The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-10-18
JIMMY GARDNER VS..

JIMMY GARDNER vs..
WILLIE FITZGERALD
Abe Cohen. lusty lunged announcer,
climbed into the ring of the old Silver
Bow Athletic club on the flat; raised
his hands for silence and beloved the
following i~ntroductions: "L-A-D-I-E-S
AND G-E-N-T-L-E-M-E-N. Your at
tention please. We present the main
event of the evening. In this corner,
Jimmy Gardner. of Lowell. Mass, at 1873
pounds-and-in that corner, Willie
Fitzgerald, of Brooklyn. at 1874 pounds.
The bout is for 20 rounds to a decision.
Dune Macdonald will referee"
1t was almost 81 years ago that Abe
in dulcet baritone voice, bally-hooed
the above words. Actually. it was on
the night of July %, 1904. 1t was a
black Friday for Fitzgerald, as his Sec
onds tossed in the towel in the fifth
round. Fitzgerald took a terrible beat
ing, but despite his early good night"
the bout was regarded as n of the
best scientific exhibitions in those days
that is, for three rounds.
Technical Kayo by Jimmy
The technical knockout scored by
Gardner was witnessed by a capacity
llouSC. 4lllSS "ol4lN3l OAANA
they were considered very brave. They
yelled encouragement to both boxers,
though later cat-called Gardner for
hitting Fitzgerald too often.
In Gardeners corner were George
Gardner. Jack Curley, the late DOC"
Flynn. Jack McDonough and George
SiddonS. George Gardner was a brother
and manager of Jimmy. He had been a
great performer in the ring. Later he
operated a saloon on East Park street
for several years.
Curley still is known as the boss i'm
pressario of the wrestling game. It is
said that every time a wrestler per-
forms. some slight token of his cut
must be slipped to Jacques. 1t was
Curley who promoted the Frank Gotch-
Hackenschmidt match many years ago
at a Chicago ball park. 1t was Curley.
too, who promoted the Jack Johnson
Jess Willard heavyweight match at
Havana. when big Jess won the title
from BLACK Jack" Curley was chas-
ing nickels in those days-now he has
stacks and stacks of them.
Jack McDonough is recalled as q
boxer of note and a capable referee.
SiddonS was one of Gardeners Sparr1ng
partners. A few years ago he was en-
ployed as a bartender in a Chicago
night club.
In Fitzgerald's corner were Harry
Pollok. Jim Jeffords, Nose LafontiSe
and phoebe" Ryan.
Pollock was manager Of Fitzgerald;
also of Jack Monroe and many other
boxers. He was active in promoting
sports events all over the country. He
committed suicide a few years ago at
San Diego. For IS years Pollok vas
publicity director for the Tia Juana
race track. An able fighter in his day,
Nose Lafontise is still residing in Butte,
JeffordS was prominent in heavyweight
circles.
Fast Boxing for Three Rounds
Much fiercer bouts have been held in
Butte. but it doubtful if a more scien-
tific exhibition of the manly art was
paraded in the camp, according to a
writer at the ringside. Both showed
they were clever boxers and excellent
blockers. Time and again one or the
other would try to land, only to be
cleverly blocked. While both were fast
and clever Gardner was the more scien-
tific. For three rounds Fitzgerald was
able to stop the stiff jabs, vicious up
percuts and short-arm jolts Of Gardner,
and hat made the Brooklyn boy con-
fident. But he could not land effect
lively. Many times he found the face
and body, but the blow did no dam
age.
Fitzgerald previously had been good
enough to go 20 rounds with Jimmy
Brit and secure a 10-round draw with
Joe Cans.
In the fourth and fifth rounds
Gardner was all owe Fitzgerald whose
early-round display Of cleverness van
ished.
Gardner Floors Opponent
The undoing of Fitzgerald began in
stiff Jolt with his mouth that drew
blood. Gardner followed by sending
one home to the chin and Fitzgerald
went down, taking a count of six. Gone
was the Fitzgerald smile. AS he got to
his feet, Gardner was on top of him.
raining lefts and rights. driving the
Brooklyn boy to the ropes. In an eX-
change, Gardner landed a right cross
to the jaw and Fitz collapsed to the
floor. Dune Macdonald had counted
to five when the gong sounded the end
of the round.
Fitzgerald's seconds worked valiantly
over him during the intermission and
he appeared to be out of the clouds as
he danced to the center of the ring
as the bell sounded.
The Fatal Fifth
Gardner left his seat, assuming a de-
liberate attitude. He landed a hard
blow to the pit of his opponents stom-
ach: they clinched and again the
bread basket" of Fitz was bombarded.
Fitzgerald certainly felt the sting of
those body blows. An exchange of light
blows was followed by a right to Gard
ner's body. but Jimmy did not seem a
bit worried. Fitz was throwing every
thing he had, but left himself open to a
terrific right uppercut to the jaw. and
went down for a count of nine. He was
in pain. AS he got up Gardner sent
another stiff jolt to the jaw. Fitz COW
cred up. intent only IN stopping the
damaging blows of Jimmy. The latter
connected with a jab to the head. but
it was brushed aside, and then Gardner
let fly a short. swift, hard right to the
chin and Fitzgerald. again hit the
boards. staying down for a count of
eight.
He managed to get on his feet only to