Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-19
MELODY TO RETIRE

Popular Fighter Gets His Quietus
From a Physician - Other
Fight News.
Honey Melody, former welter-
weight champion, has fought his last
fight, if his sponsor and former man
ager, Johnny Mooney, has anything to
say in the matter The ArmOry A. A,
of Boston, tried to get Melody to
sign for a battle last week, but 1t was
then Mooney showed his hand, produc-
ing letter from medical specialist
which stated hard blow would be
MellOdy's death warrant.
1t appears that when Melody was
defeated by Frank Mantell the end
came more through general collapse
than from a knockout blow. Mooney
was at the ringside and worked I'M
ceasingly over his charge for four
hours, while he went from one state
Of collapse into another. The exam
nation followed, and Mooney kept his
secret until Honey tried to sign for
another bout. Now he is barred in
Boston.
II have argued with Melody against
going into the ring again, and | think
too much of him to allow him to take
another chance" explains Mooney in
defence of his position. Il always man.
aged the boy when he was a fighter,
and intend to look after him now in
spite of himself. If he succeeds in get
ting match anywhere and the pro-
moters will not call it off / shall try
and stop the bout through an injunc-
ton / saw Eugene Mccarthy meet
his death in the ring at Scituate in
1903, and no one | care for shall ever
follow him if / can help it"
Boston, Feb 19.-Jim Barry got the
decision over Larry Temple last night
in their battle at the Armory A. c. 1t
was scheduled to go twelve rounds and
had less than minute more to go
when Temple dropped to the floor,
claiming foul 1t was clear case of
early rounds, then slowed up and Bar
ry gave him lacing he will not soon
forget.
Jack DOrman and Johnny Dohan
fought six rounds to draw in the
star bout at Browns gymnasium, New
York, last night. Dorman had the bet
ter of the first round, but Dohan even
ed matters up in the second and every
round after that was even. Both men
landed Furnishing blows, but each was
strong at the end Of every round. In
the sixth round both fighters tried
hard for a knockout, but each was
clever enough to evade the ''sleep
punch" and when the final bell sound
ed neither had an advantage.
In the other bouts Jim Russell drew
with Young Sweeney, Patsy Kline
won from John Mitchell Joe Gordon
fought draw with Al Allen and
Smiling Kelly knocked out Frank Cor
don in one round.
Two American pugilists are ready
to meet all Corners in England. One
of them Is Mike Donovan, the well
known Rochester welterweight, who
has received word from the National
Sporting club of London that he can
have several matches there. The
other is an unknown fighter named
Howard, who halls from New Jersey,
and may he matched to fight Jim Dris-
coll for the featherweight champion
ship OF England at an early date. II
is said that Griffith of Australia is
not anxious TO meet Driscoll after all
and that Howard. who is in Lon
don, may be substituted.
II is possible that the New Jersey
legislature may legalize boxing bouts
before the present session at Trenton
adjourns. A bill has just been intro
duced which makes IL misdemeanor
to engage or assist or abet in engag-
ing, or to he present at any fight or
combat with fists. providing any in
structor Of boxing having a school Of
boxing or physical culture In the state
for a period of two years shall be
permitted. upon obtaining permission
of the chief officer of the police de-
partment of each city. under such con-
ditions as he may prescribe TO hold
boxing entertainments TO exhibit the
work and instructions given his pu-
pills before the public in friendly bouts
of three rounds Of three minutes
each with eight ounce gloves. Such
q bill would bar the big profession
ais. but would provide plenty Of sport
Of n harmless nature.