1911-12-24 Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (page C1)
BY J. P. GARVEY.
The Clevelander was White's master at close range fighting. With all his experience and boxing ability, Charley was seldom able to keep Johnny from belting him when they drew together after missing or after Kilbane had connected with a jab, which in nine cases out of ten he followed up by getting in closer and lifting left uppercuts and hooks to head and jaw. Johnny seemed able to twist White into most acceptable positions for the use of these uppercuts, most of which were stingers.
1912-02-23 Buffalo Courier (Buffalo, NY) (page 1) - quoting sporting editor of Los Angeles Examiner
(BY H. M. WALKER)
Four separate and distinct features illuminated Kilbane's winning battle for the championship. A straight left jab which he must have landed 100 times on Attell's mouth, nose and eyes. A side-swiping left which he fanned to the champion's chin coming out of the clinches. A short right uppercut that plowed its way to Abie's face whenever Johnny found this arm free. Last of all Kilbane's perfect defense. No sooner would Johnny's scoring infuriate Attell into making a rush than Kilbane would duck, sidestep or clinch and pin Attell's two arms in such a way that he was helpless.
1912-02-23 Los Angeles Evening Herald (Los Angeles, CA) (page 9)
By JAY DAVIDSON
Attell did not put up his usual classy exhibition and failed to show within 50 per cent of the same great boxer who so frequently drew with Owen Moran and defeated Ad Wolgast and other great fighters. He seemed wholly lacking in the speed that in other battles caused the fans to marvel, and his conqueror was able frequently to beat him to his own famous punch, a left jab. Friends of the former champion were amazed at his slowness and ineffectiveness in matching wits, speed and punches with the Cleveland boy.
Kilbane fought his best battle and showed superior generalship and all-around cleverness. He won the championship with his left hand, by continually jabbing it into Attell's face and hooking it with great regularity to his head. His right hand seldom counted for much during the fight, with the exception of what work he did in the clinches, when he hooked it time and again in swift uppercuts.
1912-02-23 The Chicago Daily Tribune (Chicago, IL) (page 13)
BY HARRY GILMORE JR.
For the first time in Attel's remarkable career he was outgeneraled. Kilbane would not be nursed along to fall into the traps of Attel's trickery. Instead, he waited and allowed the champion to set the pace, meeting him repeatedly with lefts to the face and quick exchanges to the body.
Kilbane had figured wisely before jumping through the ropes that he must not crowd Attel but await his onslaught, and in this way he peppered the champion with straight lefts at every meeting. Attel seemed content to go along teasing his opponent and coaxing him to come to close quarters, but Johnny waited amid the hoots and howls of the immense crowd and Attel was compelled to force matters. Attel's great cleverness has been to judge distance, to slip and counter with terrific body blows and inside punches when the other fellow is coming in. Kilbane worked just the opposite and Abe was lost.
1912-05-15 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 9)
Burns employed rushing tactics practically all the way, but he found it a puzzle to reach the conqueror of Abe Attell. Kilbane's footwork and blocking were too much for the Jerseyman. The champion feinted him into all sorts of awkward positions and then punched him practically when and where he pleased. Kilbane was fast at long range boxing and also showed that he knew a lot about hard infighting. He used short punches with much effect and in the eighth round he had Burns in some trouble when he reached the jaw with a solid hook. Burns under fire showed real gameness and for that reason he deserves credit, but in other respects he was no match for the Cleveland boxer. Kilbane made an excellent impression as far as cleverness was concerned. He had a clean advantage in every round.
1912-05-15 The Brooklyn Daily Times (Brooklyn, NY) (page 11)
Kilbane's every movement denotes speed. He is remarkably fast on his feet and his footwork alone is enough to bewilder anybody. He bounds around the ring as though on springs and just when he seems in the way of a heavy swing he is out of range. Besides being wonderfully fast, his judgment of distance is splendid and every punch is timed to perfection. While in action, both arms are held straight out, his elbows resting against each side of his body. There are few punches that work their way inside this guard, and every lead that Burns started either faded away in the air or landed on the champion's arms. Class fairly bulged out all over Johnny.
1912-05-15 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 12)
To the credit of the little Jerseyite, it may be said that he was game to the finish. He was always trying, but he had little success in getting his punches over, as Kilbane showed an almost perfect defense and ability to glide skillfully away from Frankie's leads. At every stage of the bout the Clevelander showed himself the master of the Jerseyite. Burns has always shown to especial advantage as an infighter, and most of his battles have been decided in his favor by the rapid-fire punches which he drove almost ceaselessly to an opponent's stomach. Against Kilbane, Burns was helpless at infighting. When he tried it in the early rounds he found that the champion carried the proper defense for these tactics, and he had to try something else. An occasional hard swing to the head proved his most effective blow, but Kilbane permitted few of these punches to land.
1912-12-13 St. Louis Post-Dispatch (St. Louis, MO) (page 22)
By HARRY S. SHARPE.
Kilbane is not of the slashing, slugging type that made Terry McGovern a terror, but he has much of the speed, skill and cunning of Abe Attell, from whom he won his title. He has the body of many well-developed lightweights, but his legs are small, though strong. He blocks well and can hit from almost any position. Against Dixon he showed unbounded confidence and at times he walked in without any attempt to guard, depending only upon his skill at slipping blows or his ability to land first in an exchange.
1912-12-13 St. Louis Star (St. Louis, MO) (page 12)
BY MAL DOYLE.
It would probably have made little difference, as far as Tommy's chances were concerned, as to the outcome of the bout. Kilbane is a good, fast and shifty boxer. It will take a good boy to whip him. He can punch hard when he wants to. He has good straight lefts, he can hook. He swings or punches straight with his right. He looks like a finished boxer. His position is somewhat similar to that of old Bob Fitzsimmons. He boxes straight up. His head erect and looks like a champion. He is heavy of body and light of legs.
1913-02-05 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 10)
He simply refused to take even the most remote chance, and left not even a little opening. Furthermore, he showed that he cannot hit as hard as the average paperweight. Time and again, and in rapid succession, he landed crushing wallops on the tip of Driscoll's chin, but the latter never went to the mat or even to his knees.
Kilbane boxed with remarkable skill, and there was never a moment when he was not in complete command of the situation, but, on the other hand, there was not a moment when he had Driscoll in more than momentary distress. Fiddling, feinting and stepping around his man, brushing off leads and blocking or ducking nicely the Forest City champion had Driscoll badly muddled in the early rounds. Driscoll lashed out blindly, fighting by the instinct of self-preservation, but his foe, invulnerable still, thwarted his efforts with steady skill and science.
1913-02-05 The Brooklyn Citizen (Brooklyn, NY) (page 4)
There were quite a few arguments after the bout as to whether Kilbane was under a pull. If Kilbane fought his best, then he is the poorest champion that has ever held the title. Johnny has a reputation of being a very accurate puncher, but it would be impossible to count how many punches he missed last night. In one round he went to the floor when he missed Driscoll by a foot. Johnny said to one of his friends after the bout that Driscoll's awkwardness was responsible for his many wild swings.
1913-02-05 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page S2)
By "RICE."
The greatest fault displayed by Kilbane was a lack of judgment of distance at long range that made him appear utterly foolish. Over and over again he made free swings with his right at Driscoll as the latter was coming in with his jaw wide open, and he missed nine out of every ten. With the left Kilbane swung freely, and also tried a sort of stiff arm swing, which worked with the full force of his weight behind it and was intended to do all the damage possible, but not once did that maneuver pan out successfully. Kilbane's uppercuts were as wild and futile as his swings, although Driscoll is essentially a fighter upon whom the uppercut should be used.
Kilbane's inability to land his intended demolishers upon his rival's head was by no means due to Driscoll's cleverness, for Driscoll is not clever, except for one defensive trick of bending his body backward like a contortionist and covering up in a weak imitation of Leach Cross. The whole answer was that Kilbane could not hit what he was shooting at in a clear field, with the light good and the wind in his favor, so to speak.
Only at close quarters could Kilbane be sure of landing, and then he was so crowded that he could not put enough steam into his blows to make an opponent who was obviously frightened stiff for three rounds quit coming in. He connected often enough and cleanly enough to win easily, because his own defense was entirely too much for the Italian, and it was solely a question of what he would accomplish, not what Driscoll would do. Kilbane's punches were mostly those delivered as the men were jammed together or in mixups. When he shortened his right to wreak damage upon the son of sunny Italy in such circumstances, the blow merely stung Driscoll, but did not have driving power enough to weaken him.
1913-02-05 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 9)
Kilbane did some effective jabbing at close quarters, but in the open work he missed so often that the crowd took turns in hooting and jeering his efforts. Driscoll is a poor defensive fighter, and he left openings last night large enough for a squad of champions to pass through, but Kilbane missed them time and again. At the same time he was able to send a shower of punches against the Brooklyn boy's jaw, and he put all the power that he possessed in many of them, yet he was unable to knock Driscoll off his feet.
The lack of aggressiveness which marred Kilbane's other bouts here was more in evidence last night than ever before, and Driscoll did practically all the forcing throughout the bout. Even when the Kilbane wallops came in the fastest the Brooklyn boy often answered by swinging at the champion, and Kilbane, who a moment before seemed intent on putting an end to the bout, backed around the ring. At other times he held both arms extended and placed his gloves against Driscoll's shoulder as the latter tried to come close. At infighting Kilbane showed more speed than Driscoll, but on a few occasions the Brooklynite exchanged punches at close quarters in approved fashion, and Kilbane was the first to break ground.
1913-02-20 The Evening World (New York, NY) (page 20)
The showing made by Kilbane in this battle was so different from that when he met Frankie Burns, Johnny Dundee, Eddie O'Keefe and Young Driscoll that the spectators could not held but give him a great ovation after the mill was over. Kilbane cut out all fancy boxing, sidestepping, feinting and blocking and waded right into Kirkwood from the tap of the bell until the bout was stopped. So fast did the little champion fight that he had Kirkwood completely bewildered, and he had no trouble in landing punches in his face, body and jaw.
1913-02-20 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 10)
Kilbane was a revelation to those who saw his poor exhibitions here in the past. He bristled with speed and aggressiveness. He showed a heavy hitting power with both hands and cleverness that outclassed Kirkwood from start to finish. Kirkwood landed maybe a dozen blows, but missed half a hundred.
Kilbane possessed the accuracy of a sharpshooter and landed practically when and where he pleased.
1913-06-11 Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA) (page 10)
(By THE TIMEKEEPER.)
Again and again he held back the old poppy wallop when the bewildered San Franciscan offered a target as big as the barn door. Fox landed just about six light blows during the five and a third rounds, and showed 20 seconds after the bell rang that he didn't have any more chance than a jack rabbit at the north pole. It was hardly a test of Kilbane's real ability as a fighter, for his stamina, endurance, nerve and absorbing power were not called into play at all. Of footwork, feinting ability, dexterity with both mits, and ability to time his blows, Kilbane is endowed wonderfully. It is small wonder that there are no boys of his weight left and that he must seek other realms in which to conquer.
1913-06-11 San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA) (page 15)
By HARRY B. SMITH.
Kilbane made an impressive showing, strong in every particular, save one last night, and that was his ability as a finisher. It is likely, as has been said, that he wasn't in a hurry and wanted to give the Oakland fans an opportunity to watch him in the ring. He is the fastest man on his feet in the ring today, he has good judgment of distance, not only in hitting, but in ducking swings, and he is an infighter of no mean ability.
1913-06-11 The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA) (page 10)
By JOE MURPHY
Kilbane is a wizard for speed, as he gets around the ring like a flash and he is a faultless boxer.
Kilbane is built on the Fitzsimmons style. He has very light underpinning, but he is a might husky fighter around the chest, and he has an unusually long reach. He is a wicked infighter and can rough it as well as box.
It was apparent after the first round that Fox did not even have an outside chance. Kilbane danced around his man and jabbed him at will. In the clinches he pounded Fox about the head and body and the latter seemed content to defend himself instead of fighting back. Fox, who is regarded as a mighty shifty boxer himself, could not land an effective blow.
1913-09-26 Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY) (page 23)
The champion was clever, he was cunning, he ducked, he dodged, he stepped back just at the right time; Kilbane displayed class footwork throughout the bout.
1914-02-12 Syracuse Journal (Syracuse, NY) (page 10)
Despite the fact that Kilbane's wonderful cleverness and hitting ability made his opponent seem like an amateur and even if Bresnahan hadn't put up the really sensational battle that he did, it was worth the price of admission to watch the champion in action. His footwork, his hair breadth judgment of blows and distance, his wonderful timing of wallops and his ability to land a punch through the smallest of openings was a delight to those who could appreciate the extreme science of his work, while to the others who liked only the clean hitting and hard fighting he gave all that was desired. It was a wonderful exhibition and required a close follower of the fistic game to really appreciate the work of Champion Kilbane.
1914-04-17 The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) (page 14)
Wonderful footwork, the ability to gauge distance perfectly and a hard punch in either hand whenever he landed, marked the Westerner's struggle against the aspirant for titular honors. Kilbane was so clever that Julian could not locate him at intervals, and the crowd hooted its disapproval of the side-stepping methods which permitted the champion to keep away from the little Roman's desperate lunges.
1914-04-23 The Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI) (page 13)
Kilbane showed about everything any man of his standing could be asked to display. He pumped both hands into every spot allowed for punches by the rules, carried the going to his man all the time, shook him up repeatedly and hardly turned a hair. He didn't put the lights out for Reynolds, though, and there was the opening for the disgruntled.
Aside from McFarland, Kilbane unquestionably is the most brilliant glove swinger ever to display his skills in the ring across the river. What he doesn't know about boxing hasn't been invented.
1914-05-30 The Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO) (page 9)
BY MAX MELVILLE.
In the eyes of every spectator of the fight, Kilbane appears as a real champion in the light of his showing against the best Colorado had to offer. Quick thinking combined with a wonderful cleverness and agility was plainly apparent in and characterized every move Kilbane made. There were no wasted blows, every one finding its mark. Not over a dozen blows were struck, and every one of these was placed to the account of the winner. Five of them did the business.
Even in the clinches, where Chavez usually gets in his best work, he was unable to land. Every trick of infighting known to him was tried, but without success. To suit the occasion, Kilbane merely moved his head or body a trifle and the blows were rendered harmless. It was a great exhibition of skill on his part, and showed plainly what gives him the right to the title to the best man of his weight in the world. It was a question of generalship throughout, and the titleholder simply outclasses his man at every angle.
Showing posts with label Johnny Kilbane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnny Kilbane. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Johnny Kilbane
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Old vs. New
1918-10-26 The Rockford Republic (Rockford, IL) (page 7)
Score one for the modern boxer! Make it a big one!
Jimmy Barry, former bantamweight champion of the world and one of the greatest fighting men among the midgets that the world ever saw, believes that the modern boxing star has it on the old timers of his day at least. Further, Jimmy is ablize with enthusiasm about the boxing man of today and says that the scribes, who are arguing that the fighter of today is nowhere near as good as the ones of a decade back, don't know what they are talking about.
There is some weight to Jimmy's words since he retired from the game practically unbeaten after whipping everything in his class as well as everything within ten pounds of his heft. Further Jim in his day was closely allied with some of the greatest fighting men of that time and knew them well. Hence, his opinion is well worth considering. Barry told me all about it the other day when he returned from Camp Gordon, Ga., where he had been with the army boxing instructors for a couple of weeks.
"What I saw at Camp Gordon was the biggest sort of a revelation to me," the ex-champ said. "I've got to admit it now though I never did before. They've got it on us, these boys who do the boxing today. They're so good that the old timers like myself must admit that we never at any time approached them in form or style or anything else excepting perhaps the hitting power. Of course that will ever remain the same for a punch is a punch the world over, today or fifty years back or fifty years hence.
"I shadow-boxed with Benny Leonard down there and what a wonder he is, to be sure! He had a broken hand, received in the second round of his recent fight with Ted Lewis, and couldn't put the gloves on. But he showed me enough to make me think, and think deeply. He boxes exactly the style we all used to use twenty years ago. He never takes a punch in order to land one. He gets away from all of them if he can, relying on his own speed and skill to get home his own blows. And he has the science of punching down better than any of the old timers I can remember--straight to the point, never wasting any in wild swings.
"It is of such past masters of boxing as Johnny Kilbane, Mike Gibbons and Packey McFarland I would speak particularly. Say, my boys, they've got a lot of stuff that I never heard of when I was fighting. Their stuff was never in any book. It is all their own.
Hit from All Angles.
"Here's the angle: We used to go straight, always in position with left leg and arm advanced, always hitting out straight and as true as possible. Now, these fellows not only do that, but suddenly they start hitting out from angles that we would have considered impossible. Gibbons can hit you no matter in what position his feet or hands are. So can Kilbane and so can Packey.
"I was simply amazed when I saw them going and couldn't believe it. Mike is a real master but Packey is different. He has a style all his own, like nobody's I ever saw, and it is effective. I saw him box, once with Willie Ritchie and once with Harry Brewer of Kansas City. It was the biggest treat I have had in years. Stuff? Why, it's unbelievable. You've seen fellows with stuff, haven't you, who couldn't use it? Well, these birds use it, believe me.
"Jack Twin Sullivan was there and dozens of other old timers. Jack is going great despite his years. He is a wonderful fellow to have around because he is such a great entertainer. The tests are tremendous and it takes a strong man to get by. I failed, but blame that on my poor health. I simply was not big or strong enough."
HIGH PRAISE FOR NEW FIGHTERS BY FORMER SCRAPPER
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Jimmy Barry, Former Bantamweight Champion, Says Boxers in Training Camps Are a Revelation to Him.
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Jimmy Barry, Former Bantamweight Champion, Says Boxers in Training Camps Are a Revelation to Him.
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BY ED. W. SMITH.
Score one for the modern boxer! Make it a big one!
Jimmy Barry, former bantamweight champion of the world and one of the greatest fighting men among the midgets that the world ever saw, believes that the modern boxing star has it on the old timers of his day at least. Further, Jimmy is ablize with enthusiasm about the boxing man of today and says that the scribes, who are arguing that the fighter of today is nowhere near as good as the ones of a decade back, don't know what they are talking about.
There is some weight to Jimmy's words since he retired from the game practically unbeaten after whipping everything in his class as well as everything within ten pounds of his heft. Further Jim in his day was closely allied with some of the greatest fighting men of that time and knew them well. Hence, his opinion is well worth considering. Barry told me all about it the other day when he returned from Camp Gordon, Ga., where he had been with the army boxing instructors for a couple of weeks.
"Got It On Old Boys."
"What I saw at Camp Gordon was the biggest sort of a revelation to me," the ex-champ said. "I've got to admit it now though I never did before. They've got it on us, these boys who do the boxing today. They're so good that the old timers like myself must admit that we never at any time approached them in form or style or anything else excepting perhaps the hitting power. Of course that will ever remain the same for a punch is a punch the world over, today or fifty years back or fifty years hence.
"I shadow-boxed with Benny Leonard down there and what a wonder he is, to be sure! He had a broken hand, received in the second round of his recent fight with Ted Lewis, and couldn't put the gloves on. But he showed me enough to make me think, and think deeply. He boxes exactly the style we all used to use twenty years ago. He never takes a punch in order to land one. He gets away from all of them if he can, relying on his own speed and skill to get home his own blows. And he has the science of punching down better than any of the old timers I can remember--straight to the point, never wasting any in wild swings.
"It is of such past masters of boxing as Johnny Kilbane, Mike Gibbons and Packey McFarland I would speak particularly. Say, my boys, they've got a lot of stuff that I never heard of when I was fighting. Their stuff was never in any book. It is all their own.
Hit from All Angles.
"Here's the angle: We used to go straight, always in position with left leg and arm advanced, always hitting out straight and as true as possible. Now, these fellows not only do that, but suddenly they start hitting out from angles that we would have considered impossible. Gibbons can hit you no matter in what position his feet or hands are. So can Kilbane and so can Packey.
"I was simply amazed when I saw them going and couldn't believe it. Mike is a real master but Packey is different. He has a style all his own, like nobody's I ever saw, and it is effective. I saw him box, once with Willie Ritchie and once with Harry Brewer of Kansas City. It was the biggest treat I have had in years. Stuff? Why, it's unbelievable. You've seen fellows with stuff, haven't you, who couldn't use it? Well, these birds use it, believe me.
"Jack Twin Sullivan was there and dozens of other old timers. Jack is going great despite his years. He is a wonderful fellow to have around because he is such a great entertainer. The tests are tremendous and it takes a strong man to get by. I failed, but blame that on my poor health. I simply was not big or strong enough."
Sunday, June 12, 2011
1913-06-10 Johnny Kilbane W-TKO6 Jimmy Fox [Piedmont Pavilion, Oakland, CA, USA]
1913-06-11 Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA) (page 10)
Beaten before he climbed through the ropes, and hopelessly ???? little Jimmy Fox fell flat on his face in the sixth round of his bout last night with Champion Johnny Kilbane. Before two seconds of the count had been tolled off Manager Joe Sullivan acknowledged defeat by tossing a small face sponge into the ring. Fox was on his feet almost instantly and wanted to continue, but the crowd had started for the door almost before the sponge made its appearance. It did not take a very alert man to observe that Kilbane had mercifully punched just hard enough to drop his opponent and yet not hard enough to seriously hurt him.
Judged by his performance last night, Johnny Kilbane is a thorough gentleman, possessed of everything that goes to make up a champion, and the most workmanlike little boxer this section of the glorious west has seen in years.
The champion could have finished Jimmy Fox in the first round had he been so minded, but there was too much at stake for him to take any chances, and he evidently realized that the fans had paid their money to see him in action. Kilbane gave the youngster in front of him every chance in the world and did not take advantage of him once.
Again and again he held back the old poppy wallop when the bewildered San Franciscan offered a target as big as the barn door. Fox landed just about six light blows during the five and a third rounds, and showed 20 seconds after the bell rang that he didn't have any more chance than a jack rabbit at the north pole. It was hardly a test of Kilbane's real ability as a fighter, for his stamina, endurance, nerve and absorbing power were not called into play at all. Of footwork, feinting ability, dexterity with both mits, and ability to time his blows, Kilbane is endowed wonderfully. It is small wonder that there are no boys of his weight left and that he must seek other realms in which to conquer.
Kilbane and Jimmy Fox entered the ring at 9:50, Kilbane wearing his emerald tights, and Fox black trunks. Joe Sullivan and Spider Roache were behind the San Franciscan, and Jimmy Dunn and Cal Delaney handled Kilbane.
When Referee Toby Irwin sent the two together it was plain that Fox was suffering from a bad attack of stage fright. He managed to send in light left jabs to Kilbane's face, but was immediately feinted out of position repeatedly by Kilbane, who hopped in and out like a darning needle, finally crossing Fox with a jolt to jaw that sent the latter into a clinch. Short right uppercuts to the jaw broke through the Fox clinches and set the local boy's mouth to bleeding. Kilbane appeared in splendid physical condition and twice as strong as his opponent.
In the second round, the champion forced Fox into cover at once with a series of lightning lefts and rights that were intended only to bewilder. Fox tried desperately to lead but missed Kilbane's head by two feet with a vicious left swing. Kilbane planted a stiff right to the jaw, almost ending the fight and while Fox covered up with both arms, the champion danced around him three times smiling. A second right cross to the same place sent Fox scrambling into a clinch in which Kilbane extended both arms patiently. When the bell rang, Johnny tapped his opponent encouragingly on the back and the crowd laughed.
Kilbane did not seem to extend himself in the third round, and yet Fox went to the mat three times, coming up like a flash each time. Kilbane was not anxious to end the fight and the blows which knocked Fox down were apparently not intended as knockouts. The bell found Fox taking the count of three, and as he sprang up toward the champion they exchanged a few passes, being separated by seconds. Fox was with difficulty restrained from continuing but Kilbane took his seat laughing.
The fourth and fifth rounds were nothing else than sparring exhibitions. Fox was a piece of putty in the hands of Kilbane, who played with Fox as he would with his sparring partner. The champion on two occasions measured Fox against the ropes, holding him there with one hand, and drawing the right back for the knockout. Then instead of letting it go, Johnny circled his opponent's neck and tapped him lightly on the back.
Kilbane waited until the sixth round before sailing in, and then a rapid artillery attack with both hands on his opponent's jaw put the San Francisco speed marvel on queer street. Fox desperately clutched Kilbane about the waist with both hands and was whirled around and around until he let go. A left to the stomach followed by a right cross, just hard enough to turn the trick, sent Fox toppling forward on his face.
Kilbane made a great impression on the crowd. The fans got no chance to even encourage Fox and they finally turned loose the applause on the champion.
Only one challenge was received and hint was from Eddie Campi who offered a $1000 side bet for a match with Kilbane.
Sailor Ed Petroskey of Yerba Buena slipped into the ring with his usual challenge to Bob McAllister for anything over 10 rounds and the sailor got a good hand. Red Watson and Tommy McFarland were also introduced as well as Cat Delaney.
The six round semi-windup between Joe Azavedo and Young Abe Attell went to the former by a decision, but Azavedo will be given little credit for the victory. He got nothing but jeers last night, while the applause went to the loser. The men were not evenly matched for Attell is nothing more than a featherweight and not a very hardy one, while Joe Azavedo is a husky lightweight who weighed a good deal more than the lightweight limit last night. Attell's cleverness was of little avail against the greater strength and weight of his opponent, and he tired rapidly after the fourth round.
Azavedo put up a good battle and displayed improved boxing form. The match, however, was ill advised.
Frank Rome and Sally Salvadore traveled six peppery rounds to a Salvadore decision. Rome fought wildly and without defense, depending entirely upon a vicious right uppercut to bring the bacon homeward. Salvadore avoided these and beat his man with straight lefts and the old right cross. Rome was in a bad way at the finish.
Kid Romen finally managed to put out ???? though the result might have been different had not Referee Irwin seen fit to award the fight to Romen when the bell rang at the end of the second round with Freitas just rising to his knees after the third knockdown. Freitas probably would have recovered during the intermission and come back strong.
The youngster ran into a right swing to the jaw in the last minute of the second round, and didn't have sense enough to remain down long enough to clear his head. He kept jumping up only to be knocked down again before he could get his sense of direction. The bell saved him, but Referee Irwin evidently figured that Freitas would not be able to recuperate during the minute of rest.
In the four round preliminary, Wild Joe Belasco found all the stars in the universe after little Joe Reilly had been turned loose on him. The little Filipino jumped about like a rubber ball and succeeded in stopping every punch with his face. He was dreaming of sugar cane and bolos when Referee Irwin interfered and held up Reilly's hand.
Apparently the local fans figured that ringside seats at a world's championship ???? land, though they might be worth $10 in San Francisco. The ringside seats were the only ones that showed a scarcity of occupants last night, though the balance of the house was well filled and the promoters lost no money on the show.
Johnny Kilbane Proves Himself Real Champion and Gentleman
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JIMMY FOX TOPPLED OVER IN SIXTH ROUND BY FEATHER KING
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San Franciscan Beaten Before He Entered Ring; Is Let Down Easy.
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(By THE TIMEKEEPER.)
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JIMMY FOX TOPPLED OVER IN SIXTH ROUND BY FEATHER KING
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San Franciscan Beaten Before He Entered Ring; Is Let Down Easy.
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(By THE TIMEKEEPER.)
Beaten before he climbed through the ropes, and hopelessly ???? little Jimmy Fox fell flat on his face in the sixth round of his bout last night with Champion Johnny Kilbane. Before two seconds of the count had been tolled off Manager Joe Sullivan acknowledged defeat by tossing a small face sponge into the ring. Fox was on his feet almost instantly and wanted to continue, but the crowd had started for the door almost before the sponge made its appearance. It did not take a very alert man to observe that Kilbane had mercifully punched just hard enough to drop his opponent and yet not hard enough to seriously hurt him.
Judged by his performance last night, Johnny Kilbane is a thorough gentleman, possessed of everything that goes to make up a champion, and the most workmanlike little boxer this section of the glorious west has seen in years.
The champion could have finished Jimmy Fox in the first round had he been so minded, but there was too much at stake for him to take any chances, and he evidently realized that the fans had paid their money to see him in action. Kilbane gave the youngster in front of him every chance in the world and did not take advantage of him once.
Again and again he held back the old poppy wallop when the bewildered San Franciscan offered a target as big as the barn door. Fox landed just about six light blows during the five and a third rounds, and showed 20 seconds after the bell rang that he didn't have any more chance than a jack rabbit at the north pole. It was hardly a test of Kilbane's real ability as a fighter, for his stamina, endurance, nerve and absorbing power were not called into play at all. Of footwork, feinting ability, dexterity with both mits, and ability to time his blows, Kilbane is endowed wonderfully. It is small wonder that there are no boys of his weight left and that he must seek other realms in which to conquer.
Kilbane and Jimmy Fox entered the ring at 9:50, Kilbane wearing his emerald tights, and Fox black trunks. Joe Sullivan and Spider Roache were behind the San Franciscan, and Jimmy Dunn and Cal Delaney handled Kilbane.
When Referee Toby Irwin sent the two together it was plain that Fox was suffering from a bad attack of stage fright. He managed to send in light left jabs to Kilbane's face, but was immediately feinted out of position repeatedly by Kilbane, who hopped in and out like a darning needle, finally crossing Fox with a jolt to jaw that sent the latter into a clinch. Short right uppercuts to the jaw broke through the Fox clinches and set the local boy's mouth to bleeding. Kilbane appeared in splendid physical condition and twice as strong as his opponent.
In the second round, the champion forced Fox into cover at once with a series of lightning lefts and rights that were intended only to bewilder. Fox tried desperately to lead but missed Kilbane's head by two feet with a vicious left swing. Kilbane planted a stiff right to the jaw, almost ending the fight and while Fox covered up with both arms, the champion danced around him three times smiling. A second right cross to the same place sent Fox scrambling into a clinch in which Kilbane extended both arms patiently. When the bell rang, Johnny tapped his opponent encouragingly on the back and the crowd laughed.
Kilbane did not seem to extend himself in the third round, and yet Fox went to the mat three times, coming up like a flash each time. Kilbane was not anxious to end the fight and the blows which knocked Fox down were apparently not intended as knockouts. The bell found Fox taking the count of three, and as he sprang up toward the champion they exchanged a few passes, being separated by seconds. Fox was with difficulty restrained from continuing but Kilbane took his seat laughing.
The fourth and fifth rounds were nothing else than sparring exhibitions. Fox was a piece of putty in the hands of Kilbane, who played with Fox as he would with his sparring partner. The champion on two occasions measured Fox against the ropes, holding him there with one hand, and drawing the right back for the knockout. Then instead of letting it go, Johnny circled his opponent's neck and tapped him lightly on the back.
Kilbane waited until the sixth round before sailing in, and then a rapid artillery attack with both hands on his opponent's jaw put the San Francisco speed marvel on queer street. Fox desperately clutched Kilbane about the waist with both hands and was whirled around and around until he let go. A left to the stomach followed by a right cross, just hard enough to turn the trick, sent Fox toppling forward on his face.
Kilbane made a great impression on the crowd. The fans got no chance to even encourage Fox and they finally turned loose the applause on the champion.
Only one challenge was received and hint was from Eddie Campi who offered a $1000 side bet for a match with Kilbane.
Sailor Ed Petroskey of Yerba Buena slipped into the ring with his usual challenge to Bob McAllister for anything over 10 rounds and the sailor got a good hand. Red Watson and Tommy McFarland were also introduced as well as Cat Delaney.
The six round semi-windup between Joe Azavedo and Young Abe Attell went to the former by a decision, but Azavedo will be given little credit for the victory. He got nothing but jeers last night, while the applause went to the loser. The men were not evenly matched for Attell is nothing more than a featherweight and not a very hardy one, while Joe Azavedo is a husky lightweight who weighed a good deal more than the lightweight limit last night. Attell's cleverness was of little avail against the greater strength and weight of his opponent, and he tired rapidly after the fourth round.
Azavedo put up a good battle and displayed improved boxing form. The match, however, was ill advised.
Frank Rome and Sally Salvadore traveled six peppery rounds to a Salvadore decision. Rome fought wildly and without defense, depending entirely upon a vicious right uppercut to bring the bacon homeward. Salvadore avoided these and beat his man with straight lefts and the old right cross. Rome was in a bad way at the finish.
Kid Romen finally managed to put out ???? though the result might have been different had not Referee Irwin seen fit to award the fight to Romen when the bell rang at the end of the second round with Freitas just rising to his knees after the third knockdown. Freitas probably would have recovered during the intermission and come back strong.
The youngster ran into a right swing to the jaw in the last minute of the second round, and didn't have sense enough to remain down long enough to clear his head. He kept jumping up only to be knocked down again before he could get his sense of direction. The bell saved him, but Referee Irwin evidently figured that Freitas would not be able to recuperate during the minute of rest.
In the four round preliminary, Wild Joe Belasco found all the stars in the universe after little Joe Reilly had been turned loose on him. The little Filipino jumped about like a rubber ball and succeeded in stopping every punch with his face. He was dreaming of sugar cane and bolos when Referee Irwin interfered and held up Reilly's hand.
Apparently the local fans figured that ringside seats at a world's championship ???? land, though they might be worth $10 in San Francisco. The ringside seats were the only ones that showed a scarcity of occupants last night, though the balance of the house was well filled and the promoters lost no money on the show.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
1911-05-30 Johnny Kilbane ND12 Jimmy Walsh [Auditorium, Canton, OH, USA]
1911-05-31 The Evening Repository (Canton, OH) (page 6)
The two men might have been placed in the ring with their hands tied behind their backs and the bout probably would have been as interesting as it was, for the major portion of the activities were devoted to footwork. It was a liberal education in fancy stepping, the ballet dancers having nothing on these prancers of the squared circle. A small crowd of the faithful looked on with amazement and wondered why the boxers didn't land a clean smash once in a while. They are still wondering.
The gladiators at the finish stepped from the ring without a mark. Not a drop of gore was drawn, though Kilbane did emit a drop or so in the last round, but whether it came from forced breathing or whether he pushed his nose to Walsh's glove is a question.
"For points only" correctly describes the affair. Most any 15-year-old lad could easily have assimilated every blow struck and felt "bully". It was the most affable affair ever seen hereabouts.
Many expected to see Kilbane "put something over" in accordance with his advance information. A little on the K. O. order would have had the soothing effect on the crowd. Some of Johnny's press agent stuff of his battle with Rivers had preceded him and the fans were expectant, but those wallops which stopped and dazed and mystified the terrible Mexican must have been left on the Pacific coast. Many in the crowd believed that the protest of the churches to Mayor Turnbull had the effect of slowing down the affair.
At any rate Kilbane was content with doing fancy stunts about Walsh like a Comanche chief and Walsh is no novice with his feet, either--so it was a grand display of the possibilities of pedal pugilism. Walsh, however, set himself right with the crowd by making an attempt to fight.
When the men were not dancing about out of range of each other, they were in loving embrace, pushing their gloves in each other's faces and occasionally Kilbane would tap Walsh in the stomach. The crowd couldn't see these gentle taps and it's doubtful if Walsh felt them. The crowd would hiss and Referee Kelly would insist, "Gentlemen, we're doing the best we can." Some fan would yell "rotten," and another deluge of hisses would roll down over the ring. The boxers would respond with a clinch and Kelly would work hard to separate them.
On several occasions in the breakaway, Kilbane put a right hook to Walsh's head and the crowd showed its disapproval. Kelly explained, "The men must protect themselves in the clinches."
Considering that both men were on their feet and going fast at the finish and that no telling blows were struck, also the fact that Walsh was aggressive in spite of Kilbane's superior cleverness, it would not be the usual ring procedure to call the bout anything but a draw.
Round 1--With the gong the men met in the middle of the ring. They didn't go through the formality of shaking hands. For about thirty seconds they feinted and fiddled about neither leading or landing. Walsh tapped Kilbane lightly with a left and in the clinch that followed Kilbane pushed his left to the chin. They broke and again dropped into a clinch when neither could land. Kilbane lead for head but blow was blocked. The round ended with the men dancing about.
Round 2--They danced some more and then Walsh put a light left to head but Kilbane was backing away and no damage resulted. The men embraced each other and in the break Kilbane missed a left hook, but succeeded in putting a straight left to face. They clinched and Kilbane put two light lefts to face. The round was a repetition of clinches.
Round 3--The round was appropriately opened with a clinch, which were more and more becoming hugging matches. Kilbane did some infighting and showed speed. It was evident that Johnny had it on the ex-bantam weight champion at the infighting game. Walsh put his left to the head and in the clinch that followed Kilbane used left successfully on Walsh's jaw. They were pushes instead of punches. Kelly was the hardest working man in the ring.
Round 4--Kilbane as an opener put a snappy left jab to the face. Walsh continued to force the fighting but couldn't successfully penetrate Kilbane's defense. Kilbane did some rapid fighting landing lefts and rights in clinch and Walsh broke ground. It was Kilbane's round.
Round 5--Kilbane put his left to the chin and in the break that followed the clinch sent his right to the head. Walsh landed a hard left to the head and the men clinched. "Quit wrestling," admonished Kelly. Kilbane pushed his left to Walsh's head and in the break hooked Jimmy on the head with his right.
Round 6--The feature of this period was the hissing of the crowd, which showed its disapproval of the tactics of the combatants. The fighters were clinched half the time and the remainder was utilized by Kelly in getting them apart. In the final break Kilbane managed to get in his customary right hook to the head, but there was no steam behind the blow.
Round 7--The hissing had the desired effect, and Kilbane started the round actively. "I thought you were going to knock him out," yelled one of the spectators to Kilbane. Walsh landed a left to the head and in the clinch Kilbane landed left and right to body. Kilbane worked his left overtime but the blows lacked steam. In this round Kilbane landed three light blows to Walsh's one. Kilbane's round.
Round 8--The men were in a clinch before they got started and both missed right swings. Kilbane showed greater cleverness in the clinching and succeeded in tapping Walsh frequently.
Round 9--The men exchanged lefts and rights and clinched. The crowd became boisterous and Kelly told it to keep quiet that he would do the best he could. Someone yelled "Stop it," but there was nothing to stop. Walsh managed to find a resting place for a right swing alongside Kilbane's neck. Kilbane countered with a stiff left which rocked Walsh's head slightly. Walsh rushed and a clinch resulted.
Round 10--Kilbane put Walsh's head back with a straight left and Walsh rushed. Kilbane put a hard right to Walsh's wind and followed it with left to face. Walsh rushed, and the round ended with the men's shoulders together.
Round 11--Walsh stuck his left in Kilbane's face twice in succession and also landed left and right in a clinch. Johnny tapped Jimmy on the face getting under his guard, a fancy stunt practiced by all amateurs. Kilbane put his left to the face and Walsh rushed into a clinch.
Round 12--Walsh put light left and right to head and Kilbane caught Jimmy on the neck. Walsh rushed and Kilbane met the onslaught half way and proceeded to push Walsh through the ropes. Walsh then pushed Kilbane to the ropes and the men clinched. Kelly to the rescue. Walsh rushed and the gong relieved the crowd of further distress.
KILBANE AND WALSH GO TAME
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Crowd Hisses Fighters When They Spend Time In Fiddling; Neither Has Much On Other
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Boston Scrapper Appears Willing To Make It A Battle, But Cleveland Adversary Keeps Dancing Away And Shows Foot-Work, Not Fist-Work.
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If the Kilbane-Walsh and Dunn-Lemaster bouts at the Auditorium Tuesday night had been reversed in the order given the small crowd of fight fans would have departed with better tastes in their mouths. As it was the Dunn-Lemaster curtain raiser created an appetite which the Kilbane-Walsh go failed to appease.--------
Crowd Hisses Fighters When They Spend Time In Fiddling; Neither Has Much On Other
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Boston Scrapper Appears Willing To Make It A Battle, But Cleveland Adversary Keeps Dancing Away And Shows Foot-Work, Not Fist-Work.
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The two men might have been placed in the ring with their hands tied behind their backs and the bout probably would have been as interesting as it was, for the major portion of the activities were devoted to footwork. It was a liberal education in fancy stepping, the ballet dancers having nothing on these prancers of the squared circle. A small crowd of the faithful looked on with amazement and wondered why the boxers didn't land a clean smash once in a while. They are still wondering.
The gladiators at the finish stepped from the ring without a mark. Not a drop of gore was drawn, though Kilbane did emit a drop or so in the last round, but whether it came from forced breathing or whether he pushed his nose to Walsh's glove is a question.
"For points only" correctly describes the affair. Most any 15-year-old lad could easily have assimilated every blow struck and felt "bully". It was the most affable affair ever seen hereabouts.
Many expected to see Kilbane "put something over" in accordance with his advance information. A little on the K. O. order would have had the soothing effect on the crowd. Some of Johnny's press agent stuff of his battle with Rivers had preceded him and the fans were expectant, but those wallops which stopped and dazed and mystified the terrible Mexican must have been left on the Pacific coast. Many in the crowd believed that the protest of the churches to Mayor Turnbull had the effect of slowing down the affair.
At any rate Kilbane was content with doing fancy stunts about Walsh like a Comanche chief and Walsh is no novice with his feet, either--so it was a grand display of the possibilities of pedal pugilism. Walsh, however, set himself right with the crowd by making an attempt to fight.
When the men were not dancing about out of range of each other, they were in loving embrace, pushing their gloves in each other's faces and occasionally Kilbane would tap Walsh in the stomach. The crowd couldn't see these gentle taps and it's doubtful if Walsh felt them. The crowd would hiss and Referee Kelly would insist, "Gentlemen, we're doing the best we can." Some fan would yell "rotten," and another deluge of hisses would roll down over the ring. The boxers would respond with a clinch and Kelly would work hard to separate them.
On several occasions in the breakaway, Kilbane put a right hook to Walsh's head and the crowd showed its disapproval. Kelly explained, "The men must protect themselves in the clinches."
Considering that both men were on their feet and going fast at the finish and that no telling blows were struck, also the fact that Walsh was aggressive in spite of Kilbane's superior cleverness, it would not be the usual ring procedure to call the bout anything but a draw.
FIGHT BY ROUNDS.
Round 1--With the gong the men met in the middle of the ring. They didn't go through the formality of shaking hands. For about thirty seconds they feinted and fiddled about neither leading or landing. Walsh tapped Kilbane lightly with a left and in the clinch that followed Kilbane pushed his left to the chin. They broke and again dropped into a clinch when neither could land. Kilbane lead for head but blow was blocked. The round ended with the men dancing about.
Round 2--They danced some more and then Walsh put a light left to head but Kilbane was backing away and no damage resulted. The men embraced each other and in the break Kilbane missed a left hook, but succeeded in putting a straight left to face. They clinched and Kilbane put two light lefts to face. The round was a repetition of clinches.
Round 3--The round was appropriately opened with a clinch, which were more and more becoming hugging matches. Kilbane did some infighting and showed speed. It was evident that Johnny had it on the ex-bantam weight champion at the infighting game. Walsh put his left to the head and in the clinch that followed Kilbane used left successfully on Walsh's jaw. They were pushes instead of punches. Kelly was the hardest working man in the ring.
Round 4--Kilbane as an opener put a snappy left jab to the face. Walsh continued to force the fighting but couldn't successfully penetrate Kilbane's defense. Kilbane did some rapid fighting landing lefts and rights in clinch and Walsh broke ground. It was Kilbane's round.
Round 5--Kilbane put his left to the chin and in the break that followed the clinch sent his right to the head. Walsh landed a hard left to the head and the men clinched. "Quit wrestling," admonished Kelly. Kilbane pushed his left to Walsh's head and in the break hooked Jimmy on the head with his right.
Round 6--The feature of this period was the hissing of the crowd, which showed its disapproval of the tactics of the combatants. The fighters were clinched half the time and the remainder was utilized by Kelly in getting them apart. In the final break Kilbane managed to get in his customary right hook to the head, but there was no steam behind the blow.
Round 7--The hissing had the desired effect, and Kilbane started the round actively. "I thought you were going to knock him out," yelled one of the spectators to Kilbane. Walsh landed a left to the head and in the clinch Kilbane landed left and right to body. Kilbane worked his left overtime but the blows lacked steam. In this round Kilbane landed three light blows to Walsh's one. Kilbane's round.
Round 8--The men were in a clinch before they got started and both missed right swings. Kilbane showed greater cleverness in the clinching and succeeded in tapping Walsh frequently.
Round 9--The men exchanged lefts and rights and clinched. The crowd became boisterous and Kelly told it to keep quiet that he would do the best he could. Someone yelled "Stop it," but there was nothing to stop. Walsh managed to find a resting place for a right swing alongside Kilbane's neck. Kilbane countered with a stiff left which rocked Walsh's head slightly. Walsh rushed and a clinch resulted.
Round 10--Kilbane put Walsh's head back with a straight left and Walsh rushed. Kilbane put a hard right to Walsh's wind and followed it with left to face. Walsh rushed, and the round ended with the men's shoulders together.
Round 11--Walsh stuck his left in Kilbane's face twice in succession and also landed left and right in a clinch. Johnny tapped Jimmy on the face getting under his guard, a fancy stunt practiced by all amateurs. Kilbane put his left to the face and Walsh rushed into a clinch.
Round 12--Walsh put light left and right to head and Kilbane caught Jimmy on the neck. Walsh rushed and Kilbane met the onslaught half way and proceeded to push Walsh through the ropes. Walsh then pushed Kilbane to the ropes and the men clinched. Kelly to the rescue. Walsh rushed and the gong relieved the crowd of further distress.
Friday, April 29, 2011
1915-04-29 Benny Leonard ND10 Johnny Kilbane [Federal Athletic Club, New York, NY, USA]
1915-04-30 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 15)
Johnny Kilbane, of Cleveland, featherweight champion of the world, and one of the cleverest boxers who ever drew on a glove, had all the better of Benny Leonard, of the East Side, in a ten-round contest at the Federal A. C. last night.
There was scarcely a round of the ten in which Kilbane did not force the fighting, and he landed the greater number of the clean punches throughout the battle. Leonard fought in streaks, and in streaks only. Most of the time he applied the doctrine of "safety first" to his work and made it a point to keep far out of harm's way. Seldom did he unbuckle, and although the unneutral crowd booed the champion, charging him with poor work, it was Leonard's fault that the bout was not of the sensational order.
Kilbane laid down the gage of battle in every round except the first. He kept after Leonard, trying with all the cunning of the master workman to force an opening for his leads, but to no purpose. Leonard was, to say the least, cautious. Many said he was afraid. But the records will attest that he once fought ten rounds with Johnny Kilbane, and this can be turned into most anything by a nimble press agent.
In another and more sensational battle Leach Cross, the ever formidable East Side boy, checked the career of Packey Hommey momentarily. This bout was a slasher from start to finish, and Cross won on his ring generalship. This same generalship was aided in no small measure by an advantage of almost eight pounds in weight. Hommey was game and aggressive, but his aggressiveness earned him a multitude of hard knocks, and he left the ring a rather bruised and battered young man.
Witnessing a bout on the Bowery is not without its thrills and its grewsome possibilities. This is especially so if one be a newspaper man. There are the guardians of the gate at the entrance to the ringside. They "wouldn't send nowhere fer no newspaper guy," and they tell you so.
They back up their statements famously when in the presence of special officers. There are the rules of the Fire Department, and likewise of the State Athletic Commission, but these are honored only in the breach. Such piffling circumstances must not annoy persons who never had a headache in their lives.
At the Federal A. C. last night the aisles were blocked by spectators, who stood or crouched, and in the back of the building, near the barroom, the standees were lined ten deep. It would have been nice and convenient had a fire broken out. But what matter a few lives? Then there are the rules of the State Athletic Commission.
The order was promulgated some time ago that horns, bells and other noise making contrivances be barred from the boxing clubs of this state. Last night horns of various descriptions announced the arrival of a local fighter in the ring. As if this did not make the night hideous enough, the spectators hooted and sang.
It also was ordered that the main bout be in the ring by 10 o'clock. Kilbane and Leonard entered some half an hour later. Then Joe Humphries flaunted all rules by introducing Terry McGovern. He admitted that he was breaking the rules, but Terry was introduced just the same. Yes, there is still work for the State Athletic Commission.
But to return to Kilbane and Leonard. It may be said that the champion never tried so hard in any of his local bouts. He was in there trying with might and main at all times. He rushed, fought in close and tried everything in his repertory, but Leonard, remembering safety first, set his mind on avoiding punishment. He succeeded fairly well, but the champion won as he pleased.
1915-04-30 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 11)
Johnny Kilbane of Cleveland, holder of the world's featherweight title, did not enhance his reputation last night at the Federal A. C. on the Bowery when he stepped out of his class to box Benny Leonard of the Bronx ten rounds. It was an unsatisfactory contest, in which the pair wrestled and clinched throughout the greater part of it, and at the end the ambitious young Bronx lightweight had earned a draw. It was expected that Leonard would give the champion a pretty fair idea of his chances with the topnotchers of the lightweight division, as he has cleaned up the best featherweights in the country, but Leonard was making his debut among championship timber and showed throughout that he could not forget it. The result was that Leonard did not display his best wares, and the bout was not a fair test for the champion.
While good judges of boxing will probably make it an even thing between the pair, local partisanship made many favor Leonard, but the latter, with rare exceptions, showed no inclination to mix matters. He outboxed Kilbane and unquestionably scored more points, but the champion's continual leading and disposition to force matters left little to be desired between the pair. There were many cat calls and lots of hooting, but the majority of the spectators could not discriminate between a fighter and a boxer, and it invariably follows that a bout between two men of opposite styles terminates unsatisfactory.
It was announced as a handicap match, as Kilbane was supposed to be going out of his division to face an opponent who would have the advantage in weight, but as a matter of fact there was only two pounds difference in the weights announced. Kilbane tipped the scales at 128, while Leonard weighed 130 pounds. The advantage of two pounds did not aid Leonard in his style of boxing.
The champion experienced considerable difficulty in finding an opening. He was anxious to exchange punches, but the Bronx lad would have none of this style of boxing. Almost every time Kilbane tried to force Leonard to open his guard the latter would cover up or clinch. Before the champion could get Leonard to try punching, Gibson's protégé had secured a good lead. He did not heed the shouting of the fans, but used considerable strategy in avoiding many stiff blows, which, had they landed, would probably have put Leonard in a bad way.
It was not until the eighth round that a real hard blow found its mark. Near the end of this session Leonard caught his man rushing in and landed a smashing right in the jaw. This seemed to encourage the local man, while it came somewhat as a surprise to the champion. Leonard took the initiative and landed two straight lefts in the face without a return. He followed this up with two more, but received a hard right uppercut in the face which caused him to steady himself.
Kilbane opened the tenth round with two hard jolts to the head, and Leonard replied with a left jab in the face. The champion drove Leonard all over the ring, but was not successful in landing many blows, as Leonard was too clever to be caught off his guard.
Leach Cross and Packey Hommey furnished a fast ten-round contest for the semi-final, which was in striking contrast to the wind-up. Cross, who had the advantage of nearly seven pounds made such good use of this that he experienced little trouble in winning. As in his past bouts in this city, Cross showed himself to be a poor boxer, but a splendid ring general. He punished Hommey about the face and body and, although the latter took his medicine gamely, he was no match for the fighting dentist.
KILBANE PROVES FAR TOO CLEVER FOR LEONARD
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Featherweight Champion Forces Fighting in Practically Every Round.
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EAST SIDE BOXER FIGHTS IN STREAKS
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Leach Cross Outpoints Hommey in Bout Full of Action from Start to Finish.
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Featherweight Champion Forces Fighting in Practically Every Round.
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EAST SIDE BOXER FIGHTS IN STREAKS
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Leach Cross Outpoints Hommey in Bout Full of Action from Start to Finish.
Johnny Kilbane, of Cleveland, featherweight champion of the world, and one of the cleverest boxers who ever drew on a glove, had all the better of Benny Leonard, of the East Side, in a ten-round contest at the Federal A. C. last night.
There was scarcely a round of the ten in which Kilbane did not force the fighting, and he landed the greater number of the clean punches throughout the battle. Leonard fought in streaks, and in streaks only. Most of the time he applied the doctrine of "safety first" to his work and made it a point to keep far out of harm's way. Seldom did he unbuckle, and although the unneutral crowd booed the champion, charging him with poor work, it was Leonard's fault that the bout was not of the sensational order.
Kilbane laid down the gage of battle in every round except the first. He kept after Leonard, trying with all the cunning of the master workman to force an opening for his leads, but to no purpose. Leonard was, to say the least, cautious. Many said he was afraid. But the records will attest that he once fought ten rounds with Johnny Kilbane, and this can be turned into most anything by a nimble press agent.
In another and more sensational battle Leach Cross, the ever formidable East Side boy, checked the career of Packey Hommey momentarily. This bout was a slasher from start to finish, and Cross won on his ring generalship. This same generalship was aided in no small measure by an advantage of almost eight pounds in weight. Hommey was game and aggressive, but his aggressiveness earned him a multitude of hard knocks, and he left the ring a rather bruised and battered young man.
Witnessing a bout on the Bowery is not without its thrills and its grewsome possibilities. This is especially so if one be a newspaper man. There are the guardians of the gate at the entrance to the ringside. They "wouldn't send nowhere fer no newspaper guy," and they tell you so.
They back up their statements famously when in the presence of special officers. There are the rules of the Fire Department, and likewise of the State Athletic Commission, but these are honored only in the breach. Such piffling circumstances must not annoy persons who never had a headache in their lives.
At the Federal A. C. last night the aisles were blocked by spectators, who stood or crouched, and in the back of the building, near the barroom, the standees were lined ten deep. It would have been nice and convenient had a fire broken out. But what matter a few lives? Then there are the rules of the State Athletic Commission.
The order was promulgated some time ago that horns, bells and other noise making contrivances be barred from the boxing clubs of this state. Last night horns of various descriptions announced the arrival of a local fighter in the ring. As if this did not make the night hideous enough, the spectators hooted and sang.
It also was ordered that the main bout be in the ring by 10 o'clock. Kilbane and Leonard entered some half an hour later. Then Joe Humphries flaunted all rules by introducing Terry McGovern. He admitted that he was breaking the rules, but Terry was introduced just the same. Yes, there is still work for the State Athletic Commission.
But to return to Kilbane and Leonard. It may be said that the champion never tried so hard in any of his local bouts. He was in there trying with might and main at all times. He rushed, fought in close and tried everything in his repertory, but Leonard, remembering safety first, set his mind on avoiding punishment. He succeeded fairly well, but the champion won as he pleased.
1915-04-30 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 11)
KILBANE GETS ONLY DRAW WITH LEONARD
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Featherweight Champion Content to Wrestle and Clinch Instead of Box.
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Featherweight Champion Content to Wrestle and Clinch Instead of Box.
Johnny Kilbane of Cleveland, holder of the world's featherweight title, did not enhance his reputation last night at the Federal A. C. on the Bowery when he stepped out of his class to box Benny Leonard of the Bronx ten rounds. It was an unsatisfactory contest, in which the pair wrestled and clinched throughout the greater part of it, and at the end the ambitious young Bronx lightweight had earned a draw. It was expected that Leonard would give the champion a pretty fair idea of his chances with the topnotchers of the lightweight division, as he has cleaned up the best featherweights in the country, but Leonard was making his debut among championship timber and showed throughout that he could not forget it. The result was that Leonard did not display his best wares, and the bout was not a fair test for the champion.
While good judges of boxing will probably make it an even thing between the pair, local partisanship made many favor Leonard, but the latter, with rare exceptions, showed no inclination to mix matters. He outboxed Kilbane and unquestionably scored more points, but the champion's continual leading and disposition to force matters left little to be desired between the pair. There were many cat calls and lots of hooting, but the majority of the spectators could not discriminate between a fighter and a boxer, and it invariably follows that a bout between two men of opposite styles terminates unsatisfactory.
It was announced as a handicap match, as Kilbane was supposed to be going out of his division to face an opponent who would have the advantage in weight, but as a matter of fact there was only two pounds difference in the weights announced. Kilbane tipped the scales at 128, while Leonard weighed 130 pounds. The advantage of two pounds did not aid Leonard in his style of boxing.
The champion experienced considerable difficulty in finding an opening. He was anxious to exchange punches, but the Bronx lad would have none of this style of boxing. Almost every time Kilbane tried to force Leonard to open his guard the latter would cover up or clinch. Before the champion could get Leonard to try punching, Gibson's protégé had secured a good lead. He did not heed the shouting of the fans, but used considerable strategy in avoiding many stiff blows, which, had they landed, would probably have put Leonard in a bad way.
It was not until the eighth round that a real hard blow found its mark. Near the end of this session Leonard caught his man rushing in and landed a smashing right in the jaw. This seemed to encourage the local man, while it came somewhat as a surprise to the champion. Leonard took the initiative and landed two straight lefts in the face without a return. He followed this up with two more, but received a hard right uppercut in the face which caused him to steady himself.
Kilbane opened the tenth round with two hard jolts to the head, and Leonard replied with a left jab in the face. The champion drove Leonard all over the ring, but was not successful in landing many blows, as Leonard was too clever to be caught off his guard.
Leach Cross and Packey Hommey furnished a fast ten-round contest for the semi-final, which was in striking contrast to the wind-up. Cross, who had the advantage of nearly seven pounds made such good use of this that he experienced little trouble in winning. As in his past bouts in this city, Cross showed himself to be a poor boxer, but a splendid ring general. He punished Hommey about the face and body and, although the latter took his medicine gamely, he was no match for the fighting dentist.
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