Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-24
FORMER RING HEROES
take THEIR LAST COUNT
BILLY Madden and "TcrribIc Terry"
McGOvern Soon Follow
Sullivan in Death.
'AREERs FULL OF INTEREST
'0rmcr Champions First Manager
Had international Reputation for
Being "on the Lcvcl"-McGOvern
Bantam Hero Of Two Decades Ago.


Following closely tho death OF John
. Sullivan. the premier OF the prize
ing. followers OF the nstic arena are
iscussng the unexpected death on
Thursday OF Billy Madden, for years
ullivan's trainer and the death on
riday Of J. Terrence McGovcrn, former
catherwc!ght champion. known To the
evotees OF the ring as Terrible
cry"
Death came suddenly TO Madden In
hospital at White Plains. he having
uttered AN attack OF heart Indigestion.
lie was six;y-nve years OF age. and
Vas known from coast 10 coast.
Madden had gone to the hospital to be
Derated on for an abdominal tuMor'
lis condition. was so weak, however.
hat the doctors could not operate. and
ne end caIno sooner than expected.
Madden came down there from his
ealth farm at Cairo. y. i. seven days
go. to seek physicians advice.
Madden was born in London sixty
We years ago. he came TO New York
Thilc boy. lie was Intensely in
crested in athletics, especially in box
mg. In 1871. at New Orleans. he won
THAT was then known as tho light
Weight championship Of the world. The
ght was under the Old London prize
ing rules. with bare knnck!es.
Madden trained John l.. sullivan when
he latter won the championship from
Paddy Ryan. Later nc lief; sullivan
nd went TO London. where he conduct
q boxing tournament. which was
ZION by Charlie Mitchell. and brought
The latter back TO this country 10 meet
fullivau.
His last pusilis,ic affair was man
lying Gus Rubin.
For the last seven years Madden has
Aecn conducting health farm At
afro, but kept up his Interest in sport
pg even until the last
Madden gained an International rep
tation OF being ION the level al
hough he was severely criticized for
Is management OF Tommy Ryan.
kmons the ring notables who were
nder tho care OF Madden q; one time
another were Charlie Mitchell Jack
dempsey, Pctcr Mahcr. Jake kilrain
nd Gus Rubin.
Madden had versatile career. He
Eas a candidate for tho State Legs
lturc from the I'if,h District. Brook
Syn. in 1905, and AZ that time wanted
o be known as a scif-madc man He
aid that during his NE he had been
p!aStcrcr. drug cIcrk hod carrier,
ongshorcsnan. section hand, prize
lighters, boxing instructor. vaudeville
ctor prizrfght manager, playwright.
cal estate dealer and candidate for
rty.
IcGOvERS's FORTUNE HAD
TAKEN UNTIL ITSELF WINGS
McGovcrn was another Of the old
liners" TO take the final count. Acute
Indigestion was the opponent which
trough; him down. Although he
unasscd fortune in the boxing game.
lac died here in a hospital ward. lie
,ad been living for several years on
nr i .
nG tickets at thcatcC box office.
When tho gold lie had accumulated
rom tho Square circle" had van
)Shcd his former manager. then n thea
! Yer owner. gave him the position which
c held till his death.
Terry AcGovc-n entered the prize
I :lng when only :, boy @. eighteen. and
Don won for himself the title of Ter
ible Terry" Like all fighters, he had
particular punch which carried him
fame. His was "A right uupcrcut.
When starting fight he divcd in
ivan a fierce, slaeh!ng style. and often
'verpowercd his opponent before the
IMAM knew the bell had rung. This ic-
|counted for his 1--WE knockouts IN the
FIRST round. He had TO his cr-di; when
he retired twenty-five knockouts. lie
fought to make il a finish battle He
S,ad to his credit only three battles
Won by decision. and was proud OF II.
In his six years in the ring there
[are few notable fights which stand
put. His longest battle was with Joe
bernstein. which went twenty-five
|'ounds. with Terry the winner.
fBECAME BANTAMWEIGIIT
CHAMPION IN 1909
4 He won the bantamweight champion
ship from Pedlar Palmer at Tuckahoe.
II. T.. September IL. 1899 This was
|on open air-arena affair. 4 great
Ilcrowd had gathered and because OF
some delay were compelled to wait for
several hours before the scrap began.
|Ircrry started with sidcswiping drives
Ind left swings, which put his opponent
bn the defensive from the start He
|won by n knockout in the first round.
| 4 few months later Terry conquered
|khc champion. George Dixon. a colored
Fighter. who then held the feather
weight title.
| Like other great ring heroes. he then
began his triumphal career. and
Throughout 1900 and until the eventfuI
Thanksgiving Day of the next year
Inc was the leading figure in ring
Isports. lie met and downed many a
[iworthy opponent. lie battled against
smen who outwcighcd him. but came
but victorious.
h The end came finally when he was
|inatched against Young Corbett at
Bt10Tt!OFu' Npl!i., Oh HdHhSS ifiHR Gay
NJ COL. One Of the greatest crowds ever
Ito witness puGilistic contest gath
|ered for this battle. McGovern was
1.-The favoritc. TO I.
\ McGovcrn went down before the
Eyouag Wcstcrner in the way he wanted
ko fall-the way lie had forced aside
Eo;her contenders for hie title. lie was
knocked out In the second round and
Ea new champion was crowned
N He was not satisfied with defeat
Hand followed Young Corbctt and forced
Rh,s claim for another contest He was
Hma tched against the new champion
Ia gain in San Francisco. but with the
Rso,mc result. He then retired from the
icing.
HOLDS Y. M. e. A. RECORD