The 1880's!

Sullivan claimed to be the featherweight champion of Western New York, He fought a Dennis Hurley in October at the Central AC, Bradford (1893) but police stopped the contest, the stakes were $250 a side. Various reports speak of Sullivan as unbeaten, fast and game with a good punch. He was also a youth so unlikely to have fought Gilmore in 1884.

 

"In the first round some heavy fighting took place, mischaracterized by smart exchanges, in which Jackson showed superior science and hit with more precision than his 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 tho 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 tho 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 on being ordered to their corners. The severity of the combat made itself plainly evident on tho contestants facing each other for tile fifth round, towards the Inst half of which tho 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 tho 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 tho referee's command to break away, Jackson attempted a blow, which drew forth an appeal from his seconds. Some more vigorous ill-fighting ended in another clinch, Jackson again making a doubtful stroke, in so much as he hit Goddard before the last-named had quite released himself. Another appeal on a foul was disallowed. Each man displayed caution on resuming operations for tho 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 hold opposite opinions, and as the referee refused to decide one way or the other ho declared the contest a draw.
Report from "The Age" (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954)Tuesday 21 October 1890 - Page 6.
Slight note of caution on what seems a fair report. Goddard was a Melbourne favorite.

 

"Round 1. — The gladiators rose simultaneously amid profound silence. For a few moments the men sparred quietly round the ring, each fixing his eagle eye upon the other. Goddard was first to load off, swinging his right towards Jackson's left ear, but missed that organ. The pair came to close quarters, when the slogging began Jackson made the best show, if anything. The exhibition, however, was by no means extraordinary. Jackson soon planted his left on Goddard's eyebrows, and the pair came to mutual grief. Goddard now tried his left, catching the coloured man on the jaw and making him reel slightly. Jackson succeeded in allotting a series of blows on Goddard's chest, but the Barrier man came up gamely, only to receive another dose. Goddard aimed heavy blows, but missed his man, Jackson holding himself too well
together. The remainder of the round was purely sparring. Round 2. — Goddard negotiated his left, planting it heavily on Jackson's neck behind the jaw, and hurling him against the ropes, Peter soon retaliating on Goddard's eye. Then ensued a desperate struggle for
punishment, both receiving instalments, Goddard flung home his right, the coloured champion responding by a blow which brought Goddard on his knees. The remainder of the round was rapid and disastrous.
Round 3. — Goddard again forced the fighting, but Jackson had too much science for him, however. Both men dealt heavy blows, and one of Jackson's sent Goddard once more on to his knees, On rising he rushed in, but was repulsed cleverly. Jackson presented his left on to his adversary's orb, but he was replied to by another crushing swinging blow on the jaw, which almost hurled Jackson to grass. Goddard continued to land out his terrible right hand -with merciless effect. Jackson was no less surprised than the crowd, who cheered lustily. Jackson failed to reach his man half a dozen times. Goddard got an uppercut on to his opponent's ribs. This round told greatly on Jackson, who was panting like a persecuted Kangaroo. Once only he bequeathed his right, and for his legacy Goddard donated a barrier blow. The tables were turned from this round. There was no doubt about it.
Round 4. — Opened by Jackson putting his loft with staggering effect upon Goddard's eye. Then they entered to close quarters, and slogging was mutual. Both were suffering severely, Goddard now lot himself to keep Peter back, which he did very successfully. Round 5. — Goddard once more played his game by rushing Jack son. This resulted in close quarters engagements, both warriors coming on their knees together. After sparring for a while, as pack wanted wind badly, Goddard told with his left, and Jackson attempted to respond but failed. Goddard was more successful in aiming at his opponent's ribs. He also scored moderately to the close of the round.
Round 6 saw a renewal of hostilities by Goddard, his rival being evidently very sore and worry. Goddard evidently had Jackson completely at bay ; he tried a few times, but tailed, Goddard in the meantime dealing two distracting blows. The remainder of the encounter was very quiet.
Round 7.— This time Jackson led his left, bringing on some furious fighting, both men for the first 30sec. hammering each other industriously. Several times Goddard slogged superfluously, his blows failing to reach the spot, giving Jackson an opportunity to drive him fair on the nose. Both men successfully planted their right hands. Then followed a hard-hitting scene, after which the round was wound up by sparring.
Round8.— Both men came up gently for the final. There was sparring for a minute, and then proceedings assumed their usual fury. Goddard showed magnificent form, knocking his giant foeman about just as he pleased. Jackson was close upon collapsing, and Goddard did his utmost, and he did admirable work, but could not completely cause his rival's wreck. The Jackson party was in a fever of excitement, anxious for the call of time to rescue their man from his dangerous position. Thus closed the great eight rounds of slaughter, due to Goddard's fine condition, and Jackson's probably insufficient training.
The referee was called forward and announced that owing to the reputations of the men he would decide the fight a draw."

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Time to get back to the 1880's as we are getting dangerously modern! Abe Hicken. born 1844 was another Aussie pioneer. He arrived from England with the title of lightweight champion after many bare-knuckle fights, and in the early 1870's he got the better of a green William Miller despite conceding many, many stones to his opponent. He won several more contests, bought a hotel where he staged boxing contests and in 1879 lost an Australian title fight with Larry Foley in 16 rounds. two years later he fought a 15 round draw with Newton and in all of these contests he gave away considerable amounts of weight, height and age.
Foley himself was a formidable fighter but he, Hicken and Newton had to give way to the new wave of younger, bigger fighters, Miller, Farnan, Lees and Jackson.

 

I think too that we should understand that the judging method was different in those days, if nobody achieved clear dominance, a draw was often given, In this instance both fighters had their q\own judge, who surprise, surprise, voted for their man, Professor William Miller, the referee gave the deciding vote, hence the draw verdict.

 

The "Sporting Life" July 2, 1883. Final of Jem Mace promoted All weights competition, in Manchester; "The display between the pair was, perhaps, one of the finest ever seen"... "At the outset it must be admitted that the Londoner{Burke} showed to most advantage, his counter-hitting being very fine. In the third, and concluding bout, the hitting was terrific, Greenfield forcing the work hard throughout. When 'Time' was called, Burke, it was generally thought, had a slight advantage, but the umpires declared in favour of the Birmingham man." Jem Mace had to get up on stage to quell the unruly crowd and he explained that he could not interfere with the judges but he agreed that Burke "was as good as his master".

 

1881.
On June 16th of that year, on the outskirts of Ascot Racecourse, Burke had his first clash with Charlie Mitchell, a "Brummie" of Irish decent. Burke was stated to be twenty years old, 5-9 in height and to weigh on the day 10 stone six pounds. The two men fought for one hour seven minutes with bare knuckles, Mitchell getting the majority of the falls during the twenty-five rounds contested before a draw was declared. Despite this "The Sporting Life" June 18 1881 summed it up thus, "Had a strict referee been appointed the affair would undoubtedly not have ended in a draw, for, although both lads fought as game as 'pebbles' there is no doubt that Burke's weight, stamina and condition would have pulled him through with flying colours." The principles were arrested and Jack subsequently served six weeks behind bars.

 

Interesting to note that off this list 3 were English born, three were Irish and 3 were Americans, it is of course an American-centric view but that was where most of the top fighters graduated to. However, I would contend that an Aussie/New Zealand top ten beats any of these groups;
jackson
miller
goddard
slavin
laing
farnan
lees
sullivan
dooley
foley.
Let's have a look at Professor William Miller, who as both a wrestler and strongman had decent claims to be up with the Worlds best and when you add in boxing, fencing and walking, few all round sportsmen could be seen as his equal. He was born in England in 1846 but was brought to Australia when about 4 years old. He was 5-10 in height and about 195 pounds in weigh. His first essay into boxing saw him losing to the much lighter but vastly more experience Abe Hicken in 1871. He went to America and it was at San Francisco, where he met Bill Davis for a stake of 400 dollars. The contest took place in Platt's Hall, was successful. The Professor's next bout with the gloves was at the Athenseum Gymnasium in Chicago, when he disposed of a most formidable antagonist, named Mc Carty, who stood 6f and weighed 240 pounds. He next bested the well-known ' strong arm' 'Kelly, at Wood's Gymnasium in New York, after which feat he was brought to face Steve Taylor, the champion of Jersey city. After their first bout at the Turner's Hall New York, Taylor was not satisfied, so that they had a second trial at the Boston Music Hall, both of which Miller won. He next settled the pretensions of La Bossiere for 400 dollars and the
championship of Canada, at Montreal. He now tackled the redoubtable Johnny Dwyer, who was at that time was hailed as champion of America. The contest toot place at the Central Park Gardens, in New York city, when the Australian was again hailed as victor. The next boxing engagement was with Tom Denny, of Boston, which took place in the Boston Music Hall, Miller was again successful, as he was when he met George Hooke, the middle-weight champion of America in the Terrace Gardens at New York.
At this time Paddy Ryan was in the zenith of his fame and a boxing match was arranged between him and Miller, Madison Square Gardens, New York, was the scene of the contest, 5000 people paying for admission to witness the match, which only lasted three rounds; on conclusion of which Ryan refused to go on, siting an injury. Last but not least come to the world-renowned Joe Goss, who held the championship of the United States at the time. He boxed Miller with coloured gloves, the stakes being a thousand dollars a-side. The contest, which was decided by points, took place at the Maryland Institute, Baltimore, and lasted one hour, at the end of which Miller was declared the winner, having scored 20 points to his opponent's 19. In 1883 he won the heavyweight championship of Australia besting Larry Foley in 40 rounds and while negotiations were underway to travel to America to fight Sullivan, he suffered a serious injury in a wrestling match that ended that proposition. Miller continued to box, chiefly in exhibitions with the like of Jackson, Corbett and Slavin. He died in Baltimore, USA aged 92 years.

 

Pen picture of Harry Laing, one of my top 20;
He entered the pugilistic ranks at an early age. His principal battles have resulted as follows: — His first fight (with the knuckles) was with Mick Dillon, the then champion of New Zealand. The fight lasted a little over one and a half hours, and Laing eventually won. He afterwards fought J. Mitchell at Palmerston (N.Z.) with the knuckles. Mitchell weighed 210 pounds, but Laing beat him in two rounds. His first encounter under the Marquis of Queensberry rules was with J. Lawrie, the Champion of the West Coast, N.Z. They fought in a 24ft ring, and Laing beat him in six rounds. Fought Jim Pettingell for the Championship of New Zealand for J2100, and beat him in seven rounds, knocking him clean out. Beat "Cats" Cunningham in thirteen rounds with one hand, the right being disabled when he entered the ring. Beat 0. Richardson for £150 aside at Wellington, N.Z. Laing never trained for the fight, but knocked him out in the seventh round. Beat Tom Tigg, wagering that he would knock him out inside four rounds for £50. Knocked out Dick Matthews inside four rounds, and on a second meeting beat him in a round and a half.
Fought Frank Slavin, and was beaten by him in five and a half rounds, although he was not knocked out. Met Pettingell again and beat him in the sixth round for £50 aside. Beat Owen Sullivan in Sydney in 44 rounds. Could have beaten him earlier, but stood off and let him do the fighting. Fought Starlight, agreeing to knock him out in 10 rounds, for £100. Beat him in a round and a half. Fought Joe Goddard at the Cumberland Athletic Club, Melbourne, on January 1, 1894, and beat him in 12 rounds.
Laing, a half Maori, was only 32 when he lost both legs in a tragic train accident and died shortly afterwards. He fought at around 182 pounds and stood 5-11.