Britton Defeats Lewis in Bout at the Triple A
----------
TITLE REMAINS WITH BRITTON
--------
Chicago Boxer Wins From Ted ("Kid") Lewis in 12 Rounds at Armory A. A.
----------
TITLE REMAINS WITH BRITTON
--------
Chicago Boxer Wins From Ted ("Kid") Lewis in 12 Rounds at Armory A. A.
--------
By Jack Malaney
The greatest of them all--which is saying a whole lot--was the third Britton-Lewis contest battled at the Arena last night and which ended in Britton's favor. Champion Jack Britton it is still, as at the end of 12 fast, furious and interesting rounds in the Armory A. A. feature bout, Referee Larry Conley had little else to do but declare him the winner over his English rival for the honors of the class.
What little doubt there was that this pair would not be able to present their usual stiff argument because of many previous meetings, was cast adrift shortly after they got working in session one. Just as in their other two battles here, the warm milling started right off the reel and it didn't let down not one whit until the final bell called off hostilities. If anything, the bout was an even harder one, 12 rounds considered, than either of the preceding ones.
Neither Were Welters
Benny Osthues announced that the contest was for the welterweight championship du monde. He was stretching a point on that, however. Neither man as he entered the ring last night was a welterweight. There was no getting on the scales, so it is not possible to state what they did weigh. And Lewis with his freaky build makes it pretty difficult to estimate his weight, but he surely weighed more than 150 pounds. Britton was also near that poundage, but also about five pounds lighter than the other.
Their weight did not serve at all to retard the speed of the mill. Britton has got so that he carries a roll of fat around his waist, but it is the sort of fat that a boxer who has seen ten years of service always accumulates and cannot get rid of. But he wasn't slow nor did he ever show any signs of being in distress through the pace or blows.
Lewis Seemed Stronger
Never before was Lewis seen so big; but he seemed to be even stronger with the extra weight and not in the least affected by it.
It was a matter of class and, as always, class won out. Britton fought as fine a contest as he perhaps ever has in his whole career. He was not in a hurry, he wasn't confused by several misses at the start, he failed to let Lewis intimidate him with his speed in the first few rounds. He was the master. Apparently confident of this fact did he appear and simply bided his time.
A more determined athlete than this very same Britton has seldom ever performed before a big gathering. He was out to win for Jack Britton, so he went at his work with renewed vigor every little once in a while, as the setting of his teeth and tense expression on his face showed to the close ringsiders.
A before-the-battle incident to show the sincerity concerned was a demand made by Britton on Monday. He insisted that the ring be torn apart and repadded, that new electric lamps be put in the lighting fixtures over the ring, and so strong was his demands that they were acceded to.
Start Right Away
Very shortly after the opening bell rang the men started to tear at each other. It didn't take very long to see that both men were extremely anxious to win by a kayo. Each of them swung blows which were intended for that purpose with Lewis starting more than Jack. Being anxious and yet cold was greatly the reason why neither one succeeded in that first round.
In the first three rounds Lewis kept quite a bit ahead of his old rival. Had he been able to keep up the style he used in these rounds all during the mill Britton would have been given a fine lacing. The clever Jack changed matters mainly because he knew what was wrong.
As always, Lewis was very eager and willing to do all the leading at the start. And because he did he got as far ahead as he did. When he led he usually beat Britton to the punch. He also was afterward able to follow up his lead in a gaining manner. In the fourth Britton decided to do some leading himself, and from that point on did he begin to win.
Nearly a Foul
The bout came near to ending in the fifth on a low punch. At any time during a contest is Lewis liable to be fouled because of his jumping tactics. In this round, Britton began an attack on the body of his opponent. He was following up after a hot session near the ropes when Lewis leaped and a punch did land on the top of his protecting cup. Lewis made no objection until he heard the men in his corner protesting and then he, too, spoke up. The claim was not allowed when Lewis declared he was not hurt, and it was well that it wasn't, for he plainly showed in the next few seconds that he could not have been fouled.
Shortly before the bell announced the ending of the sixth, Lewis shook his head as if in attempting to shake away cobwebs. No punch was seen that would have dazed him, yet even when the bell did ring, he gave further evidence that he had been shaken up, for he was confused as to where he belonged. Not very long after the seventh got under way, Lewis was toppled over. A little short left hook which landed when he was off balance knocked him flat on his back. He was so surprised that he didn't realize his position for a second and then he started to get up. In fact, Britton himself didn't think that he had knocked him down, for he reached over to help him up.
Keeps on Gaining.
Britton's lead kept increasing all the time and right up to the 10th. Acting under wild and loudly shouted orders from his corner, Ted began to do some leading in that inning, and with great success. A straight left shot at Britton's face time and again, and with each bit of success Lewis got more confident and kept up his leading. Britton would not let him get the jump in the 11th, and therefore again got back into honor.
The final round was even harder and of stiffer punching perhaps than any other. Lewis knew he was behind, and his one hope was either a knockdown or knockout. A couple of times he did slam good and proper at Britton's head, but there was no stuff behind the wallop. The landing did no damage, at any rate.
Crowd Rooted Hard
Another big gathering such as was presented at each of the other two battles between this pair saw this third contest and enthused and admired throughout. Plenty of rooting all the way through kept the excitement at high pitch in every round.
To help matters out, the prelims were also full of pep. Tony Vatlin gave Johnny Emery a pasting in the eight-round semi-final partly, perhaps, because Emery injured his right hand so he claimed half way through the mill, but also because Tony was better than his opponent. But it was a tough and interesting contest and one worth repeating.
A surprise was given in the second prelim when Johnny Stanton beat his very formidable little Cambridge rival, Paddy Owens. Johnny Murray got a short win in the opener because his opponent decided that he had had enough for the night.
Another famous return match is the feature attraction for next week's show, Jack Dillon will meet Bat Levinsky.
1916-10-18 The Boston Daily Globe (Boston, MA) (page 7)
BRITTON TAKES LEWIS' MEASURE
--------
Earns Award in 12-Round Bout at Armory A. A.
--------
Englishman Floored in Seventh With Left Hook to Jaw
--------
Jack Britton of New York, welterweight champion, won the decision over Ted Lewis of England in their 12-round bout at the Armory A. A. last night, before the largest crowd of fans of the season.It was one of the best bouts in this city for a long time, and the decision of referee Larry Conly was approved even by Lewis' manager. There was good hitting with both hands and clever footwork throughout.
Lewis is no longer welterweight, as he has taken on weight. Britton was also above the limit, but was in good shape. The men boxed at catchweights.
The way that Lewis started off the fans thought he was going to take Britton's measure quickly. He staggered him a couple of times with left hooks to the jaw in the opening round and jabbed the champion often.
Lewis continued to land to Britton's face in the next round, but Britton was gradually solving the Englishman's style and sent back some good counters.
Britton started forcing matters in the third round and kept after his man in the fourth, sending stiff right and left punches to the face and body. Lewis began to tire, but he landed some good jabs.
The fifth session was all Britton's, who also outscored Lewis in the sixth round.
In the seventh, it looked as if Britton was going to put Lewis away. The pair were boxing at close range when Britton sent a short left hook to Lewis' jaw and the latter went to the mat. He was up in a few seconds and blocked punches that Britton shot at him. One left to the body had considerable effect on the Englishman.
Up to the last round Britton continually pecked Lewis in the face with his left and landed many rights and lefts also on the body. Lewis also did some good jabbing and countering with both hands.
At the end of the 10th round Britton acted a bit tired, but Lewis was not much better. The champion came up for the 11th session in better shape than Lewis and did effective work.
In the 12th Lewis began sending his right to Britton's jaw. Britton managed to get in some more body blows, but the honors in the final session belonged to the Englishman.
The referee had to warn Britton a few times about hitting low. Not once after the first few rounds did Lewis look to have a chance.
The semifinal was another surprise. Tony Vatlin met Johnny Emery and the fans expected to see Emery win in quick time, but Vatlin fought a clever bout and won from the start. In the fifth round Emery's right hand was injured, which handicapped him some. Vatlin would have been the winner, however.
In the prelim between Pat Owens of Cambridge and Joe Stanton of the same city, there was another upset. Some weeks ago Owens defeated Stanton, but last night Stanton did the better boxing and was given the award at the end of six rounds.
In the other preliminary Bat Downey of Roxbury made Young Amos quit in three rounds.
Jack Dillon and Battling Levinsky will box in the feature bout at the club next Tuesday night.
1916-10-18 The Boston Herald (Boston, MA) (page 7)
BRITTON BESTS LEWIS IN 12 ROUND BOUT
--------
Champion Welterweight, However, Has Only Scant Margin Over the Rugged Englishman--Every Round of the Contest at the Armory A. A. Crowded with Fighting of Heaviest Kind
--------
Jack Britton, the world's welterweight champion boxer, successfully defended his title in a 12-round bout with Ted (Kid) Lewis of England at the Armory A. A. last night. Britton, however, squeezed out the decision by the narrowest margin. Referee Larry Conley of South Boston, officiating in his first world's titular event, awarded the champion the verdict unhesitatingly, after one of the best welterweight bouts witnessed in a local ring in many a day.There was action in every round, both boxers displaying better form than they ever showed before in a Boston ring. In particular was it true of Britton. The latter fought like the champion that he is, and removed whatever idea existed that he was not a real title holder. Fighting as he did last night, it till take a great man to bring about Britton's downfall. It was the first fight that Lewis has had since his return from South America, and he fought a remarkable contest, considering the fact that he had not boxed in several months.
Both boxers appeared a trifle fleshy, and were easily well above the stipulated welterweight limit. However, they were in good condition, and it was well for both that they were, otherwise a knockout would have undoubtedly occurred long before the 12 rounds were over.
Only the remarkable skill and science that Britton possesses saved him from what appeared defeat in the opening round. The bitter feeling that exists between the pair was shown immediately after Billy LeClair sounded the gong that started them on their contest.
Lewis sailed after Britton like a cyclone and before the fans realized what was going on Britton was never so near to a knockout in his career. Lewis rained lefts and rights faster than the eye could follow in the initial frame, and more than half the audience expected to see the contest end momentarily. In his anxiety to score a quick and impressive defeat Lewis swung himself clear off his feet with a right hand blow labelled sure defeat, only to miss and slip down in a neutral corner.
Despite the heavy attack from Lewis, the champion was cool and collected under the rapid fire onslaught and before the round closed had found his bearings.
Lewis took a slight lead in the second round and the third by a light margin. Britton, in the three opening frames, was made the target of Lewis's left hand jabs and right cross counters. The champion shifted his attack frequently, alternating from the head to the body. Lewis made Britton's head his point of attack. Both punches with a vengeance, each putting every ounce of his weight and strength into every blow.
Lewis started out in the fourth round to add to his lead, but before the period was finished the Englishman was second best in the points. Britton apparently had his gauge and delivered several neat blows to the body and head. The blows to the body delivered by Britton were most effective since Lewis plainly displayed signs of distress at every punch the champion landed around the midsection. Several went wide of their mark and a few low enough for Referee Conley to caution Britton. In the fifth round Britton struck decidedly low and the contest was halted for a few seconds before Conley was satisfied that Lewis was able to continue.
As soon as Lewis declared his willingness to keep going the contest waged just as fast and bitter as it did in the previous rounds and continued to the finish when the pair stood toe to toe winding up one of the fastest championship contests seen in a local ring.
Britton found himself well enough in the sixth round to earn a slight lead. A less clever boxer than Ted Lewis would have been stretched on the mat from some of the well aimed blows that Britton sent.
Britton took a commanding lead in the seventh round. His body punching in this frame was the most effective of any round in the contest and Lewis was plainly tired when the round closed. It was in this period that the only clean knockdown in the battle was scored. It was only a slight one, however, as Lewis was partly tripped.
The champion held out his hand to assist Lewis to his feet, realizing that the knockdown was as much accidental as it was from the blow.
In the rounds that Britton earned, his advantage stood out cleaner than that won by Lewis. Both boxed their hardest in the eighth round with neither having much the better of the other.
Britton forged to the front in the ninth round, but the fans were treated to another spurt from Lewis in the 10th. The Englishman gave every appearance of swinging the battle back to his favor again until Britton took a good lead in the next two rounds. The champion's lead, while slight, was just enough to earn him the verdict.
The preliminary bouts were exceptionally good. Tony Vatlan defeated Johnny Emery in eight rounds. Emery was on the point of being knocked out in the fourth, but managed to struggle through the distance handicapped by a broken hand he received in the round that came near proving disastrous for him.
Joe Stanton defeated Pat Owens in one of the hardest six-round preliminary fights seen at the club.
In the opening six-round bout Battling Joe Downey defeated Young Amos in three rounds. The latter was disqualified.
The match for next week will bring together Jack Dillon and Battling Levinsky in a 12-round bout for the light heavyweight championship of the country.
1916-10-18 The Boston Post (Boston, MA) (page 12)
Britton Beats Ted Kid Lewis
--------
BY DOC ALMY
Jack Britton of Chicago, holder of the welter title, successfully defended his honors against Ted Kid Lewis of England last night at the Arena, defeating the challenger the greater part of the way in the 12-round session.
Fully 5000 fans witnessed the battle, which was one of the great ring contests of the year and the best for many months between welters witnessed in Boston.
----
LEWIS GETS JUMP
Britton got away to a poor start in the first round, but following the frame which went to Lewis, began to fight like a real champion. From the second round to the finish the champion turned loose everything he had, making the best showing of his career in Boston. The usual loafing and playing with which Britton has frequently disgusted even his warmest admirers were laid aside for business.
Lewis for his part looked better than ever before from a physical standpoint and, except for a bad habit of missing because out of distance with left swings, fought an unusually flashy and brilliant battle. He danced, ducked, crouched and played dead, worked every trick in the trade that he might get over one mighty right and win on a clean-cut knockout.
But Britton met craft with craft, and, while scored on, frequently outguessed the Britisher and beat him to his own game. His one and greatest fault last night was a tendency to hit low with the left, and in the fifth frame one of his crashes, which landed on Lewis' protecting cup, could be heard several rows from the ringside. It nearly lost the champion the fight on a foul, for Lewis backed off, dropped his hands, and but for his willingness to continue a few moments later, would have been awarded the verdict then and there. Britton was warned several times during the bout to cease hitting low, also using his forearm.
While all the rounds were jammed from bell to bell with fast and furious battling, the seventh and last were the best. In the seventh Britton put Lewis to the matting with a clean left hook to the jaw. Though dazed, the Englishman was back on his feet on the instant and came back with a rally that set the fans howling with delight.
Lewis, after being badly worsted in the 11th round, came out desperate in the 12th, swinging, poking, hooking and smashing in a last effort to win the mill which he and his seconds realized had gone against him. It was the fiercest round of the battle, but found Britton equal to the emergency and willing to mix. He gave Lewis fully as good as the Britisher sent, driving in straight lefts and rights to the head that drove him back despite the fury of his attack.
The award of the decision to Britton by Referee Larry Conley was well received. There could be no other verdict for the Chicagoan had at least eight rounds out of the 12. It was the third bout in Boston between the pair, and Britton's first win over Lewis here.
In the prelim bouts, Tony Vatlin, Brighton, beat Johnny Emery, Somerville, in eight one-sided rounds, while Joe Stanton outpointed Pat Owens in six rounds, both of Cambridge. "Young Amos" rushed in at the last minute to fill the place of Johnny Murray against Leo Downey, and was winning his bout but didn't know it. So he stopped in the third and sought the carpet, and the award was given Downey.
No comments:
Post a Comment