Evening journal., 1916-03-27
NJ 'C0VERN-PAbNER
FIGHT RING HISTORY
No More Spectacular Pugil-
istic Contest Ever Took
Place
FANS DUMFOUNDED
BY TERRY,S SPEED

tN'ti ititN h'AtNNiH' At'N at INV
height of his career and Podlar Pal
mcr, the bantam champion of Eng
land The battle was staged in an
open arena al Tuckahoe. Westchester.
on the afternoon of September 12,
1893. and resulted in the Brton being
knocked ont in about two minutes Of
fiphtne in the FIRST round Not only
Was the battle ended before many
patrons got settled in their seats, but
ouite a number who were buying tick
els az the time the boys started box
NE entered in time to see Palmer car
ried to his corner and the victor car
ricl to his dressing room on the
shoulders Of his pariisans
Palmer who as q bantam displayed
NOR cloyerness than any little fell
low u England since the days Of Bill
~ pimmer. was confidently expected
b> his English admirers TO take the
measure OF the Brooklyn cyclone. and
n large delegation headed by Peggy
Rottngson, manager of the National
Sporting Club of London. accompan-
led Palmer TO America TO see him pol
ish of the American champion.
Never did a more dlsconsolate lot OF
sports embark for home They were
dumlounded by the terrific rush that
McGovern made. sweeping the little
Britain Of his feet and laying him
open TO a series Of thrashing body
blows that stretched him cold on the
ring floor Palmer himself did not
believe that McGovern had defeated
him so quickly. and gave expression
or sailing for home. to the opinion
that some of McGoven friends had
swatted him with a sandbag from out
side the ring
Terry a Queensberry Tiger.
That suggestion was OF course ar
rant nonsense, for in those days Ter
1ible Terry needed no assistance from
outside or inside the ring He was a
Queensherry Tiger. and II required a
strong clever man to Withstand the
Brooklyn boys rushes.
Palmers friends declared previous
TO the fight that Terry would see more
boxing gloves In a given time than
ever before. and that the American
would not have a chance Palmer nat
urallv was prepared 10 meet a strong
rough chap. and was all set TO iab
McGovern's face 10 a pulp. but he had
no idea that he was TO face a Human
Tornado. The result was that the Bri-
ton was taken completely by surprise
aud was swept away like a wisp OF
straw in a gale.
Palmer was beaten IN spite OF an
amusing accident 10 the official time
keeper which gave the Englisman a
half minutes rest al a time when hc
was being battered an over the in
closure. Palmer appeared TO be on
the verge OF a knockout when sud
denly the gong sounded. a minute and
a half after the round had started
The boxers stopped and Palmer
wabhlcd over 70 his corner. sa. down
and received much needed sponging
and tanning McGoyern. with the CLINT
% battle in his rye. stood in the ring
with a puzzled look on his face
Siier. the referee. hustled over 10
fhc tme-keeper and demanded an ex-
risnafion. That Official explained that
D. had inserted iif finger Boz the metal
Tinc attached 20 ihc chain that oper-
aftd the hcii and had pulled 81 out so
a. 70 BE- prepared 70 release 81 as soon
a. fhc round ended. According 70 the
Statement o. the time. his hand per
spred and the ring slipped from his
fueere
Terrt EEds the Contest.
As soon a. Siier learned the situs-
fion he mOfioned tho boxers 10 resume
fbe contest Terry az once began
rhere he left or. and in a minute Pal
ner was beaten.
The fact that the match nearly fell
fliouzh was one " the interesting
features. ana the manner in which Il
finally was assured has a rather dime
novel complexion. The promoter was
W B GRAY. a newcomer in the game
and be offered a $4,000 purse 10 the
boxer This money. in accordance
with the articles OF agreement was
- have been posted with the stake
holder. the late Al Smith. q week pre-
vious 10 the battle. Gray was unable
10 produce the money a. the required
time. and Smith declined 20 accept
the promoters unccrtihed check for
the amount. Sam Harris. manager OF
McGovern. and BcttinsOn. represent
ing Palmer. bad conference and
practically decided 10 declare of the
match.
Finally II was suggested that Al
Smith go into the ticket oifice on the
day OF the bout and take all moneys
until he had the amount Of the purse
This was acceded 10 by all parties. and
Smith. armed with a cannon" locket
himself in the ticket booth and neve
emerged until he had the $4,000 70
the boxers.
On the day set for the bout it raine
eopiously, and postponement wa
necessary. The boxers had weighe
on the day set for the contest. bot
making the required 116 ringside. Blu
they did not weigh on the day the
boxed. and the contest was really a
catch weights.
* Among the amusing incidents wa
the experience of two men who too
seats after the boys had started box
jn~. The Iate-comers decided TO be
IN the combat and the one who IA
vored the Englishman. in getting ou
his money. dropped a gold piece OF
She floor II rolled into a crack. ans
hy the time he had extricated th'
1coin and resumed his seat the battle
was ended All he had TO do was tc