The sun., 1916-01-08
COFFEY KNOCKED
OUT AFTER LEADING
EARLY IN THE BOUT
Frank Moran Takes Many a
Punch Before lie Floors
ROscOmmOn Boy.
CLEVERNESS LOSES TO
BEST FIGHTING MAN

BEST FIGHTING MAN
Frank Moran Of Pittsburg earned the
right to meet Jess willard for the heavy
weight title when he knocked out Jim
Coffey last night in the ninth round OF
one of the most sensational boxing exhi-
billions ever beld in New York city.
Madison Square Garden was jammed to
the roof by the partsans of the Ros-
common boy who could not be convinced
that Moran's previous victory over Cof-
fey was "A true estimate Of the fighting
abilities OF the men. There was only
one deduction after the encounter last
night. and that was that the Irish Amer
lean had the Indian sign on the purely
Irish Coffey and was his superior in ring
tactics and with the punch.
As a boxer Coffey was miles in front
Of his victorious opponent. The SYM
pathics OF the house were with him and
in the early rounds the whoops Of the
Irish rang out frequently as Coffey
jabhed and uppercut his man without
any attempt on the part of Moran to
retaliate. Coffey had learned one lesson
from the previous encounter and instead
Of dashing after his man he stood away
and allowed Moran to miss the few
swings he aimed.
The cleverness OF Coffey was very ap-
parent. but at the same time Moran was
indulging in tactics OF the submarine or
der. He was allowing Coffey to do all
the work. steer zigzag course. and
fight himself to a standstll. Then when
the moment came for action. up bobbed
the submarine and launched a torpedo
at the Roscommon boy in the eighth
round that had him groggy In a minute
and ended in his falling helpless in the
following round.
CO6ey seemed q Winner.
Such a complete change Of conditions
seldom has been seen as the nlan9u-
wiring of the Pittsburg man brought about.
The target for all the blows in the early
rounds. Moran was outpointed to such
an extent that all Coffey had to do was
to remain on his feet to win. He came
up lusty and strong for the eighth and
was jabbing away through the greater
part Of that period.
Suddenly Moran awole and a terrific
right on the jaw had the Roscommon
lad in trouble and wabblng as he went
to his corner. Coffey came IN smiling
for the ninth. but found "A different man
awaiting him. Instead of holding back
jumped into the fray. HIS left had been
inactive. but was aroused to deliver a
furious blow. quickly followed by right
swing that sent Coffey staggering to the
ropes.
Az Coffey retreated the Pittsburger
rushed and before co!fey could set HIM
self he was assaled by shower Of
blows under which he crumpled up like
n piece of paper. No one could count the
akas ha lon ffar
on the helpless coffey. but 1t was a
right smash to the jaw that sent him
TO the floor.
Coffey was game as pebble and
though driven TO the mat, still clung to
the hopes of victory as Referee Bill
Brown stood over him and began the
count As Brown iolled off nine. COT
fey arose with Moran standing over him
to apply the finishing punch. Two more
rights delivered with strength and pre-
cision were necessary before coney
dropped again and another count Of nine
found Coffey rising weakly 10 meet an
other attack.
Co6ey IL Game TO the End.
A right and a left from the cool Pitts
burg man sent Coffey down again. This
time eight was counted before he got
up. Every one but Coffey himself knew
ne was Dciten tHtll, NlOl an tIly
tapped him lightly before Coffey went
to the last. Coffey was preparing to
rise to his feet again when his seconds
threw in the sponge and admitted that
their man was beaten.
Madison Square Garden has staged
many sensational events. but never has
there been put on an encounter with
gloves that aroused mo"e general in
terest than the engagement between the
two men who are seeking to meet Jess
Willard for the worlds championship
title. All Ireland was there. but all
Ireland formed only a small portion Of
the crowd that fought 9 earnestly to get
into the Garden as the big men fought
In the ring
From the moment the doors were open
there was a steady rush Oh the part
Of the 10000 or more that had bought
seats. The result was jam in front
Of the entrance that for some time
looked as IL it would never melt away.
Police reserves were rushed TO the en-
trance. and these. Il appeared. did more
to keep the anxious throng from entcr-
ing the Garden than they did TO assist
the ticket holders to reach their seats.
AS the mass of humanity struggled
10 get near to the doors the sports and
sportsmen preserved the best of humor
wished to see the gladiators IN tlre ring
and every man did his little best 10
keep them from heng crushed by the
human wedge. Some lost hats and
some lost canes in the wild drive for
the front, bu; eventually all those en-
titled by the possession Of tickets to
seats or standing room were massed IN
the arena.
Wen Of Prominence.
Every profession and every business
was represented in the throng that
surged through the gates. Charles Irina
Gibson and David BelaSco were easily
picked out among the boxholders and
one OF the last to take his seat in a
box was Jesse Lrwisohu Of racing fame
There were many women in the boxes
and they took the keeuest interest in the
proceedings,
Looking upward from the rings de
could be disrcrncd through the haze OF
smoke sea OF ANXIOUS faces They
belonged to the dullar patrons, some of
whom remembered when LIN Coffey was
car conductor and came to shout for
their fellow craftsman, How many OF
them squeezed into the Garden cannot
be told until the report is made 4, the
Boxing Commission but il is certain that
another person could not have been
wedged in between floor and rafters.
Boxing Commissioner Fred Wenck was
one of the last t. arrive. He found no
support IN In" thousands around the ring
for his theory that boxing is losing It's
grip and needs referees decision to keen