The Boxing Bulletin History Corner: May 28 - June 3, 1910 & 1920

By Andrew Fruman

We're back with another edition of the History Corner.  Today, we've got news and fight reports from May 28 to June 3 for the years 1910 and 1920.  In a couple days, we'll be moving on to 1930, 1940 and 1950.

Check out recent editions of the History Corner: May 21-27, 1910 & 1920
& May 21-27, 1930, 1940 & 1950

In this edition...

• Packey McFarland vs Freddie Welsh - London, May 30, 1910
• Jimmy Walsh vs Philadelphia Pal Moore - Boston, May 31, 1910
• Bob Moha vs Jimmy Clabby - Milwaukee, June 2, 1910
• Charles Ledoux vs Jim Higgins - European Bantamweight Title - London, May 31, 1920
• Johnny Kilbane vs Andy Chaney - Philadelphia, June 2, 1920

1910

May 30...

With the world lightweight title (British version) at stake, Packey McFarland (pictured, Library of Congress) was forced to settle for a draw after twenty rounds against Freddie Welsh at the National Sporting Club in London. The decision handed out by referee Tom Scott was highly unpopular…

The official was hissed and hooted from the ring and even threats of violence against his person were made. Even those who wagered on Welsh, giving odds of 7 to 5, joined in the demonstration as the result of the popular verdict. To everybody except the referee the Chicago lightweight appeared to have the contest well in hand from the first round.

– Wire Report from London

Managing to remain an elusive target, McFarland constantly pushed the pace of the bout by sticking a steady left jab home, while bringing his right hand into play frequently. As the fight wore on, he became more dominant and by the later rounds was hammering Welsh (pictured, Antiquities of the Prize Ring) all over the ring. Not surprisingly the decision did not sit well with McFarland…

I never thought that in a club representing England’s sporting element I’d be the victim of such a robbery. Such a thing couldn’t happen in America. I have beaten Welsh three times now, yet I have only one victory to my credit. The only consolation I have is that all of the members of the club assert that the decision was a rotten robbery.

– Packey McFarland

May 31…

At the Armory A.A. in Boston, Jimmy Walsh won a twelve round decision over Pal Moore (pictured, Antiquities of the Prize Ring) of Philadelphia in a bout that was very nearly cancelled…

The boys had agreed to weigh 122 pounds at 4 o’clock, but on account of Moore’s injuries he was unable to make the weight and he did not weigh yesterday, and the only condition under which the club could get the manager of Walsh to let Jimmy box was that the rounds be cut to two minutes. When that announcement was made at the clubhouse last night it was received with a storm of hisses.

– Boston Globe

Walsh was said to be in great shape, but just to make sure, his manager showed up at ringside with a tank of oxygen and the fighter indulged in the rejuvenating gas on at least two occasions during the contest.

Most of the rounds were close, with Moore forcing the action and Welsh countering strongly in return. Welsh appeared to win his rounds more decisively, having a strong edge in the fourth and tenth rounds, while Moore struggled to show the brilliance he had displayed on previous occasions. After the bout, the Philadelphia fighter’s manager blamed Moore’s lack of sharpness on the same injuries that had reportedly prevented him from making weight.

June 1…

Tommy Burns (pictured, Antiquities of the Prize Ring)sent a cablegram from Sydney, Australia to confirm that he had accepted terms to meet Sam Langford in Los Angeles on Labor Day. Burns plans to leave Australia at once, with the hopes of arriving in San Francisco in time to watch the July 4 heavyweight championship bout between Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries.

June 2…

In a battle of top young fighters at the Hippodrome in Milwaukee, local brawler Bob Moha (pictured, Antiquities of the Prize Ring) won the newspaper decision from Jimmy Clabby. It was an even contest marred by frequent clinches through seven rounds, before Moha pulled away down the stretch to gain the verdict.

There was nothing flashy about Moha’s work. It was rough – extremely so – but it was effective, and it had Clabby weak and weary when the final bell rung. It was a case of cleverness against strength and strength won.

- Racine Daily Journal

Clabby had managed to use his snappy left jab to off-set Mora’s crowding style early on, but eventually faded under the pressure. Moha reportedly landed frequent shots in the clinches, often whacking Clabby in the kidneys and in the back of the neck.

1920

May 31…

In a scheduled twenty round affair at Holland Park Rink in London, European bantamweight champion Charles Ledoux (pictured, Antiquities of the Prize Ring) defended his crown with a stoppage of British titleholder Jim Higgins. Higgins boxed well early, using his left hand to keep the Frenchman at a distance, but eventually Ledoux’s pressure was too much.

Higgins was knocked out in the eleventh round, and there could be no doubt at all as to which was the better fighter. Ledoux, who is an old campaigner, revealed simply marvellous strength and directness of hitting. His blows on the body were most damaging, and it was to these that Higgins collapsed.

– Berkeley, The Daily Mail

The show also featured a battle for the vacant European featherweight crown, with British champion Mike Honeyman falling short against Arthur Wyns of Belgium.

Honeyman started promisingly enough, but by the fourth round was being overpowered by the hard hitting visiting fighter. The end came in the tenth when Wyns dropped Honeyman with a right hand to the point of the chin. The London man managed to climb to his feet, but was sent to the canvas another three times before the referee halted the contest.

* * * *

The New York Times reported some of the rules now in place in the state after the Walker Bill was signed into law the previous week by Governor Al Smith…

• Champions will be compelled to defend their titles in a bona fide championship bout against the best available contender within a period of six months from the date of winning their titles, and thereafter every six months if a qualified challenger appears, unless prevented by circumstances beyond their control.
• The judges will sit on opposite sides of the ring and will render a decision if the contest lasts the limit of rounds scheduled. The awards will be based primarily on effectiveness, points being scored for clean, forceful hitting, aggressiveness, defensive work, ring generalship and sportsmanlike actions in the ring. Points will be deducted when a contestant persistently delays the action of a bout by clinching or lack of aggressiveness and for fouling, whether intentional or not.
• Seconds have been limited to a maximum of three for each boxer and are restricted in their actions during the progress of the bout. The purpose of this rule is to eliminate the tireless run of advice which is yelled by a boxer’s army of advisers as the match progresses.
• Three hours prior to entering the ring each contestant must submit to a thorough examination by a physician who has been licensed to practice not less than three years previously. The physician will remain in attendance during the bout, prepared to deal with any emergency which may arise.
• Bouts are prohibited when the contestants differ in weight in excess of eighteen pounds, except in the light-heavyweight and heavyweight classes.

- New York Times

June 2…

At the Ice Palace in Philadelphia, a lackluster performance from fading featherweight champion Johnny Kilbane (124) wasn’t enough to get by Andy Chaney (123 ¾) of Baltimore. Kilbane finally got going in the last two sessions of the eight rounder, but not before he’d been threatened by the referee to either "fight or get out of the ring."

Chaney was a willing worker at all times. He had all the better of the early rounds. In the third and fourth Kilbane bled from the mouth because Chaney had poked him there repeatedly. Later Kilbane did better after his seconds had applied ice to the back of his neck. At times he gave flashes of his old-time form, but most of the time he was holding and clinching. Chaney did not bear a mark of the battle.

– Philadelphia Inquirer

Welterweight champion Jack Britton (145) featured on the card as well, taking on local fighter Joe Borrell (145). Britton handed out a "boxing lesson" to gain the newspaper verdict over the youngster, who battled all the way and drew plaudits for his toughness.

Also on the show was Harry Greb (166), who easily won the newspaper decision from Clay Turner (173). The Pittsburgh fighter (pictured, Antiquities of the Prize Ring) scored an opening round knockdown, and handed Turner a beating with his "hefty punches" over the course of the eight rounds.

Yet another top performer was in action with Eddie Fitzsimmons (135) easily defeating Pal Moran (130) of New Orleans. Moran managed to stay the distance against the highly rated New York southpaw by fighting a defensive battle. Fitzsimmons opened up with his full arsenal, but there was little to aim at with Moran covering up throughout the bout.

For more great boxing photos of the past, make sure to visit Antiquities of the Prize Ring.

Check back in a couple days for more of The Boxing Bulletin's History Corner as we move on to the years 1930, 1940 and 1950 for the week of May 28 - June 3.

e-mail Andrew Fruman