Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-16
THE GARDNER-oBRIEN FIGHT.

THE GARDNER-O'BRIEN FIGHT.
Regarding this fight, the Youngstown
Vindicator says:
Jack O'Brien was given a decision
over Oscar Gardner, Monday night, at
the Youngstown Athletic club quarters
in 20 rounds, and "Zeke'' Davidson won
from Tommy Johnson in one round. To
Gardner a decision meant a great deal.
He is on the top rung of the fistic lad
der, and to O'Brien it was much; TO
defeat Gardner meant for OBrien
thousands, and great pugilistic reward.
One of the most noted of ring affairs
has happened, and although to patrons
the contest was not sc pleasing, still the
sporting world will look on with inter-
est and all will wonder what kind of a
fighter this O'Brien really is. In last
nights battle he never shirked, but did
most of the work, most always leading
with left for face and generally catch
ing the Omaha Kid" but doing little
damage. On the other hand, OBrien
would generally go to a clinch to save
himself, and this was not to Gardeners
liking. Gardner, it seemed, could not
land very successfully, only on the body
with his right. Only three or four hard
blows were landed on the face of both
contestants and not a ~knockdown dur
ing the whole affair resulted. The
downs that occurred were more the re-
suit of a tangle of legs, and a desire to
mix-Graeco-Roman Not a drop OF
blood was spilled, not a mark was on
p either boxer after the contest.
Oscar Gardner was at once in the ring
- g. - I @1~- {hA n
made vacant by the loser. Some n
cried to him that a gutter had occupied
that chair, and he remarked that an
other one would hold it down. Jack
Scanlon, a local man, now imposed up
on the public through the announcer,
to the extent that he would meet Matty
Matthews. Behind Gardner were his
brother, Joseph, Patrick Sullivan, his
hacker, and Kageen Farragher, the ac-
tive local sporting man. With O'Brien
were Manager Dougherty, Matty Mat
thews and Jimmy Smith. squirrel
Finnerty was official time-keeper, and
John Ryan, referee. The announcer
proclaimed that Gardner weighed 123
and O'Brien 125 pounds. They boxed at
catch weights. Gardner wa introduce
ed as the coming champion, and
O'Brien, also, as a coming champion.
Matthews was conspicuous. He cross
ed over to Gardeners corner and shook
hands. Kageen Farragher placed the
gloves on O'Brien, while Dougherty did
likewise to Gardner. A challenge was
now made from Matthews to meet any
one at 1875 or 1873 pounds. Gardner
wore a white sweater and O'Brien one
of black. At $50 o'clock all advanced
to the ring center for instructions.
They agreed to break at referees call.
Gardner now told his seconds how to
work on him. O'Brien wore red, black
and blue colors. Gardeners clOut look
ed a little like bed ticking. Patrick
Sullivan delayed matters some by ask
ing to see the articles of agreement.
At 9:35 the boxers began. O'Brien
led for the face and countered with
right on the body. He clinched sue
cessfully and repeatedly. Break when
ordered" said the referee. In the third
round cheers such as Good boy,
O'Brien," Young Fellow Jack" were
heard. In the fourth round the ref
cree told Gardner to break when or
dered. Gardner said he was fighting
clean. He smiled occasionally. In the
fifth Gardner asked O'Brien why he
didn't fight. Someone cried in the sixth
to F~innerty to get up and lick both of
them. Sullivan now got anxious and
had a talk with Gardner. The next
round Oscar was thrown and cheers re-
suited. The boxers exchanged words
in the ninth. Gardner before the
eleventh sucked a lemon and some n
remarked: Give it to him, Oscar" In
the twelfth O'Brien landed a stiff right
on the head. 1t staggered Gardner
some. Sullivan coached Gardner. Sui
livan now got into Gardeners corner
and worked with the towel. In the
fourteenth O'BTien fell in Gardeners
corner and the referee counted four.
You must break clean" said the ref
cree in the sixteenth; "Once and for
ever" In this round O'Brien Rugged
the floor to evade Gardner. The latter
appealed to the referee. Smelling
salts were administered to Gardner in
the eighteenth round. In this round a
right hook passed around O'Brien's
neck, and O'Brien was pulled to the
floor. He got up at once. Gardner fell
out of the ring in the nineteenth;
O'Brien rushed him and was cheered.
The twentieth closed with some hug
ging on O'Brien'S part. He threw
Gardner once.
when the IeIefe9 gave the decision,
cheers arose. O'Brien rushed to Gard
ner's corner and Rugged and kissed
him. The usual affairs took place.
Gardner appealed to the referee and
Patrick Sullivan complained, but it was
too late and the Omaha Kids star
had fallen several degrees in the pugil-
istic heavens. Both were strong at the
finish. Some talk of another match
was heard.