Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-15
WAS GAME BUT NOT
STRONG ENOUGH TO
WITHSTAND FIGHT

Terry McGovern's victory over
Lightweight Champion Frank Erne
in the third round of a fight that
was held in Madison Square Gar
der July Il, 1900, was one of the
most sensational battles held under
the Morton law. Under the cOndi-
tons of the match Erne had to
make 12S pounds for the feather
weight champion and stop him in
10 rounds or lose the decision.
E-ne made big mistake in reduc-
ing so low and he proved to be
rather easy victim Tor McGovern S
rushing tactics.
1t was estimated that 10000 per-
sons paid prices ranging from 81
to SIS to see the bout 1t was the
first glove battle held in the Gar
den under the Horton law and the
reformers tried to interfere on the
ground that the club did not hold
. bona fide lease on the building.
The matter was settled when Pro-
mOter Jim Kennedy. backed by Big
Tim Sullivan, showed the police
the necessary document.
John L. Sullivan sat putting on
a black cigar cooked at such an
acute angle that the rim of his
straw hat was in constant danger.
Terry will knock Erne's block
off" beloved John L., an opinion
that was cOncurred in by Fitzsim-
mons, who said:
1t ought to be a great fight. !
never had much faith in boxer
against a fighter and for that rea-
son | look for McGovern to win"
Jim Jeffries, then champion. was
the only one of the big fellows alb
sent. Jeff was detained at Mount
Vernon nursing a badly injured
left arm. Other famous fighters
who looked on were Dan Creedon.
Dial Hawkins. Joe Cans. Wild Bill
Hanrahan, George Dixon. New
Jack O'Brien, George McFadden,
Tommy West. Jack Bonner. Joe
Walcott, Eddie Connolly, Mattv
Mathews. Jack McAuliffe. Dave and
Spike Sullivan. Tommy Ryan. Rube
Ferns and many Of lesser note.
Charley White was the referee.
He started many arguments by dis
qualifying one of the preliminary
fighters for accidentally striking
low. White was ever a stickler for
rules.
Just before entering the ring
Erne and McGovern weighed in.
Erne looked thin and drawn In or
der to make the required I2S
pounds he had trained so hard in
the blistering heat that his system
rebelled under the rough treat
ment and he only weighed 1861
pounds, despite his efforts to build
up again. McGovern, who had been
growing rapidly, was in the best of
shape at 125 pounds.
The fight began with McGoyern
rushing furiously. Although ii was
necessary only for him to stick the
&c rounds to win he was such a
natural fighter that he did not
know what il was to plav safe.
with both hands pumping in blows
ne packed Erne around the ring.
Frne had a great left hand and he
was remarkably cool, skillfuI
boxer. As McGovern rushed again
Erne measured the distance care
rally and met him with a straight
left TO the chin that brought Terry
up all standing.
again McGovern rushed. landing
heavily with both hands. Erne
tried to mix. but the speed and fury
o. his opponents attack were too
much for him and he was forced to
break ground. ETne met Mccoy
erne's next rush with a left so well
timed that Terry was knocked 10
his knees. He took a long count,
laughing all the while. and then
sprang up and mixed it madIv.
McGoyern' 5 blows were well d.
rected and carried terrific force
krne clinched desperately in order
70 weather the storm, while Terry's
gfoyed f - moved in and out like
piston rods He paid no attention
10 krne's blows or attempts TO
eiinch, but fought himself free
without pausing moment. Erne
was bleeding from the nose and
mouth Is he took his corner and
he looked to be in a bad way.
In the next round Erne. whose
MIN he brain had been ar work.
changed his tactics somewhat. He
used his feet TO better advantaza