The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-09-27
BILLY WRIGHT VS.. JOE SEIMONICH

One of the first major activities of
the American Legion post Of Billings
was staging the 1O-round boxing con-
test between Joe Simonich, promising
Butte youngster and Billy Wright OF
Seattle. The match was held in the
summer of 1919, at the old Coliseum.
A draw decision vas made by the writer
who officiated as third man."
Simonich had won the welterweight
championship of the 91st division at
Camp Lewis and successfully defended
an eX-soldier. so the match had plenty
of military flavor. Members of the Post
we're all in uniform for the occasion.
The late o. King Grimstad acted as
master of ceremonies. He put on a good
show using choice verbs, adjectives and
a few run of-the-mill words in pre-
senting the soldier boxers.
One Boxer, Two Managers
Simonich arrived in Billings a few
days before the contest. He was on his
own until the day of the match, when
Harry Thompson and 10 ManWarlng
appeared, both claiming to be Joe's
manager or official representative.
Harry had nursed and piloted his ap-
prentice butcher boy for some months,
but Joe, being dissatisfied over some
thing or other dispensed with Harry
as manager though not notifying him
Of his act. No contract was signed by
either party. though a gentlemen's
agreement was supposed to exist. Man
Waring was Joe's new manager and in
sisted on checking the box office, as
did Thompson. The mess was straight
ened ut by the parties concerned before
the zero hour. Uncle Dan" Salt was
Wright's manager.
Wright was taking on his share of
main events at coast cities. He was
regarded as a very clever boxer. In
Simonich he was meeting an up n
coming youngster, who had ambition.
pep, and CUTS galore. Wright was the
best man that Simonich had met up to
that time. The bout was regarded as
having a bearing IN the career OF the
lad from Butte. If he was defeated
badly, his career would be short-lived:
On the other hand, if he could hold off
Wright, and make a favorable show
ing, his prospects were CONSIDERED as
being worth while.
Well. Joe did make a good showing.
It was a draw-a good draw. Simonich
was not impressed with Wrlght,s clev.,
erness, and satisfied that Wright U
not do him serious damage. forced
fighting, easily assimilating all that
Billy could give. Joe's aggresslveneSS
offset Wright's c~leverness. At in
fighting. the coast lad eXcelled and was
always on hand to counter punch. Joe
kept coming in, never permitting a lull
in action.
Joe Wins Return Bout
A year later, in August, 1919, simon.
ich won a decision from Wrlght at
Bozeman. In this bout Joe piled up a
lead of eight rounds, two went to
Wright and two were even.
After the first Wright match, Joe
began scaling the pugilistic ladder and
enjoyed a long run of engagements and
successes. He was a great drawing caro-
in Butte for several years. HIS &C.
tivities took him to many states, ana
his rugged, aggressive style made hlm
a fayorite with fans wherever he dis
played his wares.
The Wright match gave Joe con
fidence. He applied himself to his
fistic trade seriously. His name began
to appear on sports pages with regular.
ity. He made the sport a profltaole
business venture. Today, Joe is a ranch
er, works at it and talks lke an ag-
riculturist or stock grower. he Is
burgomaster of the Renova district. In
recent months he has been officiating
at boxing matches held in Butte-ano
knowing much of ring manners, makes
a good ringmaSter.
BUTTE STAGES BIG FISTIC WEEK
New York. Paris, London, New Or
leans. San Francisco and any other