The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-10-28
MANY HEBREWS IN
FIGHTING RANKS
ARE MAKING GOOD

(Jack Sicily in Yonkers HeraId)
I cannot but notice how active the
young Jews are IN coming to the front
in the fstic game, during the past few
years especially in this country. In
England there have been many noted
fighters of the chosen people, for
the past hundred years or more.
Away back in 1875 we read in old
Fistiana where Dan Mendoza, the
fighting Jew fought John Jackson
for the heavyweight championship of
Great Britain. Although defeated
Mendoza proved himself to be dead
game battIer with considerable science.
For shortly after this severe contest
brave Dams friends matched him
against Richard HUMPHREYS, a most
popular, slzillful and gent1en6---z.'eoy-
err who had a great reputation as
fighter. Mendoza however, felt no
terrors from the proud fame of his
antagonist. They fought a long hard
fight with many clean knock downs
and gruel1ing punishment. Dan was
game to finish, but HUMPHREYS proved
his master and won a, very close battle.
The name of brave Dan Mandoza will
always live in the history of the Eng
Hsh ring like the names of all brave
white feather within the squared
circle
I only speak Of Mendoza to show
how far back the Jews have been
in the fighting game. Maybe they've
never been able so far to land many
of the big titles, but some of them
have been very, very near-champions.
Matt Wells held the lightweight crown
of England for some time and you all
know Matt is one "4of the chosen
But here in this big country any
number of the clever game and wor-
thy Hebrew fighters are springing up.
Abe Attell held the featherWeight
championship for quite some years,
until he finally lost it to Johnny Kill
bane, on January 80. 1911. Abe GER
tafn1y did some remarkable milling in
his day, as his splendid long record
shows. You all know that Abe's
brother, Monte. is also quite a ring
battIer- He has fought some very
creditab1e mills, although not a
champion as yet.
The Ghetto district of New York
City has turned out quite a number
of famous fighters of the Jewish race.
One of the first ringmen to bring this
district into prominence was Dolly
Lyons. He became sparring part
ner of the late George Dixon while
on the road, and proved to be quite
a clever boxer. Then came Mike Har-
ris, a strong young Hebrew, bubb11ng
with ambition. He made quite a
reputation standing off Joe Wolcott in
a four round contest, but soon gave
up the ring for a more commercial
occupation.
Joe Bernstein was quite shining
star in the Ghetto some few years
ago. Joe was as game as they make
them and fought many a hard battle
in private well in public. At
the old Broadway Athletic Club he
gave Terry McGoVern a grand bat
tie for 25 rounds, but the referees de-
cision went to Terrible Terry who
was then at the height of his glory.
That WAS ArTiI 1899 Tn fol-
lowing January McGovern captured
the featherweight championship from
George Dixon in the same club, in
eight swift rounds.
The fistic hero of the Ghetto to-day
is undoubtedly Leach Cross, who is
matched to meet Willie Richie in a
ten round bout at Madison Square
Garden.
Lou all know of course in private
life Leach is DR.. Louis Wa1lach, a
dentist, who has some strong pull Ono
joke) on the great East Side.