at Dewey's head all through the bout.

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Rubber Gibbons put up a great fight considering the condition of his right hand, which he injured in the bout at Scranton Christmas afternoon.

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With all Britton's jabbing, Dewey kept boring in every minute and the Chicagoan was kept moving all the time by the West Side boy.

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That sure was some crowd at the Peerless A. C. last night. Just goes to show that the fans will patronize good attractions. Dewey and Britton must have cleaned up right on the battle.

1914-12-28 Jack Britton ND10 Al Dewey [Peerless Athletic Club, Majestic Theatre, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA]

1914-12-29 The Scranton Truth (Scranton, PA) (page 8)

DEWEY OUTCLASSED BY JACK BRITTON

WILKES-BARRE, Pa., Dec. 29.--Al Dewey, of Edwardsville, was completely outclassed by Jack Britton in a ten-round fight which went the limit here last night. Dewey was at the mercy of the New Yorker at all times and suffered severe punishment from an unerring left jab which landed many times in each round.

Dewey was wild. In the fifth round he steadied and again in the ninth but aside from these two flashes he did not worry his opponent. He landed only a few solid wallops.

Al Murphy, of the Tripp Park section of Scranton, gave a classy exhibition in his bout with Joe Peters, of this city. Peters was game and both had a punch. It went six rounds. Miles Moran, of Scranton, severely punished Pete Farrell, also of Scranton, and the bout was stopped in the fifth round by Referee Jack Gallagher. A large house attended the mills. Young Driscoll and Kid Brown, both of this city, drew in the prelim.


1914-12-29 The Tribune-Republican (Scranton, PA) (page 10)

JACK BRITTON DEFEATS DEWEY

WILKES-BARRE, Pa., Dec. 28.--Fifteen hundred fight fans saw Jack Britton, of New York, win from Al Dewey, of Edwardsville, tonight at the Luzerne theater. The bout went the scheduled ten rounds, but Britton won by a larger margin than when he tackled Dewey about a year ago in this city. The receipts amounted to about $1,500.

Dewey's only rounds were the fifth and ninth. In the fifth he caught Britton with a sharp left hook that staggered him while in the ninth he rallied again, rushing Britton all over the ring. Outside of those rounds Britton had everything his own way, his left hand meeting Dewey's jaw time after time. Neither boy scored a knockdown during the ten rounds.

In the preliminaries Al Murphy, of Scranton, won from Joe Peters, of this city, in six rounds, but in doing so hurt both his hands. In another prelim Miles Moran, of Scranton, stopped Pete Farrel, of Scranton, in the fifth round.


1914-12-29 Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) (page 13)

AL DEWEY BEATEN BY JACK BRITTON IN GOOD BATTLE

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New Yorker is Too Clever for West Side Boy and Wins by Good Margin

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JOE PETERS IS DEDEATED

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Al Murphy Too Strong for Peters, Who is Very Game But Lacked Weight

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Jack Britton of New York defeated Al Dewey in ten-round wind-up.
Al Murphy of Scranton won over Joe Peters in six rounds.
Miles Moran and Young Farrell of Scranton were so bad that bout was stopped in fifth.
Young Driscoll of East End defeated Young Brown of East End in six rounds.
Referee--John Gallagher.
Timekeeper--Elwood Smith.

Al Dewey, the pride of Northeastern Pennsylvania, was defeated last night at the Majestic Theatre by Jack Britton of New York, in their ten-round battle. The Gothamite carried off the honors in six of the ten rounds, taking the second, fourth, fifth, seventh, ninth and tenth rounds. Dewey made a good rally in the eighth and won by a shade, while the first, third and sixth were fairly even. The West Side boy didn't have a chance with Britton, who hit him at will.

Britton boxed all around Dewey, stepping around the ring and pecking away with left jabs until Al's face was red as a ripe tomato. Jack would vary the attack with an occasional right swing to the face, but the principal method of attack was a left jab, which landed with the nicety of a piston rod and with the force of a trip-hammer. This method of attack had a tendency toward slowing Dewey up, but he never stopped fighting for a second, and the 1,600 fans gave him credit for his earnest trial against Britton. But all those in attendance, who saw the battle between these boys last winter, claimed that Dewey didnot put up as good a battle as he did on their first meeting. But it might be remembered that at that time Britton was far from being a well man, while last night he was in the pink of condition.

Britton was out to score a decisive win and that is just what he did. While he didnot punish the local boy severely, he landed enough punches to the face and body to give him the decision by a good margin. Britton started to rough matters in the fourth round, hitting in the breakaway and apparently trying to get Al's goat. Referee Gallagher cautioned Britton, who claimed that Dewey was hanging on.

The first round was fairly even, with both boys sparring and feeling each other out. There were no blows of any consequence struck in this session. The second round was faster, with Britton starting to use his left hand to advantage. He sent it to Dewey's face hard and often, while Al played for the body, landing several light blows to the wind.

The third round was fairly even. Dewey landed several hard body blows, but Britton came back with a bundle of left jabs, which evened the going. The New Yorker took the fourth with east. He walloped Dewey with both hands to the face. Britton was very rough in this round, wrestling Dewey and hitting in the breakaway. The clever Britton also took the fifth, continuing to peck at Dewey's face with left jabs, causing the latter's map to take on a pinkish hue. But Al came back for more and continued to play for Britton's face and wind.

The sixth was fairly even. Dewey made Britton miss with right and left swings repeatedly and the crowd applauded Dewey and booed Britton. Britton continued to jab, while Dewey sent several hard rights to Britton's face. The seventh and eighth were all Britton's, who jabbed Dewey around the ring, there being hardly a return from the local boy. The ninth was different. Al got busy right from the start of the session and carried the fight to his opponent in a surprising manner. The latter roughed matters considerably, but Al stayed right with him. The tenth belonged to Britton, who forced the going in this session.

The first preliminary was between Young Driscoll and Young Brown, both of East End. Brown had height, weight and reach on Driscoll, but that made no difference to the little Scotchman, who gave Brown, the East End poet, a fine lacing. Young Farrell and Miles Moran, both of Scranton, were supposed to fight in the second preliminary, but they panhandled around for five rounds and then the referee stopped it. Joe Peters of East End was defeated by Al Murphy of Scranton in the semi-final. Murphy was too strong for the local boy and possessed the harder wallop.

1911-11-28 Mike Gibbons ND10 Willie Lewis [Fairmont Athletic Club, Bronx, NY, USA]

1911-11-29 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 5)

LEWIS FINDS A MASTER
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Battered from Pillar to Post in Savage Bout with Gibbons.

Willie Lewis practically was eliminated from the ranks of the contenders for the welterweight championship when Mike Gibbons, of St. Paul, beat him decisively in a ten-round bout at the Fairmont Athletic Club, The Bronx, last night. Lewis never had a chance after the first round, and, after escaping a knockout in the second, was lucky to last the limit. Even his most partisan admirers were forced to admit that Lewis was beaten by a better man. One of the oldtime Fairmont crowds witnessed the bout, and fully 2,500 persons were packed in the hall.

Gibbons made good all the statements which preceded him out of the West. He was, indeed, a large edition of "Packey" McFarland, but with a more vicious punch. He boxed fairly at all times, and met the questionable tactics of Lewis with furious rallies.

Confronted by a clever boxer, Gibbons feinted and boxed Lewis into kinks. He hit short and straight to the mark. The punch travelled only a few inches, but it carried crushing force behind it, and time and again Lewis reeled from the impact. Toward the end of the battle Lewis became desperate, but as his efforts grew wilder he played right into the hands of his opponent, who countered him with both hands almost at will.

Lewis was game. He took a licking which would have made many a man take the count, but he stuck to his guns gamely. At times he resorted to elbowing, but these were few and far between.

The second round narrowly escaped being the last for Lewis. Willie opened fire with a blow to the head, but the St. Paul lad ripped a smashing right uppercut to the chin and Lewis rocked under it. Gibbons then leaped in with a left to the face, and when a shift fooled the East Side boy into dropping his guard the former crashed a right to the jaw. Lewis staggered and his arms dropped. Like a flash Gibbons landed again, and Lewis dropped across the lower rope and rolled over on his back to the canvas. At the count of seven he recovered and arose, and although Gibbons battered him from pillar to post Lewis lasted out the round. The St. Paul man was wild in placing his blows, else he would have scored a knockout.

Lewis also bordered on a knockout in the eighth round, when a heavy fire of solid smashes to the jaw and body had him rocking, but the Western lad was unable to drive in the finishing punch to the vital spot. He outboxed Lewis, who tried swing after swing with the desperate hope of a beaten man to turn the tide of battle in a single punch. His efforts were fruitless, for Gibbons was cool and clever, and either swayed back or stepped in and countered.


1911-11-29 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page S1)
Mike Gibbons came pretty near living up to all that was said of him when he easily won from Willie Lewis last night at the Fairmont A. C. Gibbons is known as a hard hitter, and he dropped Willie for the count of seven in the second round. The Westerner had also been touted as a clever boxer. He proved it when he had no trouble in outpointing Willie, who is one of the most scientific of the present crop of middleweights and has always depended upon his skill more than upon his strength.


1911-11-29 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 8)

"Mike" Gibbons Beats "Willie" Lewis, Winning Welterweight Crown
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St. Paul Boy Just Played with Lewis and Nearly Had Him Out in Second.
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"Willie" Lewis gave the welterweight championship crown to "Mike" Gibbons, of St. Paul, last night at the Fairmont Athletic Club. "Willie" didn't want to do it. In fact, he did the best--and his best was very poor--to keep the honor for himself. But "Mike" Gibbons took it without so much as saying if you please. It was the easiest thing that the St. Paul boy has experienced in his ring career, easier than taking pennies from an infant in arms. He made "Willie" look like a novice long before the gong sounded at the end of the tenth round--just fooled with and laughed at the New York champion.

It took Mr. Gibbons just one round to figure out Mr. Lewis. After that it was easy. The issue was never in doubt. He outpunched him and outpointed him at will. In the second "Willie" came within an ace of going out. Gibbons ended a fast exchange of blows by hooking over a hard right. It caught Lewis flush on the point of the jaw and sent him flat on his back, with his head outside of the ropes. Every one of the big crowd of fans present thought it was the finish of Mr. Lewis. Referee Joh stood over him counting off the seconds. "Willie," dazed and stunned, crawled slowly to his feet and managed to get up just before the fatal ten.

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Lewis Weak at Finish.

Then Gibbons tore into him and gave him an awful beating, but he was over anxious and could not send in the finish punch. He hit Lewis at will. The New York boy, dazed, staggered about the ring under the rain of blows. Once he stuck out his chin and let Gibbons smash him two or three times. But, strange to relate, Gibbons couldn't do it. He was nervous, excited by the uproar in the house, and the bell found Lewis on his legs, but very groggy. The "fans" were disappointed in Gibbons. They could not understand it.

There was very little real fighting for the next three rounds. Lewis forced matters, but his punches, chiefly a left jab, had no effect on Gibbons. Lewis, who had the first by a good margin, also had the third by a shade on points. Gibbons made little if any effort. The New York boy also had the fourth. All that Gibbons did in these two rounds was to feint and jump about the ring. Occasionally he put one over, but he was not fighting or making any pretense of it.

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Gibbons Shows Form.

But in the fifth he opened up, and before the round was ended proved to the crowd that he was Lewis' master at every stage of the game. Both exchanged blows at the opening. Then Gibbons started to do some fast and fancy left hand jabbing, landing repeatedly, beating Lewis to the lead all the time. The New York boy rushed and was met with a hard right uppercut to the face. He put over a left jab, and in return Gibbons rocked him with hard rights and lefts to the head. Lewis covered up to avoid punishment. In a breakaway he hooked over a left. It was Gibbons' round by a big margin.

Lewis opened the sixth with a left jab, following it up by three more. They clinched, and in the break "Willie" whipped over a right hook. Gibbons laughed at him. It made Lewis mad and wild. Then Mr. Gibbons took a hand and made "Willie" look like a preliminary boy. It was his round. So was the seventh and eighth. Honors were about even in the ninth, though Gibbons' blows were more telling.

The tenth round opened slowly, both boys hugging and clinching. Gibbons had the better of this rough work. Then things began to happen--that is, happen to Lewis. Gibbons let out a few links and jabbed, hooked and punched Lewis all over the ring, receiving hardly one in return.

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Lewis Takes Count.

It looked for a few seconds as if Lewis would go down and out, but he stuck it out to the end. It was Gibbons' round by a mile. The welterweight championship went with the bout. Both boys weighed in at 145 pounds at three o'clock. Lewis looked heavier than the St. Paul lad when they came together and had the advantage in height and reach. Both were in excellent condition.

Gibbons made a good impression on the local fans. It was his first appearance in the East. He is clever both in defence and offence, and has a good punch. It was the general impression that he would have put Lewis out before the end had he forced matters. In this he was a disappointment. He contented himself with outpointing Lewis. Gibbons came out of the battle without a mark and was apparently as fresh as when he started. Lewis, on the contrary, showed the marks of the bout in a badly bruised and cut face.

Gibbons meets Walter Coffey next week at the Fairmont in the star bout.

In a rattling good six round semi-final "Kid" Harmann had the better of "Mike" Clancy. The latter appeared in the first preliminary and made his opponent, "Frankie" Pappa, quit in the second round.


1911-11-29 The Evening World (New York, NY) (page 6)

Mike Gibbons, Classiest Fighter Seen Here, Easily Beats Up Willie Lewis
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Local Championship Aspirant Luckily Weathers Pugilistic Gale After Being Almost Put Away in Second Round.
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BY JOHN POLLOCK.

Willie Lewis, whose sole ambition always has been to win the welterweight championship of the world, had said ambition completely shattered at the Fairmont A. C. last night. Willie met Mike Gibbons, the crack welterweight of St. Paul, in a ten round bout and what Gibbons did to him in those ten sessions of fighting is sad to relate.

Not in many a day has Lewis been so completely outclassed by a man of his own weight. To size up the bout in a few words, Lewis never had a look in after the first two minutes of fighting in the opening round. If he were not a great ring general he would have been knocked out.

As it was, Willie had a narrow escape in the second round, for Gibbons dropped him with a short, snappy right hand swing to the jaw, his neck hitting the lower rope. This saved his head from striking the floor, otherwise he might have been rendered unconscious.

Although badly dazed from the punch, Lewis staggered to his feet at the count of eight and luckily managed to last the round out despite the fact that Gibbons landed numerous right and left hand swings to the jaw.

GIBBONS WONDERFULLY SKILLFUL BOXER.

It was after this round that Gibbons started in to display his wonderful skill as a boxer and fighter, and the way in which he feinted Willie into knots and landed on him not only surprised Lewis's followers, but was also a revelation to the admirers of Gibbons.

Any time that Gibbons wanted to get in a punch he did so without the slightest exertion, and there were times that he scored three or four blows without a return. At infighting Gibbons also outclassed Lewis, sending in short, choppy rights to his jaw and stomach. After the fourth round Lewis seemed to lose heart, for some of the wild swings not only went wide of their mark, but also showed that Willie was badly bewildered.

Several times during the latter part of the battle Lewis took a chance at mixing with Gibbons, but his efforts were useless, for while he succeeded in getting in some jabs and swings, the latter stood toe to toe with him and gave him some wicked blows, which caused his face to swell and drew the claret from his mouth.

GIBBONS TRIES TO PUT LEWIS AWAY.

In the last round Gibbons tried to put Lewis away. He jabbed Willie several times and sent his head back with a right swing on the chin. Lewis fought back hard, but Gibbons kept sending in his blows with much speed, and at the bell Willie was in bad shape.

Although Gibbons won by a big margin, it must be admitted that he is not much of a puncher. He showed this by failing to put Lewis out, although he landed enough blows to do so.

Gibbons is a clever two-handed boxer, hits short and straight to the mark, blocks excellently, takes advantage of all openings and is a fine ring general. However, he does entirely too much fancy stepping. In many of the rounds he indulged in this when there was no need of it.

As for Lewis, he is not the fighter he was a few years ago. He has lost his punch and cleverness.


1911-11-29 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 14)

"WILLIE" LEWIS ALMOST OUT
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"Willie" Lewis' claim to the welterweight title was pounded out of his grasp at the Fairmont Athletic Club last night when he was decisively beaten by "Mike" Gibbons, of St. Paul. In the second round a right swing to the jaw almost finished him. Flat on his back, mouth wide open, scarcely moving a muscle, Lewis looked so far gone that the large crowd began a rush for the exits. By a superhuman effort he managed to get to his knees at the count of eight and totter to his feet just in time. Gibbons battered him from post to post, but Lewis hung on and saved himself, reeling to his corner at the bell. Thereafter, Lewis, although fighting desperately, could do nothing better than last the limit of ten rounds.

After the first few minutes spent in solving Lewis' style, Gibbons had everything his own way. Throughout the entire thirty minutes of milling Lewis, always regarded as a clever boxer, scarcely landed a dozen blows. Gibbons, on his toes all the time, dancing, shifting, jabbing, feinting, had Lewis completely bewildered. Lewis tried to win by chance blows, but Gibbons blocked them all with his gloves and elbows, dealing out punishment that had Lewis groggy time and again.

Lewis surprised the crowd by his ability to assimilate the punishment, particularly after the stormy second round. In the last two rounds he was fighting in a dazed condition all the time.


1911-11-29 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 12)

MIKE GIBBONS WINS FROM WILLIE LEWIS
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New York Welterweight Floored for the Count in the Second Round.
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Mike Gibbons, the St. Paul welterweight, had his first real Eastern test last night when he fought Willie Lewis of New York at the Fairmont A. C., and the Westerner more than made good. Lewis, who claims the welterweight title, and who can usually be relied upon to hold his own or do better against any boxer of his weight, looked at times like a novice against Gibbons, and when the final bell sounded the local boy was so far behind that there was not the least doubt as to superiority.

It was announced that the pair weighed in at 145 pounds at 3 o'clock. While there is some dispute regarding its ownership, Lewis has been generally accredited as the best of the 145-pounder and better than many middleweights, in which class he fought until recently. In the second round Lewis walked into a terrific short right swing by Gibbons and went to the canvas as if shot. For five seconds he laid on his back with his head dangling over the lower ropes, his arms and legs being motionless. Then he slowly pulled himself together and was barely able to stand up as Referee Billy Joh counted ten. Gibbons tore in to end the battle but Lewis was able to stall and avoid punishment well enough to finish the round.

At every stage of the game Lewis was outclassed. He has always shown through his wonderful cleverness his ability to feint an opponent into knots. Last night he was as far outclassed in cleverness as he has been accustomed to show up slower opponents. Gibbons at times appeared only to toy with Lewis. He sent his jabs through Lewis's guard without any apparent effort, and his peculiar defense so puzzled Lewis that the New Yorker was unable to do any damage. Gibbons has a peculiar motion in approaching an opponent, and it so bewildered Lewis last night that he often stood still and let Gibbons walk in. Besides making a big hit by his cleverness, Gibbons went into popular favor early by his manners in the ring. His work was always clean. He never lost his temper and he had a smile that Lewis could not shake off. On two or three occasions when Lewis began to rough it Gibbons did nothing more than cut loose and show how fast he could fight, never resorting to rough work.

The opening round for the most part was made up of feinting by both men. Neither showed any great desire to mix matters and few good blows were struck. Lewis got in bad with the crowd early by hitting on the breakaway and using his elbow in breaking from a clinch. Each handed out about four hard wallops and the round ended with honors even.

After getting over two or three hard wallops early in the second, Lewis got in the path of a terrific right-hand uppercut, and it shook him from head to foot. A few seconds later Gibbons handed out a similar punch, and he went to the canvas on his back, his head resting on the lower rope. It seemed that he was knocked out for good, but he opened his eyes at the count of five and slowly pulled himself together, barely regaining his feet at the count of nine. For a full minute Lewis did nothing more than stagger around the ring and protect himself from Gibbons's blows. The latter tore in to put an end to the battle, but was unable to do so. The minute's rest did Lewis a world of good, and he was greatly refreshed when he came to the centre of the ring. Lewis was cautious and was very careful to keep away from Gibbons's swings. He jabbed with his left, but very lightly. The round was even.

In the fourth the action was not as fast as in the third. It was feint, feint, feint, and then more of the same work. Gibbons did not show the tendency to lead that his earlier work would lead one to expect, and Lewis was still fighting a wary, cautious battle. The round showed little in favor of either, as no work of any consequence was done.

The fifth showed plenty of work. Gibbons jabbed Lewis repeatedly and also sent over some hard rights which hurt Lewis. Acting on orders from his corner to cut loose and take a chance, Lewis continued to rush in and try to get over a staggering punch, but Gibbons was always out of the way when the punches went by. He usually shot over a stiff right to Lewis's jaw, and he jabbed him at will throughout the round. It was Gibbons's round by a big margin.

In the sixth, Gibbons continued to show to advantage. In fact, he seemed to simply toy with Lewis. The greater part of the round was spent in jabbing to Lewis's head, and three or four times he cut loose with a shower of blows that shook Lewis up. In the open fighting, and also in the infighting, Gibbons had a big lead over his opponent.

The seventh round was on the same order as the sixth, but Gibbons's lead was less pronounced. It was a succession of light jabs and two good slugging sessions, and at each Gibbons had a shade the better of the game.

The eighth was all Gibbons's. He did more effective work in getting over his punches than in any other round. He did not score a knockdown as in the second round, but he landed much oftener and his punches had enough steam to shake Lewis and hurt him considerably. Lewis was still rushing in and swinging in the hope of getting over a knockout, but Gibbons was as good in taking punishment as he was handing it out.

In the ninth the pair indulged in some rapid-fire exchanges, with the honors for the round in favor of Gibbons. About the middle of the round Lewis showed his best work of the bout, and in one rapid exchange he had a bit the better of the fighting, but during the remainder of the round Gibbons showed the same superiority in both infighting and long range work. The round belonged to Gibbons.

In the tenth it appeared as if Lewis was due for another trip to the canvas. He got in the way of one right hand swing which jarred him to his toes, and he could not check a shower of rights and lefts which followed in quick succession. But the veteran was able to take them all without going down. Gibbons was strong at both styles of fighting, and he finished up the victory with plenty to spare. He went to his corner at the close of the bout without a mark on his face. Lewis's face was badly swollen from the shower of blows which he had to take during the ten rounds.


1911-11-29 The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY) (page 6)
Mike Gibbons of St. Paul to-day is hailed as the recognized welterweight champion. His victory last night over Willie Lewis, one of the strongest contenders for the title, was so clean-cut that all the critics to-day award him the palm. Gibbons sent Lewis down for the count of seven in the second round and thereafter simply toyed with his opponent and permitted him to stay the limit.


1911-11-29 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 7)

GIBBONS A SURPRISE.
--------
St. Paul Welterweight Easily Outpoints Champion Willie Lewis.

Mike Gibbons of St. Paul, who came here several weeks ago practically unknown, proved at the Fairmont A. C. last night that he has a strong claim on the welterweight championship of the world. Gibbons in a ten round bout easily disposed of Willie Lewis of this city, who entered the ring with the prestige of having defeated the American and English champions in this class.

Lewis never had a lookin. In the second round he came within an ace of being knocked out. Gibbons, who is a great boxer and a solid puncher, put him down in that round with a right hook on the jaw. Lewis lay partially on the ropes for five seconds, apparently dead to the world, but he managed to struggle up at the count of eight and then stayed to the bell.

After that Gibbons, confident of success, was satisfied to outpoint the New Yorker. He went about his task with remarkable skill. He was so fast and clever that Lewis could not land his terrific swings, while Gibbons seemed able to send home the punches whenever he pleased. Lewis tried all styles of fighting but the result was the same. Gibbons knew too much for him and so easily outclassed him that there wasn't a doubt as to which was the better man.

Gibbons is a legitimate welterweight, but he is willing to take on heavier opponents and after his victory he was matched to box ten rounds with Walter Coffey of California at the Fairmont A. C. next Tuesday night.

The bout attracted a crowd that filled every nook and corner of the building. More than 2,500 fans smoked cigars until the air was stifling and the club managers had to open all the windows in the low roof. The men weighed in at 145 pounds at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. When they climbed into the ring, more than seven hours later, each had taken on several pounds. William Joh was the referee as usual.

First Round--Lewis was the first to lead, his left being short. Gibbons, working in and out swiftly, shot a left to the ear. Gibbons blocked a rush and stepping in the put left and right on the head. Gibbons did some great feinting, Lewis throwing up his guard and using his feet. Lewis then tried a left that was stopped. Gibbons jabbed him twice in the nose with a speedy left. Gibbons also landed several body blows and had the round on clean points.

Second Round--Lewis's left fell short and he ran into a clinch. At close range both landed rib roasters. A quick left hand jab drew the blood from Lewis's mouth, the latter rushing in for a mix, in which Gibbons sent home a heavy right hook to the jaw. At long range Gibbons shot another right to the eye that staggered Lewis. Still another right knocked Lewis down for the count of eight. When he got up Gibbons tore in for a knockout and rained all kinds of terrific punches on the New Yorker's head and body. But the latter in weak condition staggered through to the gong.

Third Round--Lewis met a rush with a left to the body. Gibbons stepped away from several hard swings and feinted Lewis into knots. Dashing in with a left, he put Lewis on the ropes and shook him with a right hand swing on the neck. Gibbons scored points with clean left hand jabs until Lewis decided to mix it. Then both landed heavy swings on the head, Lewis being the first to clinch. Gibbons landed more sharp lefts in such a manner that Lewis was puzzled when the bell sounded.

Fourth Round--Gibbons stepped away from a rush and laughed. He made Lewis miss a couple of swings and then did some great blocking. After that Gibbons stepped in with hard left hook under the jaw and Lewis backed away. Gibbons was so skilful that he blocked and countered continually and had the round by a wide margin.

Fifth Round--Gibbons opened with a solid left squarely on the jaw. He repeated the blow and made Lewis's nose bleed. Gibbons blocked a dangerous swing and peppered Lewis's face with dazzling left handers. Lewis covered up as he tried to get closer, Gibbons bolting him in the stomach with short uppercuts. Gibbons blocked a right for the jaw and sent a hard right hook to the neck. Lewis tried to mix, but Gibbons's defence was superb and he remained unhurt. It was Gibbons's round.

Sixth Round--Lewis missed a left, but he landed another on the neck. They clinched roughly, and on the break Gibbons showed fast footwork as he danced in and out landing quick blows that Lewis couldn't block. As Lewis missed again and again Gibbons smothered him with rapid jabs. Lewis took the defensive and saved himself by clinching. In a rapid exchange Gibbons staggered his man just as time was up. Gibbons's round.

Seventh Round--Gibbons stopped a left and then poured in several hot jabs to Lewis's mouth and nose. Lewis swung wildly, Gibbons getting away nicely and then jumping back with more hard punches in the face. Lewis mixed it fiercely, but he was outpunched and outboxed. Gibbons wore a broad grin as he drove in smashes and made Lewis look like a greenhorn. Gibbons easily had the round.

Eighth Round--Lewis missed several desperate swings and received more cutting jabs in the face. Gibbons blocked a wild rush and ducked a fierce swing. Lewis landed a hard left on the ear, but when he tried to follow it up Gibbons wasn't within reach. Then Gibbons stepped in with half a dozen short punches on the jaw, Lewis clinching. Lewis rallied with another wild attack, but he couldn't land an effective blow. Gibbons punched Lewis's face until it was crimson. Gibbons's round.

Ninth Round--Gibbons made his man miss several times before he shot in the usual fast lefts. Lewis rallied and mixed it with terrific power. He landed several swings on the head but Gibbons stood up and traded punches with him until Willie began to clinch. Gibbons in that rally showed both stamina and cool headedness, for he came back later with an attack that drew the claret from Lewis's nose. A right hand hook jarred Lewis and a left in the mouth made him see stars, yet he rushed blindly until time was up. Gibbons's round.

Tenth Round--Lewis rushed into a hard mix. Gibbons feinted a moment and followed with lefts in the face and rights in the body. Lewis was slow but full of fight and kept mixing it. Gibbons blocked many blows but landed himself with plenty of steam. He shot a right to the jaw and ducked a quick return. Then he made Lewis reel with a right on the jaw, but the latter tore in for more. Gibbons finished in splendid style and was an impressive winner.

1912-10-11 Packey McFarland W-TKO7 Tommy Kilbane [Auditorium rink, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada]

1912-10-12 Manitoba Free Press (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) (page 25)

M'FARLAND FORCES KILBANE TO QUIT
--------
Packey Outclasses Cleveland Lad in Every Round--Referee Stops Bout in Seventh.
--------

At the end of seven rounds of boxing that served only to give Winnipeg fight fans an idea of the cleverness of Packey McFarland, Referee Bun Foley stopped the scheduled ten-round bout between the Chicago scrapper and Tommy Kilbane, of Cleveland, and awarded the decision to McFarland, at the Auditorium rink last night. Kilbane was plucky and willing, but was so clearly outclassed that there was never even an element of fight interest. McFarland seemed to be looking for a knockout toward the end of the seventh and punished the Cleveland lad so severely that it would not have taken much of a real punch to make him take the count.

Only a fair-sized crowd saw the bout, and it demonstrated that the peddling of even the best boxers in the world to Winnipeg fans is a thankless business. McFarland is without doubt the best man of his weight in the business, but Winnipeg enthusiasts failed to show the interest that usually attaches to the appearance of a champion.

KILBANE OUTCLASSED.

Kilbane looked small and weak compared with the brawny Chicago boy, and although he boxed cleverly and took all that was coming, he was completely smothered every time he tried to open up. Packey landed at will, and when he got tired landing light punches and gentle swings, he turned Kilbane around and cuffed him about the ears with an ease that showed there was no comparison between the two. Occasionally Packey opened out with a heavy rip to the body or a straight left that nearly always found its mark, but he did not follow up with any effort at a knockout until the seventh, when he apparently objected to the criticisms of the crowd at the slowness of the affair. When he began to put some steam into his punches Kilbane weakened rapidly and Referee Foley was undoubtedly well justified in stopping it.

PACKEY THE GOODS.

The whole interest in the bout centred in the appearance of McFarland, his first in Canada. He looked big and heavy and must have weighed well over 140, but he appeared hard and rugged and although never extended, showed fast as a cat when he took the notion. He is a methodical boxer, beautifully clean and effective in every move he makes and in this respect is to be compared only with Abe Attell among the scrappers who have visited Winnipeg in recent years. Every move the Chicago boy makes is for a purpose and there is not a waste motion. For this reason he does not look as fast as Freddie Welsh, but when necessary he showed speed, both with feet and hands, that showed that he is as fast as the best of them. He had no difficulty in stopping most of Kilbane's leads and swings with his arms and gloves and there was therefore little chance to see just what his defensive work is. He hits with lightning speed with either hand, and from any position, and against a heavier opponent would undoubtedly have given Winnipeg fans something to talk about, as he was apparently willing to work if there was any work to do.

THE PRELIMINARIES.

The preliminaries were fairly interesting. Young Abe Attell and Jack Allen, two youngsters, mixed things for 4 rounds without either doing much damage. Young Wolgast and Young Mack put the crowd in good humor. Mack, who was much bigger and heavier than his opponent, opened like a cyclone, but once Wolgast got his bearings he made the big fellow slow up and in the last four rounds had much the best of the bout. Fargo Kid and Johnny Logan two likely looking boys, hammered away at each other for 6 rounds with both doing about an equal amount of damage.


1912-10-12 The Winnipeg Tribune (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) (page 6)

REFEREE BUN FOLEY STOPS BOXING BOUT AFTER SEVEN ROUNDS
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Crowd Goads Packey McFarland Into Trying for a Knockout and With Tommy Kilbane Hanging Limply on Ropes Third Man in Ring Terminates Contest
--------

Boxers are human beings after all--human beings whose emotions are but playthings in the hands of the hempen arena guild. It is said with a certain degree of truth that men of the gloves see only their opponent, not a sea of eager faces fringing the ringside, and that the roars and shouts of the crowd are but a meaningless rumble. Perhaps. Some boxers may fulfill an engagement and see only the men in front of them, and occasionally the referee, and hear nothing, but this does not apply to Packey McFarland.

Packey has ears of wondrous sharpness, and the sounds outside the gladiatorial square reach him with crystal clearness. Packey last night seemed willing enough to make his bout with Tommy Kilbane at the Auditorium rink last, but the crowd willed otherwise. Spectators gave evidence early in the fray that they wanted a slugging match, not an exhibition of boxing.

Forgetting the masterly display of glove work, spectators clamored for the sterner side of the game--the knockout. They were not content to see the cleverest of all present day boxers exhibit his art.

WANTED A KNOCKOUT.

They wanted a knockout. And they almost goaded McFarland into satiating their venomous desire. Not that they entertained a spirit of animosity toward Tommy Kilbane. The game little Cleveland boy was the friend of all, yet they were disdainful toward McFarland--and voiced the feeling that they wouldn't be satisfied unless Packey scored a knockout. Human nature is peculiar--an enigma that cannot be solved.

McFarland outboxed Kilbane in every round. It was obvious to all after the first three minutes of milling that Kilbane was in a different class to McFarland. Packey knew this, too, and while he meted out considerable punishment about the face and body his purpose evidently was not to win too quickly.

But the crowd was not content. About the fifth round spectators commenced shouting at McFarland. They didn't go to see a burlesque, they said. And all the time McFarland was controlling that little something which in some fighters is called the brutal instinct.

PACKEY TRIED TO PLEASE.

McFarland heard the comment of the crowd as well as the men in the press box. And he was incited into an onslaught on Kilbane in the seventh round, which would have probably never materialized had not the crowd shouted for slugging. Packey then threw all restraint aside and instead of continuing in the role of the boxer who had pity on an opponent immeasurably beneath his own standard he tore into Kilbane. To please the crowd McFarland beat Kilbane about the ring. He ripped in rights and lefts so fast that it was difficult to keep count of them and when the bell rang Kilbane was resting limply on the ropes.

Kilbane would have come up all right in the eighth round. He appears to have that gameness which is above anything associated with repugnance in a boxer. It wasn't necessary for Kilbane to take more grueling, however, for with the sound of the bell Referee Bun Foley stepped between the men and waved them to their corners. Seeing that Kilbane was so palpably outclassed, Referee Foley, with the same judicious judgment that has characterized him in the past, stopped the bout. It will probably be recorded as a knockout for McFarland, for such is the ritual of the game.

McFARLAND A MASTER.

McFarland must be seen to be appreciated. It is common for the scholar after graduating from the highest seats of learning to be called a master. That's McFarland. He cannot be taught anything in boxing, so that it would only be a waste of time to try and explain why he excels all other glove men in skill. Some may think Freddie Welsh is faster, but their only reason for that would hinge around a difference in style of footwork. Welsh dances in, out and around an opponent. Packey is more firmly set in deportment, but his hands and feet move with lightning like rapidity. Not as showily as Welsh, perhaps, but the different style gives Packey more driving power. The fact that he can hit so hard and still retain a marvelous defence is the real secret why Packey McFarland is peerless in the 135-pound class of boxers.

WHAT WOLGAST SAID.

"I know I'm in for a lickin', but I'll get a big slice of money out of it."

That's what Ad Wolgast is reported to have said after signing articles with McFarland a few weeks ago. This admission coming from Wolgast helps smooth out the wrinkles for Kilbane. He need not feel ashamed of his efforts when the lightweight champion of the world made the candid statement that he would be beaten in a ten round go with Packey.

McFarland pressed Kilbane nearly every second. Tommy was crowded to the ropes and he couldn't escape from the rights and lefts that McFarland showered. Packey had a habit of forcing Tommy into the corners and there was no escape for the Clevelander. Three times Kilbane tried to scurry away from McFarland and each time his knees touched the canvas. Tommy was nervous, though game as a pebble. It was nervousness and the knowledge that he was inferior which made Kilbane slip to the floor.

COULDN'T HIT PACKEY.

Seldom did Kilbane lay his gloves on Packey. It was all McFarland from the first to the last gong which closed the dramatic incidents of the seventh round. Many wondered how it was that Tommy made such a good showing against Packey in their previous encounter. That can only be regarded as one of the inexplicable mysteries of the ring.

A big crowd was present and spectators saw some lively milling in the prelims. In the first four round affair Young Abe Attell and Jack Allen gave a good account of themselves. Honors were about even, Attell having a shade. In the second go Young Mace started to rush Young Wolgast and slam him about the ring. This he succeeded in doing in the first round, but in the second Wolgast met all rushes with punches on the face and before the bell he had Mace slowed up. The last two rounds were also Wolgast, so that he finished with a good margin.

LIVELY SEMI-WINDUP.

In the six round semi-windup the Fargo Kid and Johnny Logan exhibited fast work and plenty of slugging. It was about a stand off, although a knockdown to the credit of Logan gave him just a trifle the better of the argument. Logan hurt his wrist in the fifth in delivering a wicked smash, and was handicapped a little in the closing round. But Foley refereed all bouts in his own efficient manner.

1899-10-11 Joe Gans W-PTS20 Martin Judge [Eureka Athletic Club, Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, MD, USA]

1899-10-12 Morning Herald (Baltimore, MD) (page 8)

A DECISION FOR GANS.
------
The Baltimore Lightweight Bests Martin Judge in a Twenty-Round Bout--A Rattling Finish.

Lovers of the manly art of self-defense had a very enjoyable evening at the Germania Maennerchor Hall last night, when the Eureka Athletic Club pulled off two of the greatest bouts ever seen in Baltimore.

The star event of the evening was the meeting between Joe Gans and Martin Judge. For once, at least, the public got its money's worth, and when the bout closed there was a universal shout of satisfaction.

The fight was scheduled for 20 rounds, and it went the limit. Every round was covered with beautiful work and hard fighting and the bout closed with a whirlwind finish, which fairly took the crowd off its feet.

The men had been matched to meet at 135 pounds. Gans was down to weight, but Judge weighed 148 pounds in the afternoon and must have tipped the scales at something over 150 pounds when he went into the ring. It was a light-weight against a middle-weight.

Judge was as strong as an ox and put up a great fight, calling into play all of Gans' skill. The Baltimore lad showed himself a past master, however, and as far as cleverness went laid all over his burly antagonist. His wonderful blocking was the feature and he stood off all the rushes of the big Philadelphian in a wonderful way. Midway of the fight Gans injured his left hand, which had been hurt in his late bout with Spider Kelly, and thereafter was compelled to rely on his right.

Joe did most of the leading and landing. Early in the fight he had Judge bleeding at the nose, but the big fellow minded this very little. In the 15th round Judge began to show the first signs of weakening, and in the 16th only the gong saved him. In the next two rounds Judge rallied, and in the 19th had Gans guessing.

The finish came in the 20th, when Joe started in to do business. Like a flash he was all over Judge, and in a minute had the big fellow on Queer street. Gans fought like a demon and punished his man terribly. He rapped right after right into Judge's ribs, and all that Martin could do was to clinch and hang on to Joe's neck. Judge was beaten to a standstill, and, although when the gong sounded he was on his feet, he was gone beyond a peradventure. It was one of the most rattling finishes ever seen in Baltimore, and the crowd was wild with excitement. Referee Mantz, as a matter of course, gave the decision to Gans.

The preliminary to the main event was a 12-round meeting between George Kunnicker and "Kid" Lackey. This was a corking curtain-raiser, and was a fit prelude to the star bout. Both boys put up a great fight from start to finish and covered themselves all over with glory. "Kid" Lackey appeared to have a little the better of it in cleverness, while Kunnicker was a shade the stronger. In the sixth Lackey knocked his man down and had him going. He also put a mouse under Kunnicker's eye and started his nose bleeding.

It seemed to many that Lackey on points should have had the decision, or at least the verdict should have been a draw, and the crowd generally was disappointed when Referee Mantz decided Kunnicker the winner.


1899-10-12 The Sun (Baltimore, MD) (page 6)

GANS WON AGAIN
---
Defeated Martin Judge, Who Was At Middle Weight.
---
A HARD AND GAME FIGHT
---
Rally By The Philadelphian Which Nearly Finished Him--Kunnicker Got A Decision Over Lackey.

Before the Eureka Athletic Club, at Germania Maennerchor Hall, last night Joseph Gans got a well-deserved decision over Martin Judge, of Philadelphia, in a 20-round fight. Gans won in a positive way in the last round. He had a big shade the better of the contest all through, and the shrewd manager of Judge, H. Walter Schlichter, knew it. He sent Judge in at the beginning of the nineteenth round to do or die.

The fight had been bordering on a draw, and Schlichter was convinced that his man would have to make a pronounced winning to get a verdict. Judge worked according to orders, and in the nineteenth round he made a big showing and insured a verdict of "draw" had he been able to sustain it. He used himself up in this round, however, and Gans got his measure. In the last--the twentieth--round Gans was all over Judge, and the Philadelphian only lasted through the round by clinching and hugging his opponent.

It was a great fight. According to the original conditions Judge and Gans were to weigh in at 3 P. M. at 135 pounds, give or take 2 pounds. Gans only weighed 143½ pounds with his clothes on, and stripped he only weighed 134 pounds. Judge weighed 148½ pounds stripped. Schlichter, who was backing Judge, forfeited $150 to Al. Herford, who was backing Gans, because of Judge's overweight. Many persons thought Herford was foolish to let Gans fight Judge, who must have weighed 152 pounds by the time he entered the ring. He takes on flesh quickly, Mr. Schlichter being the authority for a statement that Judge gained a pound in Philadelphia during the time he was in a Turkish bath.

The match was a case of a small man with superior science up against a big man with much strength and some science, too. The cleverer of the two won. The work was clean, the men breaking at the command of Referee Mantz, except in the last round, when Judge was too far gone to trust himself to get away and face Gans.

This was the third time Judge and Gans had met in the fistic arena, and each time the decision was given to Gans. A provision was made in the articles governing last night's fight which stipulated that in case of police or other interference Judge was to get the entire fighters' end of the box receipts. He was also to get all if Gans failed to stop him, but this part was changed to the regular division of 75 and 25 per cent., owing to Judge's overweight being an infraction of the agreement. There was no interference. The big weight of Judge kept Gans from being as aggressive as he otherwise would have been. He was up against a middleweight and knew it.

Though Gans outfought his man from a scientific standpoint all through the twenty rounds, Judge was always dangerous until he started in to do or die in the nineteenth round and "died." Here he fought hard and viciously, but Gans was out of reach, and between Judge's work and the clever counters Gans gave him the Quaker City man was virtually at a standstill. He was not knocked out, but he had so little fight left in him that he could not have been patched up to stand another round. Doses of brandy were given to nerve him for the two final rounds.

Gans did not escape unhurt. He received a number of body and face blows during the 20 rounds. His nose was bleeding and his eyes bruised. Judge proved to be a second Smyrna for taking punishment. His nose bled and his face was "done up" pugilistically. He won the admiration of the spectators who crowded the house by his plucky work. He lost because he was simply outclassed in the science.

There were no slow rounds, but there was little choice up to nearly the end of the fight.

After the boxing Mr. Walter Schlichter, sporting editor of the Philadelphia Item, matched an unknown to wrestle William C. Hart, of Baltimore. The match is to be for $250 a side, and is for two falls in three--first Greco-Roman, second catch-as-catch-can, and the winner of a previous fall in the least time is to decide the style of a third fall, if one is necessary. The men are limited to 158 pounds weight at 3 P. M. the day of the match. The wrestling is to be done on a night named between now and Saturday week. It will probably be decided October 21. The Philadelphia unknown is said to be much smaller in weight than Hart, who has proved himself a good local man.

The first preliminary boxing bout last night was between George Kunnicker and "Kid" Lackey, both of Baltimore. Lackey had the advantage of about four pounds in weight. They fought in hurricane style. In the sixth round, when he seemed to be nearly gone, Lackey crossed his right and put Kunnicker down. Kunnicker got up and went to a clinch. They fought hard to the twelfth round, and referee Mantz gave Kunnicker the decision.

1900-09-11 Mysterious Billy Smith W-PTS18 Young Peter Jackson [Business Men’s Gymnasium, Cleveland, OH, USA]

1900-09-10 Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (page 3)

PUGILISM.
--------
Interest at Fever Heat.

The big glove contest scheduled for tomorrow night at the Business Men's gymnasium between young Peter Jackson and mysterious Billy Smith will certainly be a great affair. Both contestants are in the very best possible condition and this will certainly mean a good contest.

The men are now on edge and waiting for the gong to sound. They will simply do enough work now to keep in condition. The weighing in process will be gone through with tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Both men are well under the weight limit, which is 145 pounds. If either man weighs more than the weight stipulated in the articles he will forfeit $100 to the man at weight.

The advance sale of seats goes far ahead of any previous contest ever given by the club and the crowd will surely be a record breaking one.


1900-09-10 The Cleveland Leader (Cleveland, OH) (page 8)

PUGILISM.

------

ALL IN READINESS.

All arrangements have been completed for the 20-round contest to-morrow evening before the Business Men's Gymnasium Club between "Young" Peter Jackson and "Mysterious Billy" Smith. Both men have taken their final hard work before the contest. Yesterday they devoted their time to light road work to keep down their weights. The advance guard of out-of-town sporting people who will attend the contest arrived last evening, and more are expected to-day. All arrangements have been made to handle a large crowd. The main bout will begin promptly at 9 o'clock.


1900-09-11 Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (page 6)

BOTH MEN ARE CONFIDENT.

--------

Statements From Smith and Jackson on the Eve of Battle.

--------

A Championship is at Stake.

--------

While Cleveland has never been much behind the other cities in this part of the country in any line of sport, a championship contest in the roped arena has never been decided here, and had the old-time rules which governed pugilistic affairs prevailed, the chances are that no such event would be forthcoming for some time to come. Under the rulings that put science at par and discount brutality, however, a championship contest was arranged, and the followers of boxing have been waiting for this, the eventful day, for a long time past.

Young Peter Jackson and Mysterious Billy Smith will meet at the Business Men's gymnasium, on Bank street, tonight, and the winner will have a good claim on the welterweight championship. The records of the men which have been published have set all the "dope" experts to figuring, but as the men have fought in widely different circles there is little to be gained from figuring out their records.

Jackson has beaten nearly everybody in his class in the west, and no one need be told what Mr. "M. B." Smith has done in the east. The men will come together tonight as strangers and there is every reason to believe that they will be extremely close acquaintances before they leave the ring.

Each contestant picks himself to win in tonight's contest in the following personal letters to the sporting editor of the Plain Dealer:

"I will show Jackson that I am his master tonight. I know he's a tough fellow, but then I've always had hard ones to beat and I have no doubt but that I will beat "Bishop's Black Demon." I am in better shape now than ever before and if I don't win it will not be because I am not in condition. I am very confident of victory. I want Tommy Ryan after I win from Jackson. Mysterious Billy Smith."

Jackson writes:
"I know Smith to be an exceptionally good man, but still I have no doubt as to the outcome. I am just as confident as ever. I never like to say I can beat anyone until I have done so. I prefer to do all my blowing after the contest is over. I will surely do my best and you can rest assured that I will bring home the laurels. My condition is all that could be wished for. I am in perfect fix.

  "Young Peter Jackson."

The doors will be open at 7 o'clock and the entertainment will begin promptly at 8:30 with a four-round bout between Denny Gallagher and George Siddons.

Smith and Jackson will enter the ring precisely at 9 p. m. Smith will be seconded by Prof. Jimmy Kelly, Mike Barry and Joe Maxfield. Jackson will be looked after by "Biddy" Bishop, Ed Chartrand and Grant Nickens.

The public is warned by the club against purchasing tickets from scalpers. Those desiring to buy tickets can do so today and tonight at the club and at the usual sporting resorts about town. In this way purchasers can have no fear of buying counterfeit tickets.

The preliminary bout will begin at 8:30 and the main event will be on shortly after 9 o'clock.


1900-09-11 The Cleveland Leader (Cleveland, OH) (page 6)

PUGILISM.

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WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.

After a great deal of discussion "Young Peter" Jackson and "Mysterious Billy" Smith will meet in a twenty-five round contest for the welterweight championship this evening before the Business Men's Gymnasium Club on Bank street. "Rube" Ferns was originally engaged to meet Jackson, but he backed out of the agreement after articles had been signed and the forfeits posted, and hence Smith was engaged to take his place. The latter is a more formidable opponent for the colored man, as he has had more ring experience and has also defeated some of the best men of the day, including Joe Walcott. That this bout is attracting the whole pugilistic world is shown by the large number of out-of-town sporting men who are arriving to witness the contest. It is expected that fully 300 of them will be here.

With the coming of the sporting men, the betting on the result of the contest has greatly increased. The result is that several big wagers were made yesterday afternoon, in which Smith was the favorite at 10 to 9. The Jackson people are backing their man at these odds. There is still plenty of money in sight, and it is quite likely that when both men enter the ring to-night the betting will be even. Jackson takes a wonderful amount of punishment, even to get in a blow, and his backers are pinning their money on his strength and staying qualities.

The main go will start promptly at 9 o'clock, with Lavigne as referee. The men are now down to the required weight and there will be no trouble on this score. The doors will open at 7 o'clock. A large number of extra seats have been placed in the building. The curtain raiser, which will be a four-round bout between Denny Gallagher and George Siddons, will be called at 8:30 o'clock. Following are the views of the principals for this contest:

"Mysterious" Smith--I am going to do my best to win. I am in good condition, in fact I never felt better in my life and if I lose I will have no excuses to make. I know Jackson is a good man and I know he is a hard fellow to beat. If I don't win it will be because he is a better man. After this contest I will challenge Tommy Ryan.

"Young Peter" Jackson--Smith is, I think, the best man I have ever gone against. I am confident I will win. I can't say just how I'll fight him until I get into the ring, but I will surely give my supporters a good run for their money, and Wednesday will see me the champion. I am in good condition and have trained hard and faithfully. I think every one will be pleased with the contest.

Professor James Kelly--I have trained Smith myself and his condition is all that could be desired. I think it will be the greatest glove contest ever seen in this city.

"Biddy" Bishop--You can rest assured that Peter will win. I have been with him each day that he has trained and have worked with him, and he is in perfect condition.


1900-09-12 Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (page 6)

TOO FIERCE A BATTLE.

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The Smith-Jackson Bout Stopped by the Police.

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Eighteen Hard Fought Rounds.

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Wonderful Gameness Shown by the Western Colored Boxer.

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Mysterious Billy Smith and Young Peter Jackson boxed eighteen hard rounds before a big audience at the Business Men's club last night, and because the bout began to look a little rough toward the end, the police representatives requested that it be stopped.

Early in the match Smith discovered an old sore spot on Jackson's left ear and he went after it. The result was that while the colored man was not in the least distressed there was too much blood flowing to please either the spectators or the contestants.

Jackson put up one of the gamest battles that has ever been seen here, and when he was finally stopped he insisted that he was not hurt in the least and begged to be allowed to continue. The examination that followed after the western boxer was taken to his dressing room showed that his injury looked far worse than it really was, but there seemed to be plenty of cause for stopping the bout, and it was for the best interests of the boxing game that it was not allowed to go farther.

Jackson protested vigorously when he was sent to his corner and justly claimed that he was as strong as his opponent. At the time the bout was terminated Smith had the best of it on points, but Jackson was proving that he is well entitled to all the confidence that was placed in him.

Smith started out in the lead for the first three rounds, but while he landed often his blows did not hurt. In the fourth round the colored man held the mysterious Billy even and then came so fast that he had the better of the next two. The seventh it was even again, but the next was all Jackson's. After this he did not show so well, and while several of the remaining rounds were even Smith did the better work on the whole.

There was a long delay on account of selecting a referee. Both parties had agreed upon Billy Lavigne, but at the last minute Smith's managers put in an absurd objection, based upon the statement that Lavigne and Biddy Bishop, Jackson's manager, are personal friends. Mat Hinkel, the president of the Newburg Driving club, and manager of the Rockport Athletic club, was finally selected.

Denny Gallagher, the same old-timer who has been seen here in all sorts of contests for the last few years, and Kid Phillips of Saginaw went on for a curtain raiser. The bout was of two-minute rounds, with gloves that looked like pillows. No decision was to be rendered. Even under all these restrictions the boxing was fast enough to keep the audience interested all the time, and had the gloves been regulation size and the rounds the prescribed length there would have been a fierce battle on. As it was, it was impossible for the men to harm each other, and the only danger was from loss of wind. At the same time, the match was one of the most amusing that has ever been seen in the club's preliminaries.

Mysterious Billy Smith and young Peter Jackson were not long in appearing, but the audience, impatient for the main event, kept up an almost continuous uproar. The men weighed in without difficulty at 145 pounds at 3 o'clock. Neither one was up to that weight.

Smith was first to enter the ring, and behind him were Prof. Jim Kelly, Mike Barry of Chicago and Joe Maxfield and Bob Bell of this city. Smith wore bandages on his hands and unusually high trunks. Jackson came in a little later. He was attired in a loud bathrobe and wore no bandages. Behind him were Biddy Bishop, Grant Nickens and Ed Chartrand. There was quite an argument over a referee, Manager Lavigne having declined to act. "Spike" Sullivan, the famous lightweight and Tom Couhig of Buffalo were introduced to the audience, and there were cries for both to referee. There were also cries for Mat Hinkel, Tom Jenkins and others. Everybody yelled for his favorite, and it was worse than a political convention. It was impossible to agree upon a man for a long time, but it was finally agreed to have Mat Hinkel act in the ring, with two judges on the outside, who were empowered to overrule the decision of the referee. Spike Sullivan and the sporting editor of the Plain Dealer were agreed upon as judges.

It was after 10:30 when the men were called together. At this time odds were offered at 3 to 1 on Smith. Jackson put on light bandages just before the bout started. Tom Jenkins was the official timekeeper.

Round 1--Jackson made the first lead lightly; Smith came back with left and right on body. Smith put left on head. Jackson landed straight left on body and face, but they were light. In two close mix-ups Smith had the better of easy infighting. Smith hammered Jackson on the kidneys repeatedly with his right after blocking his leads.

Round 2--Smith rushed from his corner and landed left and right on the head. He kept on rushing and was cautioned for hitting in a clinch. He had Jackson worried and the black boy kept hanging on. He came back fast, however, and put in several good lefts on the body. The wind up was fast.

Round 3--Smith landed repeated rights on Jackson's kidneys, Jackson fighting low. Jackson landed left in face. Smith landed left and right on face and kept up his kidney blows. Jackson hung on and was slightly worried. Smith met Jackson's punches with straight lefts on the neck. The round was decidedly Smith's, Jackson fighting low and giving opportunities for hammering on the kidneys. He hugged often.

Round 4--Smith opened with straight left and right to head. A left to jaw was Jackson's first really hard punch. Smith landed straight left twice to face, then missed several vicious body blows. Jackson landed lightly on face and body, but they didn't count. The round was the most even so far.

Round 5--Jackson got in a hard left to body but most of the blows were light, the colored boy doing the rushing. Jackson landed right on head and Smith in a clinch put right to body. In clinches Smith used right on face and body, Jackson leading for face with left. They mixed it up in the middle of the ring on an exchange of face blows. As the bell rang Jackson led left for face, Smith coming back with right. The round was fast and Jackson showed up well.

Round 6--Jackson used his left effectively on face. Smith landed a hard left on neck and put both hands to the wind. Smith began to show the effect of the face blows. In the clinches Jackson held his own. Smith's uppercuts with right were blocked. The white boy was rushed to the ropes. They were mixing it in the middle of the ring and Jackson, by his showing, began to make a few friends among the spectators, even money being offered.

Round 7--Jackson put back Smith's head with a straight right. They mixed it and in clinches Smith got in a couple of good body blows. Jackson's lefts and rights to face began to tell and Smith clinched often, getting in body blows, which were growing visibly weaker. Smith missed a couple of swings, but the round ended soon.

Round 8--Both were cautious, but when they mixed both swings right and left to face. Smith sent straight left to wind, pushing Jackson to the ropes. Jackson landed a terrific left on chin and repeated. Smith clinched and got in right on body. Smith landed right on the neck as the bell rang. It was Jackson's round.

Ninth--Jackson opened with the same left to jaw, Smith landing kidney blows in the repeated clinches. Smith rushed Jackson to the rope with rights and left to face. The white man began to lead right to face, Smith blocking. The round was even.

Tenth--Smith after opening with a straight left to the wind landed once or twice on face. Jackson blocked Smith's uppercuts and then ducked his face into a left. Jackson countered hard with left reaching face on Smith's rushes. The round was even.

Eleventh--Jackson reached Smith's bad left eye. Smith rushed the black boy, uppercutting right and left. They fought into clinches, both landing hard. Jackson slipped down and was hit, but it was unintentional. Smith hooked right to jaw at the close of the round. It was Smith's.

Twelfth--Billy rushed Peter to the ropes. They began to rough it. Jackson began to bleed on the left ear which Smith kept pounding. They landed rights and lefts on head, Jackson slipping down. Peter put back Billy's face with a left and both were fighting hard and furious at the end of the round, which was Smith's by a shade.

Thirteenth--Smith put left to Jackson's ear, but matters were evened by Peter's straight ones to face. Smith landed a couple of hard body blows, but devoted most of his attention to Jackson's ear. The round was even.

Round 14--The early part was tame. Smith's right to ear hurt. In a clinch the white boy uppercut with right. Smith sent a hard left to stomach and Jackson seemed very tired. On exchange Smith had slightly the better. It was slightly Smith's round.

Round 15--Smith opened the round by rushing Jackson all over the ring. Smith got a hard right to wind and met Jackson's rushes with blows to face, which were closing the black boy's left eye. The round wound up with Smith sending a left to face which made Jackson rather dizzy. It was Smith's best round so far.

Round 16--Smith's right swings to head made Jackson very weak and closed his left eye, but the colored boy was game and took his beating, getting in several light blows himself. Again Smith's round.

Round 17--Smith got in all of the earlier blows, landing on face and stomach. Jackson swung left to face, but Smith continued to play on Jackson's ear. It was all Smith's.

Round 18--Smith uppercut. Smith kept putting left and right on face and neck and right on the sore ear. Jackson only kept smiling and kept coming back whenever he found an opening.

While the men were in their corners the police objected to further bloodshed and the battle was stopped. It had gone long enough and fast enough to suit the most ardent admirers of the boxing game and while Jackson lost the decision, he won many friends.


1900-09-12 The Cleveland Leader (Cleveland, OH) (page 6)

FIGHT WAS STOPPED.

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Smith Had Best of It When Police Interfered.

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END OF EIGHTEENTH ROUND.

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JACKSON TOOK A WONDERFUL AMOUNT OF PUNISHMENT.

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COULDN'T LAND DECISIVE BLOW

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ALTHOUGH "MYSTERIOUS BILLY" LANDED ON FACE AT WILL.

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The Finest Boxing Bout Witnessed Here for Years.

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After eighteen of the fastest and fiercest rounds ever witnessed in this city, "Mysterious Billy" Smith was given the decision over "Young Peter" Jackson before the Business Men's Gymnasium last evening. The contest was originally scheduled to go twenty-five rounds to a decision, and had not the police interfered it is quite likely that it would have gone to the limit, for, although Smith had the best of the contest with the exception of three rounds, he was unable to finish the colored man, who seemed to be a glutton for punishment and was ready for more. When the contest was stopped his left ear was in bad shape, it being partly torn off, and his left eye was closed, but he was still game.

Some of the blows that Smith landed on him would have put any ordinary man out of the business, but they did not seem to bother the colored man in the least. While the crowd seemed to think that Jackson was having the worst of it, the colored man did not think so, and was always ready with his trusty left hand when he had a chance to use it. If Jackson had Smith's experience and knew something about ring generalship he would be one of the best fighters in the business to-day. He can take punishment, but he cannot defend himself, and is very awkward on his feet, as well as in the use of his hands. He has only one good puncher and that is his left, and he had only a few chances to use it, but it showed every time. Smith had him guessing all the time, and clearly earned the decision. In only three rounds did Jackson seem to have any the best of it, the fifth, sixth, and eighth rounds. When the contest started, it looked as though it would be a walkaway for Smith, for he landed at will, while Jackson seemed to be in distress. But in Jackson the public were fooled, for he was ready for the call of the bell when the police stopped the contest. He was game to the core, and the crowd, after the tenth round, appreciated his gameness and cheered him on until the contest was stopped.

It was a cosmopolitan crowd that witnessed the contest; in fact, it was the largest crowd that has attended a boxing show here since the Lavigne-Daly contest several years ago.

There was a long delay between the curtain raiser and the main bout, and the crowd was impatient. "Mysterious Billy" Smith and "Young Peter" Jackson were the principals for the main bout, which was scheduled to go twenty-five rounds to a decision. They were matched to weigh under 145 pounds, and both tipped the scales under that weight. It was just 9:30 o'clock when Smith entered the ring. He was looked after by Professor "Jimmy" Kelly, "Mike" Barry, "Joe" Maxfield, and "Bob" Bell. He looked to be in excellent condition, although he had a big plaster on his kidneys. Jackson showed up a few minutes later, wrapped up in a bathrobe. He was looked after by "Biddy" Bishop, "Ed" Chartrand, and Grant Nickens. There was another delay when the men entered the ring over the refereeship. While the argument was on Spike Sullivan and Tom Couhig, the fast lightweights were introduced, and it was announced that they would appear before the club in the near future. The betting was $100 to $80 on Smith, and several wagers were made at these figures. There were calls for "Spike" Sullivan, Matt Hinkle, and Tom Jenkins. Finally the crowd became so demonstrative that Manager Lavigne announced that he "would give the men five minutes to decide between themselves, and if in that time they could not agree the club would appoint the referee. When the five minutes were up Lavigne appointed Matt Hinkle to referee. Jackson objected and the club called "Spike" Sullivan. After a long argument Jackson agreed to Douglass White, but the latter refused to serve. After a wait of forty-five minutes it was finally decided to accept Matt Hinkle and a proposition of two judges on the outside, who were to make the final decision. To the two judges Smith at first would not agree, but finally consented.

At once Jackson made arrangements to begin proceedings, thus causing another delay until he put on his bandages. When Jackson stripped he looked in excellent condition and wore a green ribbon around his waist. Smith appeared to have the better of it in height and reach, and it was plainly seen that both were trained to the hour. At 10:30 o'clock both men shook hands.

First round--Jackson led lightly on wind, Smith countering with right and left on body. Smith put his right on the face. In a rush Smith put his left on face. Jackson dodged cleverly from a right swing and got away neatly from an uppercut. Smith kept playing repeatedly with his right on the kidneys. In a fast mix-up Jackson put his left hard on the face and Smith countered with two hard rights over the kidneys. Honors were even.

Second round--Smith rushed as the bell rang and put his left squarely on the eye. Smith kept rushing and caught Jackson with a left swing on the jaw, which dazed the colored man. He appeared weak and kept hanging on Smith with every lead, while the "Mysterious" played continually for the wind. Jackson was unable to lead a square blow and repeatedly clinched to save himself. It was all Smith's round.

Third round--Smith at once played for the kidneys, Jackson taking a crouching position. Smith put his right and left on the jaw without a return, Jackson being unable to land. In a mixup, Smith landed right and left on the head and face, Jackson being very tired. Near the end of the round, Smith started to take things easy, looking for an opening.

Fourth round--Smith started to end matters and rushed with right and left to the face. Jackson feinted with his left, Smith coming back strongly with a hard right swing. Twice in succession Smith landed his left on the face. He tried to rush but Jackson dodged cleverly. In close quarters Smith put his right on the jaw. Twice Smith landed his right over the kidneys, but the blows did not appear to affect Jackson, who went back to his corner strong when the bell rang.

Fifth round--Jackson started to mix up matters at the start, and put his left on the head and kidneys and in close quarters Jackson put his right and left on Smith's face. In a rush Jackson slipped to his knees. Twice Smith tried his right on the jaw but fell short. Jackson in another mixup placed his right on Smith's jaw. Near the end of the round the fighting was fast and furious, both giving and taking a great deal of punishment. Jackson appeared to be tired when he went to his corner. Jackson had slightly the better of it.

Sixth round--Smith was cautious when they came up this time, but he caught Jackson with a left swing on the jaw. In a mixup Jackson put his right on the jaw, without a return. Jackson was just warming up and he put his right and left on the jaw, forcing Smith to the ropes. A left jab on the nose brought the claret from Smith's nose. It was all Jackson's round.

Seventh round--Jackson blocked cleverly left jab for wind. Both were fighting viciously, Smith leading, putting his right and left on face, Jackson countering with a right swing on the jaw. Smith dodged cleverly from two vicious swings. He was on the offensive and twice put his left on the face. This was the tamest round of the contest thus far.

Eighth round--Smith rushed and put his right and left on the head and wind. In another rush Jackson was nearly pushed through the ropes. Jackson changed things a second later when he landed his right twice on the jaw without a return. Jackson poked his left on the wind. Smith worked hard to land a decisive blow, but Jackson was always on his guard. This was Jackson's round.

Ninth round--Smith jabbed his left on the wind just as they came to the center of the ring. In a hot mixup Smith had the better of it, putting his right over the kidneys. In another mixup he rained right and left blows on the face and jaw without a return, Jackson seeming to take the punishment without a murmur. This was Smith's round.

Tenth round--Smith tried to follow up his advantage and put right and left on the face and wind without a return. Jackson did not seem to be able to use his right. Three times Smith crossed his right over on the jaw, Jackson never offering to return. Two strong left jabs on the face knocked Jackson's head back, but he was always ready for more, while Smith was tiring himself out in the attempt. This was Smith's round.

Eleventh round--Jackson allowed Smith to do all the leading, and the latter was doing all the work, landing right and left on head and face. Getting Jackson near the ropes he put right and left squarely on the jaw, which would have put any man out, but Jackson was ready for more. Smith followed up his advantage. Jackson landed his left on the jaw, and just as Jackson was slipping to the floor, Smith put a right on the kidneys.

Twelfth round--Smith put his left in the wind as a starter. He started to wind up matters, but Jackson took his punishment gamely, and landed his left squarely on Smith's jaw. This was a very hard round, and both men were tired when the bell rang.

Thirteenth round--After sparring for wind for a moment, Smith put his right over the kidneys. Jackson countered with a left on the face. Smith kept playing for the bad left ear, but Jackson was cautious, and put his left on the jaw. A right poke on the wind made Jackson wince for the first time during the contest. Honors were even.

Fourteenth round--Smith slowly forced Jackson to the ropes, and then put his right on the jaw. Jackson ran into a left jab on the jaw, Smith countering with right on the head. Smith started to rush, and put right and left on head and wind, without a return. Smith seemed to be tiring, and his blows lacked steam.

Fifteenth round--Smith rushed Jackson to the ropes, and put right and left on the head and face. Jackson dodged cleverly from a vicious right uppercut, but Smith changed tactics for the kidneys and bad ear. Smith put his right over the heart with his whole force, but Jackson came back for more. In a mix up, Jackson put his left on the jaw. Just as the bell rang, Smith put his right squarely on Jackson's head. This was one of the fastest rounds of the fight.

Sixteenth round--Smith kept putting his right and left all over Jackson without a return, any one of the blows being strong enough to put an ordinary man out. In close quarters Smith, with a vicious right hand uppercut, landed on the jaw, but it seemed not to bother the colored man, he being a glutton for punishment.

Seventeenth round--It was the same old story, Smith starting to do the rushing, putting his left and right on the head and wind. Jackson rushed into a left hand jab on the jaw, but it did no damage. Three times did Smith land his right over the bad ear, but Jackson was game to the core.

Eighteenth round--Smith kept playing all over Jackson's injured ear and bad eye, while the colored man did not seem to be able to defend himself. He was strong when the bell rang, but the police ordered the contest stopped.

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"Denny" Gallagher and "Kid" Phillips, announced from Saginaw, Mich., gave a four-round setto with twelve ounce gloves as a curtain raiser. No decision was to be given. The contest created plenty of amusement, as Gallagher had all of the science, while Phillips did not have the first rudiments of ring generalship. He kept the crowd in an uproar by rushing Gallagher, and made it interesting. Each round would usually start off with "love taps," but when they got warmed up, it became all the more interesting.

Frank Menke on Gene Tunney

1921-12-31 Illinois State Register (Springfield, IL) (page 8)

Gene Tunney, Woman-Hater Avoids Bright Lights and Thinks Only of Fighting
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By FRANK G. MENKE.

(Copyright, 1921, by King Features Syndicate, Inc.)

Gene Tunney is a ring gladiator unique in the annals of the sport.

He's never had a "sweetie" in all of his 23 years; he never smokes, or drinks any of the stuff that might offend Volstead's sense of propriety; he never tells, nor will he listen to risqué stories; he jaunts into New York or the other big towns only when forced to do so by his warring schedule; he never deviates from a rigid diet, spends all his odd hours on a farm--and never, except on fight nights, is he up later than 9:30.

Tunney is a clean-cut, manly looking, handsome youngster, a trifle beyond 6 feet in height and bulking around 175--a true matinée idol type. Women admire him--but most of them from a distance. For the sex which is quite a bit deadlier than the male, has certain terrors for the youngster who is being pointed for Jack Dempsey's crown.

He avoids women whenever he can. But sometimes he is forced into contact with them. Whenever that happens, he checks the impulse to race along to some sylvan dell and hide away; because his rule book an etiquette tells him it isn't being done in these days of gallantry and such.

But Tunney knows no comfortable moments in the presence of womankind--even its most beautiful delegates. He fumbles his hat, shifts his feet, twirls his fingers nervously, remarks, "yes, mam" and "no, mam" and beads of perspiration break out on his forehead and his eyes search for the nearest exit. Tunney is one of those boys who never has grown up, as regards his school day panic in the presence of woman, oh, beautiful woman.

The Greenwich Village section of New York produced Tunney. His father was a foreman of some sort along the wharves of the mighty city. Gene used to spend parts of his Saturdays paling around with his head. His early love for athletics settled finally upon boxing. He had natural ability which was brought out in a kid gymnasium and developed when Gene wandered along toward his late teens by mixing it with some of the youngsters who made up part of his father's working crew.

Along in 1917 a fistic enthusiast in the village tipped off Frank ("Doc") Bagley, the demon impresario of Jersey, that there was quite a fighter running loose in the district of New York which is fabled in song and story. Bagley hunted up Tunney to see if what he had heard about him was true.

"And it was," relates Bagley, "Gene was only a welter at the time but it didn't take me long to decide that he would make good as a professional. So I grabbed him, ended his amateur days and sent him out after some pros. He bumped a goodly number of boys into sleep--and then along came the war which called Gene into service as one of the Marines.

"When the war ended and Gene came back as a light heavyweight, he resumed where he had left off--only with renewed vigor. He knocked out a dozen men in a row. His entire career, embracing about 34 fights, includes 30 knockouts. The four men who travelled the scheduled distance with him were mighty messy looking creatures at the finish.

"Tunney has everything that a champion needs--except tough hands. Therein is--or I might say was--his greatest handicap. When I first got hold of Gene his hands were white and soft and the bones were small. Despite that he kept knocking men out in a hurry. But in time the hands became a handicap. They weren't stout enough to stand up all the time under the impact which came about when his mighty shoulders propelled them against the bony jaw of an opponent. As a result Gene had to cancel a lot of matches and in some of his fights to protect his hands, he had to let men travel four, five and six rounds, who would have been hammered to sleep in a round if the hands had been all right.

"But it's different now. For several months I had Gene doing little else than woodchopping--the greatest form of exercise in the world for toughening the hands. Since then he's been spending hours a day on a farm in New Jersey building up the bones, structure and the muscles of his hands. They have developed wonderfully under this treatment and I feel that from now on Tunney isn't going to have any great trouble with his hands.

"Tunney is ready to mix it with any light heavyweight in the world. That goes for Tom Gibbons, Georges Carpentier, Harry Greb, Billy Shade, Martin Burke, Battling Levinsky or any other of the dozen conspicuous 175 pounders. If Gene had his way about it he'd fight every night in the week. If I had my way, I'd work him about twice a month.

"But the sad thing is that none of the light heavies seem anxious for any of his stuff. Gibbons looks the other way when a match is proposed; Greb figures he hasn't time to bother. I can't get a promoter interested just now in either a Shade or Burke match. So Gene must continue sitting a bit pretty just now and do some waiting--waiting for the day when he'll get heavy enough and experienced enough to coax Dempsey into the ring with him--and bump the champion cuckoo."