The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-03-22
M'GOYERN'S RUSH
PALMER'S UNDOING
British Champion Battered to
Floor i'm First Round of
Title Bout.


This is the tt0eRtieih Of series of
articles by Charles r. NdtRison in tohich
he describes interesting pHqitStic eponts
OF the past. The rriter cot Gncs his OBJ
serrdtions TO contests aud accidents Of
achich he ards da cye7pitRess.
IT IS questionable if any championship
eontcst ever had so many spectacular
features as the bout between Terry Nc
Govern and Pedlar Palmer in an open
air arena at Tuckahoe, September II.
for the worlds bantam championship,
and as each OF these fighters was then
at his best there was intense interest in
the struggle.
Pedlar Palmer. known in the ring as
the BOX Of Tricks was the cleverest
boxer of his time. He had to his credit
a six round draw with the great George
Dixon, had knocked out the famous Billy
Plinlmer in seventeen rounds, outpointed
Johnny Murphy OF Boston and Dave
Sullivan of New York in twenty round
bouts and had convinced Englishmei.
and many Americans in the bargain that
he could tame Terrible Terry.
Therefore when the match was finally
made 1t caused a great commotion in
pugil.stic circles. Palmer was followed
across the ocean by number of Eng
fish sportsmen, including A. F. Bettin-
son, manager of the National Sporting
C1,,t~ - A. 4 .,,t.t
them a goodly store of English pounds
with which to back their opinions that
Palmer would subdue the fiery Brook
Ignite. Both McGovern and Palmer had
been pedlers.
The first sensational incident de-
veloped when AL Smith, the stakeholder,
reported that the promoter had failed to
post his forfeit of $4,000.
smith to the Rescue.
For a time il looked as though the
match would be declared Off, but finally
the managers Of the fighters consented
TO have AL Smith take all moneys up to
$4,000 (Which was the purse agreed on
for the contestants), after which the re-
naming receipts would go to the pro-
moter. Smith accepted the response
billty. entered stuffy booth. locked the
door and sold tickets till he had $40 900
cash in his possession. Then he came
out of the booth. and at the conclusion
OF the fight gave the combatants their
shares of the money
The weight agreed on was l16 pounds,
and McGovern had a hard task making
the poundage. Yet he was at weight
the night before the day set for the
battle. To the CONSERVATION of all con-
cerned a terrific rainstorm drenched
the arena on the appointed day and
there was nothing to do but to post
pone the event.
The sun came. out strong the follow
ing day and large crowd went TO the
site OF the battle.
George Siler. then at the height Of his
career as a referee, was the third man
In the ring.
When Terry entered the ring with his
retinue 1t looked like n Fourth OF July
procession. Phil McGovern, young
ster, headed the column and carried an
American flag. which he waved vigor-
cusly. Terry marched behind Phil, and
his seconds followed
McGovern was a TO 2 favoritc over
the Briton, and the hackers of Palmer
made heavy wagers at those terms.
McGovern was then in full possession
of all his physical powers and was
human battering ram.
At the sound of the gong for the first
round McGovern sprang upon the as
tonished Palmer and failed him with
crashing blows so thick and fast the
English boy could not defend himself,
let alone do any offensive work.
The Briton was the recipient OF
series Of smashing blows to the body
that took all the fight out or him. lie
used his feet in an effort to escape
from the tigerish attack OF the Brook
Ign boy. but ii was unavailing'
Terry had been lambasting Palmer
for a half minute Of the opening round
when suddenly the bell sounded and
brought hostilities to close.
Fast Gong.
suer rushed excitedly to the time
keeper and asked for an explanation. II
turned out that the gong was one or
the old fashioned kind. with a chain
and a ring into which the timer in
serted his finger The timekeeper had
pulled out the chain and was holding
Il Ia readiness for release at the end OF
three minutes. but his hand perspred
and the chain slipped. When Siler
learned the facts he called the boxers
TO the centre and the tight proceeded.
palmer had had rest OF twenty Sec
was thought he might recover and make
a better fight than he had. But Nc
Govern. angered by the delay, leaped
at Palmer as soon as the bout was re-
sumed and battered him to the floor
with savage rights and lefts to the
body. Palmer was counted out. where
upon Phil McGovern. still waving his
nag, climbed into the ring and escorted
the new worlds bantam champion to
his dressing room.
When Palmer boarded the steamship
for the return voyage he expressed the
belief that he had not been beaten by
McGovern's blows.
"Bli me-" said the Box OF Tricks. III
was II with a sticS BY some bally
blighter houtsidc the ring"
The brevity OF the contest caused
many scat buyers t. miss The proceed
ings. Two patrone who entered their
boy lust &c the boys faced each other
made a wager OIL tho result One OF
the bettors III getting out his money
dropped gold coin on the floor and
II rolled into crack He fumbled about
for some time in an effort TO regain
tho coin, and when he finally resumed
49, nuf,A At and III