Sept. 1904 Welterweight Title Fight with Joe Walcott

‘The Union’ newspaper account of the September 1904 Walcott-Langford welterweight title fight. Courtesy of NH State Library:
“LAKE FIGHT WAS A DRAW.
Walcott and Langford in Fifteen Found Mixup
They Weighed In At 142

Champion Was Outpointed by His Adversary – But Carried the Fighting to Langford – The Preliminary Was a Burlesque and Spotty Coyne. Gave a Tiresome Exhibition

One of the main sporting events of Labor day was pulled off at the Coliseum before upwards of 2,000 people, when Joe Walcott and Sam Langford fought fifteen rounds for championship honors. The fight ended in a draw, Langford outpointed the title holder from the start, ____ _____ the ____ Walcott was forced to carry the fighting to him. Owen Kenney officiated the bout, and his decision appeared to meet with general approval, although it was unquestionable a Langford (______?).

((Can’t make out much of the 2nd paragraph, which is about the preliminary bout))

Third paragraph:
I can’t make out the first three words of the first sentence, but after that it looks like it says: “was started on time” and then: “Walcott was the first to enter the ring. He was accompanied by “Honey” Melody, Peter Walker, Harry R_____?, and John (Breslin?), all of Boston. The champion wore an American flag about his belt. Langford was seconded by James Welsh, Ed Keevin, and B____ J_____ all of Boston.”

Fourth paragraph:
“Before calling time Referee Kenney announced that both men had weighed in at 142 pounds - Walcott appeared heavier – and would fight fifteen rounds for a decision, the fighters to protect themselves at all times and break on command of the referee.”

Fifth paragraph:
“The first round started in lively, although it was mostly sparring for an opening. Walcott appeared to be playing for the body and Langford for the head. In the second round Langford was in and out and all over the ring.

Walcott reached home with a good left swing to the jaw in the third and the fighting warmed up as the round progressed. Langford drove several stiff rights to the jaw toward the last of the round, and the bell sounded with the fighting in Langford’s favor.

Honors were about even in the fourth.

In the fifth, Walcott drove a left to Langford’s jaw. Langford returned the blow with a left to the jaw and the fighters mixed up. This was also Langford’s round.

The sixth was a general slam-bank contest, Langford driving left and right to jaw and body. The blows appeared to have little effect on the champion, however, and he kept chaffing Langford, a trick of his when his opponent is getting in some telling blows.

Walcott forced the fighting continuously in the seventh.

In the eighth Walcott started in as if to end the bout then and there. As he would plant a stiff left on Langford’s ribs he would say: “I’ve got ‘im Billy, just wait, I’ve got ‘im.” Langford put a sudden stop to the chaffing, however, with a right hook to the jaw that sent the champion reeling. This he followed up with a couple of uppers cuts and a left drive to the jaw. The fighting in this was the fastest of any round.

The next four rounds as far as points were concerned were easily Langford’s, although in each he hung back and let Walcott force him.

In the thirteenth Walcott got an upper cut that made his teeth rattle and started him to bleeding at the mouth. He drove a vicious right swing to Langford’s jaw before the round ended.

Walcott came up the fresher of the two in the fourteenth and landed left and right on Langford’s wind and jaw. Langford drove a heavy right to the jaw, but the heavy body blows that he had been taking appeared to have winded him.

In the fifteenth and last round both men came up fresh. Walcott refused to shake hands and Langford went in to make him pay for it. This round was fast and furious, although neither lost his generalship. The bell sounded with both men on their feet and honors about even.

Referee Kenney’s decision of a draw was greeted with applause.

The management of the bout had made arrangements for a big crowd, erecting two extra stands capable of seating 1,000 people, although, many Boston sports came up, the attendance did not pan out as anticipated, the new stands only being about half (full?)”