The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-03-16
WHEN LAV|GNf
FOUGHT W0LGAS1

'en' ldnss many old-tlme BpoIIuS
men are beginning 10 think Of the
famous fight between Joe Wolcott and
hid Lavigne, which upset the talent
more thoroughly and really was every
DIT as exciting and important as was
the battle In which the Dane lost
MS title OF lightweight champion.
Inc Wolcott-Lavigne fight Will for
ever remain as one of the most inl-
portant battles In the history of fistl-
anla- 1t not only made a new light
weight champion at that time. but It
gave Sam Fitzpatrick his reputation
as one OF the cleyerest managers and
matchmakers the game ever knew.
And 1t Is one of the blots on the
escutcheon of Tom ORourke.
II is just little more than fifteen
years ago since Lavigne beat the
Barbados Demon at Waspeth. l.. L..
In fifteen of the hardest rounds OF
fighting known in the annals OF sport.
To be eyact. the date WAS Decem-
Der 2, 1895. and it is one never TO be
forgotten.
Walcott was under the management
Of O'Rourke and had been beating
many good men. O'Rourkc giving
him the benefit of almost continuous
training With George Dixon when the
latter was touring the country With
q sporting combination. The Demon
became SO good under the tutelage of
O'Rourke and Dixon that the former
was certain that there was not a
lightweight in the world who could
beat tho negro, Many other people
held the same opinion.
About this time Fitzpatrick got
hold OF Lavlgue. The Saginaw Kid
was never noted for his anxiety to
train for a battle. but he had been
showing his class. Beginning with
two draws. one of seventy-flye
rounds and the other of fifteen rounds
with George Siddons, he had advanced
rapidly by beating Jerry Marshall,
Johnny Grlffen and others and getting
an eight.round draw with Grlffo.
All this time Lavigne was we'll un-
der the lightweight limit and frequent
ly gave away considerable weight.
Lavigne was getting so good that
Wolcott and O'Rourke became a bit
jealous. On behalf Of the negro.
O'Rourke announced that Wolcott
would fight Lavigne and agree to
stop him inside OF fifteen rounds or
forfeit the entire purse.
This was fine for Fitzpatrick, and
he lost no time in agreeing TO the
match. but he insisted that Wolcott
make the lightweight limit O'Rourke
and Wolcott, never doubling but the
latter would have an easy time with
the Saginaw Kid, consented TO the
terms
Fitzpatrick took hold of Layigne
and started him training in a prop
er manner. The Kid stuck to his
work and improved with each day OF
conditioning.
In the meantime the sporting men
Of the east were betting better than
even money that Lavigne would never
be able TO stay the fifteen rounds
with the Demon whose powers to In
flict the most terrific punishment
rad caused many fighters TO sldesteD
with him. The few friends
OF Lavigne, including Fitzpatrick,
started out TO bet that Lavigne would
not only stay the fifteen rounds, but
would beat the negro They were
laughed at and told to write their
own tickets for their bets. They were
getting as much as 20 TO l that
Lavlgne could not outpoint the negro.
Then came the battle; Lavigne
trained to the minute and with
heart as stout as any ever carried In
TO the ring Against him was the
Demon. ready to put up the best bat
tie Of his life and confident of end
Ing the fight in very few rounds
Wolcott lost no time In going after
his man. He was there to win as
quickly as possible, and he had no
intention of losing any time. But II
was a surprise party for Wolcott
He rushed the white fighter from the
tap of the gong, but Lavlgne was
right there TO meet every attack, He
VAS willing to stand toe to toe and eX-
change wallops with the negro, OF to
meet him at any style of fighting
The moment that Wolcott would slow
up Lavigne would be on top of him,
fighting like wildcat. 1t was a case
OF the Demon out-demoned.
AS the battle progressed Lavlgne
began TO take the lead in the terrific
pace. 1t was only few rounds be-
lore both men were battered as bad
~ as Nelson was in his forty rounds
with Wolgast Lavigne lost an car
Knocked off by a swing of Wclcott's
light Both men bled until the ring
was shambles. but still they fought
on.
The longer the battle lasted the bet
ter Lavigne showed. until in the clos
ng rounds he was leading the negro
Ill the way. and when the gong tap
ped at the close Of the last session
.hc referee could do nothing else but
give Lavigne the decision. He had
not only lasted tho fifteen rounds.
1ut had beaten the Barbados Demon
The result OF the fight made Sam
as II made LayIgne.
has lasted longer In the
game than did the Kid. and both have
been wonders In their respective
'oles
There can be no question but that
Lavigne and Wolcott crowded moro
lighting into their fifteenround bat
le than was done In the entire forty
.ounds OF the Wolgast-Nelson fight
Both men were battling every minute,
10Th could hit harder and each was
punished as badly as was Nelson
What chance would the Nelson's and |
Nolgasts OF today have with the Joe |
Nolcotts and Kid Layignes OF fifteen |
ears ago. In those days there We're
% many good men that a champion
vas liable to lose his laurels any |
ime he fought Today there are not !
nore than three or four lightweights
Fho can be regarded as having any
hing like a chance to capture the
tile.
UNION MINERS ARE
NOT YET SATISFIED