The lightweight division provided fans with a potpourri of upsets, excitement and intrigue. The incomparable Bat Mullins became the first fighter in the lightweight division to surpass 40 career fights, as he stepped into the ring eight times in 1885. Despite the fact that he failed in both his attempts to win a title, losing in the Chilton Cup final via disqualification, then later dropping a close split decision to Arthur chambers for the EBU lightweight title, he is still considered by many to be the finest lightweight active in the world today.
Martin Snee became the first reigning Chilton Cup Champion to lose a fight after the tournament, as he was blasted out by Bill Mahan in nine rounds on March 17th. Snee was on borrowed time throughout the Cup competition in the eyes of many, as he was taken fifteen rounds by his first round opponent Marcellus Baker, and another nineteen in his second round match against Arthur Chambers. In fact Snee fought a total of 59 rounds during the tournament, which could easily explain his lackluster performance two months later against Mahan. After scoring the biggest win of his career, Mahan promptly threw away a golden opportunity by getting stopped in the first round by journeyman Colin Rodman in his next outing to sink as quickly as he had risen.
The Championship picture
There was plenty of Championship action in 1885, as regional belts were contested seven times. Slick boxing Horace Leeds was well on his way to the CCBF fighter of the year honors when he defended his USBA title in October against Bill Mullins. Boxing methodically, Leeds entered the eleventh round ahead on all three cards by scores of 97-94, 97-94 and 98-95. At this point he committed what was deemed to be his third blatant foul of the fight, landing a low blow which resulted in his immediate disqualification. Leeds first captured the vacant USBA title by stopping Marcellus Baker in the third round on cuts. A vicious right hand opened a 4 inch gash above Baker's left eye, resulting in a veritable deluge of blood. This promped an immediate stoppage by the referee, who after consulting with the ringside Physician awarded the fight and the Title to Leeds. Taking on Sam Collyer just over three months later, Leeds again boxed effectively, using a crisp jab and tight defense to take a lackluster unanimous decision, setting up the fateful defense against the "other" Mullins.
In direct contrast to Leeds, CABO lightweight champion Harry Gilmore engaged in two exciting championship tilts, including the CCBF lightweight fight of the year against fellow canuck George Fulljames. Contested for the vacant CABO title in May, this fight saw both combatants engage in vicious toe to toe action. The end came suddenly as a blistering combination knocked Fulljames cold at the three minute mark of the seventh round, the referee reaching the 10 count just as the bell rang. In Gilmore's first defense he battered a game, but overmatched Ruben Guzman, finally pounding him into submission in the eighth round at the 2:29 mark. Referee Hubert Earle had no choice but to step in and stop the bout, with Guzman helpless, slumped in the corner as Gilmore blazed away with both hands.
CCBF fighter of the year Arthur Chambers gained the honor largely on the strength of two difficult EBU title fights against Bat Mullins, from whom he captured a close split decision, followed by an equally close majority verdict over the rugged Billy Edwards. The Mullins fight will undoubtedly result in a rematch as there was little to choose between the two men through most of the scrap, with conditioning being the slight deciding factor. In his first defense against Edwards, Chambers had to survive an early cut as the challenger opened up his left eye in the second round. The wound proved troublesome as it was reopened three times and was coming under close scrutiny by the time the fight ended. APBF champion James Isworth is a largely unknown commodity. His title winning performance against Australian Jack Hall being his only start in 1885. The Jamaican boxer will be either validated or exposed in the Chilton Cup, as his first round opponent will be former USBA champion Horace Leeds.
Odds and Ends
Jem Carney started his career losing four of his first six fights. However, after an October 1880 defeat at the hands of George Taylor, Carney was four years without a loss entering 1885 with a record of 9-4-2 (4). In his first Chilton Cup match, Carney quickly gained revenge over Billy Edwards, who defeated him in his pro debut with a UD-8 in the first round, before losing his second round match against Bat Mullins. From this point it was all downhill as Carney was stopped in two arounds by trialhorse Derek Green in his next outing. (The CCBF co-upset of the year in the LW division) Carney rebounded against Andrew Burt with an 8 round stoppage, but closed the year in poor form losing via third round knockout to Jack Nicholson. In 1886 Carney is facing an uncertain future. The one time Chilton cup contender is now ranked 46th in the world, as whispers abound that he is washed up after only twenty pro fights.
Looking Ahead
The 1886 Chilton Cup holds plenty of intrigue for the boxing fan. No fewer than five of the entrants are given a better shot at capturing the prestigious honor than current Champion Martin Snee. This includes Bat Mullins, Arthur Chambers, Horace Leeds, Harry Gilmore and Billy Edwards. One can never count Snee out after last year's performance, though the odds are long we will see a repeat next year. Perhaps even more anticipated than next year's Cup competition, is the maturation of Irish slugger Jack McAuliffe. Currently sporting a record of 13-1-0 with 12 knockouts, McAuliffe is expected to pose a serious challenge for the Chilton Cup in 1887 and should challenge for the EBU title long before that. Another fighter who has piqued the interest of the boxing community is New Zealander Barney Donovan, who went into his August fight against George Taylor a perfect 10-0. Unfortunately for Donovan, the crafty Taylor was able to stop him in the eighth round which dimmed his luster somewhat. Still many feel he will rebound and raise a ruckus in 1886.