Jim Driscoll, Johnny Kilbane, Abe Attell, and Johnny Dundee: Rank em and Rate em.

I'd rank them: Attell, Driscoll, Dundee, Kilbane, in that order. Explaining why would take too much time though, which I don't have.

 

Anarci-level thread.

 

Senya, could you make a case to rank Driscoll over Attell. I imagine the crux of it would be their fight. I agree with you though Abell should rank ahead.

 

Not all reporters picked Driscoll over Attell, pretty much depends what style of boxing you prefer. Bat Masterson of NY Morning Telegraph picked Attell. So did the NY Herald. Some of the sports who were at ringside:
JACK M'GUIGAN, the Philadelphia referee: If the bout had ended in the eighth round I don't think there would be any questioning Attell's right to the decision. In the last two rounds Driscoll kind of evened it up while Attell appeared to be loafing.
JOHNNY OLIVER--I think Attell won. Driscoll had about two rounds, the fifth being his best, but the rest were Attell's on aggressiveness and harder punching.
NAT GOODWIN, the actor--I think it was a good draw. Anything else would be unfair to both boys.
BOB VERNON--Abe put up a great bout, but I think Driscoll shaded him. That wine bath made Driscoll go some in the tenth.
JOE BOWKER, the English fighter--Jem won in 'andy fashion. It was a lively mess, eh?
CHARLEY WHITE, the referee--It was one of the classiest bouts I have officiated at for years. Who won? Why, I wouldn't tell you if I knew.
"BIG TIM" SULLIVAN--It was pretty close, but I think Attell won. He did all the forcing.
"BAT" MASTERSON--Attell won beyond a doubt. Driscoll did little or no forcing. Attell had to do it all. His punches were the harder, too.
BILLY LONG--Attell won? Driscoll won? You can't prove it by me. I am not so good as that, to pick a winner from those too babies.
JOE HUMPHRIES--It was a nip and tuck thing. A draw about hits it.
CHARLEY HARVEY, Driscoll's manager--Nothing to it. Jem walked in and at that he wasn't just right.
JIMMIE JOHNSON, Charley Harvey's manager--Driscoll won all the way after the first round, when he hadn't warmed up. He hit Attell 3 to 1.
HERBERT WILEY--To be brief, Driscoll won.
GENE WOOD--I would call the session a draw.
HARRY MARATHON POLLOK--I have to hand it to Harvey's champion.
BILLY GIBSON, of the Fairmont A. C.--Great fight all right. Driscoll is my decision.
GENE M'GUIRE, the Bronx's most popular citizen--If it wasn't a draw it was Driscoll.
JOHN CONSIDINE--Attell won, five to one.
GEORGE CONSIDINE--Attell won.
YOUNG CORBETT--I think Attell won.
OWEN MORAN--Driscoll won. Attell was bad.

 

The report I read, NY Times had it clear for Driscoll. I didnt know how close it was. Thanks.

Sort of an accepted, wrongly, boxing myth that Driscoll won easily.

 

Well, the majority of newspapers gave it to Driscoll. But some sports disagreed, as I quoted above.

Newspaper decision for Driscoll from H. P. Burchell (NY Times), William P. McLoughlin (NY World), Robert Edgren (NY Evening World), H. D. Cashman (NY American), NY Sun, NY Evening Telegram, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Washington Post, Cleveland Plain Dealer, AP ("Driscoll had a shade the better of the contest").

Newspaper decision for Attell from NY Herald, Bat Masterson (NY Morning Telegraph).

Article in January 1946 The Ring magazine lists the following New York newspapers scoring for Driscoll: Evening Journal, Evening World, Times, Tribune, Press, Morning World, Sun, American, Evening Mail; Brooklyn Times scored it a draw; Morning Telegraph gave decision to Attell.

 

Wonderful insight thanks for posting it.
It's folk lore in the UK that Driscoll was robbed.
Attell said he boxed with the cuffs on so as to win a return, and a big gamble,we'll never know.