New Britain herald., 1915-04-01
Sp0rfOgraphy
 BY "GRAvY."
NICK WARD. "YELDOWEST' Oi CHAMPIONS. BORN ON
 ApRIJ,
BY "GRAvY.'

A man who is a clever boxer may win a pugilistic championship, but it takes courage and fighting spirit to hold it. This was never better dem onstrated than in the career of Nick Ward, who for brief period In 1S41 had a precarious hold on the British heavyweight title. It was quite ap- propriate that Nick Ward was born on All Fools Day, for on many occa- sions he made fools of his packers. The 'yellowest" of all champions WaE born 1O2 years ago today, April 1, 1913, and was one of three pugil1stlc brothers, Jem Ward, the Black Diamond" thirteen years his senior, was for several years the champion of England, and was as brave as they make 'em. John Ward also made a fair reputation in the ring. The older brothers were anxious that Nick should maintain the fighting reputa- ton of the family. and from his youth he was trained in all the arts and tricks of the bruiser. He was also encouraged by his mother, who was a regular Amazon, and herself fond of a fist fight.
 The Wards. although they lived In England, were Irish, and Jem and John had all the fighting spirit of that fighting race. Nick had none at all Under the instruction of Jem Ward, Nick developed into heady, clever and fast boxer. He was of powerful physique, and coupled with his speed and cleverness he carried a punch that would f1atten out the toughest opponent.
 In short, Nick had about everything a boxer needs, except courage. If the yellow streak could have been elim- mated he would doubtless rank among the greatest scrappers in all history Jem hoped and believed that Nick's cowardice was due to youth and in experience, and that he would grad ually get over it, but he was doomed to disappointment. Nick simply couldn't bear the sight of his own blood, and one hard blow from an opponent cooled all his fighting ardor.
 Nick was twenty-one when he fought his first bout, defeating Harry Lockyer. In that bout he had every thing his own way and his opponent was unable to land a blow. Jem then matched Nick with Young. Mo lineaux, a clever and experienced fighter. On the eve of the battle Nick got cold feet and had himself ar rested in order to avoid having to meet MolineauX. A little later he was pitted against Sambo Sutton, good black fighter, and was winning with ease when Sambo managed to land a stiff punch on Nick'S smeller. That ended it, and Nick deliberately quit. Sambo guyed him so unmercifully that Nick consented to meet the negro again, but the cops got wind of the affair and arrested Sutton and chased Nick for thirty miles before he es- capped.
 Ward then met Jem Bailey and got the decision on a foul, but side stepped return engagement on the plea that he was sick. The sporting world was pretty we'll disgusted with Nick, hut Jem Ward persisted, and matched his brother with Deaf Burke. the ex-champion. Burke was then on the down grade, and for two hours Nick avoided the Deaf 'Un. A cold rain was falling and when Burke was so chilled he could hardly stand shifty Nick waded in and beat him un mercifully. It was a disgraceful af- fair, and didn't add to Nicks reputa- ton. although he was the victor.
 In 1S41 Nick was matched to fight Ben Gaunt for the title. Nick again adopted his lodging and running tao tics, and managed to keep away from his clumsier foe. At last. made des- perate by Nick's refusal to stand UT and fight, Gaunt struck foul blow and the victory and the title were awarded to Nick. The affair was SC unsatisfactory that another match was made. This time Gaunt did not lose hls temper. and the thirty-fourtl round Nick Ward. although he ha6 suffered nothing worse than 8 tap or the nose, deliberately selected a sof, spot on the turf and deposited him. self thereon, refusing to get up. Thai was the end of Nick Ward as a pugi.