1912-02-23 Mike Gibbons W-KO2 Willie Lewis [Empire Athletic Club, New York, NY, USA]

1912-02-24 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 5)

LEWIS BITES THE DUST
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Knocked Out by Gibbons in Second Round of Bout.

Mike Gibbons, the St. Paul middleweight, knocked out Willie Lewis, of this city, in the second round of a ten-round bout at the Empire Athletic Club last night. One minute and twenty-five seconds had elapsed in the second round when Gibbons whipped over left and right hooks to the point of the chin and Lewis fell, to box no more for the night.

The bout was one sided from start to finish, and Lewis was never in the hunt. He landed about four punches, and was fortunate to last out the first round, as seven seconds before the end he was knocked down and saved from defeat then and there by the bell.

Gibbons went at his man at the start in a manner that forecasted the summary ending that followed. Stepping up briskly, he circled about, and, feinting Lewis into kinks, hit him when and where he pleased. Lewis, clever as he is, looked like an untried schoolboy, and was thoroughly afraid of the man before him. In an effort to take a chance he went in close, but Gibbons handled him like a child. His efforts at infighting were smothered, while Gibbons ripped solid counters home at pleasure.


1912-02-24 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page S3)
Willie Lewis is in the Down and Out Club. The clever fighter from the Gas House district hit the toboggan slide at the Empire Athletic Club in Manhattan last night, and still is on his way to oblivion. Mike Gibbons, the St. Paul middleweight, started Willie along the road. It did not take Mike very long to bid Willie "bon voyage." After one minute had elapsed in the second round, Mike tapped Willie with his right on the point of the latter's jaw, and Willie peacefully passed away. So ended the second lesson, the first having been read at the Fairmont Athletic Club in the Bronx a month or two ago.

Lewis never had a lookin during the encounter. His first knockout at the hands of Gibbons had left the former afraid of the clever fighter from St. Paul, and as a result, Willie wanted to keep well out of the road of Master Gibbons. The St. Paul man kept after the New Yorker and dropped Willie in the first round for the full count. However, the bell saved Lewis and he was able to get to his corner for a minute's rest. Hardly had the second period started than Gibbons sent over his right and Lewis dropped dead to the world. Not waiting to hear the count, Gibbons reached down and helped Referee Tone carry Lewis to his corner. It took a good two minutes to bring Lewis back to the land of the living.


1912-02-24 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 6)

Gibbons Makes Short Work of "Willie" Lewis in Ring

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Western Boxer Knocks Out the New York Pugilist in the Second Round.

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BELL SAVES DEFEATED BOXER IN THE FIRST

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Wide Open Swings Are Quickly Taken Advantage of by the Winner of Bout.

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By Ed. Cole.

It took one round and one minute and twenty-five seconds of the succeeding round for "Mike" Gibbons, of St. Paul, to knock out "Willie" Lewis, of New York, at the Empire Club last night. But for the very friendly bell Lewis would have passed up the fight in the first round, as he was down and the count was going on when the gong sounded to cease hostilities. He came up for the second round in fairly good condition and tried his best to get a swinging right to the young man from St. Paul. But it was a sorry attempt, and after Gibbons pumped a few left jabs into Lewis' face and hooked a short right to his jaw he went down, and everybody, about three thousand lovers of the boxing art, donned their wraps and went home.

That Gibbons is a master of the art of boxing he demonstrated last night without a question of doubt. He showed that he lacks nothing. He knows everything that was ever known in the art of self-defence. In the last three months he has developed what appeared to be lacking in his early fights in this city--a knockout punch. This he has proved he possesses twice within a month by knocking out Cashman and Lewis.

In regard to his cleverness, both with his hands and his footwork, old timers at the boxing game compare him with the one great boxer of the old days, "Jack" Dempsey, "the Nonpareil," who mastered opponents in the most artistic way until he met "Bob" Fitzsimmons. A fighter never leaves a positive record on the books that can prove decisively which is the better man unless they meet, hence it is only a matter of opinion whether Gibbons or the late and much thought of "Jack" Dempsey was the greater fighter.

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Gibbons a Phenomenon.

One thing is positive, however, Gibbons is not only phenomenally clever, but he has a snappy punch with either hand that will bring an opponent to the mat. This is something that Dempsey never boasted of. That is the one addition to Gibbons' stock of ability that will possibly give the impression that Gibbons would have proved Dempsey's master had he lived in the days of "the Nonpareil."

That Gibbons is headed for the middleweight championship is assured, and he is loaded to the muzzle with all kinds of shot. He intends to have another meeting with "Jack" Denning some time in April, and if he is in as good condition as he was last night it is only a question how long Denning will be able to stand his punishment. After that there is but one other fence for him to climb, the "Eddie" McGoorty obstacle, and the latter will no doubt prove the hardest proposition he has had to deal with.

Last night's contest needs little description. It was lopsided throughout. That Lewis' intention was to bring Gibbons to earth by a right swing was evident before a minute of the first round had elapsed. Lewis jumped into action immediately he left his chair. He shot his left out and Gibbons dodged it and in return for the attempt Gibbons hooked up his right and followed in one, two succession with his left. Lewis then tried another right swing, but Gibbons just backed away as cleverly as a batter gets away from an inshoot.

Gibbons drew Lewis into a right swing and then sidestepped a trifle and as Lewis floundered from the force of his swing Gibbons hooked him on the point of the chin and passed the left over on him as his head bobbed up from the force of the uppercut. Then with a short stinging right, again on the point of the chin, Lewis toppled over in bad shape. The referee started to count him out but the gong sounded and Lewis was helped to his corner.

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The Last of Lewis.

No sooner had the second round been called than Lewis made another effort with his powerful right hand, but it met atmosphere and not Gibbons. That was about the last thing Lewis did in the fighting line, for Gibbons smashed him with right and left, upper cut him and jabbed him. Lewis covered up with both hands, but the storm of gloves that bounced off him caused him to wobble about like a beheaded chicken. Then Gibbons waited for a couple of seconds and Lewis opened his gloves to see where Gibbons was. He didn't have time to locate him, for "Mike" shot his left into his face and hooked up his right to the jaw with the accuracy of a rifleman locating bull's eyes. Another right and left to the jaw and the story is told.

At the ringside Gibbons tipped the beam at 151 pounds and Lewis at 149½ pounds. To-day Gibbons leaves for St. Paul to see his wife, who expects to present a young middleweight to her husband in the near future. After that event he may return here to meet Denning and probably a local boxer in Bridgeport, Conn. He and his manager, "Ed" Reddy, will then take a trip to the coast in search of middleweight game.


1912-02-24 The Evening World (New York, NY) (page 4)

Lewis Cries When He Realizes Mike Gibbons Has Knocked Him Out

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Local Fighter Quickly Disposed Of in Second Round by St. Paul Fistic Artist.

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Three thousand fight fans witnessed the bout between Mike Gibbons of St. Paul and Willie Lewis of this city at the Empire A. C., and after it was over these same three thousand persons left Manhattan Casino proclaiming the Westerner one of the greatest fighters for his weight they have ever seen in action. This high compliment was tendered to Gibbons for the easy and graceful way in which he knocked out Lewis in the second round, after about one minute of fighting, with a terrific right hand swing on the jaw.

Gibbons would have accomplished the feat in the first round had it not been for the clang of the bell, which sounded while Willie was groggy on his feet after having got up from the floor in a helpless condition from a heavy blow on the chin.

Up to the time Gibbons put in the punch that stowed Lewis away the Western "phenom" had given an exhibition of cleverness, ring generalship and clean and terrific hitting which are seldom seen in bouts at the local clubs.

Gibbons fought an entirely different battle from those which he put up in his previous six contests here. Instead of doing a lot of unnecessary feinting, sidestepping and ducking, as he did in these other bouts, Gibbons just walked out of his corner and with his guard high he cut loose at Lewis in a way that showed he was out to win as quickly as possible or lose out himself in the attempt.

After jabbing Lewis a few times in the face Gibbons let fly an overhand left hand swing, which nailed him flush on the cheekbone. The moment the blow landed Lewis's legs began to wobble, and as he started to stagger Gibbons dealt him left and right hand swings on the jaw. These blows dazed Willie completely, and he began to rush at Gibbons, letting fly with a right swing. Gibbons saw the punch coming and, stepping back, let the blow fall short and then countered beautifully with two straight jabs into Lewis's face, sending his head back.

By this time Lewis was bewildered, and Gibbons, seeing he had him at his mercy, hooked a left swing to the jaw which sent him reeling. As quick as a flash Gibbons drove in a right uppercut, dropping Lewis to the floor.

After Referee Tone had counted six, Lewis staggered to his feet. He was very shaky, while both hands hung at his side. Gibbons was just about to put over the finishing punch when the bell rang, causing Referee Tone to go between the men.

When the second round started Gibbons waded right into Lewis by jabbing him hard in the nose with a straight left. Willie then threw over a left hand swing to Gibbons's jaw, which seemed to rile him, for he let go three stiff jabs to Willie's face and then crossed his right to his jaw, sending him to the floor on his back.

With the exception of a slight turn of his head and the raising of his right leg, Lewis did not move, and was counted out. At the fatal count of ten the referee and Gibbons bent down and picking Lewis up carried him to his corner. After he recovered consciousness Lewis, broken-hearted over his defeat, put his head on his glove and began to cry. He was still crying when he was escorted from the ring by his seconds.

Gibbons Best Man I Ever Met, Says Lewis in Adieu to Ring.

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By Willie Lewis.

I think Gibbons is a wonderful fighter. He is not only clever and shifty, but he can certainly deliver a terrific blow. Before my fight with him this time I was confident he could not punch. I know different now, for he proved to my satisfaction that he is one of the hardest punchers in the business. I have fought middleweights, light heavyweights and heavyweights, both in this country, England and France, but none of them hit me so hard as Gibbons. I wish to state right now that I am through with the fighting game forever. I have fought my last fight. I took on this bout with Gibbons to find out if I was still there or all in. I am satisfied now that I am all in, and that is the reason why I have retired from the game. I have been fighting for thirteen years next June and I think it's about time for me to quit. I intend to pay strict attention to my cafe in the future and forget the past. I wish Gibbons the best of luck and hope to see him middleweight champion in a year or so.



1912-02-24 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 11)

Gibbons Knocks Out Lewis

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St. Paul Middleweight Puts Local Man Away in Second Round at Empire A.C.

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Beaten into a state of utter helplessness and knocked out in the second round, "Willie" Lewis made a sorry showing against "Mike" Gibbons, the St. Paul middleweight, in the Empire Athletic Club ring last night. Gibbons did not allow Lewis to land a single clean blow, but went after him from the opening gong and battered him down in impressive fashion.

The crowd of five thousand that jammed the hall got an excellent idea of what was coming when Gibbons hammered Lewis down in the first round. Had not the bell come to the local man's relief just as he arose it is highly probable that he would have been saved the necessity of going into the second session. Gibbons took matters coolly, doing the execution in a businesslike way with right and left uppercuts, jabs and smashing jolts to the body. Lewis attempted several left hooks, but he was wild and the St. Paul boxer stepped inside the swings with straight lefts to the head. Gibbons landed half a dozen right uppercuts and left jabs and Lewis hit the boards. As he got up, wavering, the gong sounded.

The second round went just 1m. 25s. Gibbons repeated his programme of the previous round, and finally knocked Lewis out with a ripping left to the jaw. The Minnesota boxer's hair was not even mussed, and he failed to get any perspiration up. In the second bout in the city Gibbons easily defeated Lewis in ten rounds. "Willie" clamored for another chance, and he got it with a vengeance. Gibbons entered the ring weighing 151 pounds and Lewis scaled at 149½.

In the preliminaries "Eddie" McFarland, the Oklahoma lightweight, made a fair showing against "Kid" Alberts, the latter winning on points. "Willie" Chandler stopped "Young Terry" Martin, a negro, in five rounds. "Battling" Reddy and "Phillie" Carmine went six rounds to a fast draw.


1912-02-24 The New York Press (New York, NY) (page 7)

GIBBONS KNOCKS OUT LEWIS IN 2D ROUND

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St. Paul Fighter Lands Haymaker with Ease.

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NOTHING TO STOP HIM

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New Yorker, Unable to Put Up Defense, Takes a Count Soon After Start.

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There's another wreck on the track. Mike Gibbons, the St. Paul Limited, booming along at a mile a minute clip, crashed into Willie Lewis of the Gashouse district at the Empire A. C. of Harlem last night. All that was left of Lewis was the pieces. The once great welterweight was a mere toy in the hands of Glittering Gibbons. Willie's light went out in the second round. After dropping the former pride of the Parisian boulevards toward the end of the first round, the bell coming to Willie's rescue and postponing is enforced sleep, Mike caused the swan song to be sung over McKetrick's roustabout before the second round was half over. Mike sent a snappy right hook to the jaw and the tottering Lewis dropped like a log. Willie fell on his face, unconsciously tried to pull himself up and rolled over on his back while Referee Dan Tone tolled the full drone of the doleful decimal. Lewis was carried to his corner. Two minutes afterward he was revived and led weeping from the ring.

The beginning of the end came in the first two minutes of fighting. About the middle of the first round Gibbons hooked a hard left to the jaw. The punch rocked Lewis from head to toe, and but for his falling into a clinch he would have been floored. Gibbons fought himself free and shot rapid-fire lefts and rights to Lewis's head and body. For a few seconds Lewis weathered the gale. Then "crash!" and he was driven to the boards from a one-two punch, a straight left and a crossing right. Willie arose at the count of five. The fog was still in his eyes and he walked blindly in without offering to protect himself. Gibbons shook the staggering Lewis with stiff punches to head and body, but just when Willie was ready to fall the bell came to his rescue.

Lewis, staggering to his corner, was showered with water by his seconds. He was weak and groggy, however, when he came up for the second round. Mike went right in to finish him. For a few seconds Willie tried to block the lightning punches that Gibbons shot in from all angles. Gibbons, however, picked out the holes in his armor, and drove home shot after shot. Lewis threw discretion to the winds and waded in with his guard down, risking all on one good healthy swing. It was Gibbons, however, that landed the haymaker. He sent three lightning left jabs and a terrific right to the body. Another left jab and a vicious right uppercut followed. Then the terrible crossing right and--it all was over but the count.

Though defeated Lewis was not disgraced, and he went down to defeat like a man. It was another case of the pitcher going once too often to the well. A great fighter in his day, Lewis's stamina and vitality were sapped by loose training that often amounted to excesses. He was but a shell of his former fighting self. In fact, he has been living on his reputation since he was beaten to a pulp and knocked out by Frank Klaus a year ago. His ring generalship and courage have carried him through several tough battles since then, but it only was a question when some good, fast, hard-hitting man would come along and "bust" the bubble.

Gibbons entered the ring at 9.55 p. m., accompanied by his manager, Eddie Reddy, and a retinue of handlers. Lewis followed a minute afterward. Danny McKetrick and Joe Jeanette looked out after things in Lewis's corner. It was announced the men had weighed in, as agreed, at 147 pounds at 3 p. m. The announcer said the ringside weights of the men were: Gibbons, 151 pounds; Lewis, 149½. While the men were donning the gloves Jess Smith, Johnny Dundee, Tommy Coleman and Knock Out Brown were introduced, and a collection was taken up in behalf of the widow of Connie Schmidt, the Jersey fighter who was killed by a freight train last week. The McMahon brothers donated $50 and those around the ringside contributed generously, several hundred dollars being taken up.

The gong rang a few seconds before 10 p. m. Lewis lead with a light left to the face, Mike coming back with a snappy left and a right-hand uppercut to the face. The punch hurt Lewis. Gibbons shot a left to the jaw and Willie, returning the compliment, fell into a clinch. Lewis hooked a right to the jaw on the break and, quick as a flash, Mike planted a left and right to the face. Gibbons stepped back and then leaped in with a crossing right labeled "knock out." The punch missed the mark, grazing the jaw. Lewis shot a left to the face and tried the right for the jaw, but was blocked. Mike then began peppering Lewis with straight lefts. Gibbons shot in his punches with the speed of a bullet, and Lewis could not block or duck them. Willie got wild and missed a hard left swing. Lewis landed a right to the jaw, and then Gibbons hooked a vicious left to Willie's mouth. The punch shook Lewis from head to heel, and he fell into a clinch. Mike fought himself free and hooked a left and right to the jaw. Again Gibbons sent the left and right to the jaw, following with a right cross. Lewis was sent to the boards. He got up at the count of five. Gibbons tried hard to finish him. Lewis, though groggy, was set to receive the punches. Mike was showering him with stiff lefts and rights, and Willie was staggering when the bell came to his rescue.

Lewis had trouble getting to his corner. It looked as if he would fall before he could get to his chair. Frantic work by his seconds brought him up for the second round. Mike opened the round with a left to the face. Lewis missed a right and clinched. Mike shot a right to the body and hooked the left to the face. Gibbons reached the face with a straight left and crossing right. Willie reached the body with a right, and Mike sunk a left and right in Willie's mid-section.

Three times Mike jabbed Lewis in the face. By this time Lewis was almost in. He dropped his guard and tried to land one good, solid punch. Gibbons stepped in and placed a right to the body. He jabbed the face and uppercut the jaw with his right. Suddenly Gibbons crossed his right flush to the jaw. Good night.


1912-02-24 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 12)

GIBBONS KNOCKS OUT LEWIS IN SECOND

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St. Paul Man Has New Yorker Staggering Around Ring in Empire A. C. Fight.

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Willie Lewis had his chance last night at the Empire Athletic Club to prove that his recent defeat by Mike Gibbons was a fluke, and the St. Paul whirlwind brushed the erstwhile king of welterweights into dreamland in less than five minutes. A right to the jaw was the finishing punch and it did the trick so effectively that Lewis was still in the land of dreams when Gibbons carried him to his corner. The knockout arrived less than two minutes after the second round began.

From the bell which started the rival battlers on their way until Gibbons dropped Lewis to the canvas for the full count, there was nothing to the bout except Gibbons. Lewis, noted for his feinting ability and all-around boxing cleverness, was as powerless before the St. Paul boy as a novice, and during the five minutes he failed to land a single effective punch on Gibbons. Mike simply toyed with the New Yorker, feinted until Willie was dizzy, stepped out of the paths of Lewis's punches without apparent effort, and penetrated Lewis's guard with his terrific punches as often as he desired. It was evident before the first round was half completed that Lewis was in for the trimming of his life. He took almost as much punishment as could be crowded into such a short space of time.

Before the bout was ten seconds old Gibbons had jolted Lewis's head back with two lefts and a right. Within a minute he had Willie staggering around the ring, and before the bell sounded Gibbons dropped Lewis with a terrific right uppercut after staggering him with a left swing. Lewis regained his feet at the count of five, and the bell sounded just in time to save him from a knockout.

Gibbons went in to make a quick finish of the bout in the second round, and succeeded. He was landing often on Willie's jaw with either hand, and Lewis was unable to stop the shower of blows. His right eye was swollen and his face was very red from the punishment already received. A series of rights and lefts soon had Lewis groggy, and Gibbons shot out that terrible right with enough power to end the bout. Lewis did not move a muscle while Referee Tone tolled off the fatal ten, and Gibbons helped Willie's seconds to carry him to his corner.


1912-02-24 The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY) (page 8)

GIBBONS MAKES SHORT WORK OF WILLIE LEWIS

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Mike Gibbons, the St. Paul scrapper, to-day laid claim to the welterweight championship of the world, following his decisive victory last night over Willie Lewis, at the Empire A. C., of Harlem. Mike declared that he had been vindicated by knocking out the New York boy who claimed that Gibbons' recent decision over him was a fluke.

"I said I would put him away in a hurry, and I made good," was Gibbons' comment to-day.

A ring victory was never more decisive. In the first round Gibbons put over a crashing blow which would have ended the battle had not the bell rung while Lewis was lying helpless on the floor. In the second round the St. Paul wonder duplicated, but this time the bell did not come to the rescue.


1912-02-24 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 11)

WILLIE LEWIS KNOCKED OUT.

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Gibbons Does the Trick in Second Round at Empire A. C.

Willie Lewis, the local welterweight who once claimed the world's championship, was knocked out cold in the second round by Mike Gibbons of St. Paul at the Empire A. C. in Harlem Casino last night. Lewis was no match for the wonderful Western boxer. He could not land his heavy swings and also found it impossible to defend himself when Gibbons went after him. Gibbons outboxed, outfeinted and outslugged Lewis from start to finish.

Just before the first round ended Lewis was floored with a heavy right hand hook to the jaw. He was just getting on his pins when the bell rang. Gibbons cut out fancy business in the second round and made a punching bag of the Bowery boy.

He hit Lewis from every angle, putting so much power into his punches that a knockout was inevitable. A left hook on the chin finally put Lewis away in such a manner that he was dead to the world when the tenth second was counted.

Attracted by Gibbons, one of the largest crowds ever housed by the club gathered at the ringside, and by the time the preliminaries were at an end there were few empty seats in the big casino. The ringside weights were: Gibbons, 151; Lewis, 149½. Dan Tone was referee.

First Round--As Lewis tore in Gibbons landed a hook with each hand and made the local man break ground. Gibbons danced around his man with great foot work, jabbing him with lefts and sending over a terrific right to the ear. Lewis blocked for a moment and then, rushing in, he received more hooks in the face. Gibbons feinted beautifully, after which he shot a left to the jaw. Lewis's swings were short, and again Gibbons jabbed him in the face. Lewis tore in with a right on the neck, whereupon Gibbons cut loose with a blinding volley of punches. A right put Lewis down, and he staggered up just as the bell rang. Gibbons had the round.

Second Round--Lewis missed a hard blow with the right and Gibbons stepped in with hooks and upper cuts that made Lewis reel. The latter rushed and Gibbons sidestepped him. Again Lewis rushed and this time Gibbons landed a fierce right hook under the chin. Lewis tottered, but instinctively threw up his hands. Gibbons drove in body blows underneath his guard and then, shifting with a left hand upper cut, he reached the point of the jaw. It was a terrific wallop and Lewis's legs bent under him. He sank to the floor in a heap and after being counted out he was literally carried to his corner, where he soon revived. It was an easy victory for Gibbons.

1911-11-28 Mike Gibbons ND10 Willie Lewis [Fairmont Athletic Club, Bronx, NY, USA]

1911-11-29 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 5)

LEWIS FINDS A MASTER
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Battered from Pillar to Post in Savage Bout with Gibbons.

Willie Lewis practically was eliminated from the ranks of the contenders for the welterweight championship when Mike Gibbons, of St. Paul, beat him decisively in a ten-round bout at the Fairmont Athletic Club, The Bronx, last night. Lewis never had a chance after the first round, and, after escaping a knockout in the second, was lucky to last the limit. Even his most partisan admirers were forced to admit that Lewis was beaten by a better man. One of the oldtime Fairmont crowds witnessed the bout, and fully 2,500 persons were packed in the hall.

Gibbons made good all the statements which preceded him out of the West. He was, indeed, a large edition of "Packey" McFarland, but with a more vicious punch. He boxed fairly at all times, and met the questionable tactics of Lewis with furious rallies.

Confronted by a clever boxer, Gibbons feinted and boxed Lewis into kinks. He hit short and straight to the mark. The punch travelled only a few inches, but it carried crushing force behind it, and time and again Lewis reeled from the impact. Toward the end of the battle Lewis became desperate, but as his efforts grew wilder he played right into the hands of his opponent, who countered him with both hands almost at will.

Lewis was game. He took a licking which would have made many a man take the count, but he stuck to his guns gamely. At times he resorted to elbowing, but these were few and far between.

The second round narrowly escaped being the last for Lewis. Willie opened fire with a blow to the head, but the St. Paul lad ripped a smashing right uppercut to the chin and Lewis rocked under it. Gibbons then leaped in with a left to the face, and when a shift fooled the East Side boy into dropping his guard the former crashed a right to the jaw. Lewis staggered and his arms dropped. Like a flash Gibbons landed again, and Lewis dropped across the lower rope and rolled over on his back to the canvas. At the count of seven he recovered and arose, and although Gibbons battered him from pillar to post Lewis lasted out the round. The St. Paul man was wild in placing his blows, else he would have scored a knockout.

Lewis also bordered on a knockout in the eighth round, when a heavy fire of solid smashes to the jaw and body had him rocking, but the Western lad was unable to drive in the finishing punch to the vital spot. He outboxed Lewis, who tried swing after swing with the desperate hope of a beaten man to turn the tide of battle in a single punch. His efforts were fruitless, for Gibbons was cool and clever, and either swayed back or stepped in and countered.


1911-11-29 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page S1)
Mike Gibbons came pretty near living up to all that was said of him when he easily won from Willie Lewis last night at the Fairmont A. C. Gibbons is known as a hard hitter, and he dropped Willie for the count of seven in the second round. The Westerner had also been touted as a clever boxer. He proved it when he had no trouble in outpointing Willie, who is one of the most scientific of the present crop of middleweights and has always depended upon his skill more than upon his strength.


1911-11-29 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 8)

"Mike" Gibbons Beats "Willie" Lewis, Winning Welterweight Crown
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St. Paul Boy Just Played with Lewis and Nearly Had Him Out in Second.
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"Willie" Lewis gave the welterweight championship crown to "Mike" Gibbons, of St. Paul, last night at the Fairmont Athletic Club. "Willie" didn't want to do it. In fact, he did the best--and his best was very poor--to keep the honor for himself. But "Mike" Gibbons took it without so much as saying if you please. It was the easiest thing that the St. Paul boy has experienced in his ring career, easier than taking pennies from an infant in arms. He made "Willie" look like a novice long before the gong sounded at the end of the tenth round--just fooled with and laughed at the New York champion.

It took Mr. Gibbons just one round to figure out Mr. Lewis. After that it was easy. The issue was never in doubt. He outpunched him and outpointed him at will. In the second "Willie" came within an ace of going out. Gibbons ended a fast exchange of blows by hooking over a hard right. It caught Lewis flush on the point of the jaw and sent him flat on his back, with his head outside of the ropes. Every one of the big crowd of fans present thought it was the finish of Mr. Lewis. Referee Joh stood over him counting off the seconds. "Willie," dazed and stunned, crawled slowly to his feet and managed to get up just before the fatal ten.

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Lewis Weak at Finish.

Then Gibbons tore into him and gave him an awful beating, but he was over anxious and could not send in the finish punch. He hit Lewis at will. The New York boy, dazed, staggered about the ring under the rain of blows. Once he stuck out his chin and let Gibbons smash him two or three times. But, strange to relate, Gibbons couldn't do it. He was nervous, excited by the uproar in the house, and the bell found Lewis on his legs, but very groggy. The "fans" were disappointed in Gibbons. They could not understand it.

There was very little real fighting for the next three rounds. Lewis forced matters, but his punches, chiefly a left jab, had no effect on Gibbons. Lewis, who had the first by a good margin, also had the third by a shade on points. Gibbons made little if any effort. The New York boy also had the fourth. All that Gibbons did in these two rounds was to feint and jump about the ring. Occasionally he put one over, but he was not fighting or making any pretense of it.

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Gibbons Shows Form.

But in the fifth he opened up, and before the round was ended proved to the crowd that he was Lewis' master at every stage of the game. Both exchanged blows at the opening. Then Gibbons started to do some fast and fancy left hand jabbing, landing repeatedly, beating Lewis to the lead all the time. The New York boy rushed and was met with a hard right uppercut to the face. He put over a left jab, and in return Gibbons rocked him with hard rights and lefts to the head. Lewis covered up to avoid punishment. In a breakaway he hooked over a left. It was Gibbons' round by a big margin.

Lewis opened the sixth with a left jab, following it up by three more. They clinched, and in the break "Willie" whipped over a right hook. Gibbons laughed at him. It made Lewis mad and wild. Then Mr. Gibbons took a hand and made "Willie" look like a preliminary boy. It was his round. So was the seventh and eighth. Honors were about even in the ninth, though Gibbons' blows were more telling.

The tenth round opened slowly, both boys hugging and clinching. Gibbons had the better of this rough work. Then things began to happen--that is, happen to Lewis. Gibbons let out a few links and jabbed, hooked and punched Lewis all over the ring, receiving hardly one in return.

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Lewis Takes Count.

It looked for a few seconds as if Lewis would go down and out, but he stuck it out to the end. It was Gibbons' round by a mile. The welterweight championship went with the bout. Both boys weighed in at 145 pounds at three o'clock. Lewis looked heavier than the St. Paul lad when they came together and had the advantage in height and reach. Both were in excellent condition.

Gibbons made a good impression on the local fans. It was his first appearance in the East. He is clever both in defence and offence, and has a good punch. It was the general impression that he would have put Lewis out before the end had he forced matters. In this he was a disappointment. He contented himself with outpointing Lewis. Gibbons came out of the battle without a mark and was apparently as fresh as when he started. Lewis, on the contrary, showed the marks of the bout in a badly bruised and cut face.

Gibbons meets Walter Coffey next week at the Fairmont in the star bout.

In a rattling good six round semi-final "Kid" Harmann had the better of "Mike" Clancy. The latter appeared in the first preliminary and made his opponent, "Frankie" Pappa, quit in the second round.


1911-11-29 The Evening World (New York, NY) (page 6)

Mike Gibbons, Classiest Fighter Seen Here, Easily Beats Up Willie Lewis
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Local Championship Aspirant Luckily Weathers Pugilistic Gale After Being Almost Put Away in Second Round.
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BY JOHN POLLOCK.

Willie Lewis, whose sole ambition always has been to win the welterweight championship of the world, had said ambition completely shattered at the Fairmont A. C. last night. Willie met Mike Gibbons, the crack welterweight of St. Paul, in a ten round bout and what Gibbons did to him in those ten sessions of fighting is sad to relate.

Not in many a day has Lewis been so completely outclassed by a man of his own weight. To size up the bout in a few words, Lewis never had a look in after the first two minutes of fighting in the opening round. If he were not a great ring general he would have been knocked out.

As it was, Willie had a narrow escape in the second round, for Gibbons dropped him with a short, snappy right hand swing to the jaw, his neck hitting the lower rope. This saved his head from striking the floor, otherwise he might have been rendered unconscious.

Although badly dazed from the punch, Lewis staggered to his feet at the count of eight and luckily managed to last the round out despite the fact that Gibbons landed numerous right and left hand swings to the jaw.

GIBBONS WONDERFULLY SKILLFUL BOXER.

It was after this round that Gibbons started in to display his wonderful skill as a boxer and fighter, and the way in which he feinted Willie into knots and landed on him not only surprised Lewis's followers, but was also a revelation to the admirers of Gibbons.

Any time that Gibbons wanted to get in a punch he did so without the slightest exertion, and there were times that he scored three or four blows without a return. At infighting Gibbons also outclassed Lewis, sending in short, choppy rights to his jaw and stomach. After the fourth round Lewis seemed to lose heart, for some of the wild swings not only went wide of their mark, but also showed that Willie was badly bewildered.

Several times during the latter part of the battle Lewis took a chance at mixing with Gibbons, but his efforts were useless, for while he succeeded in getting in some jabs and swings, the latter stood toe to toe with him and gave him some wicked blows, which caused his face to swell and drew the claret from his mouth.

GIBBONS TRIES TO PUT LEWIS AWAY.

In the last round Gibbons tried to put Lewis away. He jabbed Willie several times and sent his head back with a right swing on the chin. Lewis fought back hard, but Gibbons kept sending in his blows with much speed, and at the bell Willie was in bad shape.

Although Gibbons won by a big margin, it must be admitted that he is not much of a puncher. He showed this by failing to put Lewis out, although he landed enough blows to do so.

Gibbons is a clever two-handed boxer, hits short and straight to the mark, blocks excellently, takes advantage of all openings and is a fine ring general. However, he does entirely too much fancy stepping. In many of the rounds he indulged in this when there was no need of it.

As for Lewis, he is not the fighter he was a few years ago. He has lost his punch and cleverness.


1911-11-29 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 14)

"WILLIE" LEWIS ALMOST OUT
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"Willie" Lewis' claim to the welterweight title was pounded out of his grasp at the Fairmont Athletic Club last night when he was decisively beaten by "Mike" Gibbons, of St. Paul. In the second round a right swing to the jaw almost finished him. Flat on his back, mouth wide open, scarcely moving a muscle, Lewis looked so far gone that the large crowd began a rush for the exits. By a superhuman effort he managed to get to his knees at the count of eight and totter to his feet just in time. Gibbons battered him from post to post, but Lewis hung on and saved himself, reeling to his corner at the bell. Thereafter, Lewis, although fighting desperately, could do nothing better than last the limit of ten rounds.

After the first few minutes spent in solving Lewis' style, Gibbons had everything his own way. Throughout the entire thirty minutes of milling Lewis, always regarded as a clever boxer, scarcely landed a dozen blows. Gibbons, on his toes all the time, dancing, shifting, jabbing, feinting, had Lewis completely bewildered. Lewis tried to win by chance blows, but Gibbons blocked them all with his gloves and elbows, dealing out punishment that had Lewis groggy time and again.

Lewis surprised the crowd by his ability to assimilate the punishment, particularly after the stormy second round. In the last two rounds he was fighting in a dazed condition all the time.


1911-11-29 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 12)

MIKE GIBBONS WINS FROM WILLIE LEWIS
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New York Welterweight Floored for the Count in the Second Round.
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Mike Gibbons, the St. Paul welterweight, had his first real Eastern test last night when he fought Willie Lewis of New York at the Fairmont A. C., and the Westerner more than made good. Lewis, who claims the welterweight title, and who can usually be relied upon to hold his own or do better against any boxer of his weight, looked at times like a novice against Gibbons, and when the final bell sounded the local boy was so far behind that there was not the least doubt as to superiority.

It was announced that the pair weighed in at 145 pounds at 3 o'clock. While there is some dispute regarding its ownership, Lewis has been generally accredited as the best of the 145-pounder and better than many middleweights, in which class he fought until recently. In the second round Lewis walked into a terrific short right swing by Gibbons and went to the canvas as if shot. For five seconds he laid on his back with his head dangling over the lower ropes, his arms and legs being motionless. Then he slowly pulled himself together and was barely able to stand up as Referee Billy Joh counted ten. Gibbons tore in to end the battle but Lewis was able to stall and avoid punishment well enough to finish the round.

At every stage of the game Lewis was outclassed. He has always shown through his wonderful cleverness his ability to feint an opponent into knots. Last night he was as far outclassed in cleverness as he has been accustomed to show up slower opponents. Gibbons at times appeared only to toy with Lewis. He sent his jabs through Lewis's guard without any apparent effort, and his peculiar defense so puzzled Lewis that the New Yorker was unable to do any damage. Gibbons has a peculiar motion in approaching an opponent, and it so bewildered Lewis last night that he often stood still and let Gibbons walk in. Besides making a big hit by his cleverness, Gibbons went into popular favor early by his manners in the ring. His work was always clean. He never lost his temper and he had a smile that Lewis could not shake off. On two or three occasions when Lewis began to rough it Gibbons did nothing more than cut loose and show how fast he could fight, never resorting to rough work.

The opening round for the most part was made up of feinting by both men. Neither showed any great desire to mix matters and few good blows were struck. Lewis got in bad with the crowd early by hitting on the breakaway and using his elbow in breaking from a clinch. Each handed out about four hard wallops and the round ended with honors even.

After getting over two or three hard wallops early in the second, Lewis got in the path of a terrific right-hand uppercut, and it shook him from head to foot. A few seconds later Gibbons handed out a similar punch, and he went to the canvas on his back, his head resting on the lower rope. It seemed that he was knocked out for good, but he opened his eyes at the count of five and slowly pulled himself together, barely regaining his feet at the count of nine. For a full minute Lewis did nothing more than stagger around the ring and protect himself from Gibbons's blows. The latter tore in to put an end to the battle, but was unable to do so. The minute's rest did Lewis a world of good, and he was greatly refreshed when he came to the centre of the ring. Lewis was cautious and was very careful to keep away from Gibbons's swings. He jabbed with his left, but very lightly. The round was even.

In the fourth the action was not as fast as in the third. It was feint, feint, feint, and then more of the same work. Gibbons did not show the tendency to lead that his earlier work would lead one to expect, and Lewis was still fighting a wary, cautious battle. The round showed little in favor of either, as no work of any consequence was done.

The fifth showed plenty of work. Gibbons jabbed Lewis repeatedly and also sent over some hard rights which hurt Lewis. Acting on orders from his corner to cut loose and take a chance, Lewis continued to rush in and try to get over a staggering punch, but Gibbons was always out of the way when the punches went by. He usually shot over a stiff right to Lewis's jaw, and he jabbed him at will throughout the round. It was Gibbons's round by a big margin.

In the sixth, Gibbons continued to show to advantage. In fact, he seemed to simply toy with Lewis. The greater part of the round was spent in jabbing to Lewis's head, and three or four times he cut loose with a shower of blows that shook Lewis up. In the open fighting, and also in the infighting, Gibbons had a big lead over his opponent.

The seventh round was on the same order as the sixth, but Gibbons's lead was less pronounced. It was a succession of light jabs and two good slugging sessions, and at each Gibbons had a shade the better of the game.

The eighth was all Gibbons's. He did more effective work in getting over his punches than in any other round. He did not score a knockdown as in the second round, but he landed much oftener and his punches had enough steam to shake Lewis and hurt him considerably. Lewis was still rushing in and swinging in the hope of getting over a knockout, but Gibbons was as good in taking punishment as he was handing it out.

In the ninth the pair indulged in some rapid-fire exchanges, with the honors for the round in favor of Gibbons. About the middle of the round Lewis showed his best work of the bout, and in one rapid exchange he had a bit the better of the fighting, but during the remainder of the round Gibbons showed the same superiority in both infighting and long range work. The round belonged to Gibbons.

In the tenth it appeared as if Lewis was due for another trip to the canvas. He got in the way of one right hand swing which jarred him to his toes, and he could not check a shower of rights and lefts which followed in quick succession. But the veteran was able to take them all without going down. Gibbons was strong at both styles of fighting, and he finished up the victory with plenty to spare. He went to his corner at the close of the bout without a mark on his face. Lewis's face was badly swollen from the shower of blows which he had to take during the ten rounds.


1911-11-29 The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY) (page 6)
Mike Gibbons of St. Paul to-day is hailed as the recognized welterweight champion. His victory last night over Willie Lewis, one of the strongest contenders for the title, was so clean-cut that all the critics to-day award him the palm. Gibbons sent Lewis down for the count of seven in the second round and thereafter simply toyed with his opponent and permitted him to stay the limit.


1911-11-29 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 7)

GIBBONS A SURPRISE.
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St. Paul Welterweight Easily Outpoints Champion Willie Lewis.

Mike Gibbons of St. Paul, who came here several weeks ago practically unknown, proved at the Fairmont A. C. last night that he has a strong claim on the welterweight championship of the world. Gibbons in a ten round bout easily disposed of Willie Lewis of this city, who entered the ring with the prestige of having defeated the American and English champions in this class.

Lewis never had a lookin. In the second round he came within an ace of being knocked out. Gibbons, who is a great boxer and a solid puncher, put him down in that round with a right hook on the jaw. Lewis lay partially on the ropes for five seconds, apparently dead to the world, but he managed to struggle up at the count of eight and then stayed to the bell.

After that Gibbons, confident of success, was satisfied to outpoint the New Yorker. He went about his task with remarkable skill. He was so fast and clever that Lewis could not land his terrific swings, while Gibbons seemed able to send home the punches whenever he pleased. Lewis tried all styles of fighting but the result was the same. Gibbons knew too much for him and so easily outclassed him that there wasn't a doubt as to which was the better man.

Gibbons is a legitimate welterweight, but he is willing to take on heavier opponents and after his victory he was matched to box ten rounds with Walter Coffey of California at the Fairmont A. C. next Tuesday night.

The bout attracted a crowd that filled every nook and corner of the building. More than 2,500 fans smoked cigars until the air was stifling and the club managers had to open all the windows in the low roof. The men weighed in at 145 pounds at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. When they climbed into the ring, more than seven hours later, each had taken on several pounds. William Joh was the referee as usual.

First Round--Lewis was the first to lead, his left being short. Gibbons, working in and out swiftly, shot a left to the ear. Gibbons blocked a rush and stepping in the put left and right on the head. Gibbons did some great feinting, Lewis throwing up his guard and using his feet. Lewis then tried a left that was stopped. Gibbons jabbed him twice in the nose with a speedy left. Gibbons also landed several body blows and had the round on clean points.

Second Round--Lewis's left fell short and he ran into a clinch. At close range both landed rib roasters. A quick left hand jab drew the blood from Lewis's mouth, the latter rushing in for a mix, in which Gibbons sent home a heavy right hook to the jaw. At long range Gibbons shot another right to the eye that staggered Lewis. Still another right knocked Lewis down for the count of eight. When he got up Gibbons tore in for a knockout and rained all kinds of terrific punches on the New Yorker's head and body. But the latter in weak condition staggered through to the gong.

Third Round--Lewis met a rush with a left to the body. Gibbons stepped away from several hard swings and feinted Lewis into knots. Dashing in with a left, he put Lewis on the ropes and shook him with a right hand swing on the neck. Gibbons scored points with clean left hand jabs until Lewis decided to mix it. Then both landed heavy swings on the head, Lewis being the first to clinch. Gibbons landed more sharp lefts in such a manner that Lewis was puzzled when the bell sounded.

Fourth Round--Gibbons stepped away from a rush and laughed. He made Lewis miss a couple of swings and then did some great blocking. After that Gibbons stepped in with hard left hook under the jaw and Lewis backed away. Gibbons was so skilful that he blocked and countered continually and had the round by a wide margin.

Fifth Round--Gibbons opened with a solid left squarely on the jaw. He repeated the blow and made Lewis's nose bleed. Gibbons blocked a dangerous swing and peppered Lewis's face with dazzling left handers. Lewis covered up as he tried to get closer, Gibbons bolting him in the stomach with short uppercuts. Gibbons blocked a right for the jaw and sent a hard right hook to the neck. Lewis tried to mix, but Gibbons's defence was superb and he remained unhurt. It was Gibbons's round.

Sixth Round--Lewis missed a left, but he landed another on the neck. They clinched roughly, and on the break Gibbons showed fast footwork as he danced in and out landing quick blows that Lewis couldn't block. As Lewis missed again and again Gibbons smothered him with rapid jabs. Lewis took the defensive and saved himself by clinching. In a rapid exchange Gibbons staggered his man just as time was up. Gibbons's round.

Seventh Round--Gibbons stopped a left and then poured in several hot jabs to Lewis's mouth and nose. Lewis swung wildly, Gibbons getting away nicely and then jumping back with more hard punches in the face. Lewis mixed it fiercely, but he was outpunched and outboxed. Gibbons wore a broad grin as he drove in smashes and made Lewis look like a greenhorn. Gibbons easily had the round.

Eighth Round--Lewis missed several desperate swings and received more cutting jabs in the face. Gibbons blocked a wild rush and ducked a fierce swing. Lewis landed a hard left on the ear, but when he tried to follow it up Gibbons wasn't within reach. Then Gibbons stepped in with half a dozen short punches on the jaw, Lewis clinching. Lewis rallied with another wild attack, but he couldn't land an effective blow. Gibbons punched Lewis's face until it was crimson. Gibbons's round.

Ninth Round--Gibbons made his man miss several times before he shot in the usual fast lefts. Lewis rallied and mixed it with terrific power. He landed several swings on the head but Gibbons stood up and traded punches with him until Willie began to clinch. Gibbons in that rally showed both stamina and cool headedness, for he came back later with an attack that drew the claret from Lewis's nose. A right hand hook jarred Lewis and a left in the mouth made him see stars, yet he rushed blindly until time was up. Gibbons's round.

Tenth Round--Lewis rushed into a hard mix. Gibbons feinted a moment and followed with lefts in the face and rights in the body. Lewis was slow but full of fight and kept mixing it. Gibbons blocked many blows but landed himself with plenty of steam. He shot a right to the jaw and ducked a quick return. Then he made Lewis reel with a right on the jaw, but the latter tore in for more. Gibbons finished in splendid style and was an impressive winner.

1910-05-27 Stanley Ketchel W-KO2 Willie Lewis [National Sporting Club, New York, NY, USA]

1910-05-28 The Evening Telegram (New York, NY) (page 6)

LEWIS DROPPED TO THE MAT IN SECOND ROUND
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Ketchel Swung Over a Right Chop and the Bout Ended in a Hurry.
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Well, there was nothing to it. Stanley Ketchel just landed on Lewis' jaw with a right hand chop, and "Willie" took the count last night in the second round of a scheduled ten round bout at the National Sporting Club, in West Forty-fourth street.

After sparring for about one minute in the second, Stanley hooked a left to "Willie's" midsection, and he doubled up like a jack-knife. Then the middleweight champion stepped back a foot and measured his distance very carefully, then shot over a short right hook to the point of the jaw.

Lewis fell to the mat like a log, turned over on his back, rolled his eyes, then closed them as Referee O'Rourke counted ten. His seconds rushed over and carried him to his corner, helpless.

In the opening round Lewis seemed to have a slight lead at the finish, but it could be plainly seen that Ketchel was only trying his opponent out. "Willie" landed a fierce left jab to the face and in the close quarters Stanley worked a short uppercut to chin and missed two right swings in the breakaway, which, had either reached its mark, would have ended the fight.

Ketchel made his appearance through the aisles first in a long black overcoat and seated himself in the northwest chair, where he stripped to black trunks and was looked after by his manager, "Jimmy" Smith and "Joe" Ferguson, followed in a few seconds by Lewis, who received the lion's share of applause, as his followers were on hand in large numbers.

"Willie" took the southeast corner and was handled by "Dan" McKetrick, his manager; "Danny" Morgan and "Jim" Stewart. After donning the gloves the boys stepped to the centre of the ring to receive instructions and agreed to fight until ordered to break by the referee.

While waiting for the gong Lewis looked a bit nervous and shuffled his feet in the rosin, while Ketchel chatted with friends around the ringside and shook hands with each of his seconds. He looked in good shape and appeared to be well trained for the occasion.

Long before the time set for the fight to begin 2,500 enthusiasts, who came from all directions and included many whose faces have been familiar in and around ringside events for many years, were seated in the boxes and chairs anxious for the bell to start the boxers on their journey.

"Jim" Savage, "Jim" Stewart, Sailor Burke and "Tommy" Maloney were introduced to the members while the principals were getting ready for their contest.

"Jim" Smith, Lewis' sparring partner, met "Sailor" Carter, a negro middleweight, champion of the navy, in the semi-final bout, scheduled for six rounds, but it did not go the limit, as Smith had the sailor all but out in the first session, when his second threw up the sponge.

It was a good fight and furnished the crowd with plenty of excitement. Smith floored Carter twice in the first round, but he came back and fought hard and took a severe beating up until the time his second called a halt.


1910-05-28 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 11)

LEWIS LASTED LESS THAN TWO ROUNDS
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Champion Ketchel Wins at National Sporting Club Without Damage to Himself.
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Willie Lewis, with a halo of Parisian ring victories around his devoted head, but a knockout in three rounds by Papke in the French capital to his discredit, was put soundly to sleep last night by Stanley Ketchel at the National Sporting Club one minute after the second round of their ten-round bout had started. Nor was there any doubt about the manner and completeness of Ketchel's victory. Lewis was out for fully five minutes after being hit on the jaw by a short right-hand swing, and had to be carried to his corner by his seconds and Referee O'Rourke.

The first round was a sparring contest. Ketchel assumed a style absolutely new for him of boxing with his opponent at long range. Only two or three blows were landed in these first three minutes, and at their conclusion the bout had every appearance of going its scheduled distance. A half minute before the gong sounded in the first round Ketchel landed a light right to the face, and coincident with the clanging of the bell Lewis put a straight left on Ketchel's mouth.

Apparently cheered by his ability to land in this wise, Lewis started the second round by jabbing three times with his left to the face. Ketchel's defense was wide open at this time, but he was constantly the aggressor. Lewis was, as he had been during the first round, very nervous and fidgety, frequently covering up hard when his opponent was completely out of range.

Soon after the second round started Ketchel forced Lewis into a neutral corner and landed right and left to the face. The second blow, a clean half swing, landed on the jaw, and it seemingly dazed Lewis, for the latter started to mix it up with his heavier opponent. Ketchel, carefully measuring the distance, then shot a terrific right half-swing flush to the point of the jaw.

Lewis lurched forward and fell on his knees and then toppled slowly over until his shoulders touched the floor. He lay on his left side, his left arm under his head, as completely out as a fighter ever was. Referee O'Rourke slowly tolled the seconds over him, but Lewis's involuntarily twitching his legs were the only signs he gave of life.

After the tenth second had been counted O'Rourke leaned over and started to lift Lewis to his feet. The latter's head hung limply over his left shoulder and his eyes still had the glassy stare that marked total unconsciousness. By this time Lewis's seconds had climbed into the ring, and three of them, with O'Rourke helping, carried the defeated man to his corner.

After working on him for about five minutes his seconds finally brought Lewis's senses back, and then he clambered shakily to his feet and tottered across the ring through the ropes and down the aisle to his dressing room.


1910-05-28 The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) (page 12)

WILLIE MAKES FATAL MISTAKE
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Kids Himself That He Can Trade Jolts With Ketchel.
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Special to The Post-Standard.
BY HARDY D. CASHMAN.

NEW YORK, May 27.--Willie Lewis made the mistake of his fighting career early in the second round of his bout with Stanley Ketchel at the National Sporting Club to-night. He kidded himself into the belief that it was safe for him to swap punches with the middleweight champion. Then his seconds had to carry the Lewis boy to his corner and work over him some five minutes before he recovered consciousness.

A snappy right hook flush on the point of the jaw terminated the fracas. During the first period few blows had started and the fingers of one hand would suffice to count the number that landed.

During the intermission Dan McKerrick whispered in Willie's ear that Ketchel could not hurt him. Willie gave heed; hence the fatal error. After landing a smart left on the face that shook Ketchel to his heels, Lewis discarded his caution. He whipped over a right that grazed the chin.

Stanley woke up.

Bing!

Good night!


1910-05-28 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 11)

QUICK FINISH FOR LEWIS.
--------
Ketchel Knocks Out Welterweight in Two Rounds.

Willie Lewis, the local welterweight, who made a reputation as a fighter by whipping second and third raters in France and England, was knocked out cold in the second round by Stanley Ketchel, the middleweight champion, at the National Sporting Club in West Forty-fourth street, last night.

After a tame first round in which neither man exerted himself, Ketchel began to fight in earnest. Lewis was a pigmy in his hands. He landed a couple of left hand jabs as Ketchel rushed, but that was the best he could do. Ketchel almost knocked the wind out of him with a body punch and then at close quarters he hung a fearful right hook on the chin that sent Lewis into dreamland.

Ketchel, barring two punches, did not half try, because he evidently realized that he was up against the easiest of marks. Very few of the spectators in the big crowd figured that Lewis would stay ten rounds, but everybody was surprised by the quick ending of the battle. That Ketchel is one of the hardest hitters in the world was the general opinion as the crowd piled out of the building.

A representative crowd of members occupied expensive vantage points in the finely appointed arena long before the fun began. Ketchel had not appeared at a local club since he beat Philadelphia Jack O'Brien in a sensational fight. Ketchel weighed 158 pounds at 6 o'clock and probably took on three or more in the four hours he rested and ate before getting into the ring. Lewis on the other hand did not weigh more than 148 pounds.

The semi-final was of interest because Chuck Carlton, colored, the middleweight champion of the navy, met Jim Smith, Lewis' sparring partner, for six rounds. In the second round Smith staggered the Jack Tar with a smash on the jaw. Carlton rallied and scored a knockdown with a right hand swing on the head. Smith did all the fighting in the third and fourth and when the bell rang Carlton was just getting up from another knockdown. Smith beat the negro to the floor with the same tactics when the fifth round began and the latter's seconds threw a towel into the ring to indicate defeat.

Ketchel showed up first and was rather quietly received as he got into his corner with his seconds.

Then came Lewis, who promptly shook hands with the champion, the latter sizing him up from head to foot with a grim smile. When they stripped for the fray they looked very fit. Both wore bandages on their hands. Tom O'Rourke was the referee. The betting was 10 to 7 that Lewis would not stay the limit.

First Round--Ketchel led with a left that went high. Lewis clinched as Ketchel moved closer, and tried a right for the head. Lewis let go a left, but it was blocked, and then clinched his man in a corner. Ketchel feinted a moment and then drove a right to the body with little force. Lewis blocked and covered up and also stepped away from a dangerous right. Just before the bell Ketchel shot a left to the eye. It was Ketchel's round, but there was little or no hard work by either man.

Second Round--Ketchel put a left on the neck and followed with a right on the side of the head. Lewis danced away from another attack and then came back with a couple of lefts in the face. Ketchel took the punches with a grin and rushed Lewis to a corner. He drove in the left to the stomach with so much force that Lewis was half doubled up. Lewis squirmed out of close quarters, but Ketchel was after him like a flash. Another punch in the stomach made Lewis hang on, but Ketchel threw him off and then shot a left to the neck. Lewis tried to mix it and in so doing he made a fatal mistake, for Ketchel cut loose a fearful right hook that caught Lewis squarely on the point of the jaw. Lewis dropped like a log and rolled over on his back. The referee counted off ten seconds and then picked Lewis up. The latter was clean out and did not regain his senses for several minutes. Then he burst into tears and was led away by his seconds. The time of the round was 25 seconds.