The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-18
JOHN M'GINTY KNOCKS OUT KELLEY INV GREAT BATTLE
BattIer Puts Up Gallant Fight, But Cannot Stem Tide Of Defeat As Irishman Pushes Bout In Fourth

In the most sensational boxing match that has ever been staged at the Birmingham Athletic club, John Battling Kelley of Birmingham in the fourth round of a scheduled 10- round bout. As if by common con- sent the boxers went in for de- cisive victory. Intent upon making it the final bout and decide once for all which was the better man, both opened the first round standing toe to toe and slugging with every ounce of weight possible to put be- hind every blow.
 The large crowd of fans stood dur ing the entire fight and never ceased their wild yelling, even between rounds. As the bell started each round the fight maniacs stood and yelled until it seemed that the very housetop shook Never in the annals of Birmingham prize fight ing has bout stirred such enthu- siasm as the one Monday night.
 But the prostrate form of Kelley in the fourth round was pathetic even as the slugging Kelley of the first and second round was gallant. Aft CT losing a previous decision to Me Ginty and being held to a doubtful draw, the Battler came into Me Ginty at the start of the first round determined to stake all on the bout. Throwing all defensive science to the winds, he used all the cunning of his ring career to land heavy blows with little thought to the punishment he was receiving at the hands of Me Ginty.
 The first round clearly was Kel- ley's. His superior slugging was bet ter than the Irishman could put up and the second round may have been called draw, although in this round McGinty landed two or three solid smashes.
 the undoing of Kelley and the fourth round was the finish. After a flashy start in which he landed his cork screw punch" to the stomach and followed with a right and left to the face, he was slowed up by three heavy blows to the face in quick sue casion from the gloves of McGinty. A right to the chin jared him to his toes and was followed by a left to the stomach and another right to the chin. Throughout it all the Bat tier continued his gallant fighting and although his rushes were stop ped short time after time he never despaired. He was knocked heavily to the floor late in the third round but staggered to his feet with an effort after the count of eight The bell saved him probably as he was in bad way when it sounded.
 Fourth Is Final.
 McGinty came from his corner wieh a rush in the fourth round, intent on scoring knockout. His Irish blood was up and the sight of victory urged him on. Slugging with both fists he drove for Kelley's stomach and face. A terrific left to the point or the chin came near ending Kelley blow to the solar plexis ended the bout and the career of Battling Kelley.
 As long as boxing is staged in a Birmingham ring the bout of Me Ginty and Kelley will be talked of. Although his manner of passing was not in itself glorious still the pass ing of Kelley will always be recalled With memories of gallant battler throwing discretion to the winds and willing to fight at his opponents own game and even as the last count was being tolled over his pros- trate form attempting to rise to continue the struggle.
 The evenings preliminaries were opened with a 10-round wrestling bout between Kid" Pasely and Tom Lacey. It was a hectic struggle and both men were intent on winning. Pasely won the first fall with head lock but Lacey came back a couple rounds later and threw him with a body scissors. In the eighth he finished-the bout by clamping a body scissors on the much weakened Pasely who was forced to give up.
 ''Kid'' Adams and "Kid" Lott staged q slugging battle for four rounds. Adams got the count in the fourth. Both boxers went in for killing and slugged to the finish
 Young Battling Kelley and Joe Russo put up one of the best pre- liminary bouts seen at the club this year. Both were extremely fast and clever boxers and neither was averse to slugging. It was a scientific bout and slugging match combined. Kel- ley was iven the decision at the end of the fourth but the decision was wildly booted. The bout looked more like a draw.
 Battling Spark Plug knocked out Harry Carter of Atlanta in the third round of their six-round semi-final. The lengthy chap could not get out of the way of the Battler's fast travelling right, which terminated the bout.