1904-05-15 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA) (page 14)
M'COY AND O'BRIEN PUT UP A FAKE
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TWO PAST MASTERS OF THE FIGHTING GAME HAND OUT REAL COLD THING---FOR SIX ROUNDS THEY TRY TO ENTERTAIN A CROWD WITH THEIR CUTE STUNTS
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Kid McCoy and Jack O'Brien handed the public a raw fake at the Second Regiment Armory last night. In the afternoon the principals had a squabble over the referee. O'Brien said that he would have H. C. Crowhurst or no one would.
Mr. McCoy said nay, nay; that if there was to be anything doing, a New York man would have to referee. Mr. O'Brien got back just as stoutly that unless one of three gentlemen refereed--Wm. H. Rocap, Ernest H. Crowhurst or H. C. Crowhurst--he would not permit the doors of the armory to be opened, and that the purchasers of the tickets would be refunded their money.
That ought to hold you awhile, shouldn't it--particularly if you weren't on to the merry boxing game. Now, as a matter of fact, this was that much guff, given out for chump consumption.
That part of the spectacular demonstration being over, there was nothing to do but to await the arrival of the suckers at the armory. After the preliminaries had been disposed of a number of distinguished fistic lights introduced, and a thousand dollar bank roll appertaining to Hereford had been flashed, everything was in readiness for the barney. But the principals came not.
In order to carry out the fake which began at the Scott House in the afternoon, some one caused it to be bruited about that they were still clashing over the referee proposition.
Did anyone ever hear of a championship fight being pulled off without the referee being named until the very hour set for the contestants to appear in the ring?
The names of Billy Rocap and Lew Bailey were mentioned--that was done to carry out the idea that there was a real clash between the principals. Finally, however, Mr. Bert Crowhurst entered the ring, and the stars began the work of adjusting their gloves. Even here the farce was not stopped. O'Brien yelled over to Billy McCarney, "Watch him, Billy." Whether Jack thought Norman would surreptitiously slide a few horse shoes in his gloves was not revealed. Anyhow, it sounded well, and might have fooled a few farmers.
Then the referee announced the conditions under which the gents were to go through their stunts, coupled with the statement that he had been requested to take no notice of sponges or towels, or any other foreign article of commerce that might be injected into the ring.
The name of the gentleman who suggested this was not revealed, but there are good and substantial reasons for believing that his initials are "K. McC."
Then they were off to the rawest barney ever perpetrated in this town, barring the affair in which Peter Maher and Tom Sharkey were mixed up in at Industrial Hall. But as Peter and Thomas had a chance to go to jail had they resorted to strenuous tactics, they cane be let out personally.
There was a lively exhibition of footwork and there was a lovely exhibition of not trying to hit. There were clinches galore, and there was hugging galore. The punches that never landed would have worn out a cash register had there been any attempt to count them. There were lovely little conversations in the middle of the ring; there was, in fact, a little bit of everything except simon-pure, honest, on-the-level boxing. The spectators took things good-naturedly until the middle of the third round. Then they commenced a little good-natured peering. They knew what they were getting, but they did not want to really admit that they were kicking over it, although they couldn't honestly confess that they liked it.
Beginning with the fourth, however, they had to admit that their stomachs were rebelling, and from that on to the finish there was a continuous but dignified round of disapproval. As soon as the sixth round started, and there being no signs of improvement on the part of the stars, many of the spectators started for the door.
And another boxing barney had passed into history.
Under the conditions of the agreement made between Messrs. Le Cato and McCoy, the latter was to receive a guarantee of $2000, with the privilege of thirty-five per cent. of the receipts. Outside of the fact that he agreed to weigh not more than 158 pounds at three o'clock on the afternoon of the contest there were no other stipulations.
Just Before the Fight
In the preliminary bouts Kid Gilbert and Joe Smith opened the milling with a fairly fast go. Gilbert was too big for his opponent, and had all the better of the milling. In the other bout Fred McFadden and Fred Nanauch went the limit in six rather tame rounds.
There were the inevitable presentations. Jimmy Britt, who obtained a decision over Young Corbett, was the first to the effect that he had defeated Corbett on the level, and that if given the opportunity he would win so decisively that there would be no chance for two opinions. To make good what he said he declared that he would meet no one until after he had settled his difference with Corbett.
Then Eddie Hanlon was introduced as a young gentleman who was anxious to meet Corbett, McGovern or Britt. Then Mr. Schlichter, on behalf of Al Hereford, projected himself into prominence, swinging $1000 in real money to bind a match with Britt for the lightweight championship at 133 pounds, weigh in at the ringside. This brought forth the answer from Britt that he was a featherweight, not a lightweight. Al Hereford, who was in bad voice, observed that Britt had been perfectly willing to meet Gans in California under the same conditions.
Marvin Hart was introduced as a heavy weight willing to meet any one in his class. Genial Sam Harris, introduced by the equally genial Lew Bailey as "Sammy Harris," did not have much to say, but it was to the point. He was prepared to match Terry against Britt, Hanlon or Corbett under any conditions that either of those gents might suggest, and as an inducement to anyone of them who thought he had a cinch he (Harris) would bet anyone or all of them to a standstill on the result.
