The Washington times., 1918-03-29
OLDM|DDLEWE|GHT
WHOFOUGHT TEDDY
LOSESLAST FIGHT

Mike Donovan, one time middle
weight champion of the world and
more recently boxing instructor Of the
New York Athletic Club, is dead.
More than twenty years of his life
were passed in the fierce competition
OF the prize ring, and although he
faced big, hard rushing men who
weighed pounds more than he, Dono-
van never suffered defeat For more
than thirty years as master of arms
of the New York Athletic Club and as
a private instructor in boxing he main
tained his marvellous skill. Age weak
ened the old champions punch and
vigor, but 1t never quite ruined his
skill and science.
boxed In White House.
The Professor" was the only pro-
fessional boxer who ever had entree
to the White House. When Colonel
Roosevelt was President Mike Dono-
van was a familiar figure in the gym
nasium which the Colonel rigged up
to give outlet to his abounding en-
ergy. Having known Mike for years
they were friends when Colonel
Roosevelt was a member OF the po-
lice board of New York-the Presi-
dent invited him frequently to the
White House and boxed with him on
innumerable occasions.
"And there was no ladylike stuff
about our bouts" Mike said once to a
reporter for the Sun. at was give and
take and slamming all the way. The
Colonel Is a broth of a boy with the
gloves. and in those days a dozen
years ago, he rushed like a bull and
had ha M
"He always said at the outset, Now,
Mike, I'm going to get you II 1 can.
Look out for YOURSELF" And / usually
replied, Go 1t, Colonel. I've got a clip
or two saved up for that chin of
yours"
Were Rough Fighters.
And then they went to II, often with
distinguished company applauding
Mikes science and footwork as he
ducked and sidestepped the Colonel's
failing blows and jabbed, jabbed,
jabbed until the Colonel was quite
willing to call It a day. Foreign am.
bassadors, including Jules Jusserand,
OF France; Cabinet ministers, among
whom was Henry l. Stimson, Secre-
tary OF War; United States Senators,
Representatives and army officers
witnessed these lively bouts.
Often Mike would stay to dinner at
the White House and would reEale
the President and q small company
with stirring, witty tales OF the old
days of the prize ring-the days of
bare knuckle fighting. before John L.
Sullivan rose above the horizon.
Colonel Roosevelt held high ad-
miration and respect for Mike Dono-
van and has said on more than one
nId rladfafor
one OF the squarest and cleanest men
il had ever been his fortune to know.
The friendship between the ex-presi-
dent OF the United States and the ex-
middleweight champion endured to
the day of the latter's death. When
Colonel Roosevelt was dangerously Ill
in Roosevelt Hospital one OF the daily
callers was the old professor" and
he was one of the first admitted to the
Coloners room when convalescence
was assured.
Fought Mostly mt I56 Pounds.
Irish to the core OF his heart, Irish
in pugnacity, in wit, and in ability to
make friends, Mike Donovan was a
born fighter. He never bulked large.
standing about five feet eight inches
upon rather thin legs, and most OF his
battles were with men
that outweighed him from twenty to
nifty pounds, Mike seldom entering
the ring at more than 156. the middle
weight limit: but strive as they would
the big fellows never could put him
out.
Sullivan tried his best to slam
Donovan into the land of dreams, and
this in the days when John L. was a
young, fast fighter at the top OF his
nd the npWeF n n -