"20b Contest": The GREATEST FIGHTS EVER

[McGoorty]

New York Times April, 28, 1910

Ketchel Stands Off Langford In Bout
Negroes Slowness In Last Round Deprives Him Of Victory In Last Round

Special To The New York Times
PHILADELPHIA, April 27. The main feature of the fight here tonight between Stanley Ketchel and Sam Langford, the colored Light Heavyweight, was the dis-satisfaction of the big crowd who saw the go, dissatisfied because they could not see more of the lively going which characterised the bout throughout.
It was a fight full of action from start to finish, in which the only apparent damage was to Ketchel’s bloody face, the result of Langford’s straight jolts on the face and mouth.
Langford was the finished boxer and landed clean and hard on the white man, who was all willingness and determined to finish the black man in short order. Langford lost a clear title to the fight by his slowing up in the last half of the last round. He was entitled to a draw, however, and the doubt still remains whether he is Ketchell’s master. Up to the last round he demonstrated this fact, but his slowness in the last round took a lot of credit from him. Many thought he was stalling, but only he could tell that with any certainty.
At 7 o’clock the doors opened and a crowd that had blocked the wide street in front of the clubhouse surged in between a double line of city policemen. The cheaper seats at $2 and $3 were soon occupied.
An hour before the scheduled opening the management announced that the record for the club, a $23,000 gate would be broken.
A crowd of New Yorkers, including Tom Foley, Gene Maguire, Arthur Murphy, “Honest John” Kelley, Charlie White, Billy Gibson, Jim Buckley, Tim Sullivan, Jimmy Johnson, Larry Mulligan, Johnny White, Billy Long, P. Paul, Eddie Milan and Jimmy Kelly occupied seats around the ring.
Another party included Tom Jones, Billy Joh, Charles Gates, Warren Barbour, the amateur heavyweight champion, Frank Mulken, M. Murray, John Mooney and John Murray.
The semi final brought together Nick Muller and Sailor Fredericks, heavyweights, it was stopped in the fourth round to save the sailor, who was a sight from the severe walloping he got.
Langford was the first to appear in the ring, he was accompanied by Young Mississippi, George Byers and George Cole, his seconds. The colored fighter received a warm reception. He was followed a moment later by Ketchel, who entered the ring with Eddie Baum, Jimmie Kelly and Nick Muller. Ketchel was cheered to the echo as he crawled through the ropes.
Langford looked to weigh in easily at least ten pounds heavier than his white opponent, though the latter had the advantage in height and reach. For a while they fiddled after the gong announced the start, and they broke for each other coming to a clinch. Langford boxed and Ketchel took a chance and literally threw his left in. It fell short but he tried again always to be blocked by his clever opponent. Langford feinted and got home a left half swing to the body. More sparring with Ketchel boring in. The crowd hissed. A slight let up in the going, and Langford went in with both arms working. He landed left and right on the body lightly. Ketchel got away with a left on the negroes body as the round ended.
There was no question as to the willingness of the pair as they rushed as each other for the second round. Langford land a stiff left to the side of the head. The crowd worked up to the realization that they were about to see a real fight, and cheered wildly as the fighters pegged away. Ketchel was always after Langford, who kept jumping continually, but the middleweight champion only landed once effectively at this stage. It was a hard right swing on the chest, as Langford was stepping away. Langford was measuring his man coolly, and backed and sidestepped the swings Ketchel was working. He stepped in as the round closed and landed a short half arm left and then a right on the side of the neck and side of the head.
Ketchel carried the fight to Langford as usual in the third round but the black man saw him coming and landed pretty much as he pleased. Langford’s blows were clean and had force back of them, but they weren’t doing much damage apparently. To those close to the ring it was evident that Langford was shaping Ketchell up. The latter was busy at all times, however, and thinking only of rushing Langford. He kept trying his right shift for the body and landed it twice. The crowd went wild, for it was all with the white man. Langford was not at all worried, and came back with hard, straight rights and lefts on the neck. They were fighting furiously as the round closed and exchanged a couple of punches even after the round ended.
Langford was all scientific action as they toed the mark for the fourth period, and it looked as though close fighting was beginning to tell on Ketchel who looked worried and a bit tired. His nose and mouth were bleeding from the straight lefts Langford was planting, but they did not deter Ketchel, who came along nevertheless. He was taking all that Langford sent across, and got back a few of his favorite right shifts to the body. Langford shook Ketchel up with straight lefts and a right uppercut closely following, just after they stepped to the centre Ketchel was rough in the clinches, while Langford boxed whenever he could get set. He was kept busy though, dodging swings and getting out of the road of his rushes. Ketchel’s many attempts to find the colored man were mostly futile, though he couldn’t be denied. Langford missed a straight left lead for the head as the bell rang and slipped to the floor.
The crowd yelled like wild Indians in the final round. Ketchel started furiously and had Langford backing away, dodging and side stepping to keep out of the road of the slamming Ketchel had ordered for him. It was the sort of finish that the crowd likes to see in a limited round go, because it was so full of action. Ketchel was showy, but he was not effective. About the middle of the round Langford stepped in and shoved over a left and right that landed beautifully, Ketchel staggered but he was back at the little negro like a bull. Sam kept his hands quieter and Ketchel thought he saw a chance to slip one over, Langford woke up and counterd hard enough to crack an inch board. He didn’t follow it up, however, in the manner his friends knew he could. Ketchel kept hard at it and was trying like a demon as the bell rang. The crowd cheered him to the roof.

[McGoorty]

Britton Vs Lewis

1916-10-17 Jack Britton W-PTS12 Ted (Kid) Lewis [Armory Athletic Association, Armory, Boston, MA, USA]
1916-10-18 Boston Journal (Boston, MA)


Britton Defeats Lewis in Bout at the Triple A
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TITLE REMAINS WITH BRITTON
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Chicago Boxer Wins From Ted ("Kid") Lewis in 12 Rounds at Armory A. A.
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By Jack Malaney

The greatest of them all--which is saying a whole lot--was the third Britton-Lewis contest battled at the Arena last night and which ended in Britton's favor. Champion Jack Britton it is still, as at the end of 12 fast, furious and interesting rounds in the Armory A. A. feature bout, Referee Larry Conley had little else to do but declare him the winner over his English rival for the honors of the class.

What little doubt there was that this pair would not be able to present their usual stiff argument because of many previous meetings, was cast adrift shortly after they got working in session one. Just as in their other two battles here, the warm milling started right off the reel and it didn't let down not one whit until the final bell called off hostilities. If anything, the bout was an even harder one, 12 rounds considered, than either of the preceding ones.




Neither Were Welters


Benny Osthues announced that the contest was for the welterweight championship du monde. He was stretching a point on that, however. Neither man as he entered the ring last night was a welterweight. There was no getting on the scales, so it is not possible to state what they did weigh. And Lewis with his freaky build makes it pretty difficult to estimate his weight, but he surely weighed more than 150 pounds. Britton was also near that poundage, but also about five pounds lighter than the other.

Their weight did not serve at all to ****** the speed of the mill. Britton has got so that he carries a roll of fat around his waist, but it is the sort of fat that a boxer who has seen ten years of service always accumulates and cannot get rid of. But he wasn't slow nor did he ever show any signs of being in distress through the pace or blows.

Lewis Seemed Stronger

Never before was Lewis seen so big; but he seemed to be even stronger with the extra weight and not in the least affected by it.

It was a matter of class and, as always, class won out. Britton fought as fine a contest as he perhaps ever has in his whole career. He was not in a hurry, he wasn't confused by several misses at the start, he failed to let Lewis intimidate him with his speed in the first few rounds. He was the master. Apparently confident of this fact did he appear and simply bided his time.

A more determined athlete than this very same Britton has seldom ever performed before a big gathering. He was out to win for Jack Britton, so he went at his work with renewed vigor every little once in a while, as the setting of his teeth and tense expression on his face showed to the close ringsiders.

A before-the-battle incident to show the sincerity concerned was a demand made by Britton on Monday. He insisted that the ring be torn apart and repadded, that new electric lamps be put in the lighting fixtures over the ring, and so strong was his demands that they were acceded to.

Start Right Away

Very shortly after the opening bell rang the men started to tear at each other. It didn't take very long to see that both men were extremely anxious to win by a kayo. Each of them swung blows which were intended for that purpose with Lewis starting more than Jack. Being anxious and yet cold was greatly the reason why neither one succeeded in that first round.

In the first three rounds Lewis kept quite a bit ahead of his old rival. Had he been able to keep up the style he used in these rounds all during the mill Britton would have been given a fine lacing. The clever Jack changed matters mainly because he knew what was wrong.

As always, Lewis was very eager and willing to do all the leading at the start. And because he did he got as far ahead as he did. When he led he usually beat Britton to the punch. He also was afterward able to follow up his lead in a gaining manner. In the fourth Britton decided to do some leading himself, and from that point on did he begin to win.

Nearly a Foul

The bout came near to ending in the fifth on a low punch. At any time during a contest is Lewis liable to be fouled because of his jumping tactics. In this round, Britton began an attack on the body of his opponent. He was following up after a hot session near the ropes when Lewis leaped and a punch did land on the top of his protecting cup. Lewis made no objection until he heard the men in his corner protesting and then he, too, spoke up. The claim was not allowed when Lewis declared he was not hurt, and it was well that it wasn't, for he plainly showed in the next few seconds that he could not have been fouled.

Shortly before the bell announced the ending of the sixth, Lewis shook his head as if in attempting to shake away cobwebs. No punch was seen that would have dazed him, yet even when the bell did ring, he gave further evidence that he had been shaken up, for he was confused as to where he belonged. Not very long after the seventh got under way, Lewis was toppled over. A little short left hook which landed when he was off balance knocked him flat on his back. He was so surprised that he didn't realize his position for a second and then he started to get up. In fact, Britton himself didn't think that he had knocked him down, for he reached over to help him up.

Keeps on Gaining.

Britton's lead kept increasing all the time and right up to the 10th. Acting under wild and loudly shouted orders from his corner, Ted began to do some leading in that inning, and with great success. A straight left shot at Britton's face time and again, and with each bit of success Lewis got more confident and kept up his leading. Britton would not let him get the jump in the 11th, and therefore again got back into honor.

The final round was even harder and of stiffer punching perhaps than any other. Lewis knew he was behind, and his one hope was either a knockdown or knockout. A couple of times he did slam good and proper at Britton's head, but there was no stuff behind the wallop. The landing did no damage, at any rate.

Crowd Rooted Hard

Another big gathering such as was presented at each of the other two battles between this pair saw this third contest and enthused and admired throughout. Plenty of rooting all the way through kept the excitement at high pitch in every round.

To help matters out, the prelims were also full of pep. Tony Vatlin gave Johnny Emery a pasting in the eight-round semi-final partly, perhaps, because Emery injured his right hand so he claimed half way through the mill, but also because Tony was better than his opponent. But it was a tough and interesting contest and one worth repeating.

A surprise was given in the second prelim when Johnny Stanton beat his very formidable little Cambridge rival, Paddy Owens. Johnny Murray got a short win in the opener because his opponent decided that he had had enough for the night.

Another famous return match is the feature attraction for next week's show, Jack Dillon will meet Bat Levinsky.

[McGoorty]

Fitzsimmons Vs Creedon

Bob Fitzsimmons vs Dan Creedon 27, Sept. 1894
A WONDERFUL FIGHTER.
Bob Fitzsimmons Wins New Laurels.

He Puts Creedon Out in Two Rounds.

A Pretty Exhibition of Scientific Slugging.

The Great Middleweight fight Battle Decided in short Order lanky Bob’s Right to Meet Corbett Established

By the Associated Pres. New Orleans, Sept.. 26.—

The glove contest between Bob Fitzsimmons of Newark, N. J., and Dan Creedon, hailing from St. Louis, for a purse oi $5000, took place in the arena of the Olympic club tonight. They fought as middleweights, at 154 pounds. A feature of importance of the match was the bearing it has on a prospective meeting between Fitzsimmons and Corbett. Fitzsimmons has been most persevering in his efforts to secure a match with the champion heavyweight, and from time to time has been put off with the reminder that he was not in his class. Corbett first named Choynski as the man Lanky Bob had to whip before he could talk of a match. Fitzsimmons took on the match, and then he was told by the champion that he would have to have a go with Creedon to place himself in a position to talk fight. Comparatively little was known of Creedon by the general public, although the visitors from St. Louis were enthusiastic in their praises oi the man. Despite that fact, however, Fitzsimmons remained a prohibitive favourite throughout, his odds being posted from 3 to 10 to 1 to 3, while as good as 5 to 2 could be had against Creedon,
When the men entered the ring for the great contest Fitzsimmons looked indeed formidable. He was finely drawn and, but for traces of prickly heat, his skin was as white as a baby's, ilia enormous shoulders and chest, when compared- with his narrow waist and hips, were particularly marked. His long, lithe aims and limbs were covered with sinuous muscles that gave every indication of terrible force and speed. His every movement in the ring was like that of a panther watching his prey and ready to spring upon it, a much stockier look and all the lines of his symmetrical body indicated strength and excellent condition. Fitzsimmons had much the best in height and reach, but as he stood with his legs farther apart than Creedon, it was not so marked as it might have been. There were probably 8000 spectators present. Creedon was the first to enter the ring, closely followed by Fitzsimmons. Creedon weighed 158 and Fitzsimmons 155.5 lbs.The seconds were: For Creedon, ThomasTracey, Mickey Dunn, Tommy White and Charley Daily; for Fitzsimmons, Jack Dempsey, James Dwyer. Kid McCoy and Sam B. Steam. After the usual instructions the men advanced to the center of the ring and the fight was on. Round 1. - Both men felt each other for an opening, Fitzsimmons led. He was short, however, but he forced the fighting and landed a hard right on the head, and Creedon scored a hard body blow. A moment later Creedon caught a blow on the chin, and one, two, three on the head. The men had to be separated by the referee. Creedon ducked beautifully from a right on the head. Round 2 - Creedon missed a light left swing for the head, but he landed two rights on the body. Fitzsimmons scored two heavy rights and knocked Creedon down with a heavy righthander on the jaw, Fitzsimmons landed a heavy right on the jaw and the men bad to be forced from a clinch, Creedon received two heavy rights on the jaw and three rights on the body. Creedon was then knocked out by a heavy left on the jaw. There was the wildest demonstration ever seen in the ring. Referee Duffy awarded the fight to Fitzsimmons, who was loudly cheered. Referee Duffy announced Fitzsimmons 'challenge to Champion Corbett. the applause that followed was immense. The work of Fitzsimmons in the second round was the most marvellous ever seen in this section of the country. The three right-handers which Creedon received on the head in one, two, three order amazed the spectators and dazed the recipient, but they were not, from an artistic pugilistic point of view, to be compared with the throe heavy lefts delivered in one, two, three order on Creedon's nose, which floored the latest aspirant for middle-weight honours and caused Creedon to fall the easiest prey of all Fitzsimmons adversaries. The main fight was done in the center of the ring. The actual fighting time was four minutes and forty seconds. Creedon was carried to his corner gasping hard for breath. He was comparatively unhurt during the first round and was taken to .his corner smiling and chatting with his attendants. The inference is that he was beaten in one minute and forty seconds, the time of the second round. His seconds and backers were startled beyond measure, and those who wished for Fitzsimmons' defeat were overawed with wonder at the tall man’s skill.
After the fight was over there were knots of men in different parts of the mammoth arena, trying to explain to each other or have it explained to them, But it was a fact before their eyes at he Olympic club's arena on September 26th. 1894.
New York, Sept. 26.—The World this morning publishes the following telegram from Corbett dated Bangor, Me. “T will say nothing about Fitzsimmons at present. He must meet Steve O'Donnell first before I will notice him." Louisville, Sept. 26.—Jim Hall, the pugilist, tonight issued a challenge t fight any man in the world, Corbett barred. Hall expressed a preference Of a fight with Fitzsimmons