The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-08
NAS FORGED 10 FIGHT
William ROthweiI, Who De-
feated Teddy McGovem
RECALLS BOYHOOD DAYS
When He Got Whipped Every
Day Regularly.

William Rothwell, who knocked out
Teddy McGovern began to fight as soon
SIS he was able 10 walk His present
triumph is the outcome of short busy
lifetime of lighting. He is a specialist of
marvellous gifts and tremendous range
OF experience.
Lovers Of peace with honor viii be de-
lighted know that Il was only when bat
tie was forced upon him that young Roth
bell took up the isticuffs, purely in self
defense. Three young citizens of Denver,
Col, Fred Jacobs, Billy Miller and Charley
Dolan, walleped the little boy so hard and
so often that they forced him how to
learn how to hit back. If these three had
not mauled little Rothwen so persistently
and numerically a dozen years ago, Terry
AeGovern would still be d feather-weignC
champion today.
William Rothwell was born in Denver,
Col, on Oct. 4. 1850. John H. RothweH.
his father. was born in Listowen, Ont,
Canada, about forty-ive years ago His
grandfather emigrated from England to
Canada about 1900 John H RothwelTs
wife, the mother OF Young Corbett"
was also named Rothwell. She was a
remote cousin of her husband.
The pugilist's father was trainer and
driver Of trotting horses in his youth, as
his father was before him. AS a young
ster he was fond OF wrestling and outdoor
sports, but he never boxed. He is a small
why man OF great muscular ability, bat
with a strong healthy constitution.
The little pugilist greatly resembles his
mother, who died two years ago. He is
short and broad-shouldered, his big back
sapering down to a slender waist. Neither
his chest girth nor the measurements of
his arms. shoulders or legs indicate ire
mendous hitting power. He has great
strength and endurance but his best asset
is his GOODNESS in time Of action. Dewey
saying: You may fire when you are
ready, Gridley, was not more master of
himself than this boy, who reasons calm
81 when blows are flying fast.
This quality he inherits from his
mother.
Neither one of my parents are what
you could call excitable,' young Roth
well said to the writer, but my mother
had the most even temper I ever knew.
never knew her to be excited about any
thing. If I'm cool in the ring I get it
from her"
Althoubh he is only twenty-one years
old, Rothweu talks and acts like a man
of forty. He seems TO have lived a very
long time. Nothing takes him by sur
prise Knowing how often fighters are
furried by the prospect of meeting a
champion, Referee Charley White. just
before the gong rang for Thursdays bat
tie, thought he'd assist the young
stranger.
Now, lad" he said, you've never
fought under me before. I want you to
take your time. Don't be in hurry. Get
yourself all ready before you start"
''Thanks, Mr.. White" replied Roth
we'll Il won't start before I'm quite
ready"
A few moments later Rothwen called
his second over TO loosen his belt. They
tugged at it and adjusted it and Roth
well tested its snugness by breathing
deep and long half a dozen times before
he turned and nodded calmly to the ref
cree. The 800 spectators meanwhile were
squirming with anxiety. Rothweu was
calm as a man putting on his coat before
going for stroll.
The Denver boy won his championship
chiefly because he was cooler. quicker
thinker than McGovern. Teddy had
rushed him across the ring and dazed him
with a hard punch. when he suddenly
noticed that the Brooklyn boy was so
Infuriatd that he was swinging wildly for
his head. quite neglecting to try for the
body Instantly Rothwen threw up both
arms TO guard his head.
McGovern kept whirling in the furious
rain of blows. Presently he tired. The
well stepped out of range. and as a left
swing whizzed past his chin he stepped
IN with crashing left on McGovernn's
chin. The Brooklyn boy tottered. Roth
wells fist was already far out ia front.
with short blow that was half q push
Rothwen sent NIcGovern to the floor.
The winner was still TO be dazed from
AicGovern's blows to know clearly If he
had won. but his mind was sufficiently
alert to keep him poised. ready to finish
the work should AcGovern arise.
Rothwens lifetime OF fighting began
s. tlo public school at Swansea, a suburb
of Denver.
II was so small then that 7 can't re-
member Just how old I was" said the pug
3list yesterday. Fred Jacobs, Billy Mil
Ter and Charley Doian used 10 beat me
regularly You see, my folks were pretty
careful with me and they wouldn't let
me run around with the boys who seemed
go be tough. didn't care much for that
kind Of boys myself. for I was quite a
quiet little fellow.
SO these three boys thought I was
stuck up and they hammered me good
md plenty. Tley made a habit Of It.
They were bigger than I was.
Every time school was out you'd see
little Willie Rcthwen making a rush
1or home and one of these fellows after
him. They never failed 10 catch me and
20 thump me good. I used 10 invent all
kinds OF schemes 10 keep away from
them
After while began 10 set tired Of
dodging out the hack door of the school
70 save myself from these bows. / made
up my mind 10 fight. They didn't al
ways heat me then. and they used TO do
Il most OF the time
Little by little I began 70 improve.
] got SO that 1 could lick Miller and
Dolan for awhile, and they didn't bother
me any more Fred JACOBS was the
toughest. I eorldnt be sure Of him NJ
all Finally we aEreed to go out 10 the
stockyarIs and settle IT, The men out
there pat CD a dollar fer US We fought
thirteen rounds and ] won That settled
Jacobs forever so far as was concerned.
by this time had grown fond OF fight
ing. 7 was a little fellow az Twelve or
so. and 7 found out that could earn
money by knocking Ont BOYS AZ the vari-
etz- theatre They used 70 match bows