1894-03-07 Kid Lavigne D-PTS8 Solly Smith [Arbeiter Hall, Saginaw, MI, USA]

1894-03-08 The Saginaw Evening News (Saginaw, MI) (page 4)

THE KID WINS.
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George Lavigne Proved Too Much for Solly Smith.

Admirers of the fistic art gathered in force at Arbeiter hall last evening to witness the eight round go between Solly Smith, the champion featherweight of the United States, and George Lavigne, of this city, otherwise known as the Kid, whose recent contest with Griffo at Chicago gives him a high place among aspirants for pugilistic honors. Bay City, Flint, Detroit and other places throughout the state were represented, while Chicago also sent a goodly contingent. President Buckhout, of the police board, Chief of Police Kain, Captain Baskins, and a body guard of the finest were on hand to see that nothing in the shape of a knock out occurred while many of Saginaw's capitalists and lumber barons were scattered throughout the audience.

A succession of two and three-minute rounds between such local devotees of the fistic art as Richard Boyle, Wesley Brown, George Johnson, John Tracy, Ollie Freeman, Jack Beadly, Billy Lavigne, Peter Major, Billy Bushy, Billy Skimmons, besides Dick Elliott of Buffalo and Jim Weeden of Pittsburg opened the exhibition. In the bout between Billy Lavigne, the popular welter-weight, Lavigne accidentally gave Major a pivot blow on the jaw which dazed him so that he fell helpless to the floor and was assisted by his opponent to his corner, where he shortly afterwards recovered and went at it again, the claret flowing freely from the effect of the blow. Some phenomenal bag punching was done by William St. Mary, who struck the bag 100 times in a minute. Frank Mostellar also gave a fine exhibition of club swinging and juggling.

When the event of the evening was announced by William E. Gardiner, who acted as master of ceremonies, the applause was uproarious, almost approaching an ovation, and after the "Kid" and Solly Smith went to their corners the former was presented with a handsome training stick, manufactured for him by his friend, E. Grigware, jr. The duties of referee were performed most acceptably by Walter Grimmon, of this city. Smith was seconded by Al Daugherty, of Chicago, Frank Vanderbilt, of Bay City, and Peter Major, of this city. Behind the "Kid" were his brother, Billy Lavigne, William St. Mary and Pat Hogan, of this city. Clin J. Van Scoter, of Bay City, and George Groves, of this city, were time keepers.

Both men were in splendid form, Lavigne stripping at 127 and Smith at 123, the corded muscles of each standing out like ribs of steel.

Lavigne opened the ball in the first round by getting in two blows in rapid succession upon Smith's bugle. After considerable feinting and dodging blows were rapidly exchanged at short range, honors being easy at the close of the round.

The second round opened lively from the start, the men clinching each other continually, giving and exchanging some wicked blows in which each displayed considerable slugging power. When time was called both retired to their corners breathing heavily.

Lavigne got in a stinger on Smith's jaw in the third round which threw his head back with a jerk. Both men confined their attention to the face, but few body blows being delivered. The round closed slightly in favor of Lavigne.

In the fourth round Smith got in some hot ones on the Kid's neck and acted more on the aggressive, and both men displayed wonderful agility and striking power.

Lavigne did some artistic work on Smith's jaw in the fifth round, the latter responding with some good blows on the chest and face, but got one in the neck that made him wince.

In the sixth round Lavigne chased Smith all around the ring, occasionally getting in a blow.

There were some close exchanges made in the seventh round, Smith being apparently on his mettle. The Kid, however, got his work in toward the close and knocked Smith over on the ropes, following him up with several stingers.

Throughout the fight Smith acted more on the defensive and kept up his dodging and feinting throughout. His tactics were the same in the eighth round and amid cries of "knock him out kid," the last round ended, Lavigne having by far the best of it from beginning to finish, showing himself thoroughly scientific and strong on his pins and agile as a panther. The receipts were about $1,000, a goodly portion of which will be divided by the champions. The audience was orderly throughout and the exhibition as a whole was highly creditable.

1889-02-28 Kid Lavigne D-PTS77 George Siddons [Putnam’s Hotel, near Saginaw, MI, USA]

1889-03-01 The Bay City Times (Bay City, MI) (page 4)

EIGHTY ROUNDS.
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And Still the Fight was Declared a Draw.

Twenty days ago a match for a fight to a finish with two-ounce gloves was arranged to take place between George Siddons, of Grand Rapids, champion light-weight of the northwest, and George Lavine, of East Saginaw, for the championship, $100 a side, and gate receipts.

The match took place last night in a dance hall four miles from Saginaw City. At 11:12 the men were called to time, a ring having been arranged in the hall. Both of the contestants were stripped to the waist and were in prime condition. Siddons weighs about 130 and Lavine 128.

John Connolly, of East Saginaw, was chosen referee, Groves and Carson time-keepers.

Eighty rounds were fought, whereupon the match was declared a draw.


1889-03-01 The Saginaw Evening News (Saginaw, MI) (page 7)

SEVENTY-SEVEN ROUNDS.
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THE LONGEST FIGHT ON RECORD IN MICHIGAN.
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The Siddons-Lavine Fight This Morning Declared a Draw After Battling Over Five Hours--Large Attendance--Everybody Satisfied With the Decision.

The long talked-of battle between Geo. Siddons, champion feather-weight of the Northwest, and Geo. Lavine, champion feather-weight of the Valley, for $100 aside and 75 per cent. of the gate receipts, is over, and one of the longest battles ever fought in Michigan is down on record. Last night shortly after 8 o'clock there seemed to be a demand for hacks and rigs and although they filled readily with the masculine gender, no one could definitely tell what was the cause of the sudden desire for midnight rides and the destination was uncertain. The knowing ones, however, said the tip is "Putnam's," and those that invested a $3 bill for an admission ticket seemed satisfied with the information, and after leaving the heart of the city instructed their drivers to head for the Gratiot State Road, for Putnam's hotel, about five miles from the city, just across the Tittabawassee River. Load after load was deposited there, including sporting-men from Grand Rapids, Detroit, Flint, Bay City, Saginaw City and several other places. The men, on arriving, adjourned to an upper floor of the hotel, used for dancing, where a ring was pitched in the center.

Of the contestants, Geo. Siddons has a great reputation as a ring-fighter, having met the "Belfast Spider," Weir, in an eight-round draw. He has had many "difficulties" in the squared circle, meeting the best men in his class and always with a creditable showing. He had a draw with Tommy Warren, bested John Connors and been in the ring with Tom Miller, Harry Jones, Billy Rhodes, Ed. Hurley, Tommy Burke and a host of others. Siddons is about five feet five inches in height, and his standard weight is around 120 pounds, so that he does not need much training down to his class, and is one of the quickest prepared bantams for the ring in this country. He is about 20 years of age and was sailing in the navy up to within four years ago when he took to sparring, and as his work was clean-cut he soon found backers who put him in the professional arena about two years ago, and since then he has worked his way up to the foremost ranks among the bantams of this country. He was born in Philadelphia.

Geo. Lavine, of this city, is nearly 20 years of age, a cooper by trade, is almost an amateur. He has been in numerous sparring matches and has never been defeated. He met "Pikie" Johnson, a noted bantam, who it was supposed would put an end to him in five rounds, but at the end of eight it was declared a draw, with a slight shade in favor of Lavine. He also bested Pat Connors in a five round engagement. George is about five feet four inches in height and his regular weight is about 125 pounds.

About 300 people had arrived on the scene by 10 o'clock, but it was 11:15 before either of the principals made their appearance. Lavine was first to enter the circle, followed by Harry Gilmore, his second, and Billy Lavine. Ed. Hurley came next with a set of two-ounce gloves, which he dropped in the center, and Siddons then appeared and he and Hurley and Ed. White immediately took the northeast corner of the ring. It was then announced that the spectators were to choose a referee, and John Connelly was agreed upon. A man named Carson acted as timekeeper for Lavine and Fred Groves filled that capacity for Siddons.

No announcement was made, but the principals took off their overcoats and it was noticed Siddons wore blue tights, white belt, low ring shoes, and was just a trifle tallest, while Lavine wore maroon tights and the regulation high ring shoes. The latter is more stocky built and looked a trifle heaviest when they shook hands.

When time was called the men opened up with cautious sparring and a minute passed before a pass was made. Siddons made a feint and by a quick recovery sent in his left full on Lavine's neck. It was followed by an exchange of blows, both getting in their left. Some more cautious sparring followed, when Siddons got his left on Lavine's mouth, slightly drawing blood. First blood was claimed by Siddons and allowed. This closed the round.

It was conceded by almost everybody that Siddons would win, the only difference in opinion was the length of time, a majority thinking ten rounds would see the end, since Siddons' work in the first round. In it Siddons displayed some wonderful science in ducking, and Lavine made some nice counters. During the next five rounds honors were easy, no one having the advantage. Clinching Siddons was almost floored in the break-away and Hurley tried to claim a foul on it, but was not allowed.

Lavine wore a determined look and Siddons was smiling when the seventh round was called. After dancing around a minute, Siddons got in his left on Lavine's left eye and got away by ducking a heavy hit from Lavine's left. Both made nice counters and Lavine reached Siddons' neck at the close of the round, which raised a lump like a small-sized egg.

The next three rounds were principally put in with cautious sparring, and Siddons' lump on the back of his neck had disappeared when the eleventh round was called. It was then evident that Siddons had to do something more than heretofore, as Lavine showed up as well as he did. He made a pass and fell short, and in return he got one on his chest and one on the neck for his folly. After feinting once Siddons scored a hit on Lavine's left eye which made that optic assume rather larger proportions. A clinch closed the round.

The men appeared fresh at each call of time and the audience soon saw that Siddons had his hands full to best Lavine. Siddons had the most science, but he lacked the strength to hold an advantage after he had it. Lavine, doing the heaviest hitting, would cause the champion of the Northwest to keep on guessing in getting out of Lavine's way. Round after round rolled off in this way, the men showing no punishment, with the exception of Lavine's left eye which was closing slowly. Siddons paid all his attention to this and hoped to finish his man after his eyes were shut. Occasionally a round would terminate without a pass being made.

The fifty-first round was opened with some sharp infighting followed by a clinch, and in breaking Siddons got his right again on Lavine's eye. He led again, which was nicely stopped, and in getting away Lavine just reached him lightly, Siddons slipping received two blows on the back of the head before he recovered. When he did he found Lavine's left eye, and the round closed.

Honors were easy until the sixty-fourth round, when Gilmore said "Now do some fighting and give the people the worth of their money." Everybody was getting tired and it looked as though the two could fight sixty-four more rounds. The next ten rounds were the best of the mill, and it was no man's battle; sometimes one and then the other would have a slight advantage. The next two rounds were simply walk-arounds, not a heavy blow being struck.

Murmurs of make it a draw were heard at the conclusion of the 76th and White was talking to Gilmore over some matter when time was called for the 77th round. An equal exchange and a rib-roaster to Lavine's credit was all that was done in the round with the exception of each making two nice stops. It was then announced at 4:30 a. m. that the men were willing to call it a draw, providing the audience were satisfied. All said "make it a draw, we've had our money's worth," and the referee so declared. Siddons immediately shook hands with Lavine and both smiled at the outcome. Thus ended the longest battle ever fought in the State of Michigan--seventy-seven rounds and over five hours of fighting.

Everybody that could reach the principals shook hands with them and then there was a hasty scramble into the vehicles and in a few minutes the place was again deserted.

1895-12-02 George (Kid) Lavigne W-PTS15 Joe Walcott (Maspeth, NY, USA)

1895-12-03 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 4)

LAVIGNE WINS THE BOUT.
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WALCOTT FAILS TO FINISH HIM IN FIFTEEN FIERCE ROUNDS.
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The Saginaw Boy Takes Heavy Punishment, and Outstays His Rival--Thousands Cheer the Clever Combatants--Both Boxers, Especially the Winner, Severely Marked--Casper Leon Wins the Opening Bout at the Empire A. C.--Elms Scores a Knock-down in the Fourth Round, but Loses the Fight on a Foul.

Empire A. C., Maspeth, L. I., Dec. 2.--Those who like to see good glove contests came to this place early this evening to witness the much talked of fifteen round bout between the colored cyclone, Joe Walcott of Boston, and George Lavigne, the "Saginaw Kid." When the match was made some weeks ago it was stipulated that the men should weigh in at 133 pounds, the lightweight limit, at 6 o'clock tonight. When the time arrived for the pugilists to mount the scales it was found that both were under the limit, the announced figures being about 131½ pounds for each.

Walcott, as in all his other encounters, was the favorite, more because of his tremendous hitting powers than anything else, but in order to win the battle to-night he was compelled to put Lavigne out before the fifteenth round ended. In other words, if Lavigne was on his feet at the expiration of the go, he was to be declared the victor. Sam Fitzpatrick, Lavigne's trainer, said before the men entered the ring that Lavigne would undoubtedly last the fifteen rounds, while Tom O'Rourke smiled knowingly, and told his friends that the colored boy would win.

The crowd came early and in large numbers. The trolley cars from Brooklyn and Williamsburgh were packed, and the special trains from Long Island City were overloaded. Free tickets were as scarce as hens' teeth, and the deadheads who surrounded the entrance to the Empire Athletic Club's arena were, with few exceptions, unceremoniously turned down.

The preliminary battle carded between Jerry Marshall of Australia and Solly Smith of California was an uncertainty at 7 o'clock because Marshall was three pounds overweight. The men agreed to weigh in at 120 pounds, give or take 2 pounds, but Marshall tipped the scale at 3 o'clock this afternoon at 125 pounds and Smith at 118. The latter made a kick and refused to go on. Efforts were made to bring the men together, but in case they declined it was arranged to pit Joe Elms of Boston against Casper Leon of New York at catch weights.

Tim Hurst was the referee, as usual, Frank Freeman held the watch, and C. I. Harvey was the announcer. It was shortly after 8 o'clock when John L. Sullivan came in and took a seat near the ring. He was cheered for fully five minutes, and in response he lifted his silk tile again and again. A half hour later there were fully 3,500 persons present, including all the well-known local sporting men. It was finally decided to put on Elms and Leon. They were scheduled to box six rounds. When this was announced there were mingled hisses and applause. The building was corded to the doors when the fighters appeared at a few minutes before 9 o'clock. Tommy Ryan and Charley White were behind Leon, while Elms was in the care of George Dixon, the featherweight champion, and Joe Gordon. They shook hands at 9 o'clock.

First Round.--Leon led at once, but Elms came back with right and left on the head, and Casper ducked. They mixed it up with honors even, and then Elms rushed with a left on the neck. Elms rushed again, but this time Leon met him with a series of frightful swings and uppercuts that sent the Boston man to the floor. He jumped up and was clinched at the bell.

Second Round.--Leon landed a heavy upper cut and Elms clinched. Again Leon sent his left in straight and threw his right onto the jaw, but Elms was full of fighting and hugged and roughed it until the referee had difficulty in breaking the men. Elms rushed into a hot left as the bell rang. He was taking a hard punching.

Third Round.--Leon landed a straight left on the nose that drew the blood in torrents, then Casper shot in a right upper cut and a left on the neck that sent Joe to the ropes. Elms put in a good right over the heart, but Leon only laughed, and hit the Boston boy a hard blow in the mouth. Leon drove his left to the jaw, and Elms staggered, but he was still on his feet at the close.

Fourth Round.--After a moment's fiddling Leon landed a hot right on the throat. Elms landed a chance right-hand blow on the jaw and sent the New Yorker to the floor. Joe lost his head and tried to hit his man when he was down. Then as Leon got up Elms grabbed him around the legs and tried to throw him. Referee Hurst interfered at once and disqualified Elms, at the same time declaring Leon the winner. It was a decision that met the approval of the entire crowd. Time of the round, 1 minute and 38 seconds.

The stars of the night were not slow in entering the ring, and there was an ovation for each when he crawled through the ropes. Walcott's seconds were Tom O'Rourke, George Dixon, and Joe Gordon. Lavigne's esquires were Sam Fitzpatrick, Tommy Ryan, and Ted Alexander. The principals were ready to box at 9:25.

First Round.--Walcott sent his left to the jaw at once. Then he drove his right to the ribs, but Lavigne got in a good right on the neck. They exchanged lefts, and the Kid missed a hard right that flew over Joe's head. Lavigne's right landed over the heart and Walcott sent in a left on the eye that made George wince. The Kid, however, came back with a corking right on the jaw, and clinched when Joe rushed. Lavigne's work was clever.

Second Round.--They got together, Walcott putting his right over the heart. Then Joe's left went to the ear, the Kid responding with a hot cross counter on the jaw. Walcott rushed like a mad bull, but Lavigne sent right and left swings in on the head and neck until the crowd was simply wild. Walcott, however, showed no effect from the punching and went to his corner laughing.

Third Round.--Walcott's left was well stopped, but Joe's right upper cut landed, and Lavigne was a bit dazed. Lavigne came back with rather light blows and did no damage, while Walcott drove in fearful blows that were bound to tell in the end. The Kid was clearly on the defensive now, and ran away from the awful punishment that was rained upon him. But he turned suddenly and staggered Walcott with a right and left on the jaw. The cheering was terrific.

Fourth Round.--Walcott rushed, but the half dozen blows he tried to land were well stopped. The Kid put a hot left on the mouth and a tremendous right in the wind, only to get a straight left in the mouth. Walcott continued his rushing tactics, but Lavigne was away, and looked all right as he took his corner.

Fifth Round.--They exchanged lefts at long range and then clinched. They got closer and Lavigne drove Joe into a corner, where the fighting was of the fiercest nature. When they came out Walcott drove two hard blows to the face that drew blood from the Kid's nose. Walcott's blows were simply terrific, but Lavigne seemed to be right in it when he rushed Joe to the ropes just as the bell rang.

Sixth Round.--When the bell rang Walcott was after his man like a flash. Lavigne's left eye was almost closed and his nose was bleeding, but he fought gamely on. Walcott seemed to be slowly but surely chopping the white man to pieces, although the latter was doing wonderfully well. A hard swing from Lavigne sent Walcott to his knees, but he jumped up and sailed in fiercer than before. He was not hurt, while Lavigne was a bit tired as he went to his chair. It was certainly a great battle, and the crowd was wildly excited over it.

Seventh Round.--Walcott sent in his right on the mouth, and Lavigne responded with a hard one on the ear. Walcott rushed into a clinch, but on the break Lavigne hit him on the ribs with telling effect. Walcott's left landed on the damaged eye, while the Kid's best blow during the remainder of the round was a right in the neck.

Eighth Round.--They got to close quarters at once, and Walcott swinging a hard left to the ear. Lavigne came back with right and left on the face, but the blows were not heavy, and Walcott quickly retaliated with some tremendous upper cuts that made Lavigne see stars. Still the Kid was full of ginger, and went to his corner in good shape.

Ninth Round.--Lavigne was wary as he came up, but Walcott was after him and sent in some heavy body blows. Then he shot his dangerous right onto the left ear until that organ swelled to twice its natural size. Walcott saw his opportunity, and rushed in like a madman, but Lavigne's defence was wonderful, and he stayed the round out.

Tenth Round.--Walcott's left landed straight on the nose. Joe swung his right, but the Kid ran. They got to close quarters and exchanged heavy body blows until Lavigne clinched. They broke away and Lavigne landed a straight left that sent Joe's head back. Walcott returned the compliment with a fearful upper cut in the wind. They were sparring at the close.

Eleventh Round.--They began at close quarters and were clinched in a jiffy. Walcott again tried his best to knock the Kid out, Lavigne being clearly on the defensive. A fearful right swing almost cut Lavigne's left ear off, and both men were spattered with blood. The Kid, however, was fresh when he sat down.

Twelfth Round.--Walcott landed at once on the bruised ear. Lavigne rushed back with two hard lefts that sent Joe to the ropes. Walcott came on again like a whirlwind, and Lavigne had to clinch at short range. Lavigne landed a couple of stiff lefts and a great right upper cut that boomed his stock immensely. The round was Lavigne's and the cheering was terrific. It was a beautiful brace on the Kid's part, and Walcott was surprised.

Thirteenth Round.--They exchanged swings, one of Walcott's being very wild. Then the Kid rushed Joe to the ropes, where they indulged in infighting until they clinched. Lavigne rushed Walcott to the ropes a second time and got in a great left on the jaw. Walcott looked a bit discouraged when the bell rang.

Fourteenth Round.--Walcott started in to finish the job by raining left and right on the head and neck, but Lavigne came back with such a hard right that Walcott lost his balance and slipped to the floor. When Walcott got up he rushed, but the Kid was not there. Then Lavigne rushed and beat Walcott with both hands until Joe was on the run, and when the bell sounded he was in his corner, apparently at Lavigne's mercy.

Fifteenth Round.--This was the final test, and as Walcott came up he looked beaten. Lavigne drove his left to the jaw and Walcott staggered. Still it wasn't a very dangerous blow, for Walcott kept pegging away until the bell rang. Lavigne was still in the ring, and of course, per articles of agreement, he got the verdict.

It was one of the greatest fistic battles on record, and the consensus of opinion was that to a finish at the weight the Saginaw boy might win. Walcott was certainly used up in the last two rounds, and but for Lavigne's cautious tactics might have been put out. At any rate Lavigne's exhibition was wonderful, and he received an ovation as he left the ring. His face was badly punished, while Walcott did not show many marks of the battle.

Joe Walcott was seen in his dressing room after the battle. He was very much disappointed over the result. He thought that Lavigne was the greatest man in the world at his weight, and had no excuses to make. Walcott hurt his right hand in the battle and could scarcely lift his shoulder. His face showed signs of punishment. Lavigne's countenance was a sight after the go. His left ear is badly lacerated and his nose is considerably puffed up. When seen by a Sun reporter he said:

"Walcott is a hard puncher and a dangerous fellow, but I was confident from the start. I guess my claim for the light-weight championship is undisputed."