Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-05

the fla
The date: July A. 1910
Two years earlier Battling Nelson stopped Joe cans
In II rounds in San Francisco win the lightweight
HOLIDAYS WERE MADE for big fights SO the old pro-
motors felt When Johnny Kbane beat Abe Atel in 20
rounds for the featherweght championship on wash
ngtons birthday 1912 more historic title fight
with the lightweight crown at stake occurred Washing
tons birthday 1870 when Wolgast knocked out Battling
Nelson in 40 rounds at Point Richmond, Calf
It st. Patricks Day. 1897 that Bob Fitzsmmons
kayoed Jim Corbett in IA CITY, New to win
the heavyweight championship Mote Get load Of those
sites. Toledo Shelby, Point Richmond, Carson CITY Reno
etc. }
For reason which temporarily escapes the mind
Dublin Ireland noted for Partially toward big fight
on st Patrcks Day And Of the stranges matches
all time staged there in 1923 Battling SIKH haf-wd
senegalese who held the Hght-heavyweight te agreed
or was told by his handlers agreeo fight Mike McTgue
in Dublin on St Patricks Day "si must hate title"
was the consensus of the fight mob Imagine fighting
McTigue in Dublin Especially Mike McTigue fight"
1t went the distance, 20 rounds. The winner and
champon-Mike McTgue!
80
JACK DEMPSEY NOT ONLY and defended his title
on July OF various years but he also didn't mind fighting
other holidays instance he fattened Billy Mske in
three rounds in defense of his title Labor Day. 1920 Oh
yes, Benton Harbor, Mich, the site.
Johnny Kbane, however must have been the
OF the holiday baters This great little fighter fought
least four weremembered bouts New Years Day. plus
his title victory Attel Washington's Birthday plus
Memorial Christmas and Fourth of July engagements While
he had it. Kbane couldn't easy holiday
Today he'd have to-
q Perhaps touching fight story in connection
with holidays belongs to George Barton neWspapeman
president Of the National Boxing Association
Billy Miske, who had been real good fighter, If
champion and he dying of Brghts Christ
mas coming up Billy short of money, knowing
1t would be the last with his wife and kids Mske called up
Jack Reddy, promoter and manager the Minneapolis
st. Paul area.
Jack" he said, "get me fight"
REDDY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. He knew what Miske
knew-hat he was dying Several times he refused but
finally captulated when Miske put it this way:
Please I'm broke haven't got long to co. and want
my family around happy, Christmas. If
die in the ring think might that's all right far
as I'm concerned I'm fighter Wouldn't that be better
than dying in rocking chair?
Miske had fought Dempsey. Jack Reddy lined up Bill
Brennan, who went IL rounds with Dempsey opponent
Brennan was past his peak too, but it attraction in
the Twin Cities area.
Miske who couldn't afford to lose strength by working
out for the fight boxed with Brennan for three rounds
Knocked him out in the fourth His purse George Bar
ton remembers about $2O0 Billy went home and blew
the works for the biggest Christmas the Mskes had
George relates 1T great December Is for that family
On December 26 Miske again phoned Reddy
Get me to a hospital Jack, he said, Tn dying
"on New Years Day." Barton remembers, BILLY Miske
died." !.