The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-25

about through an argument involving the rival managers. Sam Fitzpatrick, who was handling the affairs of Lavigne, re- marked that Lavigne had no equal in lighting harness.
 .'Walcott can whip him any day in the week." replied O'Rourke.
 '1'll bet you $500 that he can't do it. was the Fitzpatrick comeback; but La vigne fights around 139, and I won't agree to any match unless Walcott makes 13o pounds for Lavigne.
 You're on' answered O'Rourlie. The negro at the time was tipping around 142. Upon orders from O 'Rourke, he started strenuous reducing exercises. Massaging, fasting and almost daily Turkish baths. hours of road work and gymnastics finally brought Walcott to 135 pounds on fight day. But the terrible ordeal sapped much of his superb strength and when he went into the ring he was far removed from his real great ness.
 Not much publicity had been given to the proposed battle and only a handful of fans were present when it was staiSeN
 in Maspeth, l.. l.. Decem Der ?, 1895. But those who were fortunate enough to be there witnessed an encounter thrilling and bitterly contested.
 Neither man was a clever boxer. Each depended upon his ability to take punish ment and his tremendous hitting powers Lavigne. in particular knew little more than to hore in and keep upon his antag- oEist through every minute of every round. But he knew that art we'll
 The white man was the aggressor from the start. Realizing that the negro was weak, lavigne rushed at him all through the early sessions and dealt out to the negro a terrible body beating. For six rounds Wlalcott did little more than at tefnput defense. But in the seventh he seemed to recuperate a bit held his ground and. instead of backing away, as earlier. tore into Lavigne. From then on 1 It was terrible, mercilesss contest with no quarter given and none asked Both | fighters rained the heaviest blows that
 seemed humanly impossible for men of ! their size. When they landed. it seemed l with foce sufficient to crumple an entire
 ribbed section of human body. But somehow or other both mon continued to
 hold their feet as round after round went along.
 DaVignes right ear was nearly torn off
 his head in the eleventh as result of a wicked left-hander that Wolcott shot
 at him. But Lavigne never minded the
 blow, but tore into the negro with greater fury than ever. and before the round was
 ended landed g. punch that spread Wal cotts nose to both his cheeks. 1 It was ifteen-round contest, and through the final three each fighter made the supreme effort of his career to score | knockout. The onslaught of each kept
 the spectators in raving delirium and as
 the final bell banged the arena was like a madhouse
 And then Tim Hurst, the referee. lifted
 the hend of Lavigne to indicate that he had won a contest that was so terrible | in it's punishment that it was week before either man was able to leave his bed and it was a long time before either one engaged in another fight. The two men met asain in 1897. and I.avigne won in twelve rounds a result which surrrised the soo~tinc pirhlic and ',,ade many suspioscs-s of the honesty oe the affair. fecause av,rne weighed oalv lSi then and was slirping fast. whereas
 Walcott fought at 1E. was at his fight
 ing best