Joe Goddard MegaThread!

OK, folks, this will be a project of some weeks. I would hope to do it more quickly but I have a lot of work and other obligations. But I do not want to delay beginning any longer.

If you have followed my posts you know that I am a big Goddard fan and feel he was one of the great lost talents of sport... started too late, drank too much, trained too little... but had innate stamina and fighting spirit along with ELITE power.

I will be posting excerpts from newspaper accounts of Goddard in something resembling sequential order. If anyone wants to contribute, especially with Oceana accounts, please do.

Let's start with the earliest mentions I have found which were the lead-ups to Peter Jackson in Melbourne.

(6/25/1890)
Joe Goddard.. The Barrier Champion was 28 years old on the 25th of last November. He was born at Pyramnl, NSW, about 30 miles from the celebrated Turon gold diggings. He (spent) a couple years at the blacksmithing trade. Then he went mining till some five years since. After this he was for three years storekeeper on the South Coast at Illawarra and Kiama. Before this however, he had done some contracting work at Hill End. This was followed by a big contact in connection with the the Sydney Water Supply Works, and a similar contract in connection with our Watts River water supply. His first boxing was done at Foley's, while he was store-keeping. During that time he had no regular lessons, just taking exercise with Peter Jackson, Tom Taylor and others of less note. He had lots of turns-up in NW but mostly fist-fights. In all of these he came out on top. As he himself expresses it, "I never had anyone stop long enough to hurt me". His first match for stake was with Ned Ryan L25 aside and a purse. He beat Ryan badly in three rounds. He made a match with Mullins, of Tasmania, the best of eight rounds, but got through with Mullins in a couple of minutes, the Tasmanian succumbing to a heavy body blow. Goddard subsequently went to Broken Hill to box Owen Sullivan to a finish... and the Barrier Championship. He beat Sullivan in 11 rounds, knocking him clean out. Next made a match with Jem Fogarty, the Sydney middleweight, the best of eight rounds. Fogarty stayed four rounds, and the turned it up. THe same night, and on the same stage, disposed of W. Buck in a couple of rounds. On the 25th of November, at Broken Hill, met Charley Dunn for L100 a side...and the championship. Beat him in 13 rounds. Was matched to box Owen Sullivan again, this time in Adelaide, on 19h December, when a draw was boxed. Beat Luke Keegan in eight rounds at the Crystal Palace on 2nd June, 1890. He had issued a challenge to Mick Dooley when the present match was made. His measurements are - Height, 6 ft. in stockings; weight, in condition 13st: chest, 40 in; forearm, 13 1/2 i: biceps, 14 1/5in, calf 16 1/2 in.: thigh, 24 in."

(10/8/1890)
"Joe Goddard in Training
The Barrier Champion is undergoing his preparation for his coming contest with Peter Jackson under the care of Jack Marshall... I had a long chat with Marshall, that whom there are very few more successful trainers or better judges of a fight.... he said, "I certainly thins Joe has got a chance, and a good one at that. People say he is not clever, but then he is a fighter, and will have to be laid out before he will turn it up."... Marshall continued that "Joe is a regular terror to work, and that there is not the slightest trouble in training him: they are up at 6.30 am and take an appetising stroll before breakfast, which is partaken at 8 o'clock. At 10 o'clock a start is made for real hard work, when a distance of from 10 to 12 miles is covered at a smart pace, walking and running, and then ball punching, and sometimes boxing is practiced until about 12.30 followed by half an hour's rest before dinner. Out again at 2 o'clock, when boat pulling and sprinting is indulged in until it is time to get reeady for tea, after which Goddard and his trainer amuse themselves in various ways until bed time. Goddard will strip as fit as hands can make him on the night of the 20th."

(10/20/1890)
"The Melbourne sports think that Joe Goddard, the brawny heavyweight who has been whipping men like Mick Dooley should have a go at Peter Jackson. One sporting authority writes: "Although Goddard might not be a finished performer in the ring, still I myself cherish the idea that he can impart finish, that is to the unfortunate who has entered the ring to discuss matters with him. I, many others, consider Goddard to be an unusually awkward man to fight. Nothing puzzles a good boxer so much as what is known as a 'natural fighter.' The latter does not deliver blows according to rule, and consequently his opponent has to operate very differently to what he has been acoustomed (sic) to... Nobody I imagine could beat Goddard's rough and tumble style, and it is his very awkwardness that constitutes his strong point. Farnham, the only man who has so far knocked Peter out of time, was what is generally known as an unscientific man, and yet he alone did the trick in attempting what all had failed..."

That's start... expect more, whether you like it or not....

 

The following was provided by @BitPlayerVesti. The copy was a bit rough with a crease but here some highlights regarding Goddard's 11/25/1889 bout vs Charlie (or Charley) Dunn... This was Goddard's 7th fight according to available records. This report offers as much delight describing the chaos and disorder of a late 19th ring contest as it gives any clue to the nascent Goddard's fighting abilities. Enjoy...

"They Fight Like Fiends

Last night the biggest crowd that ever attended in Green's Hall put in an appearance to see Charles Dunn and John Goddard fight for the Barrier championship.... Dunn was the first to jump to the ring, and was greeted with cheers. He was attended by... Hicks, Billy Williams and Steve. Goddard soon followed, attended by the veteran Jack Barnett. Both men eyed each other warily as the shook hands.

Round 1 - Dunn jumped nimbly away from the big fellow and sparred cautiously. Creeping in inch by inch Goddard waited until the man got close up and then when with a rush, swinging both hands for the head like a cyclone. Dunn screwed himself up and paid undivided attention to his opponent's ribs. For fully a minute and a half both men stood at short range and fought like demons.
Goddard was hitting with wonderful force but Dunn's head was sunk too low to get (millled?) on. Suddenly Dunn stabbed Goddard beautifully with the left on the body and swinging his right like a mule's kick brought the big champion down with a crash through the ropes. A mad cheer from all parts of the house went ringing out and it looked as if the big battle was over. But the champion was made of stronger stuff than most men. He pulled himself together and got on his feet, and wen for the Sydney man. It was then Dunn threw away the fight and instead of fighting he kept away, while Goddard was as dirty as he could well be. It was a fatal error but the round was in Dunn's favor.

Round 2 -The champion made the pace at once, fought Dunn all over the stage, but could not get in a good blow as the Sydney pug was too clever. Once or twice they got together and mixed it and cut... a hot rally Goddard went to his knees with a hot right-hander. Dunn went down without being touched in avoiding the blows from the champion. He went to the floor again a few seconds later.

Round 3 - Goddard rushed like a cyclone. Dunn ducked cleverly, shooting the champion clean over his back on to the floor. Then the Sydney lad did some... feinting, and at last got home a beauty on the ribs and a nasty one with right on the side of the head. Goddard could not hit him, as to the instant the glove touched him the little man shot down the boards and laughed. Goddard kept his temper wonderfully under the circumstances.

Round 5 - The champion went for gore and bustled Dunn on the ropes and then drew back and let go a terrible right-hander, but Dunn's bullet head slipped under the glove and the house yelled with laughter as the Sydney man trotted out of danger....

Round 6 - Dunn stepped across the stage quickly and feinting for the jaw hit Goddard a pretty blow on the ribs. Then there was a footrace, Dune ducking and dodging, while the champion, grim and savage, went for vengence.

(Rounds 7-10 more of Goddard chasing and missing Dunn but generally keeping his cool and not resorting to fouling)

Round 11- This round knocked all of Dunn's chance of victory out of him. As he ducked to avoid the champion's fierce onslaught he ran his head with great force against a post, and it was only his generalship that saved him.

Round 12 - Both men looked a bit tired, but Goddard had the most of the punishment. Yet hi game, determined look and strong appearance made it evident that bar a chance hit he must win...

Round 13 - Goddard rushed Dunn, who stepped in and drove his left flush on the mouth, knocking the champion's head back like a racket; but he came again, and once more the visitation was repeated, and once more the champion came, and got treated in the same manner but his Bulldog puck would not be denied, and he bored Dunn to the ropes and dealt out some severe blows to the little man. Dunn was off his feet and hanging on the ropes and there was a wild cry of foul, but this the referee refused to allow, and it was only fair, as Dunn had infringed the rules many times by falling without a blow earlier in the battled.

Dunn pulled off the gloves and refused to fight, and a scene of disorder ensued. Someone pulled Dunn's gloves on again and the men met in a savage rally for a few seconds.

Round 14, and the Last - Both men looked tired, though probably both could have stayed another hour in the ring. A cry of foul was raised as soon as the men got together, and the ring was rushed by friends of both men. The police stopped the fight and Dunn threw off the gloves. After a few minutes the fight was allowed to go on, but some of those who had a few pounds on the event mixed things up again, and out of some wild disorder Jack Barnett was seen struggling with Goddard to get him away to his corner. About a dozen others were also in the ring, no one apparently knowing what it was all about, and Dunn claimed a foul and refused to go on and Goddard was the declared the victor. The referee had the most unpleasant task to perform, but his decision was in accord with the sport of the Queensberry rules, and Goddard was very manly throughout, and won on his merits."

 

Here is an amusing little cul-de-sac on Goddard's journey to the Jackson fight in October 1890. This fight with Jack Morris occurred in March...

"The announcement that Joe Goddard, the Barrier Champion, would undertake to stop Morris, of North Melbourne, in four rounds, attracted a large attendance to the Apollo Athletic Hall on Saturday evening. Since the match was made a week ago there has been considerable interest manifested in the event. Goddard was, of course, the popular favorite, and his carrying out the task he set himself was looked upon as a foregone conclusion by the great majority of ring-goers. Morris was not without his quota of admirers who were ready to plank down their stuff on his staying the requisite number of rounds...

We did not have long to wait before the Barrier Champion entered the ring, attended by his brother Herbert. Morris followed close up having Elijah Jackson to attend to this wants. Peter Newton was mutually agreed to as referee... Directly the men faced each other it was palpable to the veriest novice in ring matters that it was a pound to a penny Goddard, whose splendid frame showed to advantage, and considering that he has not been in active work for some time, his condition was as near perfect as possible. Morris looked the very picture of fear as soon as he put his hands up... As soon as Goddard made a hit at him he squealed like a rat in a trap and took refuge on the ropes where the Barrier man declined to him him. When Morris came to the centre of the ring Goddard gave him one good punch on his ribs and he sang out like a stray calf... Morris was not satisfied to quit so they ordered the fight on. Goddard could at any time have knocked him out had he been so desirous, but from a mistaken sense of compassion he let him off easily until the round finished.

When time was called for the second round Goddard walked up and sent the right heavily on the ribs, the blow making Morris squeak again. Joe followed this up with repeated visitations of left and right, Morris not even making a pretense of retaliating. He was unable and apparently afraid. When the round was about half through, Morris' second threw up the sponge...

When the thing as all over, Goddard went to the front of the stage and told the audience that it was not his fault that he had to fight with such men as Morris, he had tried to get matches with good men, but was unable to do so.... Goddard tells me that he intends leaving for England on the 28th, where he will try his luck with the best men that the old country can produce. He is a strong, powerful man, possessed of hard hitting powers, and will beat more than he will be beaten by, when it comes to real fighting, for that is his game, not sparring."

(Note: Goddard never traveled to England and fight there).

 

It occurs to me that we missed a major fight, a coming out of sorts, in Goddard's career, this being his first match with Owen Sullivan for the Barrier Championship or the Broken Hill Championship, depending on reports. Most reports on the fight are brief and often contradictory in regards to odds, location and the name of the title being fought over. Lastly a more comprehensive text of the action is included...from Sept. 30, 1889...

"Goddard of Melbourne defeated Owen Sullivan for the Championship of Broken Hill. It was a fearful slogging match all through, and Goddard proved himself a perfect bullock, with wonderful staying powers but very little science.
Sullivan took his hiding like a white man. Goddard made enemies by poking borax at Sullivan when the latter was lying on the ropes dead to the world. This was the only objectionable feature of the fight, which was genuine and red hot from the word "go" to the elevation of the sponge in Sullivan's corner."

"A fierce glove fight to a finish took place at Green's Hall here last night between Jack Goddard, a Victorian boxer, and Owen Sullivan, hitherto the local champion. Goddard scaled 13st. Sullivan was just under 12st. Both were in good condition. Goddard is the better built of the two. The men fought 10 rounds, and there was some heavy hitting. Goddard, however, did not escape punishment, but Sullivan was knocked out of recognition and gave in."

"The glove fight between Sullivan and Goddard for L100 and 75 percent of the gate took place last night. The Hamilton Hall (?) was densely crowded. The greatest excitement prevailed. Sullivan entered the ring a strong favorite; but after the opening rounds had been fought Goddard gained many supporters and 6 to 4 was laid on him. Sullivan was badly punished but fought pluckily throughout. The fight lasted 11 rounds, after which Sullivan failed to come to time, and Goddard was proclaimed the victor."

" A prize fight took place here last night between Jack Goddard, the Victorian champion heavyweight, and Owen Sullivan, the champion of the Barrier. It was a fight to the bitter end, and the hall was crowded. Both men were in splendid condition, and the betting was even. Eleven rounds were fought, by which time Sullivan was punished almost beyond recognition. His head was pounded fearfully; his ears swollen up tremendously, and his left cheek very much swollen and bruised. Goddard was afterwards proclaimed champion heavy weight of the Barrier."


And here, the most thorough report...

"HUMAN BATTERING RAMS,
A BEASTLY CONTEST.
A so-called contest took place on Monday night last at Broken Hill, when two men named respectively Goddard and Sullivan fought a stand-up fight for what is termed the championship of the Barrier If this is Civilization in that past, save us from the advent of it here, it appears 11 rounds were fought, and one of the human tigers was literally battered dumb. We give an account of the proceedings as published in the Barrier Miner..
Round 1. — The men broke fairly, and moved cautiously round each other for about ten seconds. Then Goddard rushed and landed heavily on the throat with his left, and immediately swung his right fair on the left temple with fearful force. The blow seemed to madden Sullivan, for he lost his head completely, and a fierce onslaught at close quarters ensued. Both men slogged like demons. At last they clinched, and, when called off, the Melbourne man at once rushed in, swinging both hands like a whirlwind, and landing on head, ribs, and chest. ' Steady Owen !' rang out from Ryan ; but the order was unheeded. Sullivan seemed demoralised, and let go both hands savagely, but without method, and they were at it fiercely when ordered to corners.
Round 2. — Goddard came up, and went to work like a cyclone with a big contract on
band ; but the champion kept cool, and drove him back with a straight left stab on the chin. Then he rushed, and swung his right and missed. This let in Goddard, who is one of the ugliest fighters in existence, but as strong as a bullock. Both men were now fighting like savages, both hands going at once at a fearful pace, and all science was cast to the winds. But the pace was fearful, and the blows, though ill-timed, were heavy. As they went to their corners, it was plainly seen that thus early in the battle Sullivan was beginning to tire.
Round 3. — A perfect hurricane of blows from start to finish. It was plain Goddard was bent on tiring the champion out by his demon-like rushes. His great strength was all in favour of his fighting tactics. Sullivan was fairly dazed by the fierceness of the onslaught. Once, however, he pulled himself together, and shot a perfect beauty fair under Goddard's left eye, raising a lump as big as a goose egg.
Round 4. — Sullivan came up with his left eye quite closed, and his mouth and nose in bad shape. He, however, fought better than in any previous round, and once or twice staved oft Goddard's wild rushes with neat left-handed drives. But, in spite of this, he
was floored three times, making the sixth time down during the fight so far.
Round 5. — Goddard dashed to close quarter, and drove left and right on the body. Then he knocked Sullivan all over the ring with a hailstorm of blows. He was fighting like a a tornado, and it was marvelous how he kept up the onslaught ; but his science was all out of the counting
Round 6. — Sullivan was worn clean out, but was game and savage as a tiger. The
other never allowed him to rest a second, but jumped clean on top of him and chopped him down. Sullivan was knocked down four times in this round.
Round 7. — As they came to the front it was patent to all observers that, bar accidents,
Goddard must win. He was strong as in the first round, whilst Sullivan was blind in one
eye and terribly weak. Goddard never rested a second, but rushed madly at his foe, and hurled his great bulk on the fast-tiring champion, who was struggling gamely to
uphold the title he so richly deserved. In vain Sullivan tried to swing his once-dreaded
right hand. All its power was gone, and the other man, who seemed to possess to strength of a cabhorse, worried him down. He fell, but tottered gamely to his feet, and fought on, the blood from his wounded forehead running into his eye and blinding him. Still he fought, though it was a forlorn hope.
Round 8. — Sullivan was hunted all over the ring, fighting gamely, but hopelessly beaten.
Round 9. — Sullivan made a last desperate effort to get in a knock-out blow. There was a mad, frantic rally, out of which Sullivan reeled — weak, groggy, and, to all intents and purposes, a beaten man. As he tottered back Goddard hit him a dreadful blow in the ribs, bringing him double, and then upper cut him with the right. Sullivan fell, limp and inert, outside the ring just as corners were called.
Round 10.— Goddard made a wild attempt to finish the fray. He fought like a wild beast, hurling himself on his plucky opponent like a wave on a shattered wreck. Sullivan dropped, badly hurt, on the floor. Here Goddard spoilt his victory by calling out derisively, 'There's your Barrier champion — what do you think of him now ?' He was groaned at and hooted for his trouble.
Round 11, and last. Goddard went in to win, and battered Sullivan from one end of
the ring to the other. The game fellow refused to yield, but his seconds threw up the
sponge when time was called for round 12."

 

Goddard's next important fight, and his last important fight before facing Peter Jackson, was against Mick Dooley on June 24, 1890. Dooley was an extremely popular local boxer who sported a good record despite facing his friend Peter Jackson and a young Bob Fitzsimmons a dozen times combined. He seemed more of the crafty sort who was not supremely devoted to conditioning. This has been listed by some sources as being fought for the Australian Heavy Weight title that Jackson had vacated. Descriptions of the crowd say it was full and offered a spectrum of Aussie society, from ministers to members of Parliament, bankers, brokers, artist to granddads to the young motley type, those witness their first fight to those who watched Sayers do battle with Heenan. Clubs souvenirs of both men, complete with their records and a photo, sold out in the lobby.

GODDARD V. DOOLEY.
A DESPERATE FIGHT.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT.
GODDARD FREELY HOOTED.
21 ROUNDS FOUGHT.
THE BARRIER CHAMPION
VICTORIOUS..
[BY TELE GRAPH.]
(From Oar Own Correspondent)
SYDNEY, Wednesday.
The fight between Mick Dooley and Joe Goddard, the Barrier champion, for a purse of 200 (?) came off at the Sydney Club Rooms last night. The rooms wore crowded, and perhaps no contest ever excited so much interest in these rooms. Goddard was attended by his brother Herbert, Jack Marshall (who trained him) and Larry Foley. Dooley was looked after by Tom Taylor and Charley Werry. Sid Broomfield was the referee* Both men were in the pink of condition, bat when they stepped into the ring it was plain that Goddard had the advantage of weight
and reach, though on account of his' superior science Dooley was the favorite. The battle lasted for 21 rounds, and the last ones were desperate, the crowd growing terribly excited. In the 21st round Dooley went under, and Goddard was
declared the winner.

(Round 1-3 were without much action)
ROUND 4.
The fight was now really commenced. Goddard went in at once and drove Dooley about with both hands. Dooley
shot out his left and got on his mouth, drawing the first blood. Goddard, seemingly dazed, left himself open, and received two more on the same place. This roused him and he threw himself on the Sydney man, covering him with ill directed blows on the head and body. Dooley was pleased when time was called.
ROUND 5.
Goddard opened with an undercut for the wind. Dooley dodged, and got one on the jaw, not flush, but sufficient to sting Goddard to anger. He made one of his tremendous rushes, against which Dooley fell back and Goddard punished him severely. Mick broke away from the close quarters into which they had got and stabbed Goddard thrice, but with insufficient power to do damage. Goddard was rebuked, in this round for
using several bad expressions, and the crowd hooted him.
ROUND 6.
Dooley had the best of it, Goddard, rushing continually, was steadied with stabs in the face.
ROUND 7.
Dooley adopted waiting tactics, and Goddard was resting from his rushing. Dooley stabbed his opponent in the mouth, when Goddard rushed, and his success gave him greater confidence.
ROUND 8.
Dooley shot out his left twice, but in dodging got a rib blow, which brought him to his knees. Goddard seized the
opportunity and rushed, but while bonding Dooley got one below the jaw, and Goddard reeled very uncomfortably.
ROUND 9.
Goddard got several beauties on Dooley's ribs, tiring the Sydney man. Dooley's blows had no force, but he cleverly
dodged all attempts at his face.
ROUND 10.
Goddard made three rushes, which nearly lost him the fight, as each time he was stayed by sharp left jabs on the eyes and nose. Goddard was decidedly groggy and Dooley sprang into favorite at long odds.
ROUND ll.
Goddard's rushes had tried Dooley more than himself, for the Sydney man was weak. There was a sharp tussle, from which Dooley emerged with his glove off. The referee pulled it on and more hugging ensued. Goddard was savage, and Mick's condition was, at the end of the round, quite pitiable.
ROUND 12.
Goddard kept rushing, while Dooley was resting, stabbing when opportunity offered. Dooley took two 10 seconds on
the floor during this round.
ROUND 13.
Dooley seemed a little fresher. Goddard ducked and caught Dooley on the hip. There were cries of " foul " as the
Sydney man went down. The appeal was disallowed, and they sparred for wind.
ROUND 14.
Goddard opened with his usual rush. Dooley changed his tactics and stepped back, then forward, and with his right
drove Goddard back, hitting harder whenever before and getting on to his face without difficulty. Goddard's face was
much battered, and Dooley's stock bounded up.
ROUND 15.
Goddard was determined to bullock his opponent, and had it not been for his gigantic strength and fine condition he must have failed in this round The men got to close quarters and wrestled, and Dooley was easily thrown. The crowd
yelled at Goddard to fight and not wrestle hut, despite tho hooting, Goddard continued to hug, and Dooley went to his corner very weak.
ROUND 16.
Goddard, seeing how successful he had been in the former round, tried wrestling again. As they were breaking Goddard uppercut Dooley, and loud cries of " foul" and hooting of Goddard ensued. The referee ordered the light to go on. Goddard was just wild, hit rashly, and was hooted all through. Dooley then waded in and got all over his man, but Goddard's strength again saved him . Just before time Dooley was floored and was dragged to his corner.
ROUND 17 -
Goddard was evidently tiring and not easy on account of the continual hooting He tried to finish the fight, rushed, and
was stabbed with the left, but Dooley was rushed off his feet. Then Goddard altered his style. Instead of knocking, his man down, he first punched him and then pushed him over, and the referee, of course, then refused to allow the ten.
seconds grace on the floor. He tried this on again, but Dooley pulled himself together, and with more left stabs further
battered the Barrier champion's head piece. Dooley, however, could hardly find his corner himself.
ROUND 18.
Goddard got Mick into a corner; and almost for the first time in the fight there were give-and-take blows, the men fairly facing one another. Goddard got in a heavy La Blanche swing, and Dooley's forehead was badly gashed. The end of the fight was, it now seemed, near at hand.
ROUND 19.
Dooley made his final effort, and was lustily cheered. Goddard, as usual, cyoloned Dooley, leaped on him, and punched him stupid. -Goddard fell on his knees and stayed himself, but Dooley was by this time as weak as a chicken. Then the men simply pushed one another down.
ROUND 20.
This was a scramble right through, A feather could have almost finished either.
ROUND 21 AND LAST.
Both men revived, Goddard proved to be the best, and rushed Dooley, who pulled himself together; and stabbed with
him left four times. Goddard worried his man, who dropped, literally exhausted and his seconds threw up the sponge.
Thus Joe Goddard, the Barrier Champion, becomes the. possessor of £200 purse, and the holder of the championship of Australia during the absence of Jackson. On the winner's part no science was shown. It was giant strength and splendid training alone that pulled him through. Of the two, Dooley undoubtedly made most friends in the ring.

 

At this point, Goddard has agreed to fight the great Peter Jackson in late October. He seems to take a couple months off to do some serious training. It is interesting to note that Goddard does not seem to prioritize learning the craft which he undertook at an advanced age but on his stamina and strength. He is covering 10-12 miles a day on foot, rowing and then sprinting, all in one day... That's a tall order physically that leaves little left for actual boxing.

He seemed to understand his advantages and weaknesses as a fighter. And to that point, this interesting interview appears 5 days before the fight.

"Chat with Joe Goddard
On Saturday afternoon I paid a visit to Joe Goddard's training quarters, the Cricket Club Hotel, Albert Park, and found the Barrier Champion enjoying a quiet rest after lunch, and looking the very picture of health and condition. Joe says he will be very well on the day of the battle and will scale about 13 stone. In reply to my question, "How do you feel about the issue?" he said, "I am quite easy about that. I think that I will be bested in eight rounds but I have L100 of my own money to bet that I won't get knocked out. I go there to fight and not to run about the ring, and it ill take more than a punch to stop me."
"What do you think of Jackson as a fighter?"
"Well, I think him about the cleverest man we have got and a hard hitter, and from his performances must be a dangerous man to tackle.
Goddard says that if he is defeated by Jackson it will not in any way lower his record, as Peter lowered the colors of the best men that could be pitted against him in England and America."

I find it fascinating that Goddard admits the expectation of a loss. He knew and had trained with Jackson and obviously knew he had beaten the likes of Denver Ed Smith and Peter Maher. This was prime Jackson. It adds a sense of humility and respect that sometimes gets lost with Goddard's in ring antics (see: Dooley and Sullivan fights above).

As for the approaching fight itself, it was a huge event for Aussie boxing...

"The boxing contest between Peter Jackson and Joe Goddard is attracting considerable attention amongst the sporting fraternity. This will be the most important boxing match that has been contested in the Southern Hemisphere, 400 sovereigns being also the largest purse given in the colonies. It is, in addition, the largest purse given in any part of the world for an eight-round contest. Jackson's reputation in America and England makes him the favorite in betting; still Goddard has numerous supporters who will back him to stand the whole eight rounds.
Everything is being done at the Crystal Palace to accommodate the large crowd that will attend this match."

"The boxing contest between Peter Jackson and Joe Goddard... is causing great excitement amongst all classes of people... Jackson's performances in America and England prove him to be one of the greatest boxers living. The best judges of boxing wherever he has appeared admit that he is the most scientific big man now in the arena. Joe Goddard's contests against the best men in Australia has stamped him as a determined and game boxer. He has downed all that have opposed him, and intense interest is manifested among the patrons of boxing to see how he will shape against the conqueror of Joe McAuliffe, Godfrey, Patsy Cardiff and Jem Smith. "

 

Here we go onto next day reports of the meeting between Joe Goddard and the great Peter Jackson, a huge step up for Goddard (as noted above, he expected to lose) and a look into Goddard's true potential as a fighter. Firstly, we go to The Age out of Melbourne...

GLOVE CONTEST
PETER JACKSON V. JOE GODDARD.
THE RESULT A DRAW.
The long talked of boxing match between the colored boxer, Peter Jackson, who has recently distinguished himself by coming unbeaten through a series of battles In England and America and Joe Goddard, the Barrier Reef Champion, filled the Crystal Palace, Richmond, Iast night, the attendance, notwithstanding the charges of £2 2s., £1 10s., and 5s., numbering at least 3000. The hall is by far the host building in the colony for such contests, being spacious and lofty and in every way admirably adapted for the purpose. The whole of the arrangements, under the management of professor Miller, were admirable, and, despite the intense excitement attaching to the contest,
nothing occurred to which the slightest exception could be taken. Previous to the commencement of the encounter the gloves were subjected to the official inspection of the police authorities, who found no cause to interfere in any way during the evening. The match
was for a purse of 400 sovs., the best of eight rounds, under the Marquis of Queensberry rules, the winner to take 75 per cent. and the loser 25 per cent of the prize money. Jackson's great reputation made him a strong favorite, and it was generally considered that he, being by far the more scientific boxer of the two, would win, Goddard's friends relying on their champion's undoubted gameness, and admitting that in the matter of science he was not a match for his opponent.

After an interval of a few minutes Goddard stepped into the ring, attended by his brother Herbert, Abe Hicken and his trainer, Marshall,
and Jackson, whose appearance was delayed for fully five minutes, had in attendance Martin Costello and Sam Fitzpatrick, his trainer. Upon the men being introduced by Professor Miller, who acted as referee, each was well received, but Goddard met with an especially enthusiastic reception, due, no doubt, to his gameness in tackling a man who had distinguished himself so greatly as Jackson has done recently. As the men stood opposite each other, it was seen that Jackson was the taller and better built, and he had also some advantage in weight, scaling 13 st. 8 lb. to Goddard's 13 st. In the first round some heavy fighting took place, characterized by smart exchanges, in which Jackson showed superior science and hit with more precision than lib opponent, but the second round saw Goddard fighting with great determination, and twice he got on to Jackson's face heavily, but still hit wildly compared to the straighter deliveries of his opponent.
The third round was a heavy one, and Goddard twice slipped down, and was also badly cut over the right eye accidentally by contact with Jackson's elbow. Goddard at this time, however, delighted his friends by the plucky manner in which he continued to lead off against such a famous antagonist, and already it could he seen that, barring a chance blow, Jackson would have no easy job on hand.

Goddard proceeded to force the fighting determinedly in the fourth round, and put in a particularly heavy body blow ; Jackson retaliated with a stab in the ribs ; whereupon ensued the most fiercely fought round of the contest. Goddard had much the best of the exchanges, and forcing his adversary on to the ropes, he appeared the stronger of the two when they clinched. It was some time before the referee succeeded in separating them. Both men then fought themselves to a standstill, and were quite exhausted of being ordered to their
corners. The severity of the combat made itself plainly evident on the contestants facing each other for tile fifth round, towards the Iast half of which the Barrier representative again adopted aggressive tactics, and certainly maintained the lead which he had clearly established. Both men fell towards the close of the round. The sixth round proved the least harmless of the competition, and the only good blow struck was by Goddard, who paid his antagonist a somewhat heavy visitation in the region of the heart. Jackson seemed slightly the fresher on commencing the seventh round, and evincing a disposition to force, the pace he put in a few clean drives, right and loft; but Goddard was not slow in responding, and was again showing in front when they clinched.
Before obeying the referee's command to break away, Jackson attempted a blow, which drew forth an appeal from his seconds. Some more vigorous in-fighting ended in another clinch, Jackson again making a doubtful stroke, insomuch as he hit Goddard before the lastnamed had quite released himself. Another appeal on a foul was disallowed. Each man displayed caution on resuming operations for the eighth and last round. Eventually Jackson hit out ineffectually, after which Goddard repeatedly led off with a fair share of success, and seemed to gain an advantage before the round closed in a perfect babel of applause. The decided advantage which Goddard obtained in the fourth round coupled with the aggressive tactics he pursued throughout, led nine out of every 10 people in the hall to anticipate a decision in favor of Goddard, but the two judges held opposite opinions, and as the referee refused to decide one way or the other he declared the contest a draw. Although not absolutely victorious, Goddard and his supporters won a good stake which was wagered against Jackson's inability to knock him out, and the result is virtually a victory for Goddard, seeing that he did all that he was backed to do, viz., Iast out the eight rounds. It was evident towards the close that had the fight been to a finish Goddard would have had at least an equal chance of victory, and the result of the battle has left a very decided impression that another match between the same men would excite more actual interest than the projected meeting of Jackson and Slavin, good judges agreeing that Jackson would have to greatly improve upon last night's display to have any chance against the annihilator of McAliffe."

 

From the Hay Standard, another favoring Goddard's performance....

"GLOVE CONTEST.
Jackson v. Goddard,
Melbourne. Tuesday.
The glove contest between Peter Jackson and Joe Goddard took place last night. The fight was declared a draw, but it is generally considered the contest ended in favor of Goddard,

In the fight between Jackson and Goddard last night, the latter forced the fighting from the beginning, and got in several stinging body blows, while Jackson nearly closed one of Goddard's eyes. The excitement at the eight round was very high, when it became evident that Goddard had a very strong lead, and looked like winning. Nine out of every ten in the hall anticipated a decision in favor of Goddard, but the judges held divided opinions, and as the referee refused to decide, the contest was declared a draw."

 

From the Riverine Herald...

"GLOVE CONTEST.
GODDARD V JAcKSON.
[BY ELEOTRIC TELEGRAPH.]
(from our own correspondent. )
Melbourne, Monday.
The boxing contest between Peter Jackson and Joe Goddard, of eight rounds, for a purse of £400, took place at the Crystal Palace, Richmond, this evening, there being about 3,000 present. Both stripped in the pink of condition. During the first three rounds Jackson appeared to have the best of it, Goddard fighting very wildly. In the fourth round Jackson knocked his opponent down, puffed up his left eye and bruised the other. This settled Goddard into steady fighting, and some very hard blows were exchanged, ending In one referee favouring Goddard and the other Jackson. Professor Miller then came forward and declared it a draw, amidst loud applause."