Tombstone Republican 9/15/1883: “Neil McLeod, who is matched to fight Jim Young on the 22nd this month, has sufficiently recovered from his recent indisposition to be again upon the streets. In conversation with his attending physician, Dr. Porter, a reporter learned that his patient was not reduced to any great extent, and barring a relapse would be in good condition to fight at the time agreed upon. It is also learned that McLeod himself confirms this statement. Such being the case, the mill, barring accidents, will come off one week from next Saturday morning.” On October 6th, sponsored by the Police Gazette for the Championship of Arizona. The contestants were Neil McLeod and James Young. It was published as a fight-to-the-finish gloved bout. McLeod weighed 165 pounds with George Hopkins and John Mugan as his seconds. Young weighed approximately 175 pounds with Patsy Triggs and John Rundell as his seconds. Postmaster Fred Brooks served as referee. ROUND 1: McLeod was the more experienced and patient pugilist. Young aggressively threw punches that did not land while McLeod was content to land a couple punches and concentrate on defense. “Young made the first offensive movement, and immediately showed his lack of skill by overhanded slugging that left him entirely at the mercy of the wiry Cornish man had he been disposed to take advantage of the opening.” Neither drew blood as the pugilists clinched to conclude the round. ROUND 2: Young was noticeably fatigued to begin the round. He continued to expend energy. “Young got in two or three licks at McLeod which brought forth the cheers of his friends, but Mac retaliated in good shape by several body thumpers and a sockdologer in the mouth, which made Jim’s teeth fairly rattle.” Pugilism gambling included first blood bets with the round concluding controversially as to whether Young was bleeding. Referee Brooks ruled against McLeod’s gambling supporters. ROUND 3: Young was profusely sweating and nearly depleted of energy. The better skilled pugilist seized the moment offensively to score the first knockdown. “Young’s reckless manner of using his arms allowed McLeod to get one in on his throat, speedily followed by another one under the ear, which turned Jim around so that he fell heavily on his face.” Young arose to his feet, but quickly battered around the ring. “Young only got up to get another square in the face which downed him against the rope and knocked out what game there was still left in him.” ROUND 4: Young wobbled on weak legs to begin the round with hands down without defensive protection. McLeod aggressively attempted to knock out his overmatched foe. “Young was promptly met by McLeod, who gave him one that sent him backward along the rope, and it was for a second or two doubtful whether he would reach the floor outside or inside the ring, but the heaviness of his feet over balancing the lightness in his head saved him from being knocked out of the ring.” At that point, Young’s seconds displayed mercy by throwing in the sponge. McLeod – TKO 4. The Cornish pugilist won several hundred dollars for the victory, along with the Arizona boxing championship: “McLeod accepted the Police Gazette tournament medal, on that condition that he would fight twice, but with this proviso, that he will no more enter the ring with a colored man.”
So in the early 1800’s, low hands was considered defensively negligent? Interesting, considering how many critiques you hear about old fighters not knowing that they need to keep their hands up.
Without a doubt. A lot of people judge fighters based off a criteria that doesn't reflect what the fighter is trying to do and then when you get historical it gets even worse because people don't want to bother with the history or lineage of training. So their judgment criteria ends up reflecting their modern ideals more than the fighter's theory. In the 1880s it's safe to say if you go around without any worry about guard or defense you're likely to end up dead at some point. I do not think there is a dirtier time in boxing history than the 1800s. You had to worry about being slammed on your head, suffocated, and being stabbed or slashed by four inch steel cleats just to name a few borderline moves. It was never legal to elbow drop a man, but if you pushed him over and fell on top of him there was nothing wrong with that, inversely if his cleated feet happened to stab your leg on the way down there was nothing wrong with that either. Guard, footwork, body movement, it's all there by the 1800s. You have to go to the 1760's and 70's for the stagnant just standing there beating each other sort of boxing to be the most common. Before that they were fencing with fists and used swordplay style defense. After that Mendoza lays the groundwork for what evolves into Mayweather.
