The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-02
FsathsrWtight Championship Is
Still In Possession Of
the American
ATTELL ACTS SHYLOCK
ON WEIGHT QUESTION
Moran Is Found To Be Two ounces
Overweight and His Opponent
Takes Tribute at the Rate
of $125 Per ounce.

Colma, Arena, San Francisco, January
1.-Owen Moran, champion featherweight
of England today made draw fight of
% rounds with Abe Attell, champion of
America, who was thought to be invinci-
BILE at his weight. Moran was strong and
aggressive, quick as a flash and kept on
top of Attell all the time. Attell had
plenty of opportunity to show his boast
ed cleyerness in keeping himself away
from the rush of the little English boy.
Attell seemed to lack force in his punch
es and found it difficult to land a blow
on a vital spot.
Moran's eye was blaekened and his nose
bled but the furnishing rips to the stom-
ach and the swings to the jaw were
missing.
Moran's method was to lead with eth
er right or left and then close in. In
the clinches, he fought vciously, but did
not do AtteIl much harm.
| The final round was most exciting. Mo-
| ran seemed to take on new vigor and with
head down, waded into Attell swinging
high rights and lefts. When the gong
rang for the close, both men kept on
fighting fiercely and big Jim Jeffries
! had to separate them.
Jeffries' decision of a draw was re-
ceived with approval except by violent
| partisans.
There came near being no fight owing
to the fact that Moran was two ounces
oyerweght AtteIl did the Shylock act
and had to be paid $3.50 for the surplus
two ounces before he would consent to
! go on.
Moran's manager stated after the fight
| that the boy had found it extremely diff
| ficult to get down to weight and at IL
o'clock today was compelled to do two
miles of vigorous road work.
While interesting, the contest did not
come up to the standard of champion
ship battle. Between 1000 and 5000 persons
witnessed the contest.
Referee Jeffries said after the fight
/ that the contest was so close that he
| found it difficult to give a decision. He
thought Attell had slightly the better of
| his opponent but not sufficient to justi-
| fly decision in his favor.
Dispute Over Weight.
When the fighters were weighed short
! ly before noon dispute arose over
| Morans weight Moran exceeded the
required 120 pounds notch by about one
ounce. The Californian took exception
and at first refused to fight, claiming
| that the Briton had violated the articles
| of agreement. A heated argument fol-
| lowed and Attell finally demanded the
$500 forfeit. Moran refused, claiming
that the forfeit could not be claimed UNI
| less the party at fault exceeds the re-
! ouirements by at least a pound. Attell
| then changed his tactics and demanded
so per cent of the purse, win, lose or draw
before he would fight. Finally COM
! promise was reached by which Attell
was to receive $3.50 in addition to the
! purse. 1t was ascertained that Moran
| weighed in two ounces over the agreed
mark, the weighing-in process being wit
messed by most of the newspaper men.
| Attell was under the weight and failed
| to bulge the balance.
| Moran attributed his overweight to the
| difference of scales at his training quar-
| ters and the official scales at the arena.
| They fought under the American inter-
| probation of the Marquis of Queensbury
| rules.
Attell was a ! to favorte, but Moran
money appeared to be in evidence. AL
| though the sun was shining brightly
Manager Coffroth altered his plans in
order to cover the arena with canvas.
| At 2 o'clock the huge tent was entirely
spread over the arena, thoroughly pro-
| tecting the spectators from the sun and
| cool air
Opening Contest
Willie ONeil and Willie Farley en-
tered the ring promptly at 1:30 p. m. for
| the opener Every seat in the arena was
| taken Many women were in attendance.
| ONeil was given the decision at the end
| of the 10th round. 1t was a rafting con-
| test throughout. O'Neil however, earned
| the decision by cleaner hitting. Both men
| were bleeding freely at the termination
| of the contest.
| Moran was first presented to the crowd
by Announcer Jordan as the English
| crack-a-iack and a champion. He was
wildly applauded. Attell was introduced
as the cleverest boy in the world and
| Americas featherweight champion At
| fell was freely cheered. Tommy O'Toole
! of Philadelphia wired a challenge to the
| winner. as did also "Spider" Morrisey.
| Ed Kelly of Buffalo jumped into the
| ring with a challenge frankie Neil is
sued a challenge to Attell. Several other
| minor lights also challenged the winner.
Promoter Cofforth then entered the
| ring and ordered all other challenges side
| tracked and for the men to proceed to
| action The principals after Referee
| James Jeffries had been presented posed
| for their photographs.
After having their photos taken the
| principals took their seats and stripped
for action. Referee Jeffries repeated his