HBF Redux

[Lee]

I have recreated the groups lost when I updated the Database so we will try this again

Same rules will apply as previously posted. The histories have been built up again and as we commence in January of 1911 we have 8 contenders set to embark on an elimination tournament to crown the first world Champion. There are currently 67 Fighters in the Universe including those who will be making there debuts in 1911, notables among this group include Harry Wills, Jess Willard and Luther McCarty. I have run Decembers fights and will post the first issue of Fistania Gazette this evening. I believe I have worked out all the Bugs so it should be smooth from here.

The final 8 in the elimination tournament are:
John L Sullivan
Bob Fitzsimmons
Sam Langford
Peter Jackson
James Corbett
Jack Johnson
James Jeffries
Sam McVey

[Lee]

 HBF Top 15



World Champion-Vacant	



Top 15                                  W-L-D (KO)             Last Month

1-James Jeffries                      	15-0-0 (11)	        -

2-Jack Johnson                        	25-0-0 (16)       	-

3-Bob Fitzsimmons                	16-0-0 (10)       	-

4-Sam Langford                      	12-0-0 (11)      	-

5-Tom Sharkey                        	9-1-0 (8)        	-

6-Peter Jackson                       	14-1-1 (9)        	-

7-John L Sullivan                   	14-2-0 (14)       	-

8-Frank Moran                        	14-1-0 (7)         	-

9-James Corbett                      	11-3-0 (4)         	-

10-Kid Norfolk                       	23-3-0 (14)        	-

11-Sam McVey                       	21-1-0 (14)       	-

12-Jake Kilrain                       	10-2-0 (7)          	-

13-Joe Jeannette                      	20-1-0 (9)         	-

14-Jack Root                           	11-4-0 (4)         	-

15-Leo Houck                         	12-2-1 (3)        	-

Dropped out:

N/A



European Champion-Vacant	North American Champion-Vacant

December Results

London, England
James Jeffries W 12 Sam McVey (First round World Title tournament bout)
Jack Root KO 8 Gunboat Smith
Peter Maher DQ 8 Charley Mitchell
Bombardier Wells W10 Joe Lannon
Denver Ed Smith W 8 Irish Pat Duncan
Boer Rodell KO 8 Sailor Jack Carroll

Notes: James Jeffries used his strength and aggression knocking down Sam McVey 4 times en-route to a unanimous decision, despite McVey landing the greater number of punches. Jack Root swarmed Gunboat Smith forcing Ref Art Donovan to step in and halt the bout due to swelling in the 8th. Peter Maher secured a place in the upcoming bout for the vacant European title against a yet to be determined opponent.

San Francisco, California
Jack Johnson W 12 James Corbett (First round World Title tournament bout)
Kid Norfolk W 10 Leo Houck
Denver Ed Martin W 10 Mike Schreck
Frank Slavin W 10 Battling Jim Johnson
Harry Wills KO 1 Tony Ross
Joe Cox KO 3 Arthur Pelkey

Notes: In a brilliant display of Boxing Jack Johnson rallied to edge James Corbett by taking the last 3 rounds to escape with a narrow majority decision. Kid Norfolk won his 8th in a row after being upset by Ed Smith with a hard fought decision over Leo Houck who has now lost 2 of 4 after going undefeated in his first 11 bouts. Harry Wills made his pro debut in impressive fashion blasting Tony Ross to the canvas 3 times scoring a first round TKO.

Atlantic City, New Jersey
Tom Sharkey KO 6 Tommy Burns
Frank Moran KO 2 Fireman Jim Flynn
Charles Horn KO 9 Victor McLaglen
Joe Grim W10 Tom Kennedy
Jess Willard KO 2 Al Benedict
Luther McCarty KO 5 Jim Stewart

Notes: After being out-boxed for 4 rounds Tom Sharkey landed a brutal right hand that turned the tide of fight, going on to pound Burns into submission as referee Larry Hazzard was forced to stop the carnage midway through round 6. Frank Moran jumped into the rankings with an impressive 2 round dismantling of Fireman Jim Flynn. Jess Willard and Luther McCarty both debuted with inside the distance stoppages on the undercard.

January Fight Schedule

Hanover Germany
Sam Langford 12-0-0 (11) VS Peter Jackson 14-1-1 (9) 12 (World Title tournament bout)
Jim Barry 9-7-1 (6) VS Andre Anderson 4-7-0 (2) 10
Marvin Hart 6-9-0 (3) VS Jack Palmer 2-6-0 (2) 10
Denver Jack Geyer 4-13-1 (1) VS Al Kaufman 3-6-0 (3) 10
Jess Willard 1-0-0 (1) VS Joe Lannon 1-14-0 (0) 8
Carl Morris 2-7-0 (1) VS Tom McMahon 2-6-0 (1) 8

Reno Nevada
Jake Kilrain 10-2-0 (7) VS Gunner Moir 5-6-0 (1) 10
Joe Jeannette 20-1-0 (9) VS Joe Goddard 4-10-0 (2) 10
Tom Cowler 6-7-0 (3) VS Joe Choynski 2-8-1 (0) 10
Jim Savage 6-8-0 (5) VS Willie Meehan 3-8-0 (0) 10
Porky Flynn 4-11-0 (1) VS Bill Lang 5-9-1 (1) 8
Dan Daily 0-0-0 VS Jim Johnson 1-14-1 (0) 8

New York City, New York
John L Sullivan 14-2-0 (14) VS Bob Fitzsimmons 16-0-0 (10) 12 (World Title tournament bout)
Tom Sharkey 9-1-0 (8) VS Bob Armstrong 7-8-0 (3) 10
Gus Ruhlin 4-7-0 (4) VS Jack Munroe 4-14-0 (3) 10
Boer Rodel 5-10-0 (4) VS Soldier Kearns 3-11-1 (1) 10
Harry Wills 1-0-0 (1) VS Bill Squires 2-12-0 (1) 8
Al Palzer 0-0-0 VS Jem Roche 0-11-0 (0) 8

Fighter of the Month
Tom Sharkey 9-1-0 (8) vaults into the rankings with his 6th round stoppage of Tommy Burns taking all the Canadian had to offer for 4 rounds before rallying to gain the victory.

Fight of the Month
Jack Johnson W 12 James Corbett-A boxing aficionados dream as the two fighters played out a brisk game of mental chess on the blood stained canvas of the Cow Palace Ring. In the end the superior conditioning of Johnson, who has occasionally come into fights out of shape, prevailed as the big Texan came on strong in the last 3 rounds to snatch a sure victory from Corbett’s grasp.

[Lee]

Cowler named to fight for European Title!!

The Cumberland Giant, Tom Cowler 6-7-0 (3) has been selected to oppose Peter Maher for the European Heavyweight title in March. The European representative issued a press release stating "We feel at this time Mr. Cowler is the most worthy opponent for Peter Maher with both Bob Fitzsimmons and Peter Jackson being involved in the World Championship tournament. The bout will be held in England at yet to be disclosed location, but is sure to be a raucous affair that promises to attract rabid supporters for both Men, particularly the loyal Irish fans who have dubbed themselves Maher's Mob. Also being negotiated at press time is a second round World tournament bout with promoters being hopeful of a Bob Fitzsimmons/Peter Jackson matchup.

[Lee]

Fistania Gazette February 1911

 HBF Top 15



World Champion-Vacant	



Top 15                                   Record	        Last Month

1-James Jeffries                      	15-0-0 (11)	        1

2-Sam Langford                        	13-0-0 (12)       	4

3-Jack Johnson                	        25-0-0 (16)	        2

4-Bob Fitzsimmons                      	17-0-0 (10)	        3

5-Tom Sharkey                        	10-1-0 (8)        	5

6-Frank Moran                        	14-1-0 (7)         	8

7-James Corbett                   	11-3-0 (4)	        9

8-Jake Kilrain                        	11-2-0 (8)	        12

9-Kid Norfolk                       	23-3-0 (14)        	10

10-Sam McVey                       	21-1-0 (14)       	11

11-Joe Jeannette                      	21-1-0 (10)         	13

12-John L Sullivan                      14-3-0 (14)	        7

13-Peter Jackson                      	14-2-1 (9)	        6

14-Jack Root                           	11-4-0 (4)         	14

15-Leo Houck                         	12-2-1 (3)        	15

Dropped out:

N/A



European Champion-Vacant	North American Champion-Vacant

January results
Hanover, Germany
Sam Langford KO 11 Peter Jackson (first round World tournament bout)
Jim Barry KO 2 Andre Anderson
Marvin Hart W 10 Jack Palmer
Al Kaufman W 10 Denver Jack Geyer
Joe Lannon KO 6 Jess Willard
Tom McMahon W 8 Carl Morris

Notes: An epic main event with Jackson continually frustrating the shorter Langford throughout, doing just enough to capture the majority of the early rounds, many close. Langford finally caught up to Jackson in the 10th administering a tremendous beating. A battered, exhausted Jackson was unable to survive the 11th with the ringside Doctor stopping the bout. Jim Barry needs to step up in class after belting out an overmatched Andre Anderson in 2, a rematch with hard luck Joe Choynski could main event on the west coast. Jess Willard shocked in his 2nd pro fight, stopped on cuts by journeyman Lannon. Big Jess had his way until he was cut badly in the fourth over his left eye, the crimson never stopped finally forcing the stoppage, though he was ahead on all cards.

Reno, Nevada
Jake Kilrain KO 7 Gunner Moir
Joe Jeannette KO 1 Joe Goddard
Joe Choynski W 10 Tom Cowler
Jim Savage W 10 Willie Meehan
Bill Lang W 8 Porky Flynn
Dan Daily W 8 Jim Johnson

Notes: Gunner Moir boxed smartly and for 4 rounds looked in a position to steal the fight. The 5th saw Moir down for the first time and Kilrain took over, pouring it on until a neatly placed left hook but the game Brit down for good with 54 seconds left in the 7th. Joe Jeannette barely broke a sweat dispatching Joe Goddard with a single, violent right hand that nearly decapitated Goddard lees than 2 minutes into the 1st round. Tom Cowlers loss to Joe Choynski, now means Frank Slavin will oppose Peter Maher for the European title, despite sporting a record of only 3-3-0. Dan daily won his debut in a snoozer over Jim Johnson.

New York, New York
Bob Fitzsimmons W 12 John L Sullivan (first round World tournament bout)
Tom Sharkey W 10 Bob Armstrong
Gus Ruhlin W 10 Jack Munroe
Soldier Kearns W 10 Boer Rodel
Harry Wills KO 3 Bill Squires
Al Palzer W 8 Jem Roche

Notes: Madison Square Garden has seldom seen the likes of the Sullivan/Fitzsimmons donnybrook. Coming into the fight in as good as shape as anyone can remember Sullivan matched the smaller, quicker Fitz blow for blow. The two tore into each other with frightening ferocity, though neither was able to put the other down. Leading through 9, Sullivan finally wore out in the 10th and Fitzsimmons carried the final 3 rounds en route to a razor thin unanimous decision. This one screams for a part 2 down the round as both men fought like Gladiators. Tom Sharkey took a close decision over tough Bob Armstrong. The sailor is now rolling with victories over Tommy Burns and Choynski in the two fights prior to this. Harry Wills has started heads turning after his 2nd straight annihilation taking out Bill Squires in 3. He may be ready for 10 rounders already.

February Fight Schedule

Los Angeles, California
James Jeffries 15-0-0 (11) VS Jack Johnson 25-0-0 (16) 12 (Semi-Final World Title tournament)
Kid Norfolk 23-3-0 (14) VS Charles Horn 7-6-2 (4) 10
Jack Root 11-4-0 (4) VS Joe Grim 4-10-1 (1)
Harry Wills 2-0-0 (2) VS Arthur Pelkey 2-9-0 (0) 10
Victor McLaglen 2-15-0 (2) VS Tony Ross 2-8-0 (1) 8
Jewey Smith 0-0-0 VS Jem Roche 0-12-0 (0) 8


Sydney, Australia
Frank Moran 14-1-0 (7) VS Denver Ed Martin 8-8-0 (4) 10
Gunboat Smith 6-7-1 (1) VS Fireman Jim Flynn 4-6-0 (3) 10
Bombardier Wells 6-10-0 (3) VS Charley Mitchell 4-8-0 (2) 10
Denver Ed Smith 5-9-0 (2) VS Jack Munroe 4-16-0 (3) 10
Luther McCarty 1-0-0 (1) VS Sailor Jack Carroll 2-9-0 (1) 8
Tom Kennedy 0-1-0 (0) VS Jim Stewart 0-21-0 (0) 8


Fighter of the Month
Sam Langford 13-0-0 (12) who vaults to #2 in the rankings with a gutsy come from behind stoppage of wily Peter Jackson, shares the honor with Bob Fitzsimmons 17-0-0 (10) after Ruby Roberts war of attrition slugfest win over John L Sullivan.

Fight of the Month
Bob Fitzsimmons W 12 John L Sullivan-This fight appealed to the morbidly curious in everyone as the two determined Bangers traded leather for the entire fight with both men giving and taking unbelievable punishment throughout the fight. Despite the intense level of violence neither man tasted the Canvas, or their own blood and it was a slight edge in conditioning that gave the nod to Fitz.

[Lee]

Sam McVey 21-1-0 (14) will square off against Sailor Tom Sharkey 10-1-0 (8) to determine the first North American Champion at Caesars palace on March 27th. Though currently ranked higher than McVey, there are some that question if the tough ex Navy man is ready to tackle the more experienced McVey. "Sam has not fought more rounds but I feel my competition level is just as strong. He will have to stand up to my punches like anyone else" Indeed the heavy handed Sharkey will test the chin of McVey if he can penetrate his stout defense.

[Lee]

Fistania Gazette March 1911

 HBF Top 15

World Champion-Vacant



Top 15                                     Record             Last Month

1-James Jeffries                      	16-0-0 (12)	        1

2-Sam Langford                        	13-0-0 (12)       	2

3-Bob Fitzsimmons                      	17-0-0 (10)             4

4-Tom Sharkey                        	10-1-0 (8)        	5

5-Frank Moran                        	15-1-0 (8)         	6

6-Kid Norfolk                       	24-3-0 (15)        	9

7-James Corbett                   	11-3-0 (4)	        7

8-Jack Johnson	                        25-1-0 (16)             3

9-Jake Kilrain                        	11-2-0 (8)	        8

10-Sam McVey                       	21-1-0 (14)       	10

11-Joe Jeannette                      	21-1-0 (10)         	11

12-John L Sullivan                      14-3-0 (14)	        12

13-Peter Jackson                      	14-2-1 (9)              13

14-Jack Root                           	12-4-0 (4)         	14

15-Leo Houck                         	12-2-1 (3)        	15

Dropped out:

N/A



European Champion-Vacant	North American Champion-Vacant

February results

Los Angeles, California
James Jeffries KO 7 Jack Johnson (Semi-Final World Title tournament)
Kid Norfolk KO 7 Charles Horn
Jack Root W 10 Joe Grim
Harry Wills KO 4 Arthur Pelkey
Victor McLaglen W 8 Tony Ross
Jewey Smith D 8 Gem Roche

Notes: Controversy swirled around the main event with Ref Davey Pearl at the center. After trading the first two rounds, Johnson behind the Jab and Jeffries with his strength, the Galveston Giant took over. Johnson, learning from the second round worked angles and moved in and out behind his Jab taking rounds 3-5 comfortably. In the 6th Johnson picked it up and hammered Jeffries along the ropes prompting many to wonder how the Nevada strongman could remain upright. Jeffries looked fit, but frustrated as the 7th started and he promptly walked into a Johnson hook that dropped him for an 8 count. Upon rising Johnson swarmed Jeffries, inflicting horrendous punishment, Jeffries, in desperation uncorked a hook that caught Johnson under his right eye, staggering him and opening up a cut to the bone. The Blood actually appeared to spurt from the wound, prompting Pearl to step in even as Jeffries was on the verge of being knocked out. After a quick inspection Pearl waved the fight off and declared the battered Jeffries the winner!!! A near riot ensued and Pearl had to be escorted from the Ring by Police as Johnson was restrained by security. The HBF commission ordered an immediate investigation at the request of Johnson’s handlers. Charles Horn fought on even terms with Kid Norfolk for a round, then it was all Kid, with the exception of round 5 Norfolk dominated the bigger Horn, knocking him down once, and reducing his face to a bruised, bloody mess. Despite a game effort Horn was unable to answer the Bell for the seventh round giving the Kid the TKO victory. Harry wills continued his hot start stopping an overmatched Pelkey in 4.

Sydney, Australia
Frank Moran KO 4 Denver Ed Martin
Gunboat Smith W 10 Fireman Jim Flynn
Charley Mitchell W 10 Bombardier Wells
Jack Munroe KO 6 Denver Ed Smith
Luther McCarty W 8 Sailor Jack Carroll
Jim Stewart W 8 Tom Kennedy

Notes: Though a much lower profile card than its Los Angeles counterpart, the Sydney card offered some good action as The Pittsburgh Dentist, Frank Moran took Denver Ed Smith out in 4 in the main event. Moran was clearly better throughout, dropping Smith with a crisp Hook towards the end of the 3rd round. Martin came out in the 4th trying to get back into the fray but walked into a trip-hammer straight left hand the dropped him on his back for the 10 count. Gunboat Smith bounced back from consecutive stoppage losses to capture a dominant 10 round decision from Jim Flynn in the Semi. Smith looked better than he has since his 10 round draw with highly ranked Peter Jackson, dropping Flynn in the 2nd, 6th, 9th and 10th rounds, as well as opening up a horrific gash over his right Eye. Flynn hung on as the Bell rang in round 10, earning applause from the crowd for his gameness.



March Fight Schedule

London, England
Bob Fitzsimmons 17-0-0 (10) VS Sam Langford 13-0-0 (12) 12 (Semi-Final World Title)
Peter Maher 8-6-1 (4) VS Frank Slavin 3-3-0 (2) 12 (European Title)
Bill Lang 6-9-1 (1) VS Tom Cowler 6-8-0 (3) 10
Joe Choynski 3-8-1 (0) VS Bill Squires 2-13-0 (1) 10
Irish Pat Duncan 2-15-1 (1) VS Jack Palmer 2-7-0 (2) 8
Jess Willard 1-1-0 (1) VS Battling Jim Johnson 1-15-1 (0) 8

Las Vegas, Nevada
Sam McVey 21-1-0 (14) VS Tom Sharkey 10-1-0 (8) 12 (North American Title)
Tommy Burns 19-4-0 (13) VS Joe Goddard 4-11-0 (2) 10
Jim Savage 7-8-0 (5) VS Carl Morris 2-8-0 (1) 10
Al Kaufman 4-6-0 (3) VS Soldier Kearns 4-11-1 (1) 10
Boer Rodel 5-11-0 (4) VS Willie Meehan 3-9-0 (0) 8
Al Palzer 1-0-0 (0) VS Dan Flynn 4-12-0 (1) 8

Chicago, Illinois
Jake Kilrain 11-2-0 (8) VS Leo Houck 12-2-1 (3) 10
Bob Armstrong 7-9-0 (3) VS Marvin Hart 7-9-0 (3) 10
Harry Wills 3-0-0 (3) VS Tom McMahon 3-6-0 (1) 10
Gus Ruhlin 5-7-0 (4) VS Andre Anderson 4-8-0 (2) 10
Dan Daily 1-0-0 (0) VS Gem Roche 0-12-1 (0) 8
Denver Jack Geyer 4-14-1 (1) VS Joe Lannon 2-14-0 (1) 8

[Mark42661]

I'm enjoying following along with this quite a bit. Good job. It's nice to see Jeffries at the top of the rankings. He's one of my favorite fighters from that era and I feel usually under-rated among the all-time greats.

Mark

[vistaman44]

Lannon over Willard was a surprise, as are the records of Hart, Roche and BJ Johnson. This is a very interesting read. Thanks, Lee.

[Lee]

Lannon was a shocker, but Willard had controlled the fight easily before the Cut occurred, a definite rematch will be in order here.

Hart has become the Freddy Roach of the Sim, fighting all the best and always coming up just short. He won his first three, then embarked on a brutal 5 bout stretch being KO'd in successive fights by Jack Johnson, Leo Houck and Bob Fitzsimmons. He then lost a rematch to Houck vis decision and was stopped by Langford. He has also been stopped by Tommy Burns, lost a second fight by decision to Johnson and lost a close split decision to Gunboat Smith. He has won 3 of his last 4 however and the upcoming fight with Armstrong will be huge for him.

Roche has also had a tough road to Ho. He has decision losses to Jack Root, Frank Moran and Tommy Burns among others, and has been stopped by Moran, Hart, Fitzsimmons, Kid Norfolk and Jack Johnson. He has incidentally fought BJ Johnson who captured a 10 round decision.

[vistaman44]

I wondered who Johnson managed to beat. He must have had a tough schedule, too.

[Lee]

Battling Jim has had a murderous schedule. The win against Roches was his pro debut, he followed that up with a draw against Irish Pat Duncan and has since reeled off a 15 bout losing streak, falling via decision to the likes of Gunboat Smith, Sam Langford, Jack Root, Bob Fitzsimmons (twice), Peter Jackson, Leo Houck (Who is the surprise of the sim) Joe Jeannette and Frank Slavin. He has only been stopped 4 times by Langford, Sam McVey, James Jeffries and Jim Savage. An impressive resume to say the least for an opponent.

[Lee]

Fistania Gazette April 1911

 HBF Top 15

World Champion-Vacant



Top 15                                     Record             Last Month

1-James Jeffries                      	16-0-0 (12)	        1

2-Sam Langford                        	14-0-0 (12)       	2

3-Tom Sharkey                         	10-2-0 (8)              4

4-Frank Moran                         	15-1-0 (8)        	5

5-Bob Fitzsimmons                    	17-1-0 (10)         	3

6-Jake Kilrain                       	11-3-0 (8)        	9

7-Kid Norfolk                   	24-3-0 (15)	        6

8-Jim Corbett	                        11-3-0 (4)              7

9-Sam McVey                        	22-1-0 (14)	        10

10-Jack Johnson                      	25-1-0 (16)       	8

11-Joe Jeannette                      	21-1-0 (10)         	11

12-John L Sullivan                      14-3-0 (14)	        12

13-Peter Jackson                      	14-2-1 (9)              13

14-Jack Root                           	12-4-0 (4)         	14

15-Leo Houck                         	13-2-1 (3)        	15

Dropped out:

N/A



European Champion-Peter Maher 

North American Champion-Sam McVey

March results

London, England
Sam Langford W 12 Bob Fitzsimmons (Semi-Final World Title)
Peter Maher W 12 Frank Slavin (Wins European Title)
Tom Cowler KO 4 Bill Lang
Joe Choynski KO 5 Bill Squires
Jack Palmer KO 5 Irish Pat Duncan
Jess Willard W 8 Battling Jim Johnson

Notes: 47,000 hearty spectators braved the cold, drizzly weather to rock Wembley stadium as the inaugural European Champion was crowned as well as the second finalist for the World Title. In the main event Sam Langford started fast jolting Fitzsimmons with uppercuts and hard right hands throughout the first round. Fitz stood in and answered best he could backing Langford up early in round 2 before being dropped by a paralyzing hook to the liver. After a close 3rd, Langford dropped Ruby Robert again in the 4th with an accumulation of pinpoint bombs and had referee Steve Smoger close to stopping the bout at the bell. Fitzsimmons responded with the heart of a Lion in the 5th, taking the round in frenzied 3 minute session of toe-to-toe warfare that had the frigid crowd worked into a lather. From This point Langford moved outside and gave Fitz a steady dose of leather from rounds 6-10. Though outgunned the game Aussie came forward and was able to jolt Langford on several occasions but could never capitalize. Fitzsimmons made a last gasp rally in the 11th but had no steam behind his offerings at this point. Langford punctuated the fight sending Fitzsimmons to the canvas for the 3rd time in the 11th, but again he pulled himself up and traded punches with Langford as the startled Canuck seemed to wonder what would keep his opponent horizontal for 10 seconds. As the fight ended the crowd stood and cheered in unison, as much for the courage of Fitz, as for the dominating performance of Langford. Sam will now face James Jeffries in May for the World Title. Peter Maher captured the European crown in a surprisingly close fight against the inexperienced Frank Slavin, who was fighting in only his 7th pro contest. The fighter split the first two rounds, both showing a willingness to trade leather at close quarters. Slavin silenced the rabid pro Maher crowd by rocking the Irishman constantly in rounds 3 and 4. Coming out with supreme confidence in the 5th stanza Slavin walked into a thunderclap combination that dropped him on his back for a six count. Maher then took over carrying the next 3 rounds with a swarming attack, as Slavin fought to regain momentum in the 8th and 9th. In the 10th a brutal exchange was capped by a Slavin hook that turned Maher’s legs to jelly. The Irishman barely lasted the round and looked finished, however Slavin was also shot and could not capitalize as Maher had the edge in the final 2 rounds to take the duke. Tom Cowler got back into contention for a shot at Maher with a 4 round execution of Bill Lang that saw Lang unconscious for nearly 4 minutes at the conclusion. He may have to wait however as a Tom Sharkey/Maher Matchup would sell out the country of Ireland and looks like the first defense for the new Champion, now that Sharkey has reinstated his citizenship in the Emerald Isle.

Las Vegas, Nevada
Sam McVey W 12 Tom Sharkey (Wins North American Title)
Tommy Burns KO 10 Joe Goddard
Carl Morris KO 8 Jim Savage
Al Kaufman KO 7 Soldier Kearns
Boer Rodel W 8 Willie Meehan
Dan Flynn W 8 Al Palzer

Notes: It was a tale of two fights as Sam McVey came out sleep walking through the first 3 rounds allowing Sharkey to take the fight to him as it seemed he was unable to get off against the tough Irishman. After being jolted and knocked into the ropes at the end of the 3rd, McVey came to life and carried 5 of the next 6 rounds boxing smartly from the outside and nullifying Sharkey’s superior power moving in and out smartly. The only time McVey stood to trade was in round 5 and he paid by being given the best seat in the house as a Sharkey right decked him, this was the last time McVey would trade with Sailor Tom. Sharkey bleeding from a cut under his left eye cornered McVey briefly in the 10th but could not land the kill shot as Sam danced and jabbed his way from danger. McVey peppered the exhausted Sharkey over the final 2 rounds to cement the decision and take the North American title. Shortly after the bout Sharkey announced that he would be reinstating his citizenship in Ireland, purportedly to pursue the European title and big dollar match with Peter Maher. It is the feeling here that this was done because the European title is Sharkey’s best chance for gold as Sharkey, though a ferocious puncher, has his limited boxing skills exposed against the top tier fighters. Tommy Burns used his hook to batter, bloody and drop Joe Goddard twice over the first 9 rounds of their semi-main tilt. The fireplug Canadian terminated the fight midway through the 10th when yet another halcyon hook that deposited Goddard face down in a state of slumber as Ref Mills Lane tolled the fatal 10. In a mild upset Carl Morris, loser of 8 of his 10 bouts took out Jim Savage with a single hellacious uppercut in round 8 of their 10 round tilt.


Chicago, Illinois
Leo Houck W 10 Jake Kilrain
Bob Armstrong KO 1 Marvin Hart
Harry Wills W 10 Tom McMahon
Andre Anderson W 10 Gus Ruhlin
Dan Daily W 8 Jem Roche
Denver Jack Geyer W 8 Joe Lannon

Notes: As if our great sport needed controversy for second month after the Jeffries/Johnson debacle, suspicion reared its ugly head again. In a fight in which the Fistania Gazette gave Jake Kilrain 7 of the 10 rounds, all three judges apparently read the works of Poe, taking just enough time to give Leo Houck a surprising and undeserved decision over Jake. The rounds were carbon copies throughout, Kilrain pursuing and backing up the evasive Houck, while Leo backpedaled and threw butterfly punches that would nary raise a bruise on an over ripe Banana. Neither fighter was hurt or marked and crowd was relentless in voicing their displeasure for Houck’s tactics and running and holding. In the end it was these tactics that frustrated the eager Kilrain, and got him in trouble with an assortment of fouls, that eventually cost him a point in the 9th. The Judges may have been influenced by his rough tactics just enough to give the close rounds to Houck…..see more on this bout under editors notes-The state of Boxing. Marvin Hart was hoping to climb back into contender’s status as he entered the ring against Bob Armstrong in a crossroads bout for both, the road for Hart now may be to Journeyman Lane as he was hammered into a first round TKO loss, being dropped 3 times before many in the crowd realized the fight had started, perhaps Mr. Hart would have done well to take notice of the Bell as well. Harry Wills continued his hot start winning his 4th straight fight, though Bearcat McMahon was the first to last the distance with the Black Panther.

April Schedule

San Antonio, Texas
Jack Johnson 25-1-0 (16) VS Kid Norfolk 24-3-0 (15) 10
Peter Jackson 14-2-1 (9) VS Jim Barry 10-7-1 (7) 10
Luther McCarty 2-0-0 (1) VS Joe Grim 4-11-1 (1) 10
Gunner Moir 5-7-0 (1) VS Tony Ross 2-9-0 (1) 10
Fireman Jim Flynn 4-7-0 (3) VS Jim Stewart 1-21-0 (0) 8
Al Benedict 0-1-0 (0) VS Sailor Jack Carroll 2-10-0 (1) 8

Paris, France
John L Sullivan 14-3-0 (14) VS Joe Jeannette 21-1-0 (10) 10
James Corbett 11-3-0 (4) VS Mike Schreck 7-10-0 (2) 10
Charley Mitchell 5-8-0 (2) VS Victor McLaglen 3-15-0 (2) 10
Harry Wills 4-0-0 (3) VS Tom Kennedy 0-2-0 (0) 10
Arthur Pelkey 2-10-0 (0) VS Jack Munroe 5-15-0 (4) 8
Joe Cox 1-0-0 (1) VS Jewey Smith 0-0-1 (0) 8

Fighter of the Month
Sam Langford 14-0-0 (12)-His dominating victory over a tough, but outgunned Bob Fitzsimmons established the powerful Canadian as a slight favorite in his bid to capture the Heavyweight Championship of the world this May against James Jeffries. Langford, always known for frightful power displayed his very underrated boxing skills in keeping the determined Fitzsimmons at the end of his punches throughout the fight and served notice that Langford will be heard from for years to come in the division. One observer said he winced from some of the punches Langford tattoed Fitz with and the only thing he found more impressive than their impact, was the fact that the Ruby one finished the bout on his feet.

Fight of the Month
Peter Maher W 12 Frank Slavin-This bout was not expected to be so close, and the inexperienced Aussie gave Maher all he wanted in his bid for the European title. The bout was highlighted by several toe-to toe exchanges that saw both men throw with a ferocity that bordered on desperation at times. Both showed heart and toughness and it was a tilt that kept the audience enamored and set up an equally brutal main event between Langford and Fitzsimmons nicely. Maher’s loyal Irish following added to the electricity and may be credited with giving their man the extra surge of energy he needed to pull out a tremendous battle.

Editors note
Boxing is much maligned and the last two months have demonstrated clearly why our beloved sport solicits such an indignant attitude from so many. After the sham stoppage of the Johnson/Jeffries fight in February, in which Davey Pearl clearly pulled victory from under the cocky Texan, who had Jeffries all but comatose, the HBF itself follows up with a boner of their own that has fans shaking their heads. The April rankings actually reward two Boxers for losing!! Jake Kilrain moves from 9 to 6, after losing a decision to Leo Houck. The reason? The HBF has issued a statement saying they do not believe a fighter should be penalized for shoddy scoring when he was clearly the better man. Ridiculous!!! The fight was scored by Judges sanctioned by the HBF and they should penalize the Judges if they feel they were incompetent, not Leo Houck, who remained at 15 in the latest Rankings. Whatever the reason, Houck is the winner and that resulted is recorded in the pages of history, if the scoring was truly that egregious, then order a rematch, do not reward Kilrain for a loss, and penalize Houck for a win…they gave their best, it is up to the HBF to find judges that will do the same. In addition to this, Tom Sharkey and Sam McVey each moved up a spot after their fight, won by McVey. The logic for this? None was given. The problem? Sharkey is still ranked higher than McVey, 3 and 9 respectively, when he was bested in an exciting, but decisive fight. Until the HBF ranking committee can explain this move, they are entitled to about as much respect as the denizens that populate Tammany Hall…..enough said.

[Lee]

Fistania Gazette May 1911

 HBF Top 15

World Champion-Vacant



Top 15                                     Record             Last Month

1-James Jeffries                      	16-0-0 (12)	        1

2-Sam Langford                        	14-0-0 (12)       	2

3-Kid Norfolk                           24-4-0 (15)             7

4-Tom Sharkey                        	10-2-0 (8)        	3

5-Jack Johnson                         	26-1-0 (16)         	10

6-Frank Moran                       	15-1-0 (8)        	4

7-Bob Fitzsimmons                       17-1-0 (10)	        5

8-Jake Kilrain	                        11-3-0 (8)              6

9-Sam McVey                        	22-1-0 (14)	        9

10-Joe Jeannette                    	22-1-0 (10)       	11

11-Jim Corbett                         	12-3-0 (5)         	8

12-Peter Jackson                        15-2-1 (10)	        13

13-Jack Root                           	12-4-0 (4)              14

14-John L Sullivan                   	14-4-0 (14)         	12

15-Leo Houck                         	13-2-1 (3)        	15

Dropped out:

N/A



European Champion-Peter Maher 

North American Champion-Sam McVey

April Results
San Antonio, Texas
Jack Johnson W 10 Kid Norfolk
Peter Jackson KO 4 Jim Barry
Luther McCarty W10 Joe Grim
Gunner Moir W 10 Tony Ross
Fireman Jim Flynn KO 1 Jim Stewart
Sailor Jack Carroll W 8 Al Benedict

Notes: The main event saw Local Texas favorite Jack Johnson taking on the highly regarded Kid Norfolk. The fight promised to be closely contested, with the cagey Johnson looking to counter Norfolk’s advances throughout. Norfolk started strong taking the first in close fashion, but Johnson found his timing to carry rounds 2-4 comfortably, moving just out of reach of his opponents punches, then making Kid pay with crisp counter Jabs and combinations, though Norfolk caught Johnson with a slicing Hook that opened an ugly gash over Johnson’s right Eye in the second, that bleed continuously until round 6. The 5th saw Johnson begin to favor the cut and Norfolk picked up the pace, stunning smiling Jack with a big right hand. Johnson, rallied in the 6th and carried the round easily with masterful boxing. Norfolk, slipping behind went for a knockout in the 7th stanza, winning the round, but failing to stagger his bigger opponent. Johnson trapped Norfolk along the ropes and had Ernesto Magano looking closely at the fading Boxer in the waning moments of the round. The final 2 cantos were relatively quiet as Johnson coasted home to the decision win. In the semi, Peter Jackson showed a sense of urgency from the opening bell, dominating Jim Barry and pounding him from pillar to post, finally ending the one sided affair at 1:52 of the 4th with a single left Hook. It was a miserably failure for Barry, who was looking to catapult into the rankings, but was never in the bout. In an exciting preliminary bout, Fireman Jim Flynn scored a brutal 1st round KO of hapless Jim Stewart, now 1-22 with crushing left, right combination that had Stewart unconscious before he hit the Canvas.

Paris, France
Joe Jeannette W 10 John L Sullivan
Jim Corbett KO 2 Mike Schreck
Charley Mitchell W 10 Victor McLaglen
Harry Wills W 10 Tom Kennedy
Arthur Pelkey W 8 Jack Munroe
Jewey Smith W 8 Joe Cox

Notes: The Parisian crowd went nuts for John L Sullivan in the days leading up to the fight and Big John relished the hype. The atmosphere was charged as the two warriors went toe to toe from the opening bell, trading violent doses of leather in the first 2 rounds. After a close 3rd Jeannette caught the Boston Strongboy walking in with a violent left Hook in the 4th that dropped John L to the shock of the pro-Sullivan crowd. Sullivan regained his feet, but the now confident Jeannette took charge beating Sullivan to the punch continuously in rounds 5, 6 and 7. Just as things were looking dismal for Sullivan, a wild right hurt Jeannette in the 8th, with a follow-up left hook dropping him on his seat for an 8 count. Jeannette survived the round and spent the final 2 stanza’s moving and jabbing as the frustrated Sullivan could only chase him about the Ring. The resulting majority decision win promising to get Jeannette some long overdue respect. For Sullivan it means a crossroads, with 2 consecutive losses sure to knock him from immediate title contention. Though his numbing power and ability to draw will ensure John L will reside at the top of the cards for quite some time. James Corbett showed surprising power dropping Mike Schreck with a picture perfect right hand counter in round 2 for an 8 count. After Schreck struggled to his feet Corbett attacked with a vengeance decking his outgunned opponent for the full 10 count with just over a minute left in the round. On the under card Harry Wills cemented his spot as an up and comer reeling off his 5th straight pro victory with a 10 round nod over tough, but limited Tom Kennedy.

May Fight Schedule

New York, New York
Night of Champions festival of the Ring

James Jeffries 16-0-0 (12) VS Sam Langford 14-0-0 (12) 15 (World heavyweight Championship)
*Sam McVey 22-1-0 (14) VS Frank Moran 15-1-0 (8) 12 (North American Title)
Bob Fitzsimmons 17-1-0 (10) VS Andre Anderson 5-8-0 (2) 10
Jack Root 12-4-0 (4) VS Joe Choynski 4-8-1 (1) 10
Denver Ed Martin 8-9-0 (4) VS Gunboat Smith 7-7-1 (1) 10
Jess Willard 2-1-0 (1) VS Jem Roche 0-13-1 (0) 10
Frank Slavin 3-4-0 (2) VS Irish Pat Duncan 2-16-1 (1) 8
Dan Daily 2-0-0 (0) VS Bill Squires 2-14-1 (1) 8
*denotes defending Champion

Fighter of the Month
Joe Jeannette 22-1-0 (10)-Shaking off the criticism of a padded record Jeannette was masterful in out-pointing the dangerous John L Sullivan showing skill, savvy and heart in climbing off the canvas to defeat the Boston Battler via a hard fought 10 round decision victory. Jeannette executed his fight plan almost flawlessly effectively countering Sullivan’s mad rushes and beating the beleaguered Sullivan to the punch time and again.

Fight of the Month
Jack Johnson W 10 Kid Norfolk-Both fighters showed impressive ringmanship in a purists dream, showing every trick in the book in an incredible match of skill and savvy that had the knowledgeable fans in the crowd on the edges of their seat throughout. Both Pugilists will present a threat to however the newly crowned Champion is over the coming Months.