1900-04-17 Terry McGovern ND6 Tommy White [Tattersall's, Chicago, IL, USA]

1900-04-18 The Chicago Daily Tribune (Chicago, IL) (page 6)

WHITE STAYS THE LIMIT.

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McGOVERN FAILS TO WIN AT TATTERSALL'S

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Chicago Boxer Stands Him Off by Clever Defensive Work for Five Rounds and Surprises Him in the Closing Round by Taking the Aggressive--Crowd Grows Wildly Enthusiastic Over the Exhibition--McGovern Complains of Too Much Clinching.

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For eighteen minutes last night Tommy White stood in the path of a McGovern cyclone and emerged comparatively unscathed at the finish. In addition to this the Chicago 126-pounder started a little whirlwind on his own account at the finish which sent the Brooklyn wonder to his corner with a look of regret on his face. McGovern was sad because White had as he claimed hung on to him unnecessarily.

The 9,000 spectators who journeyed to Tattersall's to witness the encounter cared naught for this. They had seen the phenomenal Terry in action for six full rounds and had seen a local man accompany him the entire distance. As round after round went by and White walked to his corner the cheering grew louder and louder. And when in the last round White started his own little breeze of uppercuts and jabs the crowd broke out in wild applause, which was renewed as the contestants in the memorable battle filed their way to the dressing-rooms.

It was a contest that will live long on the local annals of the game. McGovern, who had been seen in four contests in the same ring, had easily disposed of Rotchford, Haley, Smith and Santry, and was thought by most of the crowd to be able to give White his quietus before the end of the six rounds. In this he failed signally, and though he lost no friends by his failure, the honors of the go were given to White.

The one weak point of the contest was the agreement that if both men were on their feet there was to be no decision. The concession, it is claimed, was demanded by Sam Harris, McGovern's manager, by reason of his man having to concede ten pounds in weight. It is doubtful if White weighed more than five pounds over his opponent, but he was willing to accede to the request, and the Tattersall's association announced the conditions previous to the contest.

What the result would have been had a decision been rendered rests with Referee Siler.

McGovern Is the Aggressor.

McGovern was the aggressor in the first five rounds, and though many times wild in his attack he sent home many hard blows on his opponent. White clinched many times to save himself and had a clean knockdown registered against him. All this while he put up a good game fight and kept his faculties in fast working order. In the last round he cleanly outpointed his man, but it is doubtful if his work in this would have entitled him to an even break. White, in addition to having a slight advantage in height, weight, and reach, was in better condition. Not that McGovern was much out of shape, but coming in after being on the road with a show does not leave a man exactly on edge. His vigorous style of fighting, if continued for a few rounds, is bound to tell, and this was the case last night, for after the first three rounds the champion slowed down and his blows lacked their usual steam.

It was 10:40 o'clock before the preliminary bouts were over. These were of mediocre character, the Schultz-Sherlock bout being the best contested. Barney Connors was too heavy and strong for Billy Elmer of San Francisco, the actor-pugilist. Though defeated, Elmer put up a game fight and took a hard grueling until his seconds mercifully threw up the towel. Jack Moffat, who made his first appearance since he broke his left forearm against George Gardiner in New York, entered the ring too soon and again fractured a small bone. The injury, though not so serious as the first one, will keep him out of the ring for some time. In Jim Adams of Omaha he met an opponent fully fifteen pounds heavier than himself. Moffat was aggressive throughout and had a long lead in every round. His punches, however, were not as strong as usual and Adams, who put up a thoroughly game fight, was apparently unmarked at the finish. Moffat got the decision.

After the pair had left the ring there was a short pause and then the cheering announced the coming of the principals in the windup. White, accompanied by Harry Gilmore, Henry Stender, and Willie McGurn, was the first to enter the ring. McGovern came a few seconds later with Sam Harris, Kid Bernstein, Charley Mayhood, and his constant attendant, Constable Nelson.

Terry a Believer in Luck.

White had seated himself in the corner occupied by McGovern in his previous fights, and Terry, deeming it his lucky seat, insisted on tossing for it. He won, and White smilingly took the opposite chair. After receiving instructions from Referee Siler the men sat smiling awaiting the tap of the bell. White shook his fist at McGovern, who broadened his smile in response.

The gong sounded, and McGovern almost sprinted across the ring to White. White, unliked many of the Brooklynite's victims, did not appear to be hypnotized by the fast moving fists confronting him. McGovern finally let go a right which landed on White's shoulder, and the battle was on. The little Brooklynite was the personification of energy, and White's defensive abilities were taxed to the utmost. He ducked, clinched, and blocked as best he could, but the flail-like arms of Terry were ever on the move, and many blows went home.

The I-told-you-so portion of the crowd settled down, looking for a speedy termination. White slipped over, and rested on his knee for a count of eight. He then jabbed Terry's face to show he was still in the fight. McGovern then fell over, and a few seconds later White did the same thing. McGovern then let go a left swing, which White avoided by dropping to his knee. The bell rang and the first stage of the journey was reached.

The looked-for knockout did not materialize in the second round. McGovern began a fusillade of short-arm blows for the body, but here White's generalship came into play, and he soon clinched to a safe position.

In the middle of the round White took a hand at attacking, and two stiff jabs on Terry's nose brought applause. Terry never let up in his attack, but many times was wild. He would make a short swing with his left and then send his right hard, followed by another left, and they came so fast that White, clever as he was, had to take them. Terry went to his corner, his reddened face showing signs of his exertion.

Sets White's Eye to Bleeding.

Early in the third round McGovern sent his right over White's right eye, cutting a bad gash from which the blood flowed freely. Terry was anxious and wildly forced the pace. He tried a hard left uppercut and fell against White on the ropes. After much hard fighting Terry swung his left to the breast, scoring a clean knockdown. White did not appear dazed, but took a count of eight, and when Terry foxily walked behind him he wheeled around on his knees and faced him. The sound of the bell brought a rousing cheer from the crowd, which began to realize that White had a good chance to go the limit.

In the fourth round McGovern again fell over after making two wild swings. McGovern got White in the corner and rained in several savage blows, but White came out strong and fought back.

Fighting in the fifth round was slower. When the sixth started most of the spectators looked for a repetition of the previous rounds, with White mostly on the defensive. After several clinches White suddenly let himself out. Starting his attack with a long, swinging uppercut, he connected hard with Terry's body. Then he drove a similar blow to the chin, followed with another. McGovern was astonished, even if not damaged, and set out to reply in kind. White met him with a stiff left jab and then again uppercut him. He had all the better of the round, and stalled McGovern's hard rush at the finish by clinching.

McGovern said after the battle that it was a hard task to give a man weight and then have him hang on.

"He's too quick and too heavy for me," the little champion added. "And let me tell you that anybody who says White can't hit hard is a fool. He hit me harder than anybody I ever met."

White said: "The blow which cut my eye was not one that McGovern delivered, but was the result of his rushing into me; but of course that is the luck of a fight. The blow which McGovern landed on my jaw in the first round was the hardest I ever got in my life; but when I got up I was all right and I said to myself: 'Well, I don't believe he can land one any harder than that and it didn't put me out, so I'm all right.'"

Fight by Rounds.

FIRST ROUND--Both sparred cautiously for a few seconds. White was the first to lead, putting a left jab on Terry's jaw. McGovern rushed, landing a storm of blows on White's body, forcing him to the ropes. McGovern then fell short with a left swing. White countered lightly with a left to the face. McGovern rushed, landing a left on the body and a right on the head, White keeping away. McGovern kept after his man, attempting to swing a left to the head and a right to the body. White put in a stiff left on Terry's mouth. White was cool and confident. On the next rush, however, McGovern knocked him to the floor with a left on the head. White took the limit and came up strong and as Terry rushed he placed a stiff left in the Easterner's face. McGovern swung left and right and missed both, falling to the floor from the force of his own blows. He got up immediately and, rushing, wrestled White to the floor. Tommy got up at once and landed a right on Terry's ear. Just as the gong sounded McGovern dropped White with a left hook to the chin.

SECOND ROUND--White landed two lefts to the face. McGovern then rushed White, pounding him badly with right and left, and forcing him to a clinch. When they broke McGovern landed a right on the ribs, and followed with another to the pit of the stomach. White did not flinch, but as Terry came at him sent a stiff left and right to body. McGovern whipped his left to stomach and swung a hard right to jaw, staggering White. White jabbed his left to face, McGovern coming back with a left hook to the body. White jabbed his left twice to the face. McGovern then rushed, swinging right and left to the face, and followed with two lefts to chin, putting Tommy to the bad again. McGovern then rushed White around the ring, but was unable to reach him with effect, Tommy jabbing his left three times to the face without return. Just before the gong sounded Terry swung a hard right to White's eye, cutting it slightly.

THIRD ROUND--White landed a left in the face and then sent it to the jaw. McGovern landed a left and right to the neck and eye, opening the cut. White jabbed a left to the face and a right on the head and then uppercut with his right, and in the clinch put his right hard to the ribs when they broke away. White put in a hard left on the nose and ducked a right swing. McGovern rushed and put a left swing on White's jaw, then missed right and left swings. McGovern put a right to the body and left to the face with apparent effect. McGovern swung right to ribs. Then, with another right to the stomach, he sent Tommy to the floor, White taking a five count. Tommy went to his corner bleeding badly from his eye.

FOURTH ROUND--McGovern came up full of business and rushed, but received four hard lefts on the face. McGovern swung a hard left to White's bad eye and a stiff right on the ribs, following it with two lefts on the jaw, forcing White on the ropes. McGovern swung left and right, but missed both, and fell to the floor. Getting up he put in a hard right on the ribs, then rushing Tommy into a neutral corner almost forced him to the floor with a perfect shower of blows. Tommy finally fought himself free and put a stiff left to the face as McGovern followed him. White landed a left hook to the face and right to the jaw, and followed it with two left jabs to Terry's mouth.

FIFTH ROUND--McGovern opened with two left jabs and they came to a clinch. He forced the fighting and swung a left to the nose, and another clinch followed. White twice jabbed cleanly without return, and McGovern again came after him, and they clinched. McGovern sent a straight left to the stomach and again they clinched. McGovern, who was tiring, sent left and right to the body, and again they clinched. The fighting was slow and a few hisses were heard. McGovern sent a right to the wind and brought his left up to the face. McGovern continued to force, and White did some clever ducking. McGovern hooked his right to the kidneys and the bell rang.

SIXTH ROUND--McGovern, acting under instructions, went in to force the fighting, but found White all there, and they clinched three times in succession. White made a wonderful rally. He swung his right to the head. McGovern sent his left to the wind and they clinched. White sent a long swinging uppercut to the chin and the crowd went wild as he twice repeated the dose. Terry was rattled and White easily avoided his rush. White jabbed with his left to the face and again sent a right uppercut. This he followed with two jabs. They clinched several times during the remainder of the round, which was all in favor of White on points.

Results of Preliminaries.

The first preliminary to the McGovern-White fight was between Young Malone and Sammy Keefe of Chicago at 118 pounds. The fight was stopped in the third round, Keefe being practically out.

Kid Schultz was given the decision over Joe Sherlock at the end of the sixth round. The men fought at 122 pounds.

Barney Connors of Chicago defeated Billy Elmer, the actor, of San Francisco in the third round, the fight being stopped by Referee Siler. Elmer was knocked down clean in the first round, again in the second, but knocked Connors against the ropes immediately after regaining his feet.

Elmer was groggy when he went to his corner in the second and was weak when he came up for the third. Connors battered him badly, and when the fight was stopped Elmer was covered with blood. He made a remarkably game fight, and resisted fiercely when his seconds tried to take him to his corner. The round had gone one minute and ten seconds when Connors was given the decision. The men fought at 150 pounds.

"Kid" Garfield was given the decision on points over Henry Lumbard at the end of six rounds.

Jack Moffatt of Chicago outpointed Jim Adams of Omaha in six rather slow rounds. This was Moffatt's first appearance since he broke his left arm in a fight in New York several months ago, but in spite of that handicap the fight was his from the first. Moffatt injured his arm in the final round, but not seriously.


1900-04-18 The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL) (page 8)

TOMMY WHITE LASTS

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Chicago Man Makes a Clever Showing Against McGovern.

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SIX FIERCE ROUNDS

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Both Men on Their Feet at the Finish of the Fight.

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Referee Siler, in Accordance with an Agreement Between the Fighters, Gives No Decision.

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He is a very game fighter, and a clever general. He was too big for me. He is a great big feather-weight, and I was giving him, anyhow, ten pounds the better of it. I weighed only a fraction over 122 pounds in the Turkish bath this afternoon. If anybody thinks White cannot hit I can tell the man a different story. I knew he was a good man when I was fighting preliminaries. That's all. He was too big and awful quick.--Terry McGovern.

He can hit harder than that. He is the greatest hitter I ever met in all my career. The first round was the only one in which he hurt me much. He caught me in the jaw, and I thought my head would fly over to the West Side. I clinched in a daze, and when my head became clear again I figured out that if that blow could not put me out none he had could. While it hurt awfully, it gave me confidence. About the body blows? Well, they do you no good. He is a grand little fighter, and very fair. The cut I got over the left eye was not done by a blow. It came from a butt, but it was unintentional on McGovern's part. He was fighting all the time; but honestly, after that first wallop in the jaw failed to do the work I felt that I was safe.--Tommy White.

Terry McGovern, the champion featherweight of the world, was unable to knock out Tommy White in six rounds at Tattersall's last night, and according to the agreement entered into before the battle, there was no decision. The 12,000 people who were packed into the big building cheered the contestants to the echo.

White put up a game battle, and, not content to be the receiving end of the battery all the time, he carried the fighting into McGovern's territory on a number of occasions during the eighteen minutes of fighting. Both fought their best, and there wasn't much to choose between the pair when the final bell rang.

The crowd didn't like the announcement made in the early part of the contest that there was to be no decision if both men stood the six rounds, but this was the desire of Sam Harris, McGovern's manager. Harris said he did not want to give so much away in weight and then take a chance of his man's being outpointed. There did not seem to be such a great difference in the weights, however, when the men stacked up at the beginning of the first round. Terry wore his usual Irish flag for a belt, and Tommy wore no belt at all.

White was the first to land. It was a light left, and did not ruffle Terry. McGovern then commenced the tactics that have won him many a battle, but they did not avail against White, who blocked cleverly and alternated with left jabs to the face and occasional right uppercuts. Terry, however, was now slow, and his right and left kept working like trip-hammers.

It was about the same in the succeeding rounds. White's left played an important part in the contest, and Terry's right and left went to the jaw and body time and again. The crowd went wild at the close, and cheer after cheer greeted White's showing.

Jack Moffat obtained the decision over Jim Adams of Omaha in six rounds. Moffat's arm, which was recently broken, troubled him a great deal, and he was not able to knock his man out, although he had no trouble at all in defeating him.

Billy Elmer found a Tartar in Barney Connors, the rolling-mill man, and a kind-hearted referee was the only thing that prevented a knock-out. As it was, Siler stopped the contest about the middle of the third round, when Elmer was all but gone.

Referee Bardell stopped the Young Malone-Sam Keefe bout in the third round, and gave the decision to Malone. The other man was far up Queer street when the contest was stopped.

Kid Garfield won from Henry Lumbard in six rounds, and Kid Shultz beat Joe Sherlock in six.

The summaries follow:

Story of the Fight.

Young Malone and Sam Keefe were the first pair to oppose each other. They weighed in at 118 pounds; both are local men. Jimmy Bardell acted as referee.

The first round was fairly even, with plenty of vicious blows on face and body exchanged. Malone had all the better of the second round, and sent Keefe to the floor once by a succession of body punches. Malone was the fresher of the two at the beginning of the third. He went right at his opponent's body and landed some stiff blows. Keefe tried occasionally for the head, but did no damage. He finally grew so weak that Referee Bardell stopped the bout and awarded the decision to Malone.

Henry Lumbard and Kid Garfield were the next pair up. They weighed in at 115 pounds, and are both of Chicago. Jimmy Bardell was the referee. Some pretty work was indulged in in the first round, but neither hurt the other to any appreciable extent. The men fought viciously in the second, and Lumbard had a slight shade. He fell to his knees once, but got up in an instant. Both men were well trained, and showed little effect of the blows they received. Honors were even in the third round, and the crowd frequently applauded the clever, fast work of the men. Lumbard landed on the head frequently in the fourth, but once, when Garfield sent a stiff one to the jaw, Henry was content to hug for a while. They were sparring at the bell.

The fast work in the preceding four rounds did not affect either of the contestants, and they were as chipper at the beginning of the fifth as at the beginning of the first. They gave a good exhibition, and pleased the crowd. Both went for the decision at the sound of the bell that started the sixth round. Garfield staggered his man with a right on the jaw after some hard exchanges. Lumbard sent a right to the ear, and Garfield a left and right hard to face. Lumbard clinched when Garfield sent him against the ropes with a hard right to the jaw. The last part of the round favored Garfield, and he was awarded the decision.

The third bout of the evening was between Kid Schultz and Joe Sherlock, at 122 pounds. Malachy Hogan was the referee.

The men started in at the sound of the bell as though they meant business. They sent and received plenty of rights and lefts on the body and head. Sherlock's left ear was badly cut by a jab from Schultz, and it bled profusely. The Kid found Joe's body and face frequently in the second, and had the better of the argument all through. Sherlock went to the floor in a clinch and stayed down five seconds. He was groggy at the bell.

Joe tried running tactics when the third began, and for a while they proved successful. Schultz finally cornered his man and put right and left on the body. They remained close to each other to the end of the round, and Sherlock managed to return a few of Schultz's blows.

The fourth round was fast and hard enough to please any one, Schultz having the better of it. However, Sherlock sent a few rights to the jaw that staggered his man. The fifth round was in Schultz's favor by a safe margin. Sherlock made his best showing in the last round, but was unable to overcome Schultz's big lead and the latter was awarded the decision.

Billy Elmer, the actor pugilist, and Barney Connors, the rolling-mill man, were the next to appear. George Siler was the referee. Clean breaks were announced for this bout.

First Round--Elmer ducked a hard left. Connors sent left and right to the body, and Elmer sent left to the face. They exchanged hard rights. Elmer sent right and left to the body. Connors put Elmer down with a left on the jaw. The latter took the count. Connors was wrestled to the floor, but was up in an instant. Elmer landed often enough, but his blows lacked steam.

Second Round--Elmer sent a left to the face and Connors returned the same kind of a blow. They clinched. Barney sent a hard left to the jaw and put two rights on the body. Elmer ducked a hard left. Connors sent right and left to head. He knocked Elmer down with a hard right on the jaw. Billy took the nine count. They clinched and Connors almost went through the ropes when he missed a left.

Third Round--They sparred. Connors put a light left on the body, then staggered Elmer twice with lefts and rights to the head. Elmer ducked a good left. Connors smashed Elmer's eye with a right, cutting it terribly. Elmer was game, but almost out when Referee Siler stopped the bout and awarded Connors the decision. The third round lasted one minute and ten seconds.

Moffat Defeats Adams.

The semi-windup of the evening was between Jack Moffat of this city and Jim Adams of Omaha. Malachy Hogan was the referee. The men fought at catch weights.

They began operations carefully when the bell sounded. Moffat sent a left to the head and a right to the body a moment later. Jack did most of the leading and landing, and it was not until the contest was two minutes old that Adams woke up. When he did he made it interesting for a few seconds, but soon was content to let the local man do the punching.

Moffat reached the jaw hard early in the second. They clinched. Jack sent his right to the head. He landed left and right on face. Adams missed three or four good leads for the jaw. Moffat tried hard for a knock-out, and had all the better of the round. Adams reached the jaw with the right when the third began, and fierce fighting at close quarters followed. Jack sent right to the body, and Jim right to the head. Adams slipped down without being hit. Moffat sent two lefts to the jaw, and Adams appeared tired. They were clinched a good part of the time. Moffat sent left to the body and right to the jaw. Adams reached the head, and Moffat landed a stiff left on the jaw just before the bell rang.

The men came together in lively fashion when the fourth round began, and the crowd cheered. After several exchanges Moffat sent Jim down with a straight left, fairly on the point of the jaw. Hogan counted seven before Adams got up. The remainder of the round was all Moffat's.

The Chicagoan tried hard for a knock-out in the fifth, but Adams' very awkwardness prevented it. He was unable to land more than one or two blows himself, but Jack's frequent punches were either not clean enough or not hard enough to do the trick.

Jack rushed his man in the sixth and reached the jaw with a hard right. He sent lefts and rights to the body and head, and a light exchange of lefts followed. Moffat reached the jaw with two lefts in succession, and then smashed rights and lefts on the jaw at will. Clinching was all that saved Adams. Referee Hogan had difficulty in breaking the men. Adams was all but out at the bell, and the referee awarded Moffat the decision.

Moffat complained of his injured arm after the bout.

White Faces McGovern.

A slight delay and the ring was cleared for the grand wind-up of the evening between Terry McGovern, the Brooklyn wonder, and Tommy White, the popular 126-pound champion. Cheers marked the entrance of White into the ring. He was closed followed by McGovern. The stocky, ruddy Terry looked a sharp contrast to the tall, pale local man.

Sam Harris, George Maywood, and Kid Bernstein were the seconds of McGovern, while Harry Gilmore, Ed Ready, Harry Stender, and Willie McGurn looked after White. George Siler was the referee.

Tommy won the toss for corners and selected McGovern's favorite place. He gave it up to the conqueror of Dixon, however, and the crowd applauded. The usual instructions preceded the first bell.

First Round--They sparred, and then White landed a light left on the head. McGovern rushed White to the ropes. Terry hooked the right to the head and sent his left to the face. Tom blocked a left. Mac landed a hard left on the stomach. White sent his left to the face. Terry misses with the left. He then landed right and left on the head. Terry sent Tom down with a left on the jaw. White got up after counting six. Mac sent his left and right to the body. McGovern slipped to the floor. Tommy sent a left to the face and was wrestled down. They mixed it up. White went down from a left on the face.

Second Round--Tom sent two lefts to the face and Terry landed fast lefts and rights on the body. The local man clinched. Mac sent a hard right to the body and White clinched again. Tommy lifted a swift uppercut to the body. Fast infighting followed. Then Tommy sent another left to the head. Terry replied with a hard right to the chin. Tom landed a straight left on the chin. Terry jolted a left to the chin. They clinched. Terry landed a right on the jaw. Tom sent a hard right to the head. The Brooklynite was after his opponent like a bull. White sent a left to the head, and Terry landed a hard left on the face at the bell.

Third Round--Terry missed a right for the head. Tommy landed a left on the face. They clinched, and the Chicagoan's right eye was badly cut. Terry sent a left to the jaw. Tom landed two lefts on the head and put a right on the jaw. Terry sent right to the body and missed several rights and lefts. The Brooklynite staggered Tom with lefts and rights. Mac reached the body with a right. White went to the floor under a left hook. He got up at the nine count and they clinched. Mac was sending lefts and rights in when the bell rang.

Fourth Round--White sent three lefts to the face. Terry landed a left on the jaw. Mac ripped in a right to the stomach and the men clinched. They exchanged lefts and Terry sent a left to the jaw. He then sent a left to the face, missing two rights, and fell down. White slipped and fell. Mac sent a left to the face and Tom did the like. Mac rushed White to the corner and sent rights and lefts into the head and body. Mac punched the stomach and Tommy sent a left to the face. They were clinched at the bell.

Fifth Round--Mac jolted the face with his left. Tommy put his left on the face. Mac landed lefts and rights on the body and kept after White. Tommy kept his left in Terry's face. Terry sent a right to the body. Mac sent right and left to the body. Tommy was very tired. They clinched. Siler had to break them. Mac ducked several lefts and sent three lefts to the face and a right to the body. Tommy clinched. Terry was fighting hard in a clinch at the bell.

Sixth Round--They shook hands. Terry sent a left to the face and Tom clinched. Mac fought like a demon, and Terry ripped in a left to the body. Mac ducked a left. Tom sent a left to the face. Mac sent right and left to the body. Tom sent a hard right uppercut to the chin. Both were fighting like mad men. Tom kept trying with right uppercuts. Terry did not try to guard Tom's lefts, but tried for a knock-out. However, he could not reach the jaw in the manner he desired. They just broke from a clinch when the bell rang.

1899-05-26 Terry McGovern W-KO5 Sammy Kelly [Broadway Athletic Club, Brooklyn, NY, USA]

1899-05-27 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page 6)

MC GOVERN IN FIVE ROUNDS.
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Knocks Out Sammy Kelly in an One-Sided Battle at the Broadway Athletic Club.
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It took Terry McGovern only twelve minutes and thirty-eight seconds at the Broadway Athletic Club, last night, to convince Sammy Kelly of New York that he could not fight as cleverly as he thought he could. Kelly had been a most interested spectator at Terry's previous contests and after careful study he concluded that McGovern was an easy proposition, but he was wrong.

The boys were matched to go twenty-five rounds at 120 pounds, the weight being a concession on McGovern's part. When they entered the ring both looked to be in the best of condition, but Kelly had an advantage in height and reach. When they came together however Kelly had no chance. Terry sailed right in with heavy blows to the body and Kelly commenced to hold for dear life. Terry fought himself loose and forced his opponent all over the ring, keeping him continually on the run.

By the end of the second round Sammy was severely punished. Kelly made his only showing in the fourth, when he fought Terry's head with both hands, but was unable to keep away from the Brooklyn boy's furious onslaughts.

When they came up for the fifth, Terry went right in and Kelly thinking that he was still after his body lowered his guard and like a flash Terry sent in his left to the chin and followed with his right to the jaw, and Kelly went down and out.

The fight was not interesting, but showed that Terry is a good boy for many others to keep away from. Little betting was done, McGovern being the favorite at 2½  to 1 and better than even money, that Kelly would not stay the limit.

In the preliminary Hugh McWinters stopped Ed Darrell in seven rounds.


1899-05-27 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 9)

McGOVERN KNOCKS OUT KELLY.
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Job Neatly Done in the Fifth Round at Broadway Athletic Club.

It took Terry McGovern of Brooklyn just four full rounds and thirty-two seconds of the fifth round to give Sammy Kelly his quietus at the Broadway Athletic Club last night. The boys were scheduled to go twenty-five rounds at 120 pounds, and a large crowd was on hand to see the battle.

McGovern's admirers were never in danger of losing their money, for the Brooklyn boy won from start to finish, and so badly punished Kelly in the first three rounds that it was evident the fight would not last the limit.

Kelly managed to land a couple of stiff left-hand punches on the head, but that was all. He came up fresh in the fifth round, feinted, and then led, but missed, and like a flash McGovern was in, first with a left hook to the stomach, then a right to the jaw, and Kelly staggered. McGovern planted another, then a hard right jolt on the jaw, and Kelly went down like a log. He made a feeble effort to rise, but was counted out.


1899-05-27 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 9)

M'GOVERN WINS IN FIVE ROUNDS.
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Sammy Kelly Put to Sleep in the Ring of the Broadway A. C.

In the fifth round of their twenty-five-round bout at the Broadway A. C. last night Terry McGovern of Brooklyn, who is fighting his way to the first rank of the featherweight class, knocked out Sammy Kelly of this city with a left-hand jolt on the jaw. Kelly didn't have a chance from the first tap of the bell. A body punch in the first round made him clinch and hold, tactics which he perused to the end. McGovern never let up in his vigorous attacks, and simply beat his man to a defeat. The house was crowded.

The betting was 100 to 50 on McGovern, with not many speculators on Kelly's chances. The latter's defeat some time ago at the hands of Oscar Gardner, when he was not only put to sleep but also had a rib broken, was remembered by the talent, who figured that McGovern would come near repeating the Omaha Kid's achievement. There was quite a lot of betting that Kelly would not stay the limit. Even money was offered at first on this proposition, then 25 to 20. Johnny Ritchie of Chicago, who is matched to meet McGovern on June 17, was present, prepared to size up the little Brooklynite. Kelly's seconds were Frank Peabody, Bob Dillon, Paddy Moran and Barney Knight. McGovern's handlers were Terry Lee, Charley Mayhood, Tim Kearns and Sam Harris. John White was the referee and George Considine timekeeper. The odds had lengthened to 2½ to 1 on McGovern when they shook hands. McGovern was compelled to take off the bandages he wore on his hands. The conditions were twenty-five rounds at 120 pounds. When the men were introduced Kelly got the greater welcome.

As they stood up for the first time it was noticed that Kelly was the taller. He did not possess McGovern's physique, but looked to be well trained. McGovern began a fierce attack without delay. He reached Kelly's side near the bad rib with his right and landed heavily on the jaw on the first breakaway. Kelly did some holding in a clinch, and was warned by the referee.

There was apparent ill feeling between the men, for they exchanged taunting remarks as they came up for the second. McGovern roughed his man repeatedly on the ropes until the crowd yelled "Foul!" Then he mixed it until Sammy retreated twice around the ring well out of range. McGovern's assault didn't give Kelly a chance to rest.

Kelly held with both hands in the third, McGovern losing his temper and literally fighting himself free. Kelly's body was raw from the smashes that Terry had put in, and he fought at long range during the last two minutes. He finally swung a left to McGovern's neck, but the latter rushed in as if he hadn't felt it. Kelly got another warning for holding while he was in his corner.

Kelly landed a few good lefts on the neck in the fourth, but McGovern continued his attack. It was 3 to 1 on McGovern when the fifth began. McGovern rushed at once and ripped in two hot body blows. He followed with swings and landed a left on the neck. This was quickly followed with a right to the side of the head and another left, which caught Kelly squarely on the point of the jaw. The last blow was a settler, as Sammy fell over backward, his head striking the floor. He was counted out, the time of the round being 38 seconds.

Hugh McWinters of this city and Ed Darrell of Australia, both colored, met in the preliminary of ten rounds at 138 pounds. Darrell was saved by the bell in the sixth round, and in the eighth he was practically knocked out. McWinters was pronounced the winner.


1899-05-27 The World (New York, NY) (page 3)

M'GOVERN WON IN FIVE ROUNDS.
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More than 4,500 persons saw Terry McGovern knock out Sammy Kelly in their bout at the New Broadway A. C. last evening. The fatal blow was landed after but eight seconds of fighting in the fifth round.

From the start it looked like McGovern. He was aggressive and confident, while Kelly was purely on the defensive and badly scared.


1899-06-17 The National Police Gazette (New York, NY) (page 11)

McGOVERN KNOCKS SAM KELLY OUT
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Little Champion More Than a Match for the Veteran.
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LASTED ONLY FIVE ROUNDS.
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Right and Left Hooks On the Jaw Ended the Agony.
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It proved to be an unequal match between "Sammy" Kelly and "Terry" McGovern, which was fought at the Broadway Athletic Club on May 26. From beginning to end Kelly never had a chance against the sturdy young Brooklynite, who again demonstrated his right to be looked upon as the best man at his weight this country has ever produced. He had the veteran tied up from the time the fight started until he finally dropped him in the fifth round with a succession of left and right-hand blows on the point of the jaw.

Kelly was handicapped in a measure by the rules. He expected to fight with clean breaks and no hitting in clinches, but McGovern insisted upon a strict interpretation of the Marquis of Queensberry rules, according to the articles signed, and Kelly had no other alternative than to fight that way. After receiving the first blow Kelly held continually at close quarters and was warned several times for so doing. The affair ended in the fifth round after the Brooklynite had landed three blows in rapid succession, the finishing punch was a left on the jaw that sent Kelly to the floor, his head striking the mat with sufficient force to knock him out. The attendance was large, fully 4,000 persons witnessing the bout.

McGovern took every advantage of the rules. The bout was scheduled to go twenty-five rounds, at 120 pounds. Both men at 6 o'clock weighed under the limit.

The first round opened with careful sparring on the part of both. When they finally came together in an exchange the breakaway resulted in "Mac" sending a number of blows on "Sammy's" head and kidneys. The latter looked at "Mac" in amazement, whose face took on a broad grin. They came to two clinches before the round ended, and in both of them "Mac" scored repeatedly before "Sammy" could get away.

In the second round Kelly broke away without any damage to himself, after an exchange and clinch, but they came together in the next attempt, and "Mac" played a tattoo on "Sammy's" ribs. Instead of attempting to break or inflict punishment "Sammy" looked in an appealing manner at Referee "Johnny" White, who finally separated them and again explained the rules, at the same time telling "Sammy" that "Mac" had thus far lived up to the rules and that the referee had no right to step between them.

Kelly opened the third round by pasting McGovern hard on the jaw. "Mac" only laughed and when "Sammy" got away from the clinch without being hit the grin broadened. Again "Sammy" got in with a right on the jaw, but this time he was not successful in avoiding punishment in the infighting.

"Mac" carried him to the eastern end of the ring, Kelly attempting in a futile manner to pinion his arms. After "Sammy" got away "Mac" followed him all over the ring. Kelly at this stage looked more frightened than hurt, and when the bell sounded they were again clinched. "Mac" stopped in his snakelike actions with his arms at the sound of the gong, and "Sammy" appeared to be utterly unable to get away without being punished.

The fourth round was a repetition of the preceding rounds, Kelly backing and "Mac" forcing him around the ring. No really long range blow was delivered during the round, but there was plenty of infighting, during which "Mac" landed hard and often on the ribs and over the heart. When they retired to their corners "Sammy's" sides over his kidneys were raw. "Mac" was cutting him every time he hit him.

The fifth round was hardly a minute old when they came to a clinch in the center of the ring. On breaking away "Mac" landed his right and left a number of times on "Sammy's" jaw and stomach, and the latter fell in a heap on the floor, finally settling on the flat of his back. His eyes were closed, but after Referee White had tolled off five seconds he raised on his elbows and attempted to rise. He sank back, only to make another effort, and before he could reach his feet the unwelcome "ten" was recorded. Referee White ordered McGovern to his corner, and when Kelly finally recovered his equilibrium he wobbled over to "Mac's" corner, beseeching him to continue and appealing to White with tears in his eyes. He was half assisted to his corner by his seconds as clearly beaten from the first tap of the gong as any man who ever donned a glove.

A great deal of money changed hands on the result, most of the bets being at even money that Kelly would not stay twenty rounds. After they had gone three rounds the same betting was offered that he would be knocked out before ten rounds. As good as 2½ to 1 was offered that McGovern would get the decision at the end of twenty-five rounds.

1899-04-28 Terry McGovern W-PTS25 Joe Bernstein [Broadway Athletic Club, Brooklyn, NY, USA]

1899-04-29 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page 2)

McGOVERN'S GREAT FIGHT.
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The Brooklyn Lad Gives Away Much Weight to Joe Bernstein and Wins.
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HAS A CLAIM TO BEING CLEVER.
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Rated Only as a Little Slugger Heretofore, Terry Surprises the Crowd With His Skill.
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Terry McGovern made his debut as a featherweight last evening and effectively disposed of Joe Bernstein before one of the largest crowds that ever assembled in the Broadway Athletic Club. The Brooklyn boy's performance was up to the fondest expectations of his friends and stamped him as something more than a possible aspirant for championship honors. The fight itself was by far the best given since the club reopened, fast from the start to the finish and free from the slightest semblance of anything like foul work. Terry has been looked upon as a fighter pure and simple, and has not been credited with possessing any great amount of cleverness, but last evening's contest proved not only that he could fight, but that he is clever far beyond the ordinary. His blows were clean and his blocking, ducking and getting away were exceptionally good. Bernstein's high guard prevented him from doing any great damage about the head, but on the body Terry scored as he pleased and usually got away without return. Bernstein's best work was done at close quarters, but even at this game he was not a match for Terry and many times he was guilty of holding. He made a good fight and took the severe punishment Terry administered to his body without flinching, but was on the defensive throughout and depended mostly on his ability to counter. A peculiar part of the battle is the fact that with the exception of a slight trickle from Bernstein's nose not a drop of blood was spilled during the bout. Joe's performance stamped him as an exceptionally game man, for although he has often taken severe punishment before he never received the beating he did last evening.

Bernstein had several pounds the best of the weight, while Terry did not scale more than a couple of pounds over his usual fighting trim. At the conclusion of the battle the referee announced his decision in favor of Terry on points and received the applause of the crowd. The sports made McGovern a strong favorite, betting their money freely at odds of 2 to 1, and many offered even money that Bernstein would not go the distance. There were no discussions after the boys entered the ring, and as soon as the gloves were donned they proceeded to business.

Terry landed again with his left in the nineteenth and Joe dropped to his hands and came back only to receive a hard right on the body. The same thing happened again in the twentieth and just before the bell rang Terry drove his right to the body and a light shove with his left sent Joe clear through the ropes. They pursued the same tactics in the following rounds until they reached the twenty-fourth, when Joe started to do some leading, but could not land effectively. They came up strong for the last round and Terry proceeded to force the fighting and at last succeeded in getting over his right. Joe staggered to the ropes and Terry rushed in to finish him, but Joe stayed by clinching hard, and the gong sounded with both on their feet and when quiet was restored the referee announced his decision in favor of McGovern.

Harry Fisher of Brooklyn and Jim Austin of Canada, colored, met for ten rounds in the preliminary bout at catchweights. The contest went the limit and Referee Johnny White awarded the decision to Fisher.


1899-04-29 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 7)

M'GOVERN WINS FROM BERNSTEIN
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Referee Gives Him the Decision on Points After Twenty-Five Rounds at Broadway Athletic Club.
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Before the largest and most enthusiastic crowd that ever assembled in the Broadway Athletic Club "Terry" McGovern, of Brooklyn, obtained the decision over "Joe" Bernstein, of Manhattan, after twenty-five hard fought rounds.

McGovern clearly outclassed his man. He scored twenty points to Bernstein's one. Bernstein made a plucky defence and took a terrific punishment, but at no time did he appear to have an even chance of winning. It was evident early in the contest that Bernstein's only hope lay in the knockout blow, which did not materialize.

It was also evident after a few rounds had been fought that Bernstein could block cleverly and that "Mac" would experience considerable difficulty in reaching his opponent's head. Bernstein's superb defence of his face excited the admiration of all.

Bernstein tried hard to score a knockout in the twenty-fifth round, but "Mac" was away and outpointed his adversary. This final round was in favor of McGovern, who never gave himself a moment's rest. He hit Bernstein often and hard. Once he staggered "Joe" with a right on the jaw. When the bell rang "Joe" was very tired. The referee gave the fight to McGovern amid great applause.


1899-04-29 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 7)

McGovern Got the Decision.

"Terry" McGovern of Brooklyn got the decision over "Joe" Bernstein of Manhattan in their bout at the Broadway Athletic Club last night. To the disinterested among the big crowd of spectators present, however, Referee "Johnny" White's judgment in awarding the fight to the Brooklyn boy was both surprising and unsatisfactory. To the unprejudiced ones it was plain that Bernstein was entitled to at least a draw. The bout was of twenty-five rounds at 118 pounds. The pair fought it out to the limit. McGovern was a 2 to 1 favorite. Two members of the Mazet Investigating Committee were interested spectators of the bout. They were Assemblymen Hoffman and Boland.


1899-04-29 The World (New York, NY) (page 8)

M'GOVERN BEAT BERNSTEIN.
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In an interesting fight at the Broadway Athletic Club last night Terry McGovern defeated Joe Bernstein, getting the decision after twenty-five rounds of fast fighting.

Every available seat in the house was occupied, and good standing-room was at a discount when the men were introduced to go twenty-five rounds at 125 pounds.

The betting opened at 10 to 8 on McGovern, and went to 2 to 1 before the Brooklyn contingent could get any good bets on. While McGovern was the favorite with the bettors, the rest of the spectators were about evenly divided in their choice.

The work of both boys was fast from the start, with McGovern the aggressor and Bernstein on the defensive, but lively enough when pressed. For the first three rounds nearly all the work was done at short range.

In the fourth round a hard right-hand swing caught McGovern under the ear. It shook him up considerably. Terry came back with right and left, and drove Bernstein to the ropes. Up to the eighth round the going was in McGovern's favor, although Bernstein stood the gaff well. In the eighth Terry cut loose with a vengeance and threw right and left at Bernstein's body for keeps. Joe came back fresh and smiling, and had a shade on McGovern for half of the ninth. Terry got home a vicious left-hander on the jaw just before the gong sounded.

McGovern forced the fighting along to the twelfth round, but Bernstein always came back ready to meet everything that came his way. Joe's work on Terry's jaw in the twelfth caused the remark by a McGovern man:

"Terry don't look much like a 2 to 1 shot just now."

McGovern was the aggressor nearly all the time up to the twentieth round. He continually followed Joe to his corner. Then would follow a few rapid exchanges on the ribs and stomach and a clinch. Neither had a mark on the face.

Bernstein had a slight advantage in the twenty-fourth round. McGovern made a determined effort to knock Bernstein out in the last round, and punished Joe more than in any previous round. Referee White gave McGovern the decision on points. The Brooklyn boy did the most work throughout the bout. He was the aggressor in about every round, with Bernstein on the defensive. Both finished strong and to all appearances none the worse for their work.

Harry Fisher, of Brooklyn, got the decision over Jim Austin, of Camden, in the ten-round preliminary.


1899-05-20 The National Police Gazette (New York, NY) (page 10)

TERRY M'GOVERN'S CLEVER VICTORY
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Decision Over "Joe" Bernstein in Twenty-five Rounds.
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FAST FIGHTING BY BOTH.
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Neither Man Badly Punished and the Decision Was Very Fair.
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"Terry" McGovern won his fight with "Joe" Bernstein "on points" as the referee said, but why this specific explanation was made was not exactly understood by the spectators, unless the official wished to convey the self-evident fact that Bernstein was not knocked out. The fight took place at the Broadway Athletic Club and was witnessed by one of the largest gatherings of spectators that ever was within the edifice.

McGovern earned the decision by his aggressive tactics, showing wonderful strength throughout the contest. Bernstein outweighed him by several pounds. In spite of the fact that he was meeting the strongest man he had competed against, McGovern was quickly made a favorite by the betting fraternity, the odds dropping from 100 to 70 down to 2 to 1. Even this price found plenty of confident admirers still ready to back the East sider. The Brooklyn boy had his opponent's body very red from hard blows in the early part of the bout. Bernstein's condition was superb, and he was able to take the hard knocks that he received. At close quarters Bernstein used his left for the face, which did not bother the Brooklyn boy, as he kept pegging away at the body in return. Bernstein was the first to lead, tripping in his efforts to reach his opponent in the opening round. Both then came to close quarters, and a vicious exchange of blows took place, McGovern having slightly the better of the mix-up. Just before the close of the round McGovern sent the right to the body several times without a return. He continued to be the aggressor in the second round, sending the right to the body with crushing force. Bernstein was slightly winded when he went to his chair. The fighting in the third and fourth was well contested.

McGovern's principal point of attack was the body, which he reached frequently. Bernstein reached the Brooklynite in the third with a heavy right on the back of the ear, which sent him back a few feet. In the fourth Bernstein reached the jaw several times with light lefts, which did not seem to bother the Brooklynite at all. McGovern was showing phenomenal strength, never stopping his aggressiveness. Bernstein landed a hard right on the head in the seventh, McGovern then boring in with rights on the body and forcing the East sider to the ropes.

After a rapid exchange of blows in the ninth at close quarters, the Brooklyn boy sent in a heavy left-hand swing on his opponent's jaw, which threw the East sider half way to the floor, Bernstein in return reaching McGovern with a right on the back of the neck just before the bell rang. In the twelfth it was give and take between the two. Bernstein made but few efforts to lead, relying on his work at close quarters to even up the disadvantage of his opponent's aggressiveness. McGovern tried for the jaw several times, but Bernstein succeeded in blocking. McGovern still made the body his principal point of attack in the fourteenth, sending the right and left to the body and receiving light blows in return. In this round the Brooklynite narrowly missed a vicious uppercut. McGovern showed his superiority in the sixteenth by sending Bernstein's head back several times with stiff lefts and rights on the face.

With a severe left on the right eye in the nineteenth, McGovern caused a serious swelling that inconvenienced his opponent. The East sider was sent through the ropes with a stiff left on the mouth, and he was bleeding at the mouth when he went to his chair in the twentieth round. The fast work was beginning to tell on both men. Frequent clinching occurred in the two following rounds, the honors being even. Bernstein staggered the Brooklynite in the twenty-third with a stiff left on the jaw, but McGovern, recovering quickly, finished the round none the worse for it. The remaining two rounds were lively. In the last McGovern sent in a right-hand swing that staggered his opponent. He followed up his advantage during the round and had Bernstein weak when the bout terminated. McGovern received the decision on points for his aggressive tactics.

The opening event of the evening was a ten-round bout between "Jim" Austin, a negro, of Canada, and Harry Fisher, catchweights. In their opening round Fisher was sent down with a heavy left swing on the jaw, the New Yorker taking the limit of time to rise. During the remainder of the round Fisher avoided most of the negro's swings by careful blocking. In the following two rounds, Fisher carefully avoided his opponent's wild swings, sending home a straight left with heavy force that sent the negro's head back, and then, on the breakaway, swinging with the left and landing frequently. Fisher continued the same tactics through the remainder of the bout and received the verdict at the end of the contest.

1899-03-14 Terry McGovern W-KO18 Patsy Haley [Lenox Athletic Club, New York, NY, USA]

1899-03-15 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 6)

M'GOVERN KNOCKS OUT HALEY.

Terence McGovern, the clever little fighter of Brooklyn, knocked out Patrick Haley at the Lenox Athletic Club last night in the nineteenth round. It was a lively fight, with McGovern always the aggressor. They boxed at 115 pounds and were to go twenty-five rounds, provided the bout was not ended before the twenty-fifth round. Haley showed much science, and his science saved him from being badly scarred. He was knocked out by a right-hand blow on the jaw, and in falling struck his head on one of the padded posts. He was carried to his corner in a dazed condition, but recovered in a few minutes. He was slightly cut on the face from McGovern's swings with the left and right hands.

It is said that McGovern will now claim the 115-pound championship of the world, and be prepared to defend it against "Pedlar" Palmer, of England, or any fighter in his class.

The preliminary bout was of ten rounds at 108 pounds between Daniel Dougherty, of Philadelphia, and James Johnson, of this city. In the tenth round Dougherty knocked Johnson down. Referee White then stopped the bout and awarded the fight to Dougherty.


1899-03-15 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 7)

HALEY DEFEATED IN EIGHTEEN ROUNDS
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"Terry" McGovern, the little Brooklyn featherweight pugilist, scored another victory last night at the Lenox Athletic Club, knocking out "Patsy" Haley, of Buffalo, after forty-eight seconds of fighting in the eighteenth round. It was a hot battle, and Haley, though defeated, was by no means disgraced. He made a grand stand, and showed great cleverness with his hands and feet. His foot work was superb, but his blows lacked strength, and therein lies the cause of his defeat. McGovern's blows were remarkable for their force, and every one counted. At times Haley outpointed him, but he always had a hard blow ready. When he delivered the knockout blow, a right on the jaw, the Brooklyn boy was apparently as strong as when the fight began.

The conditions of the contest called for twenty-five rounds at 116 pounds. Both weighed in at that figure. Haley was the taller and had the longer reach. He also appeared to be the heavier. The opinion of the leading prize fight experts, as expressed immediately after the battle, is that McGovern is a world beater, and that he can beat "Pedlar" Palmer, the champion of England.

McGovern was the favorite in the betting, $100 to $60 being offered when the boys went into the ring.

The eighteenth and what proved to be the final round was very brief. Haley, who was suffering keenly from the blows he received in the preceding round, was unsteady, while McGovern was almost as fresh and as strong as at the start. "Mac" opened hostilities in brisk style. He immediately landed the left on the jaw, and sent Haley to the ropes. As the Buffalo boy rebounded, "Mac" smashed him hard on the jaw with the right, and Haley went down and out. Time of this round, 48 seconds.

In the preliminary bout, "Dan" Dougherty, of Philadelphia, knocked out "Jim" Johnson, of New York, in nine rounds. They met at 108 pounds.


1899-03-15 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 8)

McGOVERN KNOCKS OUT HALEY.
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The Buffalo Man Loses the Fight in the Eighteenth Round.

"Terry" McGovern of Brooklyn and "Patsey" Haley of Buffalo put up the best fight for eighteen rounds last night that the patrons of the Lenox Athletic Club have ever seen. The boys were matched to go twenty-five rounds at 116 pounds, but a neat left hook on the jaw, followed by a straight right punch on the point of the chin, after forty-eight seconds of fighting in the eighteenth round, sent Haley unconscious on the ropes, and he was counted out and the decision given to McGovern.

The fight from the start was a lively scientific contest. The men appeared to be about evenly matched as to weight, height, and reach, and both showed up as very clever boxers. They sparred lightly for the first two rounds, but in the third they warmed up to their work and mixed matters up. McGovern struck Haley several blows low enough to have been counted as fouls, but it was apparent that they were accidental, and the boys were told by "Charley" White, the referee, to box on.

The fourth round came near being the last, for if the bell had not sounded Haley would probably have been counted out. Haley was the aggressor at the beginning of the round, and sent a hard left-hand swing into McGovern's stomach, but the latter reciprocated a second later with a similar blow. He followed this up with four left swings to the body and jaw. Haley went down three times in succession, and had risen and was endeavoring weakly to defend himself from the knockout that seemed almost inevitable when the gong sounded. Haley brightened up after the fifth round and landed harder and more repeatedly than earlier, and through the succeeding rounds and up to the time he was knocked out he showed improvement.


1899-03-15 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 5)

HALEY KNOCKED HELPLESS.
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M'GOVERN TOO STRONG FOR THE SKILFUL BUFFALO BOY.
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It Was a One-Sided Battle Until the End Came in the Eighteenth Round--A Big Crowd at the Lenox A. C.--Dougherty Whips Johnson in the Preliminary Bout.

Terry McGovern, the South Brooklyn featherweight, who has championship aspirations, knocked Patsy Haley of Buffalo out in the eighteenth round, at the Lenox A. C., last night, before a large crowd. The battle demonstrated the wonderful aggressiveness of McGovern, who has been putting all of his opponents to sleep of late. Haley was the cleverer boxer, but he didn't have the strength nor the physique of his antagonist, who showed himself to be a pugilist of the Sharkey type. McGovern now wants to meet Oscar Gardner, the "Omaha Kid," at 116 pounds.

There were nearly 5,000 persons in the building when the preliminary bout of ten rounds at 108 pounds was announced. The principals were Jim Johnson of this city and Dan Dougherty of Philadelphia. Charley White, as usual, was the referee. Dougherty surprised the sports with his cleverness, and was continually applauded. He soon had Johnson's face bruised and bleeding, and in the fourth round came near scoring a knock-down. In the fifth and sixth rounds Johnson, though receiving a severe punching, made a good rally. Johnson was not only groggy in the eighth round, but the blood was pouring out of his mouth. He took the gaff without showing the white feather, though, and came up for more with a grim smile on his battered features. Dougherty held his big advantage in the ninth round, and just before the last round ended he landed a pretty right-hander on the jaw, which sent Johnson on his face. He was practically out, but the referee, who assisted him to his corner, refused to allow the fight to proceed. Dougherty was declared the winner.

The betting was 2 to 1 in McGovern's favor just before he and Haley entered the ring. A small army of South Brooklyn enthusiasts, who had come to see their idol win, set up a wild shout of welcome when McGovern took his corner. Many bets were made at even money that Haley would not stay fifteen rounds. McGovern's seconds were Sam Harris, George Munroe and Terry Lee. Haley was handled by Florrie Barnett, John McTiernan, and Eugene Bezenah. The conditions were twenty-five rounds at 116 pounds, weighing in at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Straight Marquis of Queensberry rules prevailed. When they stripped for action it was noticed that McGovern was more solidly put together than Haley. Terry's legs and arms were very powerful for a man of his weight and height. Haley looked to be trained a bit too fine, but at that he was in pretty fair trim, as he showed without delay.

In style the men differed greatly. Haley, light as a feather on his feet, constantly moving about the ring, feinting, sparring, jabbing at long range, gave a beautiful exhibition of science. McGovern, on the other hand, was the typical fighter. He did very little leg work, and permitted Haley to do the bulk of the leading in the first two rounds. His forte was in landing heavy counters and in getting to close quarters for the purpose of driving in powerful body blows. McGovern was cool, patient and deliberate. When Haley landed a series of quick, light lefts on his face in the third round, he only laughed, for he seemed to be confident that the chance to drop the Buffalo pugilist would sooner or later present itself. In this round McGovern landed a blow a trifle under the belt. "Look out," said the referee. "He didn't mean it," remarked Haley. "I wouldn't do anything like that," ejaculated Terry, and then the fight went on in earnest, although the boys were in excellent humor.

So far McGovern had shown superior hitting ability, but had failed to land many effective blows because of Haley's fine defensive tactics. But a minute before the fourth round was over McGovern began rushing. He got Haley into a corner and ripped in blows that were terrific. Right and left handers were driven with accuracy to Haley's head and body until he began to wabble. A great right on the jaw sent Patsy to the floor, where he remained for nine seconds. When he got up McGovern was at him again like a young panther. He threw in a hailstorm of smashes and Haley fell again, bleeding from the nose and mouth. When the ninth second was counted off by the referee Haley arose and began to retreat. McGovern rushed at him and scored another knockdown. Haley was groggy but game, and stayed the round amid intense excitement. McGovern cut loose in the fifth round, but to his surprise Haley had revived wonderfully and mixed it up in earnest. Haley landed his best blows in this round and finished strong, McGovern apparently working easily in order to recover his wind.

McGovern opened the sixth round with two lefts on Haley's nose, which drew a fresh supply of blood. Haley was solely on the defensive. Fault was found with McGovern for raising his knee several times, but he said it was not intentional. It was a case of brute strength against science, and when Haley was floored a moment before the bell rang it looked like all day with him. But he began the seventh round pluckily. Haley had changed his tactics now, and sparred at long range, whipping his left repeatedly into Terry's face. McGovern took all the blows without breaking an inch of ground and went to his corner laughing even though he had been outpointed. Haley landed more than a dozen punches in Terry's face during the eighth round, but they seemed to have no effect. McGovern, on the other hand, put in three similar blows and made Patsey's nose bleed again. Haley's blows were growing weaker, but he was still very fast on his feet and in that way escaped much serious punishment.

McGovern was forcing matters incessantly and kept so close to his man that Haley had trouble in keeping away. A heavy right-hander on the neck in the ninth round made Haley stagger, but he saved himself by clinching. McGovern deliberately held his jaw out and received four swings in rapid succession. Haley showed improvement in the tenth and landed more blows than McGovern, but they had no steam behind them and consequently did no damage. McGovern began slugging and rushing in the eleventh round and finally caught the jaw with a good left. Haley got away and put up a pretty defence to the end. In the twelfth round Haley, though on the defensive, landed oftener than his sturdy antagonist, who left many openings with apparent unconcern. Haley made a grand brace as the thirteenth round opened and held his own in a give-and-take rally. McGovern hit below the belt and Haley appealed to the referee, who ordered the struggle to go on. McGovern did some roughing on the ropes, but Haley's footwork was very effective.

McGovern began to hurry matters in the fourteenth round, but Haley hustled around until Terry cornered him. As Haley was steadily outpointing the Brooklynite, it seemed that the latter's only chance to win securely was by a knockout. McGovern redoubled his efforts in the fifteenth round and Haley was forced to his knees for nine seconds. But he stayed the round, and those who back him to accomplish this feat were happy. As the sixteenth round started Terry rushed his rival to the ropes, only to find that he had escaped. Haley's ribs near the heart were almost raw from McGovern's right-hand body blows. The Brooklyn boy was just a little bit tired when the gong rang. McGovern chased the Buffalo fighter around the sides of the ring when the seventeenth round opening. Then Haley stood up to it and was knocked down with a right to the chin. The gong sounded as the referee counted "three," and Haley ran to his chair.

McGovern bored in with great body blows in the eighteenth round. Haley tried to get out of harm's way with his leg work, but Terry was right on top of him and threw in his swings harder than ever before. Haley was finally pinned up against the ropes and McGovern sent in a crashing right squarely on the point of the jaw. It was the deciding blow, for Haley sank down, with his head resting against one of the ring post. There was no need to count him out, as he was helpless and had to be carried to his corner.

McGovern was declared the winner. The time of the last round was forty-eight seconds. The crowd went away satisfied, because they had seen a great glove fight.


1899-03-15 The World (New York, NY) (page 8)

TERRY M'GOVERN WON FROM PATSEY HALEY.
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Brooklyn Fighter Slugged the Little Buffalo Boy Very Hard and Very Often.
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OFTEN KNOCKED HIM DOWN.
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Haley Showed Great Cleverness and Hit His Man Often, But His Blows Were Too Forceless to Do Any Damage.
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HALEY WENT OUT IN THE EIGHTEENTH.
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Several Times Patsey Was Out, but the Gong Saved Him and He Recovered During the Rest.
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After chasing Patsey Haley around the ring for eighteen rounds, Terry McGovern knocked him down and out at the Lenox Athletic Club last night.

McGovern was the aggressor throughout. He rushed, swung and punched from the start, while Haley jabbed and danced around the ring. It was a fighter against a boxer. At times McGovern was careless, and even feigned grogginess to get an opening for his right, but Haley was too clever, and kept away from the dangerous swings. Haley landed on head, neck and face as he pleased, but in the eighteen rounds he failed to land a blow that did the Brooklyn boy harm.

Haley was knocked down half a dozen times, but recuperated fast, and was wonderfully clever. The terrific body punches weakened him, and the last smash on the jaw put him out for good.

Betting was brisk at the ringside at odds of 2 to 1 on McGovern. The men looked in perfect condition and weighed in at 116 pounds at 3 o'clock. They agreed to box straight Marquis of Queensberry rules and to break when the referee told them.

Round 1.--They danced about the ring for a full minute without a blow. They clinched four times during the round and both did vicious infighting.

Round 2.--Haley led, but was blocked. They mixed it up in Haley's corner. He jabbed Terry on the jaw. The Brooklyn boy came back with body punches.

Round 3.--McGovern struck Haley below the belt in a clinch and was cautioned by the referee. No blows landed.

Round 4.--McGovern drove Haley around the ring. He cornered him and punched him in the ribs. He ran him into his own corner and knocked him down with a right swing. Patsy stayed nine seconds. As he rose Terry floored him with the left on the neck. He stayed down nine seconds again. McGovern put him down again with his right, but Patsy saved himself by running.

Round 5.--Haley came up strong and stopped McGovern's rush with a right in the nose. Haley swung his right again and again around Terry's neck. Patsey seemed to get stronger each minute.

Round 6.--Terry backed around the ring. As they clinched McGovern's fist went low again. He was cautioned. In the next mix-up Haley went down from a right on the back of the neck.

Round 7--Haley planted good ones on McGovern's jaw and neck. The blows lacked steam. McGovern seemed groggy, but showed the next minute that he was not by mixing it up viciously.

Round 8--They fought hard and mixed it from the start. Haley jabbed and punched, while Terry swung. Haley's blows had no effect, but McGovern drew blood.

Round 9--McGovern walked into right and lefts. He swung several times, but missed. Haley hit him eight or ten times on the jaw, but did no damage.

Rounds 10, 11 and 12--Neither one did much work. Haley was getting stronger and Terry followed him around the ring waiting for a chance to land a knockout.

Round 13--Haley continued to back around the ring, with McGovern doggedly following him around, but could not land his right.

Round 14--Was slow; Haley ran and McGovern followed.

Round 15--Terry caught Haley on the jaw at last and floored him. He stayed down nine seconds, and before McGovern could follow it up the bell rang.

Round 17--Just at the end of the round McGovern floored Haley with his right. He fell hard and laid there, but the gong saved him.

Round 18--McGovern came with a rush. Haley ran backward to the ropes and as he dodged aside Terry shot his right over and Patsey fell like a log and was carried to his corner.


1899-04-01 The National Police Gazette (New York, NY) (page 10)

M'GOVERN KNOCKS OUT PATSY HALEY
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Clever Bantams Put up a Great Fight at the Lenox.
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VICTOR HAS A FINE FUTURE
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Adds to His Record of Knockouts by Putting His Opponent to Sleep.
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Terry McGovern continues upon his upward career, and his decisive defeat of Patsy Haley of Buffalo, which occurred at the Lenox Athletic Club Tuesday night, Mar. 14, places him in a legitimate position to challenge Pedlar Palmer to fight for the 115-pound championship of the world. In Haley McGovern found the most determined, aggressive and capable opponent he has been called upon to meet since he entered upon his pugilistic career. Haley proved his quality for cleverness and boxing ability and demonstrated conclusively his superior knowledge of the boxing game. At times he was all over the young Brooklynite. He stabbed him in the face with the quickest left-hand punch ever delivered. He landed swinging blows on the jaw with left and right like the pendulum of a clock; he shot right-hand bolts into Terry's solar plexus, and uppercut him so frequently that the spectators spontaneously applauded his efforts, but there was not force enough behind all those punches to break an egg, and the little Irishman took them complacently while he waited his opportunity to get home that sledge-hammer right which has added so much to his reputation as a knocker out. He persistently fought against Haley's superior cleverness, forcing the issue at all times, until he finally got in the blow he had been waiting for, and when it landed with crushing force upon the point of Haley's chin in the eighteenth round it ended matters then and there, and Referee White might have spared himself the trouble of counting him out, for the Buffalonian was insensible to everything which happened afterwards until he was carried to his corner.

The battle on the whole was one which no pugilistic savant could afford to miss. There was action in every minute that the two little fellows occupied the ring. Haley, realizing his inability to knock his opponent out, was utilizing his splendid knowledge of the boxer's art to outpoint McGovern and thereby gain the decision. McGovern, on the other hand, was determined to land a knockout, and he fought with that sturdiness and aggressiveness which characterizes the born fighter.

They fought at 116 pounds at three o'clock in the afternoon and both were strong and in fine fighting shape at that weight. Haley was first to enter the ring, and was attended by Florie Barnett, Jack McTierney, Eugene Bezenah and Kid Larkey. McGovern followed shortly, his seconds being T. Lee, Sammy Harris, George Munroe and Charles Mayhood. They were scheduled to go twenty-five rounds. The betting was two to one in favor of McGovern, and much money changed hands. They agreed to box straight Queensberry rules.

The first round was devoted mainly to fiddling and furnished a very pretty exhibition of sparring. Haley was very clever and jumped about in lively fashion. In the few times they got to close quarters McGovern peppered Haley in the ribs. Haley did not land a blow in the round.

Haley got a couple of left jabs to the face in the second round and McGovern sent one to the mouth that shook the Buffalonian.

McGovern struck low unintentionally in the third round, and apologized, the referee announcing that it was not done purposely.

McGovern was the aggressor from the tap of the bell in the fourth round, and Haley danced away as fast as his nimble feet would carry him. Finally the Brooklyn boy cornered his man in Haley's own corner, and with right and left on the face sent the Buffalo bantam to his face. He took six seconds, and when he arose McGovern chased his man all about the square, sending him to the floor. Twice more Haley took a rest, each time, and at the close Haley was bleeding and tired.

The fifth and sixth rounds were characterized by sprinting on the part of Haley, and offensive tactics by McGovern, and in the seventh, Terry having gauged the force of Haley's blows, walked into several with the object of countering. McGovern's famous right-hander for the body usually landed too low, resulting in cautions from the referee. Notwithstanding, enough of them landed fairly to redden Haley's side and make him look tired.

In the ninth round McGovern walked in close and took all the taps Haley could send, with the object of sending an effective counter. Haley's blows had no effect on the Brooklyn bantam, while the few hard ones McGovern landed seemed to weaken the Buffalonian. Haley got a hard grueling in the tenth, and he showed signs of distress when he appeared for the eleventh. His cleverness saved him from many a hard thump.

Haley was entirely on the defensive in the twelfth and seemed to have got the hang of McGovern's style of attack. McGovern struck low in the thirteenth and was again cautioned by the referee. McGovern again floored Haley in the fifteenth round with a right on the jaw, but the Buffalo boy, after taking seven seconds, got to his feet and by sprinting lasted till the gong sent him to his corner.

McGovern cornered Haley once more in the seventeenth round, and with a volley of rights and lefts brought him to the floor. Just as Haley arose the gong sounded, and Haley went to his corner. McGovern came up fiercely for the eighteenth round, and jumped after Haley like a flash. He finally got him in a corner and swung on the jaw with the left. Before Haley could recover himself McGovern shot a hard right to the jaw, and Haley went down and out after forty-eight seconds of the eighteenth round.

Jim Johnson of New York and Dan Dougherty of Philadelphia came on for the opening canter of ten rounds at 108 pounds. The Quaker was as clever a sparrer as one could desire to see, and his superior skill made Johnson look like a novice. The trouble with Dougherty was he had no steam behind his blows, and although he hammered Johnson one hundred times squarely on the point of the jaw, he never shook his opponent until the tenth round, when a right on the jaw toppled Johnson over. Referee Charlie White stopped the bout and gave the decision to Dougherty.

Johnson was bleeding at the mouth, and was distressed at the time he received the finishing blow. He was not knocked out, but was thoroughly beaten.