New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-20
K|LBANE AT HIS BEST
Easily 0utpoints 0'Keefe in
Bout BriSt|ing with Speed.
CHAMPION LACKS PUNCH
Smothers Opponent with a Rain
Of Blows That Do but
Little Harm.

Johnny Kilbane, the foatherweight
champion Of the world. had little trouble
in outboxing Eddie OKeefe. tho Philadel-
phia feathcrweight in ten fast. snappy
and clean rounds OF boxing AT Madison
Square Garden last night. OKeofc gave
the champion a good battle all the way.
but there was just that little something
that makes q champion. or unmakcs one.
that O'Kecfe lacked. and Kilbane was
able 10 maintain his advantage until the
end. In the other ten-round bouts Willie
Beecher. the rugged little lightweight
from the East Side stopped Tommy Gary.
81 Chicago. IN five rounds. and Paul
Koehler. OF Cleveland. slightly outpointed
Jack Goodman IN a slashing contest that
fairly bNistled with speed and action. A
fair sized crowd witnessed the bouts.
II there were any one who came to the
Garden doubling the skill OF Kilbane.
they went away satisfied that so far as a
hafiing defence is concerned the Forest
cry boy IT, the equal OF all O'Keefe tried
and tried. but IN vain. Johnny brushed
WAN WI lAAUb lfAhs u a NlHfs tNOhAllh ll4r
own left into the Face. and slipped away
from the right hand counters with rare
skill and ease. Lightning in his attack.
when ne go chose. kilbsne stepped I'm with
"A long left hand lead or shot the right TO
the body He worked a pretty right hand
cross To the head In conjunction with a
snappy left that was pretty to.soe. but he
lacks tho punch
There was never a minute when O'keefe
Was In any great danger. and while at
times he was shaken mp by we'll placed
punches on the jaw, he was always will
ing 10 box. and box he did. calm and cool
for the greater part Of the battle, O'Keafe
put up better battle than most OF the
other boys who havo faced Kilbane since
the latter became champion. but IL was a
clear cut case OF class. and the better TO ~
won decisively
kilbane rose from lis corner In the hrst
round. his jaw set and a businesslike ex-
preston on his face. The crowd sat Up
I'm their seats. and hoarse murmur
arose: Hes out to win tonight. lie Will
show us all that he has: but they We're
doomed 10 disappointment Kilbane feint-
ed and added around. and Okeefe mad
an edge on the round. The second period
was an absolute farce. Neither struck a
blow, and the crowd groaned. IL was the
champion Of the world, however who
showed in tho three following rounds. and
Okeefe came by the cudgels. In the
clinches he ripped right after right 10 the
body. and O'Keefe grunted at times as
the punches thudded home. Eddie jabbed
and swung his right. but as Kilbane came
In close he smothered his rivals right
lead with his own left arm. and escaped
possible damage.
So IL continued throughout The Quaker
city lad was always on the alert for his
chance. but that chance was like the will
o. the wisp that hung seemingly within
reach. but was always one step out or
harms way. In the closing rounds XII
bane boxed At top speed. and took ad-
vantage OF everything, but O'Keefe was
In rere condition, and was strong at the
closing bell.
Willie Beecher had a pleasing return 70
his best FORM and the way in which he
tore into Gary. the widely heralded light
weight from Chicago. BODIES III for some
or his future opponents.