The Bemidji pioneer., 1901-04-04
The Big
Godette- Rhode
Fight.

Saturday night the prettiest
glove contesterer seen in Bemidji
was pulled off al the Empire the
atre. A large crowd was present,
all eager to see the contest. 1t
was confidently expected By the
crowd that Billie Rhode would be
quickly knocked out bp the long
successful James Godette, the
colored here ard winner Of 104
battles. He was the heavyweight
champion Of the Northwest, and
weighs 1T6 pounds and stands Ave
feet and 10 inches tall.
Billie Rhode, champion of North
Dakota, weighs 142 pounds, and
when stripped stood three inches
shorter than his antagonist. and
with two inches shorter reach.
The crowd who Witnessed the
fight numbered an Of $50. an ex-
cellent turnout for Bemidii. Mr..
Godette was the first to enter the
ring and was greeted with a
chorus Of cheers, he was followed
soon by Rhode, who looked a child
beside him.
MIR. Godette brought his own.
referee and Rhode objected to him
but as the colored man insisted he
gave up, and let him have his own
way and Mr. Lightfoot acted as.
referee. Time was called at 1910.
Round Both men came ur to
the scratch, Godette looking and
jumping around the ring like a
kangaroo and after fddling for a
minute or two he sklllfully lands
two soft swings ON Rhodes body
and makes three terrific swings in
space. Rhode easily steps aside
and jabs Godette in the nose,
bringing plenty of first blood.
Godette repeatedly trying to land
hard swing, but finds only space.
Gong sounds as Rhode lands al
pretty left iii wind.
Round Both men fiddle for
three minutes and Godette lands
q heavy sWii D low on Rhodes
wind.
& Round three Godette begins BY
swinging right and left without
while Rhode takes it easy
and gains applause continually.
Round Rhode leads with left
but fails to- land. they clineh and
after the break-a-Way Godette
jumps around. wasting strength
with hard swings in the air..
Rhodes foot work is very clever.
Round 5-This ronnd belongs til
Rhode as Godette cannot hit him
at all, while he jabs the latter
twice with the right.
Round 6-is very fast, Rhode
takingit easy and let's Godette run
all around the ring, and is unable
to land.
III Round Godettes trying his.
best to land but Rhode blocks
cleverly and ducks at the right
moment and side stepping and
landing VERY prettily several
times.
Round S-Godette fouls Rhode.
but Rhode Won t take the fight on
a foul, so they continue, Rhode.
landed left and right IN quick
succession.
Round 9--Godetterushe at once
and Rhode ducks neatly and
follows his man up, hooking twice
on jaw with right, Godette lands
a bad uppercut On Rhodes jaw.
Round 10 Rhode prettily ducks
SIX terrific right hand swings and
is firing his man out.
Round 11--Rhode forces fight
ing, lands frequently and with a
short jab sends the big man to
the ropes. a clean knock down
hut for ropes; Rhode keeps Go
dett iii his corner.
Round 12-Rhode leads, lands
two nice ones and they fiddle till
the gong sounds.
Round 13- Rhodes jumps at the
big man and lands two left jabs on
ear and follows with right swing
on right cheek. Rhode has his
man where he wants him
Round 14-Rhode went at the
big fellow like tiger, landing
three terrible blows with right,
left, right, the latter being on the
jaw and finishing the battle.
The gamey Rhodes gave Godett
the advantage of 3D. pounds. and
it was his fight from start to fin
ish, being the more scientific man.
j. NJ. Daley, manager of Rhode.
announces that his man will meet
amy conner from 140 to 145 pounds
In the Northwest for tile largest
4, &C. ,ysl .l,,, ,,,,, 1f a.r, III ~, ~