Chicago boxing troubles in 1900

1900-12-23 The Sunday Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL) (page 16)

IN THE ROPED ARENA
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Houseman's Resume of the Week Among the Boxers.
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BOXING IN CHICAGO
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Game Is Temporarily Dead, and It Is Just as Well.
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Blackmailers Had Much to Do with Its Taking-Off--Governor Nash Takes a Stand--Ryan and Ordway.
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For a time, at least, public boxing is dead in Chicago. And, for that matter, so is boxing of the private sort. The Gans-McGovern episode of a week ago last Tuesday brought the wrath of the city fathers down on the none too well-protected head of the game, and it will require a lot of "squaring" to revive the sport in Chicago.

And it is about as well that the city has a rest. The game has been worked to death, and from the loose manner in which "boxing carnivals" were being conducted the end was in sight long before it finally came. Every hall and handball court in the city, together with many basements and garrets, was giving weekly boxing shows. Ill-conditioned men, novices, and all manner of physical wrecks were being pitted against each other, and it was only a matter of time when the coroner and his grewsome work would have accomplished that which Alderman Patterson's resolution encompassed at the last meeting of the city council.

Aside from this, the complimentary blackmailers were gradually making the impost too heavy for the promoters to carry. To begin with, there were all of the aldermen in the council who had to be supplied with a pair of seats each, and when these were not the best the howl was deep-toned and sonorous. The various departments of the city and county had to be looked after, and, with $5,000 turned away from the doors at the last Tattersalls show, this is the mass of "snow" found in the boxes after the count-up:

  198 box seats at $5 each................  $990.00
  431 reserved seats at $3 each........... 1,203.00
  302 reserved seats at $2 each...........   604.00
  301 seats at $1.50 each.................   450.50
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1,232 seats...............................$3,338.50

Thus it will be seen that no building other than Tattersalls in Chicago could stand this sort of drain and make any money at it. Every man with a friend in the council or in the police department expected "courtesies." Then there were constables, the clerks of the police, the magistrates, the bailiffs, and what not. These "requests" were generally couched in terms which threatened displeasure and gave innuendoes of interference unless complied with. It resolved itself into nothing short of blackmail. Whatever the merits or the motives of Alderman Patterson's anti-fight resolution, there is little to weep over. As between the blackmailers for money and the blackmailers for tickets, boxing in Chicago had reached a state bordering on the moribund. It could not survive much longer. Whether the fight between McGovern and Gans was honest or not does not affect this condition. Boxing would better be given a rest. If it is ever revived, bouts between high-class men to go ten rounds, and the bouts to operate under licenses of, say, $250 or even $500 each, with an effective stranglehold provision for the deadheads, will give the clubs a chance and the city of Chicago a regulating revenue.

...

L. M. HOUSEMAN.

1910-05-20 Abe Attell ND10 Harlem Tommy Murphy [National Sporting Club, New York, NY, USA]

1910-05-21 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 10)

ATTELL GETS THE CALL

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Outpoints Murphy in Seven Rounds of Good Bout.

Abe Attell, of San Francisco, the featherweight champion of the world, outpointed Tommy Murphy, the "Pride of Harlem," in a ten-round bout at the National Sporting Club of America last night. The bout was not up to the standard, both boys being too cautious and refusing to take a chance.

Tom O'Rourke, the manager of the club, refereed the bout and performed his duties in a creditable way. Before calling the boys to the centre O'Rourke made this announcement:

"In order to protect the members of this organization from any happening similar to that of last Friday, the management has made a rule that, in case of a disqualification of the boxers for failing to give of their best work, the assessment either will be returned to the members or donated to charity."

Murphy was guilty of the only foul during the bout. In the eighth round he held Attell's left glove under his arm and ripped home several upper cuts. He also cuffed the latter several times with the heel of his glove. Attell retaliated by rubbing his beard of four days' growth on the Harlem boy's face and shoulders.

Attell showed to the fore in the first, second, third, fifth, eighth, ninth and tenth rounds, while Murphy's furious infighting gave him the call in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds. Murphy rocked the champion in the fourth round with a right cross counter that caught Attell as he came in. The blow was high and Abe soon recovered from its effects.

Attell was Murphy's superior in scientific boxing, and landed three clean blows to Tommy's one. He used a slashing left hook to the face that caused Murphy's both eyes to puff and discolor, and a left jab that drew the blood from his nose in the first round.


1910-05-21 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 8)

Attell Wins from Murphy on Points

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Featherweight Champion Too Clever for the Harlem Boy in Ten Round Bout.

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For the second time in the course of a month "Abe" Attell, featherweight champion of the world, handed "Tommy" Murphy, the pride of Harlem, a beating last night that he and the members of the National Sporting Club of American will not forget for some time.

Murphy was outclassed from the first round until the finish, as Attell's past experience was too much for his opponent and made him look like a novice during their ten rounds of boxing.

In fact Attell never really let himself loose at any stage during the milling, but just played safe and chopped away at Murphy's face with a left jab and in close quarters hammered at "Tommy's" midsection.

The clubhouse was crowded and when the principals made their appearance standing room was at a premium. It was the largest gathering of members seen at the club this season.

Attell was the first to enter the ring and took the southeast corner, where he was looked after by "Young" Griffo and his brother "Monte," and he stripped to white trunks, followed a second later by Murphy, who seated himself in the northwest chair and disrobed to black trunks, looking about ten pounds heavier than Attell.

While the boys were donning their mitts the announcer introduced "Knock Out" Brown, "Young" O'Leary, Stanley Ketchel and "Willie" Lewis, the latter two are scheduled to meet at the club on Friday, May 22, in the main event, for ten rounds.

It was also announced that the Sharkey Athletic Club will hold a special entertainment on Saturday, May 28, for the benefit of "Gym" Bagley, who is very ill.

When Referee O'Rourke called the boys to the centre of the ring both agreed to break clean, and after receiving instructions, at the sound of the gong for the first round, Murphy landed a light left to face and received a right to jaw. Murphy crossed left to jaw and landed right and left to the same place. Attell used a stiff left to face during the round, and landed at will. It was Attell's round.

Second Round.--Attell jabbed face with left, and Murphy crossed left to mouth. Murphy sent Attell's head back with a hard right to jaw, and Attell came back with a right uppercut to face. Attell put two lefts to wind. Murphy missed two lefts, and Attell hooked right to head. Murphy sent right to jaw, and Attell rushed him across the ring, jabbing left to face. Murphy landed a good right on jaw. They sparred and Attell hooked both hands to jaw and swung a hard right to head. Murphy sent right to jaw and a left to wind. Attell jabbed mouth with left at bell. Attell's round.

At the gong of the third round Murphy missed a left for head and they mixed it. Attell ripped right to body and left to jaw. Murphy missed two lefts for head and Attell chopped face with left. Attell sent Murphy's head back with a straight left. Murphy jabbed face with left and then misses right and left for head. Attell put blocked Murphy's left and ripped his right left to jaw and solid left to wind. Attell blocks Murphy's left and rips his right to to wind. Attell sent Murphy's head back with a straight left to face as Tommy rushed in before bell. Attell's round.

Murphy had a shade the best of the fourth round, as he landed a few hard rights and lefts to jaw and body; in close quarters the Harlem boy used a short uppercut to chin.

Attell was the aggressor from the fifth round and forced Murphy all around the ring, landing right and left to jaw and face at will, and made Murphy miss many well intended blows.

The last two rounds were of a whirlwind fashion, as both exchanged hard blows to jaw and body. In the final session Attell chopped left to Murphy's face and sent right and left to jaw, and in close quarters used a short uppercut to jaw that forced Murphy to hold.

Murphy was hissed several times during the fight for holding Attell's hand under his arms in the clinches.

Attell proved he is Murphy's master, and in a longer fight would have no trouble in winning from the pride of Harlem.

In the semi-final bout "Frankie" Mango outpointed "Young" Terry in a six round contest. McConnell won from "Joe" Fisher in the third round of a scheduled six round battle, and "Bull" Anderson defeated "Battling Larry" Ryan in the same number of rounds.


1910-05-21 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 11)

ATTELL TROUNCES MURPHY ONCE MORE
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Featherweight Champion Proves Superiority Over Lightweight in Ten Round Bout.
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"Abe" Attell did a few things last night to "Tommy" Murphy at the National Club which he may have had left over from their last meeting. Even those friends of the Harlem idol who see him as a lightweight champion through the large end of a magnifying glass, must have had some of their convictions dissipated.

There were many who argued that Murphy had won in the last clash, but last night "Abe" showed just how cheap a boxer can be made, that is to say, a boxer who has championship aspirations. It made no difference to Attell that he was giving away a dozen pounds in weight. He made up for the difference in skill.

It was the same tale practically as when they met before. Attell picked off Murphy's blows like drops of rain on an umbrella, and he peppered his home with the accuracy of a sharpshooter. At that "Abe" was not going as fast as he can. He was content to jab Murphy off and outpoint him and only put on the accelerator once or twice, and when this notch was raised in the speed limit Murphy looked like a schoolboy being cuffed by a husky country pedagogue.

Murphy tried to box instead of fight, and Attell is a past master of the science of fistics. "Tommy" did not show anything worth mentioning against his little opponent's skill, but he did show a few things in the way of bad holding that were hissed.

During the ten rounds that the bout lasted Murphy landed about one clean blow to Attell's five, it was the feather weight champion's "mill" from gong to gong, and it was pretty boxing withal.


1910-05-21 The New York Press (New York, NY) (page 9)

ABE ATTELL IN TAME BOUT.
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Featherweight Champion Bests Murphy at O'Rourke's Club.

"Say, do youse two guys room together?" shouted a wag from the gallery in Tom O'Rourke's National Sporting Club last night, in the midst of one of the clinches that punctuated the ten-round bout between Tommy Murphy, the Flatbush Farmer, and Abe Attell, the featherweight champion. Though somewhat aged, the remark was apt, for the big crowd attracted by the mill saw a poor exhibition of the manly art. In what fighting there was Attell had the better of it. The featherweight champion won the first, second, sixth, seventh, ninth and tenth rounds. The third and fifth sessions were even. Murphy had the better of the other two rounds, the fourth and the eighth.

In the first two rounds Murphy was content to spar with Attell, and in that department of the game Abe made Tommy look like a novice. Tommy decided to do some fighting in between the second and third rounds, and held Attell even in the third and bested him in the fourth. Then Abie got into the going again and evened up matters in the fifth, and had a shade the better of the sixth and seventh. Tommy came back and swept Attell around the ring in the eighth, only to have Abie take the ninth session. The tenth round opened with fireworks and closed with hugging. Attell had a shade the better of the last round.

It was a rough go. Abe came into the ring with a two weeks' growth of beard on his face and he constantly used the "whiskers punch" made famous by Battling Nelson. Abe heeled with his glove and butted with his head. Tommy looked to be doing most of the holding, but to the experts Attell's curling left arm repeatedly was seen to steal inside Tommy's right and curl around the waist. Then Abe would draw Tommy into a stinging right.

Tom O'Rourke refereed, but showed rustiness, constantly getting in the way of the boys. There were flashed of clever and hard fighting, but on the whole the least said about the bout the better.


1910-05-21 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 10)

ATTELL AND MURPHY IN MEDIOCRE BOUT
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These Two Old Antagonists Furnish Poor Sport for Big National Club Crowd.
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The question in the minds of the major portion of the big crowd that filed out of the National Sporting Club last night, after witnessing the ten-round bout between Tommy Murphy and Abe Attell, was, How much longer boxing enthusiasts of this city are going to stand for limited round bouts between these two, and which was the next club with sufficient temerity to put the bout on?

Time has proven that these two finished and overcautious boxers create about as much dissatisfaction in the sum total of a ten-round go as it is possible to get in one such encounter. The last time they were together they did get some little action in their bout.

But last night repeated attempts to save each other as much inconvenience as possible were so palpable that the tired crowd left silently and orderly, satisfied in their own minds that they had seen two past masters of the limited round game do their best to impress the fear-minded portion of the community that there is absolutely no danger in this sport whatever.

It was a tiresome affair in the sense that no damage was done, and the average boxing show crowd pays and desires to see this thing once in a while at least. Something to show for their money, so to speak. Attell left little doubt that he was Murphy's master, though his work during the ten rounds last night would not give him a decision by any fair-minded referee. Murphy, on the other hand, was aggressive, and his willingness was about the only real feature of the bout.

Only in the tenth round was anything like fast work done, and then both boys looked as if they were in earnest, which served only to impress the gathering with what could have happened to round out a good evening's entertainment if Attell and Murphy had had half the desire to please as the boys in the preliminaries.

Attell's growth of beard was the cause of much comment, and his object in wearing a hirsute appendage of such magnificent proportions was apparent in the clinches. He rubbed his chin and jaw bones on Murphy's neck and collarbone until the crowd's hissing caused him to desist.

Tom O'Rourke refereed the wind-up, and in a little speech before hostilities began he in a measure defined the club's position as regards the unfortunate affair between Matty Baldwin and Leach Cross last week. He exonerated Referee Joe Hess from any intention to do anything but what he thought was right, but he admitted that Hess was wrong and explained his action by voicing the opinion that Hess had become rattled by the clamor of the crowd.

When Attell and Murphy stood up together to receive the usual instructions it was seen that Murphy had about ten pounds the better of the weight. Attell looked his usual well-trained self and his confident demeanor led one to expect that he would extend himself nearly to his utmost ability, at any rate.

They lost no time in getting to work, and a few light exchanges, with Murphy working a straight left cleverly, gave promise of better things than what followed. One of these lefts of Murphy's landed on Abe's chin and shook him up a bit, but Attell came back quickly and got past Murphy's guard, landing a left and right lightly on the face. There were quite a few clinches and a little roughing, and Murphy landed a left swing on the neck as the bell rang.

Murphy started in for the body in the second round and landed his left cleanly. Abe came back with a rush, both hands working, and forced Murphy to the ropes. Some clever boxing followed. Murphy landed his right on the jaw, but not sufficiently hard to jar Attell. It was rather lively during the latter part of the round, with Murphy feinting with his left for the body and countering Attell's lead. Attell answered, swinging both hands, and landed left and right on Murphy's jaw as the bell rang.

The third round was characterized by careful sparring and frequent clinches. The boys did not vary their style very much. It was a case of Murphy leading first always with the left and generally falling short, Attell blocking and occasionally rushing Murphy back, getting in a right alternately on the body and the side of the head. The crowd woke up to Abe's misuse of his whiskers in this round and hissed him roundly for rubbing his face over Murphy's body.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds were practically repetitions of one another, with little of real moment doing. In the sixth round the crowd became a bit impatient and called for more action. Murphy tried to respond, but he couldn't land effectively, and Attell seemed to have made up his mind that he was not going to go any faster than he really had to. He was content to meet Murphy's lead with a left counter on the face or body just to keep the Pride of Harlem off.

The seventh, eighth, and ninth rounds were monotonous for their sameness, although there was a flash of speed in the seventh which the crowd duly appreciated and became wildly enthusiastic. Just as they had got worked up to some real demonstration the pace slackened and the crowd settled down.

Frankie Mango and "Young" Terry went through six rounds of very uninteresting boxing of the mauling sort, hitting each other under the arms mostly, with the advantage in favor of neither, in the semi-final bout.


1910-05-21 The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY) (page 8)

MURPHY MAKES POOR SHOWING AGAINST ATTELL
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Tommy Murphy's showing last night against Abe Attell, the featherweight champion, hurt his chances for a match between Murphy and Ad Wolgast for the lightweight championship, according to the opinion expressed to-day by the experts who witnessed the fight. Attell gave away weight to meet the lightweight, but got a shade the best of it. From gong to gong it was a tame fight, with Murphy a poor second. Attell landed at will and blocked Murphy's rushes in his old time manner. Those who witnessed the fight declare to-day their belief that Attell will have little trouble taking care of Jem Driscoll, the English champion, in their forthcoming battle on the coast.


1910-05-21 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 7)

ATTELL SHADES MURPHY.
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Old Rivals Meet in Ten Round Bout at National Sporting Club.

Abe Attell, the featherweight champion, shaded Harlem Tommy Murphy in a fast and clever ten round fight at the National Sporting Club in West Forty-fourth street last night. Murphy put up a good fight throughout the contest and through his clever footwork managed to avoid several good swings from the champion. In the seventh and eighth rounds he rushed at Attell and sent in several good left swings to the jaw. Near the finish of the eighth round he had Attell on the ropes, sending in short body blows.

In the final round the Harlem man tried to make up for the previous rounds, which favored Attell, and rushed at the champion. Attell was there and used good judgment, sending in right and left swings to the jaw and head, while Murphy's blows went wild.

Tom O'Rourke, the manager of the club, refereed the bout. Before the fight began he apologized on behalf of the club for the mistake Referee Hess made last week in the Cross-Baldwin fight.

Attell began by placing a short left to the face and the Harlem boy put his right to the stomach. They then mixed it up and both sent in short body punches. Attell then missed an uppercut, Murphy sidestepping. Attell opened the second round by putting a left to the jaw, and in the mixup that followed Murphy put a left and right on the jaw. Attell swung his left to the jaw and jabbed the stomach with his right. Both missed uppercuts at the bell.

In the third round Attell rushed in with his head down and sent in some good jabs to the stomach. Both were clever on their feet. Attell jabbed Murphy three times at the finish of the round. Attell tried a new style of fighting in the fourth round and on the break was very clever, sending in short hooks and body punches. Murphy rushed in and put a right swing on the jaw and then sidestepped a swing from the champion. Both used good footwork in this round.

Murphy opened the fifth round by placing a left on the face and Attell came back with an uppercut which sent the Harlem boy's head back. Attell missed a swing and they clinched. Attell was good on the break and sent in some good jabs to the face. In the sixth round Attell sent his left to the jaw and Murphy came back with his left in the same place. Both missed several good swings and near the bell Murphy sent his right to the stomach.

Attell rushed in the seventh round and sent left and right to the head. Murphy came back with a right to the mouth and they clinched. Attell then sent in his left and right again to the jaw, which made Murphy shake. Murphy then jabbed the face. In the eighth round Murphy rushed and sent in several good jabs to the body while he had Attell on the ropes. Attell sent his left to the mouth in the ninth round and Murphy clinched. They both hung on for a second or two and Attell showed his cleverness in the breakaway by putting in several short hooks.

In the final round Murphy rushed, but Attell was too clever and walked away from several vicious swings. Murphy then rushed again and Attell sent right and left swings to the jaw. Murphy swung wild. It was a good fight and both boys received a hand when they left the ring.

1896-02-22 Joe Gans W-TKO6 Jimmy (St. Paul Kid) Kennard [Suffolk Athletic Club, Boston, MA, USA]

1896-02-23 The Boston Sunday Globe (Boston, MA) (page 2)

GANS WON.
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Other Bouts in Newton St Armory Were Draws.
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Solly Smith and Lavack Put Up a Lively Set-To.
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Smith Would Probably Win in Finish Fight.
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Burley and Strong Simply Tired Themselves Out.
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Neither Could Do Much Execution After Fourth Round.
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The boxing bouts at the West Newton st armory last night were witnessed by over 2000 persons.

Johnny Lavack, the Cleveland featherweight, boxed a 15-round draw with "Solly" Smith of California; Nick Burley and Charley Strong boxed 12 rounds to a draw, and Joe Gans of Baltimore scored a victory over Jimmy Kennard, the "St Paul Kid," in six rounds.

The latter was in no shape, having been substituted for "Spike" Sullivan, who was taken sick late yesterday afternoon.

Lavack is a very clever lad, but he is not a hard hitter. Had the bout been to a finish Smith would have won.

Burley showed that he will never do in the heavyweight class. He is more of a boxer than a fighter, and is something like Steve O'Donnell in style.

Joe Gans is a fairly clever lad, but he is not yet capable of meeting any first-class man.

Capt Bill Daly was referee, and his decisions met with the approval of the spectators.

Kennard, the "St Paul Kid," and Joe Gans of Baltimore were the first pair up. Very little boxing was done in the first two rounds. Gans landed his left just before the second round ended, toppling Kennard over. He was on his feet, however, in a few seconds.

For four more rounds Gans simply toyed with Kennard, landing left jabs, with an occasional right on the face and jaw. In the sixth round referee Daly, seeing Kennard was outclassed, stopped the bout, and decided Gans the winner.

Charles Strong of Newark and Nick Burley of this city met in the second bout. It was their second meeting, Strong having defeated burley last month in one round.

The first round was very tame, but they mixed it up in the second round in good shape. Strong started to cut out the work, but toward the close Burley forced it, and had Strong on the run, landing with both hands on Strong's face and jaw. When the bell rang Strong was very tired. The minute's rest revived him, and in the third he went at Burley, and for a half a minute the air was filled with arms, black and white, circling around.

One of the arms, which proved to be Strong's, stopped on Burley's jaw, and he went down. But only for a moment. He jumped up and continued, but little was done, both being tired. Strong forced the boxing in the fourth round, and Burley was on the defensive. Both men landed several times, but their blows lacked steam.

The next few rounds were even, both men being too tired to do any fast boxing, and they just kept landing occasional jabs or swings. In the ninth Strong started out with a rush, but as usual, it lasted only a minute. Burley then got in some of his jabs, and Strong become rather more tired. Very little effective work was done after this. The bout was called a draw.

"Solly" Smith and Johnny Lavack met in the closing bout, which was set for 15 rounds.

Round 1--Smith came up as if he regarded his job as an easy one. Lavack backed into one of the corners and Smith followed him, feinted a few times and tried for the face with the left, but the blow went over Lavack's shoulder. The latter got right and left in on the head, and then broke ground. Smith rushed, but was met with a left in the face. Smith tried at least four times to get the right on Lavack's jaw, but the latter cleverly avoided them.

Round 2--This opened with a hot mix-up with honours about even. Smith landed a right upper cut on the wind and then swung for the jaw, but the blow landed on Lavack's head. Lavack received a stiff left on the nose, when he started to force Smith, and a second later Smith put the left on the wind and then sent it up on the chin. Lavack received another right on the wind as the round closed.

Round 3. Lavack landed his left back of Smith's ear and put the right on the wind. Smith then hooked Lavack on the ear with the left. Smith again led and was met with a left on the jaw. He got a bit hot and tried again with the left, and was countered on the jaw. Lavack missed with the left, and while breaking ground Smith upper cut him on the nose with the left. Smith tried with the left and received right counter between the eyes.

Round 4. Lavack was the first to lead and he received a right counter back of the ear. After hooking Smith on the forehead with the left Lavack received a stiff jab on the chin. He then tried Walcott's furious double blow. His right fell short, but he caught Smith on the jaw with the left. Twice Smith was jabbed in the face, and then he upper-cut Lavack with the right. Smith tried three times to get the right on the jaw, but failed.

Round 5. Smith reached Lavack's wind, face and ribs three times with both hands, and received light jabs on the chin and wind in return.

Round 6--Smith sent the left on the wind, and in the clinch that followed Lavack landed on the ribs with the right. He missed with the left, and then Smith landed right and left on the neck. They were having a hot mix-up when the round ended.

Round 7--Smith had been using his elbows so often that referee Daly warned him at the opening of the round. Lavack had the best of the round, getting left and right on the ribs and nose a few times. A stiff jab in the mouth was his only return.

Round 8--Smith's left reached Lavack twice, and twice Smith uppercut him with the right.

Rounds 9-10--After falling short with the left, Lavack broke ground. Later he jabbed Smith in the face a few times and then they had a hot mix-up with honours about even. Smith finally got the left on the jaw, and Lavack retaliated with left and right on the face.

Round 11--Smith did all the work in this round, getting the right on Lavack's ear, ribs and face.

Round 12--Smith forced the work, and he kept Lavack continually on the jump. He reached Lavack's jaw with the left and uppercut him with the right in the wind. Lavack reached Smith's chin with the right, but it had no force. An exchange of lefts closed the round.

Round 13--Smith opened with a left on the face, Lavack countering on the ear with his right, and they clinched, Lavack landing his right on the ribs. Smith landed again on the face with his left, receiving two lefts in return on the jaw. Smith got in his right on the ribs, and then Lavack chased him to the ropes, landing his left on the nose. He then scored on the ribs with his right, and Smith missed a right swing for the jaw as the bell rang.

Round 14--Smith landed his right on the ribs, and then sent his left over on the chin. Both got in their rights on the ribs. Smith sent in a right uppercut on the chin, and followed it with a left jab on the face. He landed again with his right on the body, and Lavack countered with a left on the face. Smith got in two uppercuts on the ribs and a left on the face just before the bell rang.

Round 15--After shaking hands, Lavack landed a left jab on the chin, and they mixed it up lively for half a minute, with honours even. Lavack sent over a right, but it landed too far back on the ear. Smith got in a left hook on the ear, and then both landed rights together on jaw. Smith sent his left into the wind, and followed with a right on the chin that brought Lavack to his knees. He was up in a few seconds, and kept out of harm's way until the round ended, and the referee decided it a draw.


1896-02-23 The Sunday Herald (Boston, MA) (page 4)

BURLEY FAILS TO WHIP STRONG.

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An Accident Spoils His Chances--Three Bouts at South End.

A well satisfied crowd of perhaps 2000 left the Newton street armory last night at 11 o'clock, declaring that they had seen "a great show." Of the three boxing bouts but one was not particularly interesting--that between Joe Gans and Jimmy Kennard--but the others more than compensated. "Spike" Sullivan was to have been Gans' opponent, but he was too sick to appear.

The first round of the Gans-Kennard bout was filled with a great deal of posing and bluffs. Gans had his man pretty well measured by the third round. He ended the contest in the sixth, when he scored incessantly, and it was so evident that he was the superior boxer that the referee stopped it and gave Gans the award.

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The return match between Nick Burley and George Strong was the hottest of the night. Burley had many supporters, who felt convinced that he would retrieve his lost laurels by disposing of his colored opponent. It is generally believed that he would have done so had he not injured his right hand. Although a draw was declared, some thought Burley should have had the decision.

Strong went right to work to whip his man again, and it looked as if he would do so by the wicked swings that he sent in. For the whole first round the punching was of the stiffest description, and it appeared that Strong had a little the better of it. Burley closed in, and it was a ding-dong, savage battle for nearly half a minute, with chances about even as to which would go down. Both survived, but Strong appeared all worked out by his efforts.

It looked to be all up with Burley in the third. Strong landed three left swings in quick succession on Burley's face, and the fourth one brought him to the floor. He got up, but was weak and weary. He sought to keep away, but Strong followed him. Burley hit him a terrific punch on the head with the right, injuring the hand so badly that it was of little use to him afterward. In vain did Strong try to get the left on again, and Burley pulled out the round.

Both were so tired in the next round that little more than slapping was indulged in. Burley now had only one hand, the left. From this time on Burley picked away at Strong's nose, hitting it about a dozen times in each one of the remaining rounds. He had the colored man so tired toward the end that Strong's swinging lefts did not have enough steam in them to hurt Burley when they did land on the jaw. It was pretty nearly all Burley from the fourth to the 12th round; then a draw was declared by Referee Daly.

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Solly Smith of New York and Johnny Lavack of Cleveland, O., met at 125 pounds. Smith opened up for business instantly, but Lavack was hard to find. In the second round Lavack landed one good, long left on the face, but for that he was forced to take a right chopper on the jaw, a terrific crack flush on the nose, and a few more of lesser account. The fourth was a busy round. Lavack got in on the nose, and with right and left full swings came within an ace of catching Smith on a vital spot. Lavack stood some stiff punching in the next, but his excellent condition enabled him to withstand it.

The sixth was all in favor of Smith. The referee had to caution Smith for using his elbow in the seventh. Lavack managed to get in three in succession on the face, but they were as flakes of snow. In the eighth, Lavack caught Smith three times in the face, but Smith not only stood them but kept right along after his opponent.

Lavack made a fine showing in the ninth, and it was his round, as was the next also, and Smith's eye showed the effect of Lavack's handiwork. Both men missed many blows, each being clever at ducking. Lavack showed the pace in the 12th, and scored two to one. Smith seemed a bit tired, while Lavack, despite the belly blows he had received, appeared as well as ever. The 13th and 14th were very similar to the others.

In the last, Smith was in the lead, mainly through his superior strength. Lavack stopped many of his terrific right upper cuts on the body. A draw was declared.

1898-06-03 Joe Gans W-PTS6 Kid Roberson [Tattersall’s, Chicago, IL, USA]

1898-06-03 The Chicago Daily Tribune (Chicago, IL) (page 4)

BOXERS IN THE DARK.
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Lights Go Out at "Parson" Davies' Entertainment.
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ONE BOUT IS STARTED.
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Gans and Roberson the Only Fighters to Appear.
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ACCIDENT TO THE DYNAMO.

"Parson" Davies' company of fistic stars gave a one-act presentation of "The Light That Failed" at Tattersall's last night.

Joseph Gans of Baltimore, aspirant for the lightweight championship, and Mr. "Kid" Roberson opened the entertainment. Paddy Carroll marshaled them before the crowd, presented them in due form, and also Malachi Hogan as referee, announced that the two colored men weighed 135 pounds at 3 o'clock, and retired, leaving the two fighters to continue the performance.

For three minutes they devoted their time to executing the fancy steps of an Oxford minuet and pirouetted and tiptoed around the ring till the gong sounded.

Then they rested for a minute and began operations again. Gans swung his right arm and it found lodgment on Roberson's neck and the latter was down for four seconds. Gans landed two or three times more and time was called. In the third they went at each other a little harder. Gans went after Roberson, and after considerable sparring landed a right on his opponent's short ribs and the lights went out.

Master of Ceremonies Carroll asked the crowd to keep cool and wait. Some of the spectators wanted the colored men to fight anyway, but one of the seconds shouted back that they couldn't see each other in the dark, and as Gans was two shades lighter in color than Roberson the latter would have an advantage.

The crowd waited, while little patches of light flickered all over the building where cigars were going and an occasional match was lighted. The wait continued and the crowd disported itself as if it were in attendance at a strawberry festival. The lights winked exasperatingly once in a while, but just as the crowd would begin a yell, thinking the fights could go on, they would go out again. Meanwhile, the two bath-robed figures sat quietly in their corners and waited.

Finally it was announced that the dynamos had gone wrong and the bouts would be called off until tonight.

The crowd left in an angry frame of mind, many of the spectators asserting they had been duped.

"Parson" Davies was also angry, declaring he was the victim of a job. He asserted that the commutator of the dynamo had been tampered with and that the extra commutator had disappeared. The "Parson" averred he had some enemies, who, being unable to prevent him holding his entertainment by fair means, had resorted to trickery and had obtained access to the machine-room and tampered with the dynamo.

An electrician, J. G. Nolan, a friend of the "Parson's," volunteered to repair the damage, but after examining the dynamo said there was a "nigger in the woodpile" somewhere. He asserted that ordinarily any burning out or similar accident might easily be repaired, but he had never seen a commutator behave as the one at Tattersall's did, and the "Parson" was kept busy telling his friends how it happened.

The boxing entertainment did not draw as well as others at Tattersall's have, and the galleries were not nearly full, but the floor space was pretty well taken.

It was announced that the bouts would be held tonight, and return checks were given to the crowd at the door.


1898-06-03 The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL) (page 8)

NO LIGHTS, NO FIGHTS

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Disgruntled Arc Circuit Spoils the Contests.

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THIS IN THE THIRD ROUND

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Spectators at Tattersall's Boxing Carnival Dismissed.

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Promise Is Made That the Full Show Will Be Given This Evening.

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In the middle of the third round of the fight between Joe Gans and "Kid" Roberson at Tattersall's last night the arc-light circuit collapsed, and after half an hour spent in darkness the 3,000 spectators were dismissed with "rain checks" and told to come back tonight.

It looked bad for Mr. Roberson about the time that the lights went out. In the second round he had been floored and roughly used up, and he came up for the third in pretty bad shape. Up to this stage he had been used harshly, and if there was any disappointment at the going out of the lights none of it came from Mr. Roberson or his seconds.

When the four strings of light went out Master of Ceremonies Paddy Carroll told the spectators to remain seated; that all would be well again in two minutes. Five minutes later Carroll mounted the platform and announced that the break was more serious than at first anticipated; that it would take at least twenty minutes to make repairs. Half an hour after the circuit became defunct Carroll made his third appearance. He announced this time that the break was irreparable; that it looked like a job; that the spectators would get their money back; that the show would be postponed until tonight.

The spectators made an assault on the box office, loudly calling for the return of their money. Here they were told that no money would be refunded, but that the "rain checks" would be honored tonight.

"It looks to me like a job," said "Parson" Davies at the door. "I think that some one threw a handful of gravel or dirt into the dynamo."

"What would the object be?" was asked.

"I don't know," returned Mr. Davies.

Considerable grumbling was indulged in by the spectators from out of town. When told that the announcement made by Carroll--that all money would be refunded--was a mistake, the sports from a distance sought out Mr. Davies and tried to make it miserable for the manager. But the latter was obdurate, and told the rural ones that they would have to come back tonight if they wanted to get their money's worth.

It was 8:45 o'clock before the opening bout was put on. Joe Gans of Baltimore, and "Kid" Roberson, who now claims Chicago as his port of hail, came on. Al Herford and "Shorty" Ahern were behind the Oriole, while Kerwin and Smith looked after Roberson. From the outset it became apparent that the men were poorly matched. Gans began by peppering his man in the face with straight lefts, and easily avoided Roberson's return efforts. In the second round, toward the close, and after beating a left-handed tattoo on Roberson's face, Gans felled his man with a short right-hander, just back a bit too far to do the work effectively. As it was, Roberson went down and Malachy Hogan counted four. Roberson, badly rattled, got to his feet, but Gans did not press him hard. After one minute and twenty seconds of fighting in the third round, the lights--or rather the lack of them--came to Roberson's relief.


1898-06-04 The Chicago Daily Tribune (Chicago, IL) (page 7)

FIGHTS LOST ON FOULS

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"TOM" TRACEY AND "MYSTERIOUS BILLY" SMITH PENALIZED.

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Referee Bat Masterson Awards the Decisions to "Kid" McPartland and "Billy" Stift Because of Unfair Work by Their Opponents--Frank Childs and Charley Strong Battle to a Draw--Jack Moffatt Gets the Decision Over "Jim" Janey.

---

The electric lights staid to a finish last night at Tattersall's, and "Parson" Davies' show, postponed from Thursday night, was brought off without interruption.

The five battles resulted as follows:

Joe Gans of Baltimore defeated "Kid" Roberson of San Francisco on points.

Jack Moffatt of Chicago defeated Jim Janey of Baltimore on points.

Frank Childs of Chicago and Charles Strong of Newark, N. J., fought a draw.

"Kid" McPartland of New York won from Tom Tracey of Australia on a foul.

"Billy" Stift of Chicago won from "Mysterious Billy" Smith of New York on a foul.

There were about 2,500 people in the building, and it was said the managers of the show lost $1,800.

Variety was the distinguishing feature of the program. On paper it appeared that science would predominate, but the early termination of two of the bouts left the slugging element in the ascendency. That the bouts were to the liking of the crowd was shown many times, and seldom have two men brought forth greater applause than Janey and Moffat. A feature of the evening was the demand made for "Parson" Davies, who was noisily received on entering the ring. In a short speech he said suggestions reflecting on him had been made as to the sudden termination of the show on the previous evening, and "money could not purchase the satisfaction he now felt because he had kept faith with the public."

Cleverness of Gans.

Gans and "Kid" Roberson, whose meeting on Thursday night was abruptly terminated by failure of light, began all over again. The six rounds fought showed Gans to be a cool, clever, and two-handed fighter. Only in the concluding stages of the sixth round did Roberson show any signs of equality with the Baltimore man. Then he forced matters and landed several telling blows with both hands. Early in the first round Roberson received a hard left under his sinister optic which almost closed that member. It was an additional handicup against the clever Easterner. A final rally by Roberson in the last round led to calls for a draw, but Gans had too long a lead.

Moffatt and Janey, who were announced as weighing 150 pounds, furnished the event of the evening so far as hard fighting was concerned. A truly wonderful capacity for punishment was exhibited by the "Black Demon." Time and again was his head forced back by the rushing left leads of Moffatt. On numerous occasions the swinging right hand of the sturdy blacksmith landed hard on the head of his dusky opponent. He took them all with smiles except in the fourth round, when he connected with a powerful right swing which sent him to the floor in a groggy condition. The gong brought him welcome relief. Throughout the whole six rounds Moffatt pursued his usual tactics. Some terrific infighting in the fourth ended by Moffatt landing hard on the chin and over-keeling the colored man. The applause that greeted the finish could have been heard for blocks. Moffatt was fully entitled to the decision.

Colored Men Fight a Draw.

Charley Strong and Frank Childs met at 170 pounds. In their respective sections they are considered the best colored fighters at their weights. Strong appeared a trifle stout in the abdominal region. He is long of reach and fiddles persistently with his left. Plenty of footwork marked the six rounds and most of the hitting was done at long range. Few good blows were struck in the first three rounds, and by the time they had finished both men were weary from much traveling. Windmill swings marked the conclusion of the fourth round. In the succeeding two there was but little to choose, and a draw was the natural conclusion.

"Kid" McPartland, who announced his weight at 134, made his initial bow to a Chicago crowd. With such a clever opponent as Tommy Tracey some scientific work was expected. A second or two of preliminary sparring was followed by Tracey rushing his opponent all across the ring and hard enough against the ropes to loosen the corner post. In a "clinch" Tracey landed two rights on the wind. He again rushed the "Kid" to the ropes and in a succeeding clinch again landed twice on the ribs. It was evident Tracey was hot after his man. No sooner had the second round started than Tom again forced McPartland to the ropes. Both fell over, exchanging blows as they fell. Another rush and another clinch followed and both went to the canvas, McPartland being underneath. Referee Masterson had great trouble in parting them. They were together again in an instant and once more fell to the floor. Next time the "Kid" got mixed in the ropes, and while there Tracey struck him several blows. Masterson gave the bout to McPartland, Tracey protesting strongly. By many it was thought McPartland was responsible for the clinching and wrestling, but the rushing style adopted by Tracey was certainly different from his usual methods. Two minutes and twenty seconds had expired of the second round when the bout was stopped.

Stift Wins on a Foul.

"Billy" Stift, who had some ten pounds advantage over "Mysterious Billy" Smith showed up in splendid trim. Smith was armed with two porous plasters and had his right knee in bandages. As far as the fight progressed there was little to choose. The New-Yorker was fast and clever, but several times was landed on heavily by Stift. Stift in the first round fell from the force of a blow which he failed to land. Few blows were struck in the second, which was even. Warmer work marked the opening of the third, Stift taking the aggressive. After one minute and eighteen seconds of fighting Stift swung and fell. While he was down Smith swung a hard right on the jaw, knocking the North Sider to the canvas. Masterson, who was on the other side of the ring, at once gave the fight to Stift. It was a difficult decision, and the opinion of the spectators was divided as to whether Stift's knee was touching the canvas or not. Stift was not knocked out and would have been able to continue. Smith refused to shake hands with Stift.

Malachi Hogan was referee of the first three bouts, and Paddy Carroll acted as master of ceremonies.


1898-06-04 The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL) (page 2)

LOST ON FOUL BLOWS

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Tom Tracey and Billy Smith Disqualified by Masterson.

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STAR BOUTS DISAPPOINT

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McPartland and Stift Are Forced Into Victories.

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Gans Wins from Roberson and Moffatt from Janey at Tattersall's.

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Five spirited contests were brought off last night at Tattersall's, as a result of a postponed carnival of Thursday night, when the collapse of the electric-light plant put a stop to the programme.

They resulted as follows: Joe Gans of Baltimore defeated "Kid" Roberson of Chicago in six rounds; Jack Moffatt of Chicago defeated Jim Janey of Baltimore in six rounds; Frank Childs of Chicago and Charley Strong of New York fought six rounds to a draw; "Kid" McPartland won from Tommy Tracey on a foul in two rounds; Billy Stift of Chicago won from Billy Smith of Boston on a foul in three rounds.

The opening bout was between Joe Gans of Baltimore, and "Kid" Roberson of Chicago, the game pair which began the hostilities the previous night, when the lights went out. Neither man did much in the first round. In the second Gans sent in a couple of sharp lefts to the face and to the body, and it began to look as though Roberson was up against the same hard game of the night before. Short lefts in the third round all but closed Roberson's left eye. Gans did considerable damage to Roberson in the fourth, but the local man stood up stoically under the lash. Both fought hard in the fifth, Gans doing most of the leading. Roberson came up for the sixth badly winded, but gamely willing. He fought hard and landed four good, stiff punches on the Baltimorean, bringing the claret. The crowd howled Referee Hogan's decision in favor of Gans, but it was proper and just.

Moffat the Victor.

Moffat and Janey were the next couple on. This was looked forward to as a slugging match, gauged on the encounter of a month ago at the Seventh regiment armory. Harry Gilmore and Henry Lyons acted as seconds to Moffatt, while Al Herford and "Shorty" Ahern were behind Janey. The men went at it from the start, and both earnestly sought to end the contest in a hurry. Slam-bang! they went at it, Janey once upsetting his man with a punch to the body. Both were wild in their eagerness.

In the second, they collided heavily, the exchanges favoring Janey, though Moffatt made valiant resistance. At the end of the second round it looked as though the strength of Janey was too much for Moffatt to overcome.

The third was full of cyclonic mixings, both roughing it viciously. It was a business match, with little or no pretense at scientific boxing.

In the fourth round a terrific interchange of rights and lefts culminated, first, in the flooring of Moffatt, and then, just as the gong sounded, the knocking down of Janey. The sound of the gong alone saved Janey, for he was all but out when the round ended.

The awful pace told on both men in the fifth round, and but little was done by either man. Moffatt did the major portion of the work in the last round, and was given the decision.

Frank Childs of Chicago and Charley Strong of New York were then introduced and "sicked" at each other.

Hoodlums Draw Fire.

Before the bout began there was an assault made on the Seventeenth street door by the hoodlums, which called forth the fire of the Pinkerton men. Two shots were fired in the air, and the mob was repulsed.

Strong and Childs fought at about 175 pounds. Strong was fat, flabby, and slow, and Childs had no trouble in landing almost at will. This for three rounds. In the fourth Strong came back and went at Childs, landing a couple of wild swings and almost winning. Childs came up recuperated some in the fifth round, but neither man could do any effective work. Hogan called the fight a draw at the end of the sixth round.

"Kid" McPartland and Tammy Tracey came on for the fourth number, "Bob" Masterson, the well-known Western sporting man, being introduced as referee. In the first round Tracey landed a few lefts to the "Kid's" face, and in the clinches pumped right short-arm blows into the kidneys. In the second round, in rough and foul fighting, Tracey four times backheeled the eastern man, falling on him and digging his knees into the stomach of McPartland. It was the most deliberate fouling ever seen in any ring, and after warning Tracey three times, Masterson righteously disqualified Tracey and gave the decision to McPartland.

The wind-up between Billy Stift of Chicago and "Mysterious" Billy Smith, Tommy Ryan's old and insistent foeman, was brought on shortly before 11 o'clock. Smith weighed about 160 pounds, the local man closely approximating 175 pounds. Stift appeared all tied up, and in the first round Smith succeeded in sending him in two short ones to the throat and wind, though no harm was done on either side. Stift landed on Smith's jaw in the second, Smith reciprocating in like fashion. They were in at close quarters when the round ended.

There was a warm exchange in the third round, and Stift was forced to his knees as the result of some sharp blows to the body in a clinch. While in this position Smith swung his right full to the side of the prostrate Stift's head. It was not hard enough to knock as rugged a fighter as Stift out, but the local man saw a soft spot and some easy money, and rolled over on his back, simulating unconsciousness. It was clearly a foul, and Masterson, following up the healthy precedent established in the preceding engagement, gave the fight to Stift.

The carnival receipts were $1,800 short of expenses.

1898-05-11 Joe Gans W-RTD6 Steve Crosby [Kentucky Athletic Club, Music Hall, Louisville, KY, USA]

1898-05-12 The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) (page 7)

CROSBY THREW UP THE SPONGE
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JOE GANS EASILY WINS IN SIX HOT ROUNDS.
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STEVE WAS OUTCLASSED.
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The Baltimore Light-weight Played For Crosby's Stomach With marked Effect.
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JANEY WINS IN ONE ROUND.
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Steve Crosby, local colored light-weight, received an awful punching at Music Hall last night at the hands of Joe Gans, Al. Herford's crack Baltimore light-weight. At the end of the sixth round Crosby's seconds threw up the sponge. He would have been knocked out in the next round or soon after that.

In the fourth round Crosby led for Gans' stomach. Joe crossed over with his right, landing a terrific blow back of Steve's ear. Crosby's knees bent inward, and a few seconds later he toppled to the floor. He remained down five seconds. This was the beginning of the end. By a series of clinches and mix-ups Crosby staved off a knockout until the gong sounded, and when the fifth began he had recovered considerably. But Gans found no trouble in landing, and Crosby went down to his knees several times more. Upon regaining his feet he rushed Gans gamely, and his work brought forth repeated cheering from the crowd.

All this time, however, Gans was planting hard left jabs over Crosby's heart, and in the mix-ups he would land right swings on the Louisville boy's jaw or ear. It was clear to all that Steve was outclassed. He landed a corking left on the jaw in the second round, which took a little of Gans' steam away, but otherwise Gans was not hurt.

Gans is one of the best boxers who have been here. He is very clever, careful and cool and showed that he is a very stiff puncher. He punished Crosby a good deal. It was Crosby's first try against a top-notcher, and will probably do him good. He was never punched that way before.

The Kentucky Athletic Club deserves credit for the class of attractions it is putting on and all who go to Music Hall get a "run for their money." In last night's preliminary the referee stopped the contest between Jim Janey and Jim Brewster in the first round because Brewster was clearly outclassed, and the Kentucky Athletic Club did not want to give an exhibition that savored at all of the brutal. The cards of this club up to date have been all that was expected of them, and though last night's principal contest was one-sided the spectators got a "run for their money."

Gans entered the ring at 9:45 o'clock. He was followed by Jim Janey and Jack McCabe and his manager, Al Herford, of Baltimore. Crosby came on a few minutes later. His seconds were Jim Watts, Fountain Barnett and Will Foster. It was announced that the boys would box twenty rounds for a decision. The young amateur athlete who officiated at the Watts-Lansing contest of the night before was selected to referee the bout.

Gans weighed 136 pounds, while Crosby weighed 132. Gans is a genuine chocolate, while Crosby is coal black. They agreed to break clean. Time was called at 9:45 o'clock.

Round 1--Gans led with his left for the stomach, but fell short. He landed lightly with his left. Steve jabbed Joe in the mouth. Gans jabbed him a couple of light ones in the stomach. They mixed it up toward the close, but no damage was done.

Round 2--Gans jabbed his left in stomach. Steve landed a good left in the face and came back with a left and right, and right again. Gans jabbed a left in face and Steve fell short with good left lead. Gans jabbed his left in stomach, and caught Steve on the jaw a moment later with left hook. Steve landed good left on the pit of the face. Gans placed his left in stomach and Steve countered on the body with his right.

Round 3--Steve came up smiling. Joe jabbed him in the stomach. Gans upper cut Steve with a left. They exchanged left jabs. Steve landed his right on the body. They exchanged jabs. Joe jabbed Steve half a dozen times in the stomach. He followed it up with a right and left on the face. This was Gans' round. He was very clever. His play was to find Crosby's heart with straight lefts, and he succeeded admirably, landing at least half a dozen in this round.

Round 4--Gans kept jabbing Steve in the stomach. Steve landed a stiff right on the ribs, and also got in a hard left swing on the head. Gans knocked Steve down With a right swing on the jaw. Crosby was clearly groggy. He got up looking dazed, but had his wits partly collected by the time Gans got to him, and succeeded in keeping him off until the gong sounded.

Round 5--Steve came up refreshed. Gans jabbed him with his left. He landed a stiff right on the body. Both blocked swings. Steve got in two rights, one on the body and one on the head. Gans landed a left on the body. They exchanged lefts. Gans put a right on the body. He continued at this work, and when Steve landed on the stomach Gans countered with his right. Gans got in a right swing on the head. This was a fast round.

Round 6--Gans started with the same tactics--jabbing on the stomach. Steve landed a left on the stomach and Gans countered on the jaw with his left. Gans knocked Crosby to his knees with a right swing on the ear. He tried for a knockout, landing right and left, but Steve was in every rally and fought back good and game. He was slightly unsteady on his pins when he went to his corner, but was far from being done for. His seconds threw up the sponge before the gong sounded for the seventh round to begin. All saw that Crosby had no earthly chance to win, and was simply acting as a chopping block for Gans.

The first bout was between Jim Janey, of Washington, and Jim Brewster, of Terre Haute, Ind. They were scheduled for ten rounds at catch weights. Janey weighed about 160 pounds, while Brewster tipped the beam at 158. In Janey's corner were Al Herford and Jack McCabe, both of Baltimore. Brewster's seconds were George Green and Tom Hahn, of Cincinnati. Brewster had the advantage in height and reach, but Janey was built like a brick house. They fiddled for a moment. Brewster led with his left, but Janey blocked it. Janey led with his right, and caught Brewster an awful swing with his left, flooring the Indiana boxer. He remained down seven seconds. Janey started in to finish his man, and the referee interfered, stopping the contest. He gave the fight to Janey, amid cheers.

Brewster was clearly outclassed, and had the contest gone on an accident might have resulted.

Herford issued a sweeping challenge to Watts or anybody else in the city at catch weights or 145 pounds, if they desired a weight limit.

Al Cook announced to the crowd that the physician had stated that Brewster was not in good physical condition, and that he had refused to give his sanction for the bout to proceed.

1897-11-29 Joe Gans W-TKO5 Stanton Abbott [Eureka Athletic Club, Academy of Music, Baltimore, MD, USA]

1897-11-30 Baltimore American (Baltimore, MD) (page 3)

GANS DEFEATS STANTON ABBOT.
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FAST BOXING AT THE ACADEMY CONCERT HALL.
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In the Third Round the Colored Boy Dazed the Englishman by a Left Hook, Followed by a Right Swing, Both on the Jaw--Three Other Bouts Under the Auspices of the Eureka Athletic Club--"The Adonis of the Ring" Stopped Wrenn, and Sweigert Was Bested by Joe Elliott--Two Featherweights Made a Fast Pace.
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Joe Gans, colored, of this city, last night practically knocked out Stanton Abbot, the famous English lightweight boxer, who is now engaged in teaching the manly art to the swell residents of Newport. The contest took place before a crowded house at the Concert Hall of the Academy. Gans outpointed and outclassed his opponent. He broke at will over his defense, succeeding himself in escaping the unaggressive short-arm jabs aimed by Abbot. In the third round Gans reached over Abbot's guard for a left hook on the jaw, following it with a lightning stroke with the right on the opposite jaw, and Abbot went down dazed. He managed to get up just as the referee was counting the last of the ten. From then until the middle of the fifth round Abbot gave an illustration of the bulldog tenacity and pluck of his country, simply acting as a butt for the quick charges of his dusky opponent. The contest was thus going on in a way perfectly hopeless for Abbot when, in the middle of the fifth round, his seconds threw up the sponge. Abbot was dazed, while Gans was as fresh as when he had started. The colored boy practically was not punished at all. He was in great form, while Abbot was soft and totally unable to withstand the nerve pace. The men boxed in open, clean order, breaking always nicely, making the "go" on its merits, very much to the gratification of the audience.

Gans' victory was as complete as notable. Abbot has a great reputation over this country and England as a boxer. He has, locally, defeated such men as Gehring and Duke. Gans was always the aggressor. He started from the take-off to make the pace hot. Being able to get away from return punishment at will, he constantly made sorties on his antagonist, getting around his guard, and repeatedly landing lefts on face and right-swings on body.

The contest was given under the auspices of the Eureka Athletic Club. There were four set-tos in all, for which no decisions were given publicly by Referee Mantz, though privately he expressed opinions. Excellent order prevailed throughout, and, apparently, none of the men taking part were injured.

Johnnie Smith and "Kid" Byrnes, both of this city, rival aspirants for 110-pound honors, made up the first bout. Both boys were full of steam, and put up a contest quite to the liking of the crowd. At the start of the first round Byrnes started to make the going. He swung a hard right on Smith's neck, and was countered on the body. In the second round, Smith began to send fierce punches after Byrnes' short ribs, exploring for the famous solar plexus blow. Byrnes could only lead with his right, not being at all nimble with his left. Smith was out in a pair of baby blue trunks, kept in place by a pink sash. One of his first efforts was to give Byrnes a "brim lamp," which at the ringside means a damaged eye. Byrnes looked over his optical crapery in the best of humor, a fresh smile coming with each blow. Smith had previously gotten the wrong end of a padded mill argument with Byrnes, and he was dead in earnest to even up. The two labored away energetically for their six rounds. The crowd adjudged it a draw.

Frank Farley, the Adonis of the ring, then had a five-round affair with Joe Wrenn, of Hazelton, Pa. "The Adonis" is handsome, and he's handy with his pins as Jimmy Fadden would say. He polished off Wrenn's nose with a double coat of claret, and then literally ran him off his legs. Not having legs, Wrenn failed to stand gracefully in the ring by the end of the fifth round, and Manager Herford suggested that the thing be stopped. Herford's suggestions go at the Eureka Club, and the thing was stopped, Farley getting the blue ribbon.

Fred Sweigert, "The Trial Horse," reminiscent of Fred Stewart and the Monumental Amphitheater, came out for a four-round friendly "go" with Joe Elliott, who himself is something of a trial horse. The two men had a rough way of showing their friendship. Elliott worked his left on Sweigert's nose and mouth, varying it occasionally with a heave with his right. He tired Sweigert out, and won a decision in a way to the taste of those present.

Before the real business of the evening started there was a bag-punching contest, for which three medals were given. These were won by Frank Farley, Joe Gans and William Anty.


1897-11-30 Morning Herald (Baltimore, MD) (page 5)

GANS BESTS ABBOTT.

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Big Attendance at the Boxing Carnival in the Academy of Music Hall--Farley Gets the Medal.

The boxing contests at the Academy of Music Hall last night were well attended. The house was packed, in fact, and Manager Herford feels much encouraged as to the outlook for such events in the future. The first thing on the card was a punching-bag contest. The entries were William Auty, Charles Steinbach, James King, Herman Holstein, Jim Janey, Joe Gans and Frank Farley. All of the men showed up well, but the judges had no difficulty in placing Farley first, and he was awarded the gold medal. Joe Gans was second and William Auty third. Auty was probably the most scientific of all, but the bag was too high for him, and he could not do himself justice.

The first of the boxing contests was between Tommy Burns and Johnny Smith, and was scheduled for six rounds. The boys put up a pretty fight, and at the end of the six rounds it was a stand off. Burns is a new-comer to the ring and hardly understands as much about the game as Smith, but he is a likely strong lad with a dangerous right, and will make a clever boxer with more experience.

Frank Farley and Joe Wrenn, of Hazleton, Pa., were next put on. Wrenn is a stout, husky boy but lacks skill, and Farley outpointed him all the way. The "Adonis" was not in the best of shape himself, owing to recent illness, but he made the Hazleton boy look very cheap. In the fourth round Wrenn began to get weak on his legs and in the fifth he was so groggy that he was taken off.

Jim Janey had been advertised to box with Tobe Parker, of Washington. Parker had signed an agreement to be on hand and Manager Herford had sent him on his railroad ticket. Parker, however, did not show up, and the bout was declared off. To fill in, Joe Elliott and Fred Sweigert went on for four rounds. Joe had all the best of it and fought Sweigert to a standstill. This, however, was not much to Sweigert's discredit, for he was in no shape for a fight, and simply went on to oblige Manager Herford. He made a very game and creditable showing under the circumstances. The star bout of the evening between Stanton Abbott and Joe Gans was then in order. It was Gans' battle all the way through.

Abbott, with his wonderful guard, stood Joe off for a couple of rounds, but in the third the colored lad got into the Englishman, and, punching him right and left, finally sent him to the floor. The referee counted 10, and at the last second Abbott staggered to his feet. He was a beaten man ten, but he managed to hang on until the gong saved him. The next round he recuperated wonderfully and did some leading himself, but he was clearly weak and all but out of it. In the fifth Joe went at his man, and, hitting him at will, finally dropped him with a right-hand punch on the jaw. Abbott's seconds saw that it was all over and threw up the sponge. Abbott was not in the best of condition. He looked fat and soft, and after the second round he was slow as an ice-wagon. He clearly has no business with Gans, and, indeed, none but strictly first-class men can hope to make a showing with the colored lad. Abbott took his defeat very philosophically. He said: "I have been 16 years in the ring, and I must expect to find my superior among these youngsters."


1897-11-30 The Sun (Baltimore, MD) (page 6)

GANS WHIPS ABBOTT.

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Takes Less Than Five Rounds To Do It--Other Bouts Of The Eureka And Bag Punching.

Joseph Gans, the colored lightweight of Baltimore, again proved his great ability as a pugilist by defeating easily Staunton Abbott, the Englishman, in less than five rounds last night.

The colored boy came within an ace of finishing Abbott in the third with a blow on the jaw that almost put him out. Staunton staggered to his feet, however, just as the referee counted "9" and the gong saved him. He recovered somewhat and gamely tried to continue the contest. But in the fifth round, after Gans had made a chopping block of him, Abbott's second threw up the sponge, after a knockdown by Gans. Abbott was not "out," but he was helpless, and his seconds gave up to save him from further punishment and the knockout that would have come shortly. Abbott made a very game fight, but Gans outpointed him from the start. It was evident that he was no match for the colored boy, who escaped everything like a serious blow.

The Gans-Abbott battle was the last and principal one at the boxing exhibition given in the concert hall of the Academy of Music, under the auspices of the Eureka Athletic Club, of which Al. Herford is manager. The exhibition was an excellent one and the crowd filled nearly every seat. There was a six-round set-to between Thomas (Kid) Byrnes and John Smith, both of Baltimore, at 110 pounds, which was a draw; another between Frank Farley and Joseph Wren, both of Philadelphia, five rounds at 124 pounds, which was all Farley's and a four-round "go" between Joseph Elliott and Fred. Sweigert at catch weights, in which Elliott pummelled his opponent almost at will. The last was arranged after the exhibition began, to take the place of a bout that had been arranged between Tobe Parker, of Washington, and James Janey, of Baltimore. Parker, although a railroad ticket had been sent him, failed to appear.

No decisions were given by the referee in any of the events, the spectators being left to decide for themselves. George Mantz was referee and Ernault Gebhart was timekeeper.

Besides the boxing contests, Manager Herford introduced a novelty to open the entertainment with in the shape of a bag-punching contest, for the championship of Maryland and prizes. A number of contestants entered and Frank Farley, the "Adonis," as he is called, because of his handsome face and figure, gave a wonderfully skillful exhibition of bag punching and was awarded the first prize, a large gold medal, and the championship. Joseph Gans, whose punching was only a little less fine, won the second prize, a punching bag. William Anty, a Baltimore boy, was adjudged entitled to third honor. Every contestant was given three minutes. Messrs. Walter Schlichter, sporting editor of a well-known Philadelphia paper, J. H. Anderson and William Walts, of Baltimore, were the judges.

The Gans-Abbott bout opened with both men sparring for an opening. After a few moments Gans landed the first blow of any consequence, a straight left jab in the face. Shortly afterward he got in another, following it with a right hook in the ribs. Abbott landed a light left on Gans' neck and the round closed, with neither man hurt, Gans having had the better of it, however. The colored boy began working in earnest in the second round and had all the better of it, landing half a dozen or more stiff punches on the face and ribs of his opponent. Abbott's face was scarlet and his body blood red from the blows as he went to his corner.

Gans was still more savage in the third round. He continued his hard jabs in Abbott's face and ribs and near the close had Abbott all but out. With a terrible straight left jab in the face Gans jolted his opponent's head back and then sent in a right hook on the jaw. Abbott went down and it looked as if it was all over. But after lying perfectly still on his back until the referee had counted up to six, the plucky little Englishman arose to his feet as "nine" was called and managed to defend himself until the song sounded.

The last two rounds simply tested the endurance and dogged bravery of Abbott. Gans hammered him almost at will, but Abbott managed to evade a knockout. When, however, Gans floored him after 2 minutes and 15 seconds of the fifth round, his seconds threw up the sponge. Abbott tried hard to land his famous right, but Gans was far too clever.

The other bouts were no less animated than the star affair. Byrnes and Smith had a savage time of it for a while and "mixed it up" in lively fashion. Byrnes did nearly all the fighting, forcing matters from the start. He had the better of it, but Smith recovered, and toward the close evened up matters considerably.

The Farley-Wren contest was all one-sided. Wren was the heavier and stronger, but was not in good condition, and Farley was the cleverer. At the end of the fifth Wren was tired out, and the bout was stopped. Wren was not hurt.

In the other preliminary, Joe Elliott, as usual, proved himself a very clever boxer, and Fred. Sweigert proved, as usual, that he could take any amount of punishment smilingly. At the end Sweigert, breathlessly, apologized to the crowd for not doing better work, saying he was not in condition.

1897-11-06 Joe Gans ND6 Wilmington Jack Daly [Arena, Philadelphia, PA, USA]

1897-11-07 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA) (page 9)

DALY A DISAPPOINTMENT.
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Instead of Punching Gans, He Makes an Exhibition of Himself.

The wind-up at the Arena last night was a disappointment to the majority of the spectators, who thought that Daly would punch Joe Gans full of holes. Instead of punching the Baltimore colored lad full of air vents Daly made an exhibition of himself. It is true that Gans did not hurt Daly to any extent, but if a decision had been given on points an impartial referee would have been compelled to accord the verdict to Gans, who outpointed and outboxed Daly from start to finish.

After the bout Daly was vigorously hissed, and to some of his tormentors in the upper galleries he responded in language more forcible than polite. There was never a stage in the six rounds when he had Gans in trouble. Some of his leads were ludicrous, the majority of them falling short, and the others falling harmlessly on the back of the colored lad. Gans, on the other hand, showed surprising cleverness by the evasive tactics, and every now and then landed in good style on Daly's wind.

In only one round--the fourth--did Daly land with any telling effect, and then he got in a right-handed swing that counted for keeps, but the round was too far gone for him to take advantage of it.

In the preliminaries Dan Dougherty and Harry Crawford made a rattling good go. Tom Sweeny, of New York, quit in the second round of his bout with Joe Dougherty, of this city, and "De Kentucky Rosebud" and John Henry Johnson made an even break of it. Pepper Griffin, of this city, managed to stay the six rounds with Jim Janey, of Baltimore, but the latter had all the better of it.


1897-11-07 The Philadelphia Record (Philadelphia, PA) (page 8)

VERY TAME BOXING BOUT
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Jack Daly and Joe Gans Give a Poor Display.
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PEPPER GRIFFIN KNOCKED OUT
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Jim Janey Puts Him to Sleep With a Punch on the Jaw--Jack Bennett Defeats Tommy Ryan.
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The opening programme of the weekly boxing contests usually given on Monday evenings at the Arena, Broad and Cherry streets, but which will hereafter be given Saturdays, took place last night. The house was well filled when the first bout was put on. The principal go of the evening, the wind-up, was between Jack Daly, of Wilmington, and Joe Gans, colored, of Baltimore.

On the whole, the contest was disappointing, and did not satisfy the sanguinary expectations of those in attendance. Throughout the entire bout both men put up a scientific set-to and at its conclusion neither had much the better of it. Most of the leading was done by Daly, but his leads were generally evaded by Gans, who delivered a good stiff punch in return. At no stage of the bout did either man show a disposition to mix it up, and their merits were undecided when the six rounds were finished.

Pepper Griffin in his bout with Jim Janey, also colored, of Baltimore, gave one of the worst exhibitions ever witnessed at the Arena. From the start of the "go" he ran around the ring, followed by Janey, whose attempts to make him stand and fight were amusing. Griffin, when he saw he couldn't get out of the road of a punch, dropped to the floor and remained there until time was almost up. The shouts of the spectators of "Fake!" "Take him out," etc., were unheeded by Referee Crowdhurst. Griffin kept up these tactics, and some moments, when cornered by Janey, would make a fierce return. The hope that he would continue to box in his old-time form entertained by some of the audience was not realized. Finally Janey, by a couple of well-directed punches on the jaw in the sixth round, compelled him to drop to the stage. Then the audience saw, that it was not Griffin's usual "bluff," but that he was really out.

Walter Edgerton (the "Kentucky Rosebud") and John Henry Johnson put up six red-hot rounds. They were always willing to go at each other, and received rounds of applause for the "go." Johnson found Edgerton a slippery customer to deal with, his hardest efforts being easily dodged by the Rosebud. Toward the end of the final round Edgerton got in several hard blows that had a telling effect on Johnson.

Joe Dougherty found Tom Sweeney very easy. They were to box six rounds, but after Dougherty had made two terrific rushes at Sweeney, which he dodged very cleverly, Dougherty landed a hard one in the stomach that made Sweeney go to the floor. He did not arise and showed no inclination to continue, so the contest was stopped. Sweeney has not been having the best of care lately and was in no condition to fight.

Dan Dougherty and Harry Crawford put up a pretty bout, with honors about even. It was announced that the wind-up on Saturday night next would probably be between Jack Bonner and Joe Butler. The former has already signed a contract, and the latter is expected to agree, as he is known to be anxious for another trial to show his mettle.


1897-11-07 The Times (Philadelphia, PA) (page 11)

DALY AND GANS BOX A DRAW
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The Going Throughout the Six Rounds Was Very Light Work.

There was a fair crowd at the Arena last night and the show was quite up to expectations. The principal feature was the bout between Jack Daly, of Wilmington, and Joe Gans, the clever colored boy, of Baltimore. The men shaped up nearly one size, Daly having a slight advantage in height and reach.

Both men were cautious in the first round. Daly landed two of his famous chop blows without much damage. The round was clever and scientific, but very light and neither men showed any marks.

Very little work was done in the second. Gans worked for the stomach and landed twice lightly. Daly landed a chop and two swings on the head near the end of the round. In the third, Gans again landed two light ones on the body, and Daly evened matters up with two good ones on the head and one in the wind. There were few blows landed in the fourth round, both doing light work on the body. Daly landed a left on the head as the round closed. In the fifth Gans landed three very light taps on the body, and Jack landed a hard left on the head. Both exchanged swings on the head without any damage as the bell rang. There was no material advantage when the men shook hands for the last round. Both men exchanged light swings, and although Gans did a little forcing neither seemed over-anxious to mix it up, and the bout closed with honors even.

The first preliminary brought out two clever bantams in Danny Dougherty and Harry Crawford. The latter had all the best of the weight, but Danny kept away from him and jabbed his opponent with straight lefts. Crawford made a rally in the sixth, but it was all Dougherty's bout.

A party who was introduced as Tom Sweeny, of Brooklyn, next came on for a "go" with Joe Dougherty, the hard hitting local. The bout just lasted about one half minute. Dougherty missed two right swings and then landed a right over the heart and the New Yorker went down on one knee. Dougherty attempted to help him up, but Sweeny refused to come and after sitting there for about ten seconds Referee Crowhurst waved his arms and then helped the Brooklyn boy to his seat. It looked about as near to a rank quit as anything ever seen here.

For a cycloramic display of wall-eyed swings and a conglomeration of all sorts of punches and odd capers, the bout between Walter Edgerton and John Henry Johnson was all right. There were not many blows struck, but there were enough tried to knock out a half-dozen men. Johnson had a slight lead in the first part, but his exertions and four or five hard lefts in the last two rounds had him very tired, and the honors were slightly with the Bud.

Pepper Griffin put up one of the worst exhibitions of boxing, if it could be called such, that has ever been seen at this club. He had Jim Janey for an opponent, and from the first punch looked as if he was scared to death. Janey knocked him down in the first round, and he was long enough down to have been counted out. Griffen was a regular punching bag for Janey, and he was knocked down at least a dozen times. After Janey had hit Pepper so often that it became tiresome to look at, Griffen was finally knocked out by a right-hand punch on the jaw. Janey made himself popular and was nearly as much disgusted at Griffen as were the spectators. One feature about Griffen was that he took all the punishment, but he lost this credit by his awful exhibition of running, back-turning and dropping to avoid blows.