The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-24

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of six articles which Mr.. Corbett is writ
ing on the pugilistic life of Terry Nc
Govern. The next installment will APP
pear tomorrow
Terry McGoverns knockout victory over
Frank Erne on July H. 1900 stands out
as perhaps the most sensational per-
Torrance in the amazing career of the
great featherweight
Soon after McGovern sent Georfe Dixon
down to defeat, the followers of Terrible
Terry began to boast that the wihrlwind
Brooklynite could defeat any man in the
lightweight ranks. At that time Frank
Erne was king of that division and of
course, his followers scoffed at the claim
OF the McGovern enthusiasts. But as
Terry defeated one formidable foe after
another-many of them far heavier than
himself-the pugilistic world demanded
meeting between McGovern and Erne to
settle the question of supremacy
AS a result, Erne and McGovern were
matched to meet in handicap" contest
which included these provisions in the
articles of agreement:
l. Erne was to make 12S pounds at ring
side, but McGovern was permitted to go
into the ring at any weight he wished
to carry.
2. Erne had to knock out McGovern in
10 rounds or lose the contest.
| 3. Erne was not to lose his title as
| lightweight champion in case he was de-
feated by McGovern, as it was an adj
mitted fact that he had weakened him
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| The bout attracted an enormous crowd
| to Madison Square Garden 'and practi-
| cally every ring idol with the exception
of Jim Jeffries was among the spectators,
Tremendous interest was shown in that
match and hundreds of thousands of dol
lare was bet on the outcome. Terry
ruled the favorite, but Erne had a legion
of followers with loads OF money!" who
backed up their opinion that he could
stop McGovern in 10 rounds
However, when the two fighters en-
tered the ring, those who had wagered
heavily on Erne regretted their action.
The lightweight champion climbed
through the ropes looking pale and wan.
His efforts to make 12S pounds had taken
away much of his strenth, and when he
climbed into the scales he beamed only
| 126ls-at least six pounds below his best
| fighting bulk. Erne was a master ring
man, a terrific hitter, and at his best,
could stand up under punishment as well
as any man that ever donned the gloves.
But Erne, that night. was not at his
best.
| INN nh t1a &c
frisky as a kitten, full of life and ginger
and was in superb condition He had
taken on weight during the period follow
ing his battle with Dixon and touched
l25 pounds that night. And not an ounce
of it was surplus fat.
| 1t was battle between wonderfully
conditioned athlete and one who had
| wrecked marvellous physique by siren
uous training-and the wonderfully con-
ditioned athlete triumphed.
Terry opened the battle with a furious
rushing attack. 1t was necessary for
him only to play it safe throughout 10
rounds to be the victor-but Terry was
out for knockout victory that night.
So he, threw caution to the found winds,
disregarded the possible menace of Erne's
famous sleep wallop, and went at the
lightweight champion with both hands
lmcving like piston rods. Erne backed
away from the first few McGovern on
slaughts and by clever footwork and
beautiful blocking, escaped most of
Terry's terrific leads for the head. Sew
eral times Irne sidestepped a McGovern
rush and planted a left or right to the
head of the featherweight. Near the end
of the round Terry almost hurled himself
| at Erne in his eagerness to land on the
jaw AS Terry came in, Erne sidestepped
once more, timed punch accurately and
sent left to Terry's chin which shook
the featherweight from head to foot.
The second round brought Terry rush.
ing again. Erne took the defensive for
about minute. Then he shifted tactics
and elected to slug with McGovern.
There he made a glazing error. The fury
of McGoverns attack. backed up by a
wonderfully conditioned body, was the
Irresistible force. Ernes attempts to stop
it. weak as he was from training, began
to sap the last remaining strength in his
| frame.
Through the early part of the third
round Erne's footwork kept him out OF
Terrys way. But Terry was not to be
denied. He kept after Erne, attempting
to overwhelm him with the cyclonic fury