It seems that Gans got the better of the fight but a draw was rendered. According to boxrec, the referee actually scored the fight in Gans's favour, 7-5 (8 even) but adjusted his scoring to take into account Walcott's superior aggression. Any details anyone? Also, what was the story with the weights here? I understand that it was fought at a catchweight of 138, but Walcott's weight is listed at 140 - however I have read that Walcott was supposed to pay a forfeit if he came in over 138, and that this didn't happen - what is the story there? Finally, the 147 title was not at stake - anyone know why? Was this anything to do with weight issues?
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066387/1904-10-01/ed-1/seq-11/;words=/ - The day after fight report from the SF Call The same paper also reports on the previous day that the fight was to be held at the limit of 141 pounds, and gives Walcott's reason for not putting the title up due to him winning it at 142 pounds. For whatever that's worth.
The referee, Jack Welch: "My decision of a draw was a just one. Gans had the shade better of the fight, but Walcott made up for it with aggressive tactics. He was after Gans all the way. Both men were on their feet and fighting hard at the end of the 20th round. Gans is a marvel for his cleverness and Walcott seems to have lost none of his old vim. I know many people believe I gave a bad decision, but my concscious does not trouble me...Walcott lead as often as Gans. Gans may have shown greater cleverness than Walcott, but his lead was not sufficient to earn him a decision. I kept a close tab on the rounds, and I thought at the end it was an even thing."
Young Corbett, the former featherweight champion, described the Walcott fight as an eyewitness two years later, Boston Globe Sep. 1, 1906, “Walcott, the way he was a couple of years ago (before his gun accident), could have whipped any of the present crop of heavyweights. Yet out in Frisco, I saw Gans fight Walcott to a standstill. Walcott was given a draw, but it was a fierce decision. Gans mastered him and out punched him all the way.” Gans fought welterweight champion Joe Walcott, the original, rated as the # 1 welter of all time by Nat Fleischer in 1958, to a 15 round draw which most thought Gans won. The San Francisco Chronicle called it “a grand battle as fast and furious as any ever held in a San Francisco ring”, Oct 1, 1904. According to eyewitness accounts this fight could be described as an Ali-Frazier like battle with Gans jab dominating the first rounds before the stout Walcott came on with strong body punches in the early middle rounds. In the 10th, Gans was “fast on his feet out-jabbing Walcott and not letting him get set.” The next rounds were repeats with Gans out boxing the tough Walcott. The 13th through 16th saw toe- to- toe action that was evenly fought with both fighters trying for a knockout. The last four rounds saw Gans in complete control of the tempo of the bout as he violently snapped Walcott’s head back with jabs and straight right hands, “in such a manner as it took the house by storm.” “The decision was not well received by many of the spectators who seemed of the opinion that Gans should have been favored,” Boston Globe, Oct 1, 1904
