1912-06-19 Gunboat Smith ND10 Sailor White (Royale Athletic Club, Brooklyn, NY, USA)

1912-06-20 New-York Tribune (New York, NY) (page 11)

SMITH TOO FAST FOR WHITE

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Californian Wins in One-Sided Bout at Royale Club.

"Gunboat" Smith, the California light heavyweight, badly punished "Sailor" White, of Newark, in a one-sided bout at the Royale Athletic Club, Brooklyn, last night. Although White had an advantage of twenty pounds, Smith continually tore into him, landing at will. He had the better of his larger opponent in ring science and generalship, White failing to inflict more than half a dozen clean blows during the ten rounds.

The Newark boxer's end seemed a certainty in the ninth round, but he was saved by the opportune clanging of the bell.


1912-06-20 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) (page S3)
Gunboat Smith, the Western and aspiring heavyweight, made a chopping block of Sailor White, last night, before the Royale A. C., and won handily, but the Gunboat person lacks enough knowledge about boxing to keep him busy practicing for a couple of years and then about twenty-four months more. He weighed 180 pounds last night and White 200, but despite that handicap he had enough opening to have stowed White away in three or four rounds. Whenever Gunboat chose to feint or shift, or carry the fight to White, he could reach either head or body so easily that the crowd came to the conclusion that he should eat a barrel of fish a day, fish being popularly reputed to contain an excess of phosphorus and exceedingly helpful in building up the brain.

Instead of doing the obvious thing, he would wait for White to charge at him, when he would stick out a left that seldom landed and allow White to clinch. When he did lead, Smith merely stuck his left on White's gloves or shoulder, whereupon White would clinch some more. Only occasionally did Smith do any real attacking, but he did it often enough to have the Sailor groggy from the fifth round to the end of the tenth.

With experience and plenty of fish food, Smith may become a pretty able light heavyweight. He is active in an untrained sort of way, has a free swing, and can work in a short and dangerous hook with either hand. As for his being a white hope now, or within the next two or three years, even the marines could hardly swallow such a suggestion.


1912-06-20 The New York Times (New York, NY) (page 13)

Gunboat Smith Beats Sailor White.

Jim Buckley's heavyweight protege, "Gunboat" Smith of California, last night handed "Sailor" White of Brooklyn a severe beating in the main event of ten rounds at the Royale A. C. of Brooklyn. The Californian was handicapped by 20 pounds weight, but, despite this fact, he outclassed his sturdy adversary at every stage of the contest. The bout was made at catchweights, Smith tipping the beam at 180 pounds, while the Brooklynite scaled 200 pounds. The Sailor was able to use his weight to good advantage, throwing it on his lighter opponent at every opportunity.


1912-06-20 The Standard Union (Brooklyn, NY) (page 12)

WHITE TAKES BEATING FROM GUNBOAT SMITH

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Sailor White, of Newark, and Gunboat Smith, of California, hooked up at the Royale A. C. last night in a mighty poor bout for men posing as "white hopes." Smith was the winner, and gave White one of the worst trimmings of his career, but couldn't put him out.

White tipped the beam at 200 pounds and Smith at 185. When the men stripped for action Smith looked in the pink of condition, while the Newark man was fat and flabby.

The first round was fairly even, neither man doing any damage. After that it was all Gunboat. He measured his man and dropped him for the count no less than six times. He tried his best to finish him, but couldn't connect right.

Smith is a good two-handed fighter, and is fairly clever for a big man, but apparently lacks the class to make him a topnotcher.

As a white hope the Sailor is a joke now, in everything but his name. He has gone away back. But as for gameness, he is a wonder. He took enough punishment last night to stop a dozen men, and kept trying all the way.

White left the ring with both eyes decorated, his mouth bleeding, and his nose as flat as a sheet of asphalt pavement. Smith was unmarked.

In the ninth round Gunboat delivered a volley of rights to the Sailor's jaw, and dropped him twice for the count of nine. But the Newark man weathered the storm, and by holding on managed to last.

In the semi-final, six rounds at 125 pounds, Young Corcoran and Young Lenney stalled practically all the way, with Corcoran having the better of what little fighting was done. It looked as though Corcoran could have beaten Lenny in a punch had he cared to.

In the first bout, four rounds, at 118 pounds, Tommy Farrell had it all the way on "Black Kid" Williams. It was the best bout of the night.

Frank Hunter handed Battling Smith a fine lacing in the second bout, four rounds at 135 pounds. Smith was all in at the finish. Hunter looked like a comer.

Young Mitchell shaded Young Michael in a slow bout of four rounds, at 125 pounds.


1912-06-20 The Sun (New York, NY) (page 11)

Gunboat Smith Runs White Ragged.

Gunboat Smith, 180 pounds, clouted Sailor White, 200 pounds, all over the ring in the main bout at the Royale A. C. in Brooklyn last night. Smith got every round and might have put White away, but the latter prevented this by deliberately falling through the ropes for an occasional rest. Smith kept his hard right swing in play and used it often on White, who did not show any signs of fight, but wrestled well. White did not land one good punch during the mill. White took two counts of nine on bended knee in the ninth round. All the bouts staged were as poor as the star event.

1899-10-06 Charles Kid McCoy D-PTS6 Joe Choynski (Ft. Dearborn Athletic Club, Star Theater, Chicago, IL, USA)

1899-10-07 The Chicago Daily Tribune (Chicago, IL) (page 6)

FIGHT RESULTS IN DRAW.

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M'COY AND CHOYNSKI HAVE EVEN BATTLE AT THE STAR.

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Agree to Divide Honors if Both Are on Their Feet After Six Rounds--Arrangement Disappoints the Crowd--Hoosier Scores Only Knockdown, but No Decided Advantage Over the Californian--Lively Sport in Preliminary Bouts.

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Before a crowded and rather disappointed house at the Star Theater "Kid" McCoy and Joe Choynski fought a six-round draw last night. It was a draw because the agreement existed it should be such if both men were on their feet at the finish. Possibly this arrangement saved Referee Hogan from a dilemma, for the fighting was fairly even.

McCoy may have had a shade of advantage on points, but Choynski's friends would have denounced such a decision. There is no question the arragement for a draw if both men were on their feet detracted from the vigor of the contest, for while both men apparently fought earnestly a bout of such limited duration was hardly sufficient for either to emphasize his superiority. It would have been more satisfactory to the sporting crowd had such an arrangement been made public in advance.

Both men did a fair share of the aggressive work, McCoy leading in this particular early in the contest, while the Californian appeared to make earnest efforts in the closing stages. McCoy scored the only knockdown, and in the first three rounds gave the impression he was constantly waiting for the chance to land a knockout blow. Choynski tried hard in the opening rounds to feint his man out, but the imperturbable McCoy refused to be drawn out. McCoy did some clever work in this line himself and once or twice had Choynski guessing.

McCoy's lightning left was often in action, and, although Choynski cleverly blocked some of the leads, many of them landed. Some of them appeared to be delivered while the "Kid" was on his toes. In the clinches McCoy did the better work, being ever ready to whip in left and right jolts. Choynski showed great reluctance at times in breaking.

McCoy Takes His Unlucky Corner.

McCoy was the first to appear, taking the same corner he occupied a few weeks ago on the occasion of his unexpected knockout at the hands of McCormick. He was attended by his brother, Homer Selby, Jack Leonard, and Harry and Sammy Harris. He looked well.

Choynski came in accompanied by two boyish-looking seconds, N. and G. Shrosbee. He looked far better than he did in his battle with Ryan at Dubuque a month ago, having more color and a brighter eye. The men fought straight Queensberry rules.

Little effective work was done in the first round, the men endeavoring to feint each other out. McCoy made several bluff leads, but there was not a good blow struck until the latter part of the round, when McCoy sent his left to the breast.

In the second round McCoy opened with a left lead for the head. Two seconds later they exchanged short arm blows in a clinch, from which McCoy emerged with the bridge of his nose cut and bleeding. Choynski's left lead was cleverly blocked and McCoy jabbed his face three times in quick succession. Several good exchanges took place and Choynski twice backed away from McCoy's onslaughts. The round ended with easy sparring, and the crowd grew a trifle impatient.

Hoosier Scores Knockdown.

In the third round McCoy again did some good work with his left and showed excellent judgment of distance in avoiding Choynski's swings. McCoy forced the fighting in the middle of the round, landing two jabs on the body. Getting Choynski against the ropes he swung his left against the jaw, sending the Californian to the floor and bringing blood from his mouth. Seeing his advantage McCoy followed with two hard lefts on the face. Choynski, however, fought back strongly and finished the round in good shape.

In the fourth round McCoy sent a good left to the jaw and Choynski raised a cheer by countering hard on the face. Choynski followed soon with a good jab on the mouth, McCoy countering on the forehead. Choynski retreated to the ropes as the "Kid" came after him and cleverly evaded a heavy left swing. Towards the end of the round there were several brisk exchanges of an even character. Honors were fairly even in the fifth, in which Choynski appeared to be fighting with great confidence and endeavoring to get in a blow which would bring him the decision. McCoy, however, was wary and frustrated his opponent's attempts by clever footwork and good blocking.

In a clinch at the finish Choynski was wrestled to the floor. There was little variation from the last round, the pace of which was not increased to any great extent, both men probably realizing that much effort would be wasted.

Entertaining Preliminary Bouts.

In the opening bout Lew Mansfield knocked out Jim Falvey in the second round. The latter went down without being hit in the first round, and after getting some punishment was put out for the full count.

Jack Robinson and Billy Kauffman, 140-pounders, fought six even rounds to a draw.

Jack Hudson knocked out Jim Quinn in the fourth round. They met at 138 pounds. After a fairly even break in the first round Hudson's superior hitting ability began to tell. Quinn was sent to the canvas for eight seconds from a left hook on the jaw. He was floored three times in the third round, and fell a like number without being hit. Early in the fourth he was partly wrestled to the floor, and on rising was sent to the canvas for the limit with a stiff left on the chin.

No funnier bout than that between Ed Morris of California and Charles La Grande of New York, two 150-pound colored men, has ever been seen in the city. It was Kirwanesque in the extreme. La Grande, a tall, ever smiling youth, pirouetted around the ring and exhibited every kind of blow known to pugilists, both ancient and modern. Occasionally he drew his head between his shoulder blades turtle fashion. Morris, in the early stages of the contest, swung his right windmill fashion and generally missed. After that he paid attention to his opponent's ribs. Neither seemed able to do any damage, and rounds four and five were decidedly slow. In the last Morris forced the fighting and scored the only knockdown of the contest with a left hook on the jaw. He was given the decision.


1899-10-07 The Chicago Record (Chicago, IL) (page 6)

CROWD HISSES BOUT.

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M'COY AND CHOYNSKI DRAW.

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Hogan Renders Decision According to an Agreement Made Before Entering the Ring--Tame Boxing Disappoints a Full House.

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"Kid" McCoy and Joe Choynski engineered their expected draw in the wind-up bout at the Star theater last night. Amid a din of hisses, groans and calls of "fake" Referee Malachy Hogan made himself heard and gave the decision. He explained--what had previously been concealed from the crowd--that the fighters had agreed before starting that if both men were on their feet at the end a draw must be announced. Hogan added his personal conviction that the men had fought to win. Not all the crowd that packed the building shared this belief, and another blast of groans and jeers stung the fighters' ears as they climbed out of the ring.

The fight was a deadening exhibition of feinting, clinching and occasional lively mix-ups. With the convenient reservation as to a draw, the men fought with considerable earnestness, but neither took great chances to rush matters. The wrath of the crowd was more against the club which permitted the deception of the public than against the fighters.

McCoy Has Slight Advantage.

If a decision had been given it would probably have been in McCoy's favor, though Joe redeemed an early faltering by some sharp fighting near the close. The "Kid" had a shade. He seemed disposed to let his opponent off without severe punishment. At times he rammed his piston-like left into Choynski's face with deadly aim, but for much of the time he was wild. Joe appeared very wary and hesitating in the early rounds, but peppered McCoy with some neat left hooks later on. About the only really savage work the men indulged in was in the clinches. Joe was afraid of a shot to his body, and the "Kid" was always alert to plant a hot one while in a clinch. So the men were close locked most of the time and Hogan had hard work in making them break.

McCoy appeared in prime condition and showed all his customary confidence. Choynski showed up in about as good shape as he has lately, but betrayed in his drawn face his usual overdone training. As a result of the six-round draw last night Choynski expects to get on with the "Kid" for another twenty-round fight.

Choynski Depends on Left Hook.

McCoy fought like an automaton. He seemed fairly to glide along the canvas, feinting his way past Choynski's guard and then dashing in with his left. The "Kid" varied his style of delivery with almost every round. First he would stand up, hold his guard high and depend upon his feet to keep him out of danger. He seemed to be able to draw Choynski's leads any time he wanted, while Joe's efforts at feinting did not seem to annoy his opponent to any extent. Choynski depended upon his old standby, a left hook, to do damage. He landed one of these punches on the bridge of McCoy's nose in the first round and that member began bleeding.

This blow seemed to make McCoy slightly aggressive. He tried again and again by raising his left for the face to make Choynski try to cross with his right, but Joe seemed to understand what McCoy wanted, and every time the "Kid" tried with his left Joe either slipped, his head ducking low, or began a spring around the ring.

McCoy Lags at the Close.

Choynski was very careful of the way he handled himself in the clinches. The minute he felt one of McCoy's arms twining around him the experienced Californian would squirm around like an eel until he had placed his body in a safe position. The third saw a bit of milling. At the tap of the bell McCoy stepped in with a left full on the nose, and before Choynski recovered from the effects of this blow the "Kid" was in again with a punch on the jaw. Choynski attempted to get away and tried to duck under one of McCoy's left hooks, which caught him full on the nose, and Choynski half slipped down, bleeding freshly from the nose. He was up in an instant, however. Choynski then landed a left on McCoy's jaw, and he followed with a sharp right high on the head just as the bell rang for the end of the round.

The fourth saw McCoy lagging. He never used his right except in the clinches, when there seemed a poor chance of execution. McCoy started out fast enough when he heard the jeers of the crowd and cries of "fake," but again slowed up, and the last two rounds were much the same.

The preliminaries were a poor lot and resulted as follows:

Billy Kauffman and Jack Robinson fought a draw.

Lew Mansfield made Jack Murphy quit in one round.

Jack Hudson made Jim Quinn quit in four rounds.

Ed Morris defeated Charles LaGrange in six rounds.


1899-10-07 The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, OH) (page 3)

SIX EASY

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Rounds Between Kid McCoy and Joe Choynski.

Chicago, October 6.--Kid McCoy and Joe Choynski fought six rounds before the Ft. Dearborn Athletic Club to-night. Both men had agreed to a draw in case they were on their feet at the end of the sixth round, and that was the decision, as both were not only on their feet, but comparatively fresh. McCoy, however, clearly outpointed the Californian, and scored the only knockdown of the fight, putting Joe to the boards with a left hook to the mouth in the third.

The Kid made a careful fight of it. He took no chances whatever, contenting himself as a rule with stabbing Choynski with his left. He used his right but seldom, but it generally counted hard when he did put it in operation. Choynski scored many times, bringing the blood from McCoy's nose in the first round, and once or twice jarring McCoy considerably with his right. Many of his blows, however, fell short.

In the preliminaries Billy Cauffman, of St. Louis, and Jack Robinson, of Chicago, fought a six-round draw. Lew Mansfield, of Chicago, knocked out Jack Falvey, of Chicago, in the first round, and Jack Hudson put Jim Quinn away in four rounds.

The McCoy-Choynski fight by rounds was as follows:

First Round--Both men shaped up well as they came together, and were evidently in good trim. McCoy landed a right on the ribs, and escaped a return. He tried a left for the face, but it was blocked. McCoy tried his left again, and put it hard on the face and a right to the ribs, Choynski countering on the ear. In a clinch McCoy beat a tattoo on Joe's ribs with his right, and brought it up to the ear, Choynski slamming his right to the Kid's ribs. Choynski was cautious and fiddled considerably. McCoy refused to be drawn out, but watched his man like a cat. No particular damage was done.

Second Round--Choynski hooked his left, but missed. In the clinch that followed he landed hard on ribs and ear, but Choynski brought first blood with a short hook on McCoy's nose. Choynski landed a light right on the mouth. McCoy quick as a flash jabbed his left twice to Choynski's nose. McCoy put his right on the ribs, Choynski countering with a left on the face. Joe landed a left on the mouth as the bell rang.

Third Round--McCoy got to work at once, and slammed a hard left to Joe's mouth and a right hook to the ear. Joe put his right on McCoy's ear, the latter coming back with a hard left to the mouth. McCoy repeated the blow, Choynski putting a light left to the chin. McCoy jabbed his left twice to the face and then to the ribs. Then suddenly shifting he tied the Californian up by feinting with his right and sent his left with terrible force to the mouth. Choynski went down like a shot. He got up immediately, but his mouth was bleeding freely. McCoy was on him at once, but Joe fought back hard, putting his left and right to the face, sending McCoy's head back. McCoy put his left straight and hard on the jaw. This was decidedly McCoy's round.

Fourth Round--McCoy put two hard lefts to the face, Choynski countering with a left to the mouth. Choynski swung his left lightly on McCoy's ear. The latter then sent Joe's head back twice with straight lefts. Choynski evened matters with right and left hard to the jaw. McCoy swung left and right to the head. He left an opening and Choynski staggered the Kid a little with a hard right to the neck.

Fifth Round--Choynski blocked a left and sent his left hard to the Kid's eye. McCoy then feinted and put a terrific right over to the ear, staggering Choynski. The latter, who was decidedly aggressive, placed his left on the ear. In a clinch both landed hard rights on the ear. McCoy put a hard left on the neck and Choynski a hard right on McCoy's mouth. McCoy brought his left to the ear and partly wrestled Choynski to the floor as the gong sounded.

Sixth Round--McCoy put his left to Choynski's nose, starting it to bleeding. Choynski missed a left for the chin, and McCoy put his right hard on the kidneys. McCoy reddened Joe's ribs with his right in a clinch, the latter bringing his left over on the neck. Choynski sent his right to the ribs and McCoy countered with a good left hook to the mouth just before the bell rang. Choynski landed a right swing on the jaw, shaking the Kid up a little.

Choynski's lips were somewhat swollen at the finish. Beyond a skinned nose McCoy did not bear a mark.


1899-10-07 The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL) (page 8)

M'COY AND CHOYNSKI DRAW.

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Bout Proved Unsatisfactory from the Start to the Finish.

Kid McCoy and Joe Choynski boxed six rounds to a draw before a North Side club last night. The men fought under straight Queensberry rules, and Malachy Hogan acted as referee.

The affair was unsatisfactory from start to finish. In the first place, it appeared as though McCoy was not trying very hard, and, in the second, the announcement that both men had agreed to call the contest a draw if both were on their feet at the end of the sixth and last round was not made until the contest was at an end. Then Referee Hogan came to the front, declared the bout a draw, and added that both of the principals had agreed to make it a draw if the bout went the limit. The crowd was plainly disgusted and testified its dislike of the proceedings by shrill cat-calls and numerous cries of "Fake!"

McCoy seemed to be far the cleverer of the two. His superb foot work carried him out of danger of Choynski's rushes, and his long, dangerous left was always in evidence, shooting to the face and wind with marvelous celerity.

When the men squared off for the first round McCoy led a straight left for the face, which was neatly ducked, Choynski countering with a light left on the chest. Choynski tried a left swing for the head and McCoy blocked it. Choynski missed a left hook for the wind, McCoy rushing him to the ropes. A mix-up ensued, with honors even, all the exchanges seeming to lack steam. Choynski tried a left swing for the head again, missed, and McCoy sent a left uppercut to the face, which caused Choynski to clinch and hang on. Both men fiddled to the end of the round. There were murmurs of disapprobation from the crowd as they went to their corners.

Choynski opened up the second with a left swing for the jaw. McCoy got out of the way and pushed his left squarely on the face. A mix-up followed, and when the men broke away McCoy's nose was bleeding from the effects of a left hook which grazed his face. McCoy kept jabbing, and the round closed with a clinch.

In the third McCoy used a one-two-straight left on the face, and an occasional left to the wind which made Choynski grunt. McCoy caught Choynski off his balance, sent a left to the nose, and Joe slipped down, but was up in an instant. The exchanges were light, McCoy having the best of matters.

The last three rounds were all of the same order.

Referee Hogan declared the bout a draw.

1918-06-19 Sam Langford W-PTS10 Battling Jim Johnson (Auditorium, Atlanta, GA, USA)

1918-06-20 The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA) (page 9)

"Boston Tar Baby" Outpoints Jim Johnson in Great Fight

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By Ray White.

It remained for two colored men to give Atlanta fistic fans a demonstration of real pugilism, which Sam Langford, the world-renowned "Boston Tar Baby," and "Battling" Jim Johnson, of New York, the world's knockout record holder, did with a vengeance in a 10-round gruelling mill at the Auditorium last night, in which "Tham" outpointed, without vanquishing, his antagonist.

Beyond question, it was 10 rounds of the most skilful, most scientific and at once the most terrific fighting by heavyweights ever seen in a local ring that the sport-lovers of Atlanta saw last night. At the same time, the entire card was perhaps the best ever offered--so good, in fact, that there was not a spot in it where criticism could be advanced with fairness to any of the dusky performers, or to the management.

Colored Card Throughout.

And it was a colored card throughout, opening with a rattling good battle royal between five local negroes of varying class, which was in itself well worth going to see. The battle royal was followed by a corking four-round bout between Young Jackson and Spike Wilson, which the latter, who was by several pounds the heavier, negro won by a decision, and that bout by what was scheduled for a six-session mill between Charlie Stinson and George Wilmington. Stinson fought like a tiger while he lasted, but was unable to weather the onslaughts of his heavier adversary, and the referee very properly stopped the contest in the third, giving Wilmington a technical knockout verdict.

When the main bout last night opened, the two giants came together with a crash and a bang, and during the first and second rounds, Johnson managed to keep comparatively free from Sam's terrible short-distance punches, and in that way he won claim to both rounds by a shade. He was the aggressor in those two sessions, but in the third the "Tar Baby" went in as though to get through and catch his train home. He kept close to the bigger fellow, and the way he bombarded Johnson in the clinches kept the spectators on their feet in bewilderment. That was Sam's round, but in the fourth and fifth Jim held him even during two rounds of the greatest fighting and most clever boxing any devotee of the "manly art" might wish to see. The sixth was Sam's by a very narrow margin, and he increased his lead in the seventh, when he slowed the big fellow perceptibly with a sickening smash in the pit of the stomach. He won that round, and for a moment it looked as though it was about time to reach for hats, when Jim awoke suddenly, and, with a piledriver blow sent to the mouth, he sent "Tham" back across the ring. The smaller man came back like a flash, however, and, bleeding from a cut lip, proceeded to validate his title to that round.

The eighth likewise was Langford's and Sam also, perhaps was entitled to a shade in the ninth.

Tenth Round Desperate.

But the tenth and last and most desperately-contested round of the match was won by Johnson. Both men came in for the beginning of the end, each determined to leave the hall with the other's scalp hanging to his belt. It was just after a gruelling mixup when Johnson scored the first and only knock-down of the bout. He caught Sam a horrible kick which was aimed at the jaw, but which missed its mark by a matter of a few inches and took Langford on the side of the head. The force of the blow sent Langford sprawling to his knees, but he was up instantly, unhurt, and for the remainder of the entertainment gave his heavier foe full measure for all that he received.

Danny O'Donnell, of Cleveland, Ohio, was the third man in the ring during the main bout, and covered himself with honor by his skill, fairness and competency. While both men fought absolutely clean and according to rules, the referee's job was a hard and a dangerous one. Danny did more than well, and his verdict was one against which not a word of complaint could justly be uttered.

William Shaw, a colored man, refereed the battle royal and the two other bouts; and M. H. Karnes made a very satisfactory substitute for Dick Jemison as the announcer.

Just before the wind-up bout Announcer Karnes made a speech, during which he elicited rounds of applause by announcing that, beginning with a bout on the night of July 3 the promoters of last night's entertainment will stage a series of ten contests. The opening bout of the series will include Charlie White, said Mr. Karnes, against either Joe Welling, Frankie Callahan, Jimmie Dundee or Irish Patsy Kline--most probably the last named. Other boxers--every one a top-notch man--the announcer said, has been signed to appear during the series, are Bennie Leonard, Johnnie Kilbane, Jack Dempsey, Fred Fulton, Pete Hermann, Earl Puryear, Pal Moore and others.

Best referees of late 19th-early 20th century.

1917-11-03 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA) (page 14)

WHITE REFEREED MANY GREAT FIGHTS
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Well-Known Official Who Is Critically Ill Was One of Ring's Famous Judges. Counted Out Several Champions.
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BY JOE VILA.

Referee Charley White, who lies critically ill at his home in New York, did much for the boxing game. He refereed some of the biggest ring battles and gave general satisfaction. White's honesty was his most valuable asset. He withstood temptation when the sport fell into the hands of gamblers and crooks. Yet, like other square ring officials, White was victimized by the sure thing manipulators. He knew nothing of the Maher-Morrissey frameup when he stepped into the ring with those greatly over-rated Irishmen at the old Lenox A. C. But as soon as he had counted Morrissey out in less than fifteen seconds of the first round, White denounced the alleged fight as a cold-blooded fake.

White was kept entirely in the dark when he accepted the offer to referee the Corbett-McCoy fiasco in the Garden. He counted McCoy out in the fifth round, believing that the latter had been honestly defeated. When this affair was exposed a week later White was exonerated for the simple reason that his integrity never had been questioned.

White was the third man in the ring when the late Bob Fitzsimmons stopped Gus Ruhlin in six rounds in the Garden and two weeks later knocked out Tom Sharkey at Coney Island in the second round. White always regarded those battles as the most important over which he presided. When he counted ten fateful seconds over Terry McGovern in the second round at Hartford and then declared Young Corbett the winner, White saw one of his closest friends deprived of the featherweight title and a fortune.
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In the old days it was a tossup as to which was the more capable referee--White or George Siler, who died fifteen years ago. Siler was an ideal ring official--square and fair. He refereed the Corbett-Fitzsimmons battle at Carson City, also the Corbett-Jeffries and Sharkey-Jeffries combats at Coney Island. When Siler was in the act of counting Corbett out in the Carson City affair the latter's seconds claimed a foul. During the excitement around the ring when some hard citizens threatened all kinds of trouble, Siler did not lose his nerve. He declared Fitzsimmons champion heavyweight of the world and ignored the protests from the Corbett crowd. Siler, therefore, showed that he couldn't be bluffed, and at the same time he won the confidence of Fitzsimmons. As a result Fitz, still champion, named Siler to referee his fight with Jeffries at Coney Island. Siler was absolutely fair to both men, although he had to count the tenth second over the Cornishman in the eleventh round. White might have refereed this scrap if Siler had not been so highly regarded by Fitzsimmons.
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White was prevented from refereeing Jeffries' title bouts with Corbett and Sharkey at the Island by the intervention of ring politics. The principals admitted White's recognized impartiality, but the men behind these matches couldn't agree. So White had to give way to Siler in each instance. Siler would have been forced to hand the heavyweight championship over to Corbett on scientific points if Jeffries hadn't landed a left-handed sleep wallop in the twenty-third round. Corbett outboxed the big boilermaker by a wide margin up to that point, when he suddenly became careless. Jeffries caught him bounding off the ropes and quickly dropped him for the full count. After the battle Siler declared that he would have given the verdict to Corbett if the latter had been on his feet at the end of the twenty-fifth round.

Siler was unjustly panned for declaring Jeffries the winner over Sharkey in their memorable twenty-five-round encounter. Sharkey forced the issue for eighteen rounds, after which Jeffries began to administer terrific punishment in the body. He broke three of Sharkey's ribs and the burly tar was in serious trouble. Just after the twenty-fifth round began one of Sharkey's gloves came off and Siler called a halt until the mitt could be replaced. This accident probably saved Sharkey from a knockout.

When Siler decided the battle in Jeff's favor there was a howl, but the ruling was correct if only for the reason that Sharkey was taken to a Brooklyn hospital, while Jeffries, in less than half an hour was receiving congratulations in a neighboring saloon. Siler never refereed in the East after that. He was too honest.

In the same class with White and Siler was the late Timothy Hurst, but the latter didn't preside over any of the big heavyweight combats. Hurst was the soul of honor. He was competent and fearless. His most important engagement was at Maspeth, L. I., when Joe Walcott and Kid Lavigne put up the most sensational fight in the history of American pugilism. Hurst did not believe in stopping a glove bout when one of the principals was shedding blood. Consequently, he kept Lavigne in the ring in spite of the fact that the latter was cut into ribbons at the end of nine rounds. Hurst's refusal to interfere enabled Lavigne to score a memorable victory, for, in the fourteenth and fifteenth rounds, the lightweight champion had Walcott hanging on the ropes in a groggy condition. According to the conditions that governed the mill Lavigne had to stay fifteen rounds to win, so that Hurst's decision in his favor was inevitable. White, Siler and Hurst, in my opinion, were the best referees that ever officiated in this country. They worked hard to keep the sport clean, and it will be many years before they will be entirely forgotten.

1917-11-05 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA) (page 14)

BY JOE VILA

I was in error when I said that George Siler refereed the Corbett-Jeffries fight at Coney Island. Charley White was the third man in the ring. White always regarded this battle as the most important over which he presided. Siler was among those considered by the principals when they were making the match, but White, being a New York man, finally got the plum. White was getting ready to hand his verdict to Corbett on points when Jeffries suddenly scored a clean knockout in the twenty-third round. Up to that stage of the mill Corbett had so much the better of it that he looked like a sure winner. If Corbett had been on his feet at the end of the twenty-fifth round White would have been compelled to hand the heavyweight title back to him. Such a decision would have been eminently fair, and White had the nerve required to decide the fight that way, but "Old Eagle Eye's" task was made easy when Jeff got in the big wallop.

Early 1916 rankings by Malcolm McLean of Chicago Evening Post

1916-02-19 Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) (page 10)

TOPNOTCH BOXERS ARE CLASSIFIED
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There seems to be a difference of opinion among those who follow the boxers as to what men are the best in their class. Malcom McLean, one of the best writers on pugilism in the West, presents this list which he declares authoritative and complete. We shoot:

Heavyweight (White).

Jess Willard, Frank Moran, Fred Fulton, Tom Cowler, Jack Dillon, Charley Weinert.

Heavyweight (Colored).

Harry Wills, Sam McVey, Sam Langford, Joe Jeanette, Jack Johnson.

Light Heavyweight.

Jack Dillon, Eddie McGoorty, Battling Levinsky, George Carpentier, Tom Gibbons, Tom McCarthy.

Middleweight.

Mike Gibbons, Les Darcey, Jeff Smith, Eddie McGoorty, Jack Dillon, George Chip, Young Ahearn.

Welterweight.

Packey McFarland, Mike Glover, Ted Lewis, Willie Ritchie, Johnny Griffiths, Jack Britton.

Lightweight.

Freddie Welsh, Charley White, Joe Welling, Matt Wells, Johnny Dundee.

Featherweight.

Johnny Kilbane, Tommy Buck, George Chaney, Matty McCue, Matt. Brock, Benny Chavez.

Bantamweight.

Kid Williams, Frankie Burns, Pete Herman, Young Pal Moore, Frankie Sinnett.

All-time heavyweight rankings by Jim Jab in 1921

1921-07-08 The Pittsburg Press (Pittsburgh, PA) (page 25)

DEMPSEY NOT BEST EVER IN HEAVY RANKS
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Jim Jab Selects Twenty Stars and Places Jim Jeffries at Head of His List
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By Jim Jab.

Old timers chancing to know that you enjoy the July 2 scrap, spring this interrogation: "Is Dempsey the greatest of all time?" Perhaps they may land an affirmative rejoinder from certain folks. It's a matter of opinion, of personal estimate. There's no way of fixing the situation beyond argument. Left to the writer he would quickly insert a negative answer. Of course the mere fact that Jack defeated the Frenchman added nothing to his glory. The task wasn't formidable. However, as is ever the case, each succeeding triumph raises fan value of a star, regardless of the fear accomplished. The writer, with a 40-year vision of ring celebrities, from giants down to shrimps, begs leave to present a "Twenty Best Ever," compiled some time last autumn, with just one correction. Stan Ketchel was omitted then. He gets a dandy notch in the revised score. No argument is given other than to mention one point, viz., "that Jim Jeffries could give and take, was a master man in pugilism in his last hours. He gave up honors in the fullness of fame." The list follows:

No. 1. James J. Jeffries; No. 2. John L. Sullivan; 3. J. Art Johnson; 4. Jack Dempsey; 5. Bob Fitzsimmons; 6. Peter Jackson; 7. Jess Willard; 8. Stan Ketchel; 9. Frank Paddy Slavin; 10. Fred Fulton; 11. Gus Ruhlin; 13. Tom Sharkey; 14. Sam Langford; 15. Luther McCarthy; 16. Jim Corbett; 17. Charley Mitchel; 18. Joe Choynski; 19. Joe Goddard; 20. Sam McVey.

Ketchel, the "Assassin!" Imagine Carp tackling this dreadful punisher. The lamented Stanley would have been sponging up and donning his dance clothes 10 minutes after entering an arena with the Frenchie.

Dempsey is the best man of his hour beyond any shadow of doubt. Of course, don't forget that saying, "There never was a good man without as good, if not better coming along." It goes, too. Jack has trimmed all aspirants barring Tom Gibbons and Bob Martin. The latter was severely slugged by Bill Brennan, displaying lack of experience. Another year perhaps the ex-MP will be there with the goods. The writer is sweet on Tom Gibbons, believes him to be the making of a first class heavy, in fact, is there now. Tommy is a trifle light for Dempsey. It's worthy of note that the fistic realm displays a disposition to scorn Bill Brennan as a top battler. Have a care, rooters. This man is far from being a dub. Don't judge him by certain clashes. Billy has worn hobble skirts. Fred Fulton is clever but unlucky.

Dempsey is physical perfection for a heavyweight miller. Few writers have pointed out his trimness, particularly of his underpinnings. They are built for speed unlike many big fellows who enjoyed high rank. Sullivan carried more than a trifle in the way of excess baggage below the waist. Kilrain was positively handicapped by his stilts. Jeff, though compact, had massive legs. Corbett was gazelle like in his maneuvers. Sharkey was "leggy" as they say of Jack Johnson, though not built for swiftness, made up for his shortcomings by wonderful work from the bread line upwards. Fitz's legs were jokes only to cartoonists. Dempsey sliding sharply without any lost motion cornered Carp when and wherever he pleased. No dancing, no prancing, all effective weaving in. This effort on the champion's part was an act of brilliancy overlooked by hundreds on Boyles Acres.

JEFFRIES' INTRODUCTION TO TABASCO SAUCE

1907-01-04 The Buffalo Enquirer (Buffalo, NY) (page 8)
"I will never forget a story on Jeff told during his first appearance in my training camp as a sparring partner," says Jim Corbett. "He was a green lad, who stood for a lot of fun and punishment. In fact, nothing feazed him and he was always ready for more.

"In the training camp of a fighter two things are more essential than all others. They are good food and fresh air. The latter can always be had, as a rule; but the former is sometimes hard to get, especially if the fighters' camp is in some out-of-the-way place.

"When I was preparing for the Fitzsimmons fight at Carson City I secured a chef myself to cook our steaks and there was no limit to them. The best that could be had was always on hand.

"Jeff's first day was marked by many incidents, but this one has never been told. After the hard day's work Jeff and the rest of us were all hungry and we sat down to one of the most delicious steak dinners I have ever had.

"Jeff was given a fine big cut and told to go ahead with it. He waited for all of us to get busy and then he started. I think it was Billy Delaney who asked for the tabasco sauce. Jeff watched him use it and then asked for it himself. He covered his steak with it and got busy.

Jeff, by the way, remarked that he had never seen catsup in so small a bottle before, but paid no further attention to it until he got the first bite of steak into his mouth. He was game for a few seconds and kept right on chewing. He noticed we were all watching and he was determined to pass it over if possible. We noticed, however, that he was weakening, and all at once Jeff turned around and spat on the floor.

The big fellow looked at the bite of meat for a minute and then said: "Burn, dam't, burn now."