The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-05-08

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Billings in the late summer Of 1908,
on that match as on any glove conte!
was staged at the Coliseum, and it was
packed to the doors-the heavy betting
generating a "sellout." Officially the
match was a draw. The decision was
one of those raw" things that called
for booing. The crowd was sold on the
idea that Sullivan won. The match
went the limit, 20 rounds.
Most of the many bets, and there
were some that were STABLE. were made
that Sullivan would or would not stay
10 rounds.
Sullivan Trained Hard
The proprietor of a saloon in Bill
lings, one McMulken, met Jack on
i the day he arrived in Billings. The
liquid dispenser had lost money on Sid
LaFontise and Tommy McCune, kayo
victims of McGoorty. Jack was doing
span of horses drew up alongside and
asked If he were Sullivan from Butte.
Jack replied in the affirmative. The
man introduced himself. It was Nc
Mulken.
do you think you can lick Nc
Goorty?" was one of his questions.
yes, I think I can" replied JACK.
McMulken.
I'm going to train hard for the
fight" said Jack, land I've won from
men that McGoorty lost to-"
IF you feel that way. said NC
Mulken, "Iu have a good sized chunk
down on you, but I'll only bet that
you will stay 10 rounds"
Butte Men in Both Camps
George Kessler, former Butte ooxer,
was in Billings doing some work for
! the Billings Light and Power Co: and
was touting Jack to defeat Eddie. When
Kessler bet that Jack would win, tina
was the signal to many fans to plank
| down on Sullivan to stay at least half
the distance. Charlie Norval Of Butte
when questioned, told all and sundry
that Sullivan was a tough hombre. Guy
! Stapleton, former county attorney OF
Silver Bow county, had just built the
Stapleton block, then the highest n
largest office building in Billings; He,
van. When the fight took place, Guy
was an adviser to Jack.
Incidentally, Frank and Bud Lewis,
| who operated the Luzon cafe, lost thelr
| restaurant backing McGoorty to put
Jack away before 10 rounds. They later
opened a restaurant in the rear OF the
Exchange saloon. Billy Moore, who had
lost that equity, betting on Eddie. He
moved to Cody, and for many years
was head bartender at the 1rma hotel,
| owned by Buffalo Bill. Colonel Cody
! was fond of Moore and his ability, back
of the bar. The colonel would tell a
Billy was the best mixologist in the
country. To embarrass Moore, Cody
would tell his guests that Eddie Nc
| Goorty was kind enough to help Billy
| decide to make Cody his home. When
ever Billy would hear McGoorty's name
mentioned he would stuff his ears. -,
For the first 10 rounds Jack Wo9lo
Staying out Of harms way. McGoorty
couldn't get in any damaging blows,
Jack setting such a fast pace That Ed
die never could get set for left hooks
or rights to jaw or body. None OF Jacks
blows carried much steam, but ne was
doing all leading and hitting. Jack a
$500 on himself to stay 10 rounds. When
that money was won, he tore loose in
the 18th and succeeding rounds. m
tent on putting Eddie away, or to gain
q decision.
Eddie did not win a round. Sullivan
was on top OF him in the second nan
Of the fight. McGoorty was forced TO
Goorty all over the ring in the last
| round. When the bell rang, Jack went
over to the referee to have his arm
| raised aloft, but the official lifted NC
| Goorty's right hand as well. Jack
roundly abused the referee, who, IN de-
Tense, admitted that Jack had won h
last 10 rounds easily, but argued that
10 rounds to his opponent, so he coulo
win his bet and those of his hackers:
The roar of the crowd was favored
with the cheer of the Bronx. While Ed
die was popular, the crowd in all fair
ness thought that Jack won easily:
Jack was: talking OF Eddie n other
az Mee soa ,Se% ~as 6 tr 1naa n q a's a I speeond
slow to being q champion" According
to Jack, EDDIE owned q good left hook.
left lab, uppercut right to the Jaw
and body, but his delivery OF these
wallops was just slow enough to per-
nit his opponent to cover up. 4.
This McGoorty was quite q lad. AT
ise-poand amateur title, winning three
bouts in one evening. He turned pro
at the age Of 16. By the time he had
reached his 18th milestone, Eddie was
a middleweight. In this division, ne
| met the best men Of his day. In 1910,
when Stanley Ketchell, middleweight
former champion, and Cyclone Johnny
Thompson both put in claims for the
crown. This pair moved into the light
heavy ranks toward the end OF 1911:
In 1928 there was a new host Of
claimants, including McGoorty, Jack
Dillon, Jimmy Clabby, Frank KLAUS,
George Chip, Mike Gibbons, BOZ Mona
and Hugo Kelly.
At that time, in some states where
boxing was legalized, decisions were
not allowed. During those years the
records of many boxers were replete
with mo decision" listings, instead OF
wins or losses. McGoorty was always
mentioned as one of the best when
sports writer's wrestled with the task
Of picking a newspaper middleweight
champion. While Eddie fought in Butte
only once. he was rated "aces" with
local fans.
In 10000 the Oshkosh boy made Bill
lings his headquarters for a time. Ir
that city he kay oed Tony McCune anc
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