1897-02-20 Frank Erne L-UD20 Martin Flaherty [New York Athletic Club, New York, NY, USA]

1897-02-21 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page 8)

FLAHERTY WHIPS ERNE.

Frank Erne of Buffalo met his Waterloo last night in the arena of the New York Athletic club. Martin Flaherty of Lowell, Mass., gave him a drubbing which the Buffalonian will not soon forget. The work of both men was of the hottest kind throughout the twenty rounds.

During the last two rounds the Buffalo boy made a game struggle to offset the decided lead that his opponent had gained over him, but his efforts were futile and when the bell ended the contest everybody who saw the fight was perfectly satisfied that Flaherty had won a well earned victory and Referee Arthur Moore as well as the judges decided that Flaherty had won it.


1897-02-21 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 10)

FLAHERTY DEFEATS ERNE.

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The Conqueror of Dixon Receives a Hard Punching at the N.Y.A.C.

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Martin Flaherty, of Lowell, defeated Frank Erne, of Buffalo, in a twenty round boxing contest at the New York Athletic Club last night. It was the best show ever given in the club's gymnasium, which was packed with members and their guests. Erne recently got a decision over George Dixon in twenty rounds, and many have referred to him in consequence as the feather weight champion of America.

In the first three rounds Erne looked like a sure winner, but Flaherty then got to work, and in the next round cut Erne's eye, ear and mouth almost into ribbons. Throughout the rest of the bout his eye bled freely, and at times his face looked, as one spectator put it, "like a butcher shop."

Erne displayed great gameness. He took a terrific punching and was fairly beaten. When the judges, Edward W. Kearney and Charles Coster, gave their decision the cheering was loud and prolonged. There was not a dissenting voice.

There were two preliminary bouts, each of ten rounds. Frank Smith, of California, and "Bobby" Wilson, of Jersey City, were the first to meet. Wilson won in the seventh round, and Smith, in falling, twisted his ankle, and was carried off.

The second bout was between "Jack" Hannigan, of Pittsburg, and "Joe" Youngs, of Buffalo. It lasted the limit, the judges agreeing on Youngs.


1897-02-21 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 4)

FRANK ERNE DEFEATED.

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MARTIN FLAHERTY PROVES HIS MASTER AT THE NEW YORK A. C.

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The Buffalo Pugilist Outpointed and Badly Punished in a Twenty-Round Battle--Flaherty Escapes with Scarcely a Mark--Wilson and Youngs Also Win Bouts.

Frank Erne of Buffalo, the featherweight pugilist who not long ago received a decision over George Dixon, met his master in Martin Flaherty of Lowell last night at the New York A. C. Flaherty earned a well-deserved verdict because he was faster, a harder hitter, and fully as clever in ring tactics as the Buffalonian.

Erne's left eye and ear were cut open in the early rounds, and to the end of the battle he bled profusely. Flaherty on one or two occasions nearly ended the contest with heavy right-hand swings, which were aimed for the point of the jaw. Erne, instead of cutting the pace throughout, seemed partial to defensive work, and in the latter part of the "go" most of his efforts were limited to countering. Flaherty escaped with scarcely a mark.

The gymnasium was crowded with members and their guests when the opening bout was put on. Arthur Moore was the referee, Charles Coster and Edward Kearney were the judges, Robert Stoll held the watch, and Waldo Sprague was the master of ceremonies. The first bout was between Bobby Wilson of Jersey City and Frank Smith of California. They were to box ten rounds at 117 pounds.

The boys met before at the last show under the club's auspices, and after a hot battle Smith received the decision. Last night the referee stopped the fight and declared Wilson the winner. Smith's ankle was injured to such an extent in the last round that he was carried to his dressing room.

What was expected to be a fast "go" was the second bout, between Joe Youngs of Buffalo and Jack Hannigan of Pittsburgh, ten rounds, at 122 pounds. Youngs received the decision of the judges amid intense satisfaction. Both boys were badly punished.

Erne and Flaherty came next. They were matched for twenty rounds at 126 pounds. Both weighed in and were prepared for business shortly after 10 o'clock.

First Round.--Erne's left fell short of the body. Then both sparred for an opening. Erne tried his left for the head and was blocked, Flaherty putting a right on the heart. Erne again shot out his left and it reached the mouth. Flaherty ran into a clinch, and Erne put in a solid left on the stomach. This made Martin rush a bit, but Frank got away nicely, and also countered strongly on the mouth. They were sparring lightly at the end.

Second Round.--Erne sailed in with a volley of left-hand jabs, which did no harm. Then he swung a left to the ear, Flaherty putting in a good rib roaster. The latter came in with a double blow, which was prettily stopped, and repeated the attack, getting his right over the heart. Erne put in a left on the neck, and Flaherty got in a double swing on the head. Erne's left for the body was short, and Martin countered on the face. The round was about even.

Third Round.--Erne's left was stopped, but he tried it again, both landing on the body. They exchanged half-arm jolts on the head and Erne shot a hard left to the body. He also put a left on the mouth, Flaherty rushing in with a couple of swings on the face. Erne piled in after this with half a dozen solid punches on the head, and Flaherty for the first time used his elbow. The latter rushed, but he was met by a volley of short jabs which stopped him short. It was Erne's round.

Fourth Round.--Flaherty got his right to the back of Frank's neck. Then Erne put a stiff left on the nose and they mixed it up to a clinch near the ropes. Both did some heavy swinging without damage and then fiddled until Flaherty led for the neck and received a terrific body punch just above the belt. Erne also shot in two lefts to the neck, Flaherty countering rather wildly and rushing unsuccessfully just at the end.

Fifth Round.--Flaherty's rush was blocked, but he tried another and got a left to the body. Flaherty came again and with a couple of hard lefts he shook Erne's head up for fair. Erne's left swing was stopped nicely on two successive occasions, and Martin swung his right behind his opponent's head. The Lowell man rushed, but Erne skipped around the ring like a sprinter.

Sixth Round.--Erne's left was stopped, but he tried another which partially landed. Flaherty tried a right-hand swing for the jaw, Erne ducking quickly, and coming up again with a left on the body. Flaherty rushed, Erne running away, after which they mixed it up, and Martin chased Erne to the ropes, where he landed a heavy left flush on the nose. Then Erne kept away, so that the round ended in sparring.

Seventh Round.--Erne's left was short, but he put a second jab on the mouth. Flaherty began rushing and swinging, whereupon Erne took the defensive and kept away. Flaherty finally landed a hard one on the mouth and then both fell in a clinch. They exchanged hard swings on the head, and Flaherty put in a corker on the mouth again. Erne was bleeding from the left eye and mouth when he sat down.

Eighth Round.--Erne began to fight faster and shot a couple of lefts to the head. He rushed, too, but Flaherty's defence was effective enough to prevent damage. Martin later resumed rushing tactics, and landed a couple of heavy swings on the left eye, which drew more blood. Then he cut loose and put in a volley of punches on Erne's face and body, Frank fighting back almost blow for blow. Erne's eye was bleeding freely at the end.

Ninth Round.--Erne began the onslaught with left jabs, but Flaherty met him with more heavy swings on the eye, drawing more gore. Erne rushed with a left on Martin's eye, but the latter's blows were the heavier, and Erne took the defensive for a moment. Flaherty continued his hard hitting until Erne's eye bled so much that both men were practically covered with it. This was easily Flaherty's round.

Tenth Round.--Flaherty landed heavily on the eye the moment Erne came up. Frank put a couple of sharp jabs on the mouth, but they were nothing compared to the punches that Flaherty sent into the damaged eye. Erne began swinging his right, but it was for the most part stopped, although one good swing found the jaw. They were sparring at the bell.

Eleventh Round.--Erne's left for the body was short, and another left was well stopped. Flaherty then put in a swing on the cut eye, and received a cross counter on the mouth. Flaherty also put a heavy swing on the left ear which brought forth more blood. Flaherty came in with a straight left, Erne countering. Martin did some more leading, with the Buffalo boy on the defensive.

Twelfth Round.--Erne led, but his rival smashed him on the eye. Flaherty also put in a left on the nose, Erne countering on the body. Martin got away from a couple of swings and then rushed Frank to the ropes, where he sent in half a dozen swings to the head, Erne meanwhile driving in body blows. Flaherty stopped a long left, and then punched Erne's nose so hard that it brought a clinch.

Thirteenth Round.--Erne's left was short, but he sailed in for a mix up and landed a heavy right over the heart. Erne then missed two lefts and was chased into a clinch. Erne came to close quarters and Flaherty slipped down in getting away from the rally. Erne put in a couple of good lefts on the neck and Martin's terrific left went wide of the mark. Erne showed improvement in this round, which, however, was in the Lowell man's favor.

Fourteenth Round.--Erne's left was stopped, and when he came on again, Flaherty put in a hot body blow. Erne rushed with a storm of punches on the head and body, Flaherty clinching, and then rushing the Buffalo boy to the ropes. Erne tried his left repeatedly, but he did very little harm.

Fifteenth Round.--Erne opened with a left on the nose. He tried another for the body at long range and Flaherty blocked it off easily. They came closer and Flaherty fought his man to the ropes, where he landed heavily on the neck and body. Erne was still bleeding, but full of fight. In a clinch both fell, and upon arising Flaherty put a heavy one on the jaw, Erne countering on the mouth.

Sixteenth Round.--Erne did not seem anxious to lead, so after a moment's fiddling Flaherty rushed in with right and left on the eye and jaw. Erne clinched, and after the break he received four heavy smashes on the head and neck, Erne's counters being anything but strong. Then, in a fit of desperation, Erne rallied and forced his man to the ropes, after which he was clearly staggered with a heavy right on the jaw.

Seventeenth Round.--Erne's left was short on the first three attempts. Then Flaherty rushed and made Erne clinch with a couple of heavy jolts on the neck. Erne tried two swings, one of which reached the neck, and then rushed, Flaherty clinching. Martin put in a body punch and sent in a terrific left squarely on the right eye. Then they mixed it up, and just as the bell rang Erne landed a right that sent Flaherty sprawling. The latter, however, was all right as he took his chair.

Eighteenth Round.--They sparred a moment and then Erne tried his left unsuccessfully. Flaherty swung a left to the jaw, and Erne was driven to the ropes, both landing well on the head and body. Flaherty was cautious now, until he saw an opening for a double swing, and also put a left to the body. Just as the bell rang Flaherty landed a right on the jaw, and Erne staggered.

Nineteenth Round.--Erne opened the round with a left on the mouth, but Flaherty came to close quarters and drove his man to a corner, where they clinched. Erne's eye was still bleeding terribly, while the Lowell boy did not have hardly a mark. The latter rushed again and swung two hot ones on the eye, Erne, as usual, countering. Again Flaherty rushed and landed half a dozen heavy jolts on the head. When Erne took his corner he was terribly punished.

Twentieth Round.--They shook hands, and Erne cut loose with two swings on the head. But Flaherty rushed in with a couple of great drives in the face and a left body punch. Erne thereupon took the defensive, and Flaherty pitched in to make a Garrison finish. He got in two blows to one for Erne, and the latter was on the defensive when the bell rang.

The judges agreed on Flaherty, which was considered to be a just verdict.


1897-02-22 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 7)
"Frank" Erne, who has extracted considerable satisfaction from a very questionable decision over George Dixon, collided with a disagreeable experience at the New York Athletic Club Saturday night when he was clearly defeated in a twenty-round bout by Martin Flaherty, the sturdy Boston featherweight. Flaherty had the best of the argument from start to finish, and got the decision. Erne pursued his customary tactics of showy sparring and dancing methods, but Flaherty, eschewing all frills, used his left with telling effect, and at intervals swung a staggering right. Erne was badly punished, while the New Englander showed not a mark.

The club members insisted that they never saw such excellent bouts at those presented Saturday night, which was a just compliment to Matchmaker "Charley" White.


1897-02-22 The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY) (page 8)
Frank Erne ran up against one of the biggest surprises of his life when he met Martin Flaherty in the New York Athletic Club on Saturday night. Flaherty outfought him all the way, and got the decision easily.

1899-03-03 Frank Erne W-KO7 Dal Hawkins [Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, CA, USA]

1899-03-04 The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA) (page 12)

FRANK ERNE ASTOUNDED LOCAL SPORTS
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Lowered the Colors of Dal Hawkins.
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FINISH WAS A KNOCKOUT
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THE END CAME QUICKLY IN THE SEVENTH ROUND.
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Marvelous Cleverness of the Easterner Prevented Dal From Landing His Famous Left Swing.
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The patrons of fistic entertainment witnessed a contest last evening at Woodward's Pavilion which years will not efface from the memory.

Dal Hawkins, the flower of the lightweight champions representative of this coast, met Frank Erne, the clever two-handed pugilist of Buffalo, N. Y., in what was to have been a twenty-round pugilistic contest. The local sports pinned their faith on Hawkins, who has a record of winning many hard battles against the crackerjacks of the class of fighters of which he is a representative.

The betting favored Hawkins from start to finish, or, in other words, Hawkins was the favorite from the time the pools opened until they closed. The betting was 10 to 8, with Hawkins on the long end, and before the contestants entered the ring Erne's stock took a tumble, as odds of $10 to $7 went without takers. When Hawkins landed a swift left-hander on Erne's eye in the first round, the effect of which brought the receiver to the carpet, the news of Hawkins' success swept like wildfire about town, and when it reached the poolrooms the supporters of the local man were jubilant, and the Erne money fell from $10 to $7 to $10 to $4, and even at these latter figures Eastern money was hard to get.

The sudden defeat of Hawkins was a great surprise to the local talent, and it is safe to say that many a "hard-earned pocket" feels to-day the result of last evening's entertainment at Woodword's Pavilion.

The contest was a particularly brilliant one--that is, from a scientific point of view. In the first round Hawkins came within a few inches of bringing the sport to a very sudden conclusion. After the usual fiddling and sparring for openings Hawkins swung his dangerous left and his glove landed hard on the right eye of Erne. The force of the blow sent the Eastern lad to the carpet, where he remained for eight seconds. But, cautious and cool as Erne is, he took the limit of time to collect his senses, and was up and at it again before Referee Choynski had time to call him out.

Erne saw that another such punch as he received if landed on the right spot would quickly end the disturbance and cunningly he remained on the defensive, handsomely blocking all left swings that were afterward intended for the jaw point. Hawkins was rapidly scoring points on his adversary and the admirers of Erne freely confessed that unless the Buffalo man had "something up his sleeve" for future use Hawkins would win on points if he failed to score a knockout. In the seventh round Erne, advised by Barney Feeney, changed his tactics, and instead of making a long range fight, which was favorable to Hawkins, he got under the local man's guard and forced a mixup at short range. Dal, who is only what is called a one-hand fighter, attempted to ward off the attack of his opponent, but Erne, who is a lightning-quick striker, had Dal at sea immediately, and in the mixup he landed a hard left jolt on Dal's jaw, which was followed by a sharp right-hand crook, also on the jaw point, the force of which ended all dispute as to the fighting abilities of the men. Hawkins fell on his back and remained dead to the world for some seconds after being counted out.

The police management of the fight, under the command of Captain James W. Gillen of the Seventeenth street station, was as perfect as it was possible to have it. All the passageways were kept clear and the utmost good order was maintained throughout the entire building. No crowding was permitted at the entrance and those who had tickets found no difficulty in gaining admission.

Following is the result of the fight by rounds:

In the opening round Hawkins was the first to lead, and it ended in a clinch. Erne came back at him a few seconds later quick as a lightning with three hard lefts in the face. The blows jarred Hawkins, but he soon returned the compliment, landing his celebrated left swing, which has laid many a fighter low, hard on Erne's cheek, knocking the Buffalo lad down. Erne took the full nine seconds to rise, but did not appear dazed, and after that successfully blocked every left that Hawkins led for his head. Erne ended the round by planting a hard one on Dal's nose.

Erne was kept busy blocking Hawkins' delivery in the second round, but did it so well that most of the blows landed harmlessly on his arms. He retaliated with one good swift punch on Dal's wishbone. Hawkins rushed him to the ropes, but Erne clinched and no harm was done.

Hawkins kept up the leading in the third round, with Erne warding off all the blows and suffering no punishment, save one which Hawkins swung into his side, leaving a large red blotch to denote the spot where it landed.

Hawkins tried his left swing several times unsuccessfully in the fourth. Erne showed great cleverness in warding them off. Hawkins then tried his right, landing lightly on the body. Erne returned with a swift right in Dal's side. In a rush both exchanged lefts and rights on the head and shoulders as the round ended, and went to their corners winded.

Hawkins increased the size of the red spot on Erne's side in the fifth round by landing several hard left swings, which Erne did not guard. Erne did not try a return, contenting himself with avoiding punishment and gauging his man.

Erne showed more confidence in the sixth, opening with a rush and forcing Dal to clinch. Hawkins landed a light left on the forehead and again in the side, and Erne came back at him with hot rights and lefts on the head that dazed the Californian. It was the hottest exchange of the fight thus far.

Hawkins began hostilities in the seventh and what proved to be the last round by rushing his man to the ropes, swinging his left into Erne's side again. Erne retaliated with a hard right swing which landed on the back of Hawkins' neck. Erne rushed Hawkins to the ropes, landing his left and right hard on the head. Hawkins clinched and backed away, and Erne, following him up, swung his left and right across Dal's jaw so quickly that Hawkins probably never knew they were coming. The blows settled Hawkins, probably, but just to show that there was no frost Erne soaked him a straight left in the jaw and a right swing on the side of the head, and Dal went down like a log, falling straight backwards and hitting his head a resounding thump on the floor. He lay stretched there without moving a muscle after the referee counted him out, and his seconds had to carry him bodily from the ring.

Erne was the favorite with the Eastern contingent, and they crowded around him after the battle and showered their congratulations, which he received modestly. Erne comes far from giving any one the impression that he is a prize-fighter, though when stripped he is a perfectly built athlete. Among those who know him he is a quiet, good-looking, curly haired youth, who might easily be mistaken for a college man. He has little to say, and nothing when it comes to speaking of his own achievements. When he wins a battle the money gained is not spent in drink or on the races. He has no use for these vices and says that if he can find some suitable employment he will retire from the prize-ring and devote his time to something more elevating. He was born in Zurich, Switzerland, twenty-four year ago, but was raised in Buffalo, N. Y., which place he calls his home.

The preliminary event of the evening was to have been a ten-round go between Charles Johnson and Eugene Mulligan, both of this city, in the lightweight class. Both were wild and showed little science. After six rounds Mulligan had enough, and made a weak pretense at being unable to arise after slipping to the floor from a light body blows. He destroyed the illusion, however, by jumping up quickly after the referee had counted him out and walking briskly to his corner. For this little exhibition of cowardice he was loudly hissed as he left the ring, and the crowd showed its further deprecation by yelling "fake," which statement was probably well grounded. Ned Hogan refereed the unsatisfactory bout.

What Erne Said.

A jubilant crowd gathered in Erne's dressing room at the conclusion of the fight and poured congratulations into the ears of the victor. The only mark of battle on his countenance was a red tinge below his right optic, where Hawkins had landed a vicious left in the initial round of the contest. While donning his street attire he said that the Californian was a good ring general and had a punch of a middle-weight.

"After the first round," he added, "I knew I had him. He would never have landed the left that knocked me down had I not been careless. Every one told me about the dangerous left, but I got momentarily careless and he got over my guard. It is a peculiar blow, but I got on to it in the first round and blocked it every time he tried it. The blows on my ribs did not hurt me, as I drew in every time he landed. I was confident that I would catch him before the tenth round, and when the chance came I accepted it and put him out. It was a right on the jaw that did the business. I felt so confident before the 'go' of winning that I told 'Kid' McCoy to place a bet on me to win in ten rounds. It is my intention to stay in California for some time, but I have not made up my mind whether I will take any one on."

It is probable that a match will be made between Erne and Lavigne after the latter's fight with Smith. Manager Groom of the National Club has the match in view and will try to secure it for his club.

Hawkins Was Confident.

Hawkins was depressed over his defeat. On reaching his dressing room he was assisted into his clothes by his seconds and immediately left for a downtown hotel, where he met his wife and received her sympathy. His face bore evidence of his having been in a fight. His nose was swollen, a dark spot wreathed his right eye and his lips were puffed by the rapid lefts of his clever opponent. Dal was loth to talk about the outcome of the battle. He did say, however, that Erne was a top notcher and won on his merits. Hawkins said he was confident that he would win and stated he intended fighting faster after the tenth round. I thought I had him in the first round," he said, "but I caught him too high. I think I had a little the better of him up to the seventh, but in that round he caught me and it was all over.

1895-12-05 George Dixon D-PTS10 Frank Erne (New York, NY, USA)

1895-12-06 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 10)

DIXON COULD GET ONLY A DRAW.
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He Proved Himself the Better Man, Outfighting Erne in Every Round but Two.
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MAHER WILL MEET "FITZ."
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They Are Matched to Fight on February 14, Probably On Mexican Soil.
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PETER PLANS MATRIMONY.
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Through an extraordinary decision on the part of Charles Sagel, the referee, George Dixon, the feather weight champion of the world, was deprived of a well earned victory over Frank Erne, of Buffalo, at the New Manhattan Athletic Club last evening. Ten rounds were fought, and in all save two Dixon clearly demonstrated his superiority over his opponent. The little pugilistic marvel never fought fairer nor better in his life, but despite this the crowd cried "Foul!" "Kill the nigger!" and hissed him frequently.

It was disgraceful work. Such an exhibition of feeling would not have been tolerated in Harry Hill's in its palmiest days, and it is a pity that it was permitted in Madison avenue. Judging from the criticisms of those who led the attack on the little colored boy they have a very vague knowledge of the sport and should not be allowed to witness a fistic event. A more prejudiced lot of alleged sports never assembled in one place.

MEN UNFIT FOR SPECTATORS.

If Mr. Genslinger, the manager, is wise he will take plans to discover those who were responsible for the discourteous treatment of Dixon and bar them for life. He will not have much trouble in locating them.

"Tom" O'Rourke objected to Sagel as referee when the match was made. He would have held out for another man had it not been for the interference of Genslinger. The latter insisted on Sagel or no fight.

Erne acted almost entirely on the defensive. Three times only during the entire ten rounds did he make a lead. Dixon, who looked like a bantam alongside of the Buffalo man, was kept busy chasing the latter around the roped arena. He outpointed him at least 20 to 1, and proved that he is as superior to Erne as Corbett is to "One Eyed Connelly."

A QUEER DECISION.

Despite all this Sagel declared the contest a draw. One thing is certain, Erne's showing did not justify a draw.

It was a quarter of ten P. M. when the men appeared in the ring. Both seemed to be in excellent condition. Dixon weighed in at 122 pounds, while Erne tipped the scales at 126 pounds. Erne was seconded by "Charley" White and "Jack" McTiernan. Dixon's squires were "Tom" O'Rourke, "Joe" Gordon and J. Elms. "Jimmy" Frawley, of this city, held the watch for Erne, while "Jimmy" Colville, of Boston, performed a similar service for Dixon. Erne had a decided advantage in height.

Dixon missed many times in the first round, owing to Erne's good defence. The colored boy, however, got home several good body and face blows, and received two stiff left hand counters.

Dixon was very aggressive in the second round, and scored repeatedly on the face and body with both hands, while Erne only landed two good blows. A left hand swing caused Erne's right ear to swell and bleed.

The third round was in Erne's favor. He cut out the work, and outpointed Dixon two to one. The fourth round was also in Erne's favor, the Buffalo boy landing hard and often and getting away without returns.

DIXON HAS THE ADVANTAGE.

In the fifth round Dixon braced himself and fought nobly, smashing Erne right and left. The sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth rounds favored the champion. He chased Erne all around the ring, hitting him almost when and where he pleased. Once he sent Erne reeling toward the ropes, the result of a right hand smash on the jaw, and again he doubled him up with a left hand body blow.