THE NEWS, FREDERICK, MD,
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29,1944
Band hit “Down went McGinty”
When Nelson fought First battle
By Billy Roche
Famous referee and manager
When Battling Nelson entered the , ring for his first professional fight the band played "Down Went McGinty." But Bat soon made them change their tune.
Oacar Matthew Battling Nelson was born in Copenhagen June 5, 1882. He had six brothers and a sister. When Bat was a year old the family migrated to America, settled in Hegewiach. Ill. The population consisted of Danes and Swedes and they were always at sword’s points. Nelson had to
fight almost from infancy.
At 13 young Nelson quit school to work as ice cutter on Lake Michigan at 15 cents a day. The heavy outdoor work inured him to hardship and further toughened his naturally tough physique.
In the fall of '96 Wallace's circus came to town. By this time Nelson had changed his vocation to meat cutter. Traveling with the circus was a pug meeting all comers. He was. billed as the "world-renowned Unknown."
In order to get the gang into the show. Nelson offered to try for the dollar given to anyone who could stand three full rounds before the "famous" Unknown. As the Hegewisch kid climbed into the ring the band started its "Down Went McGinty" but it was the Unknown who went down for keeps in the first round.
Runs Away From Home
After Bat beat Ole Olson for the championship of Hegewisch, his father forbade him ever to fight again. So on June 15 young Battling left a note saying "Coins away, ma, to seek my fortune" and hopped the first freight going north.
The next 6 years were lean and tough. Nelson ranged the midwest fighting wherever he could pick up a few bucks. He worked a spell at "Old Ironsides" restaurant, so-called because of the toughness of its 15 cent steak.
He got his break when Joe Walcott was unable to keep a date to fight Martin Canole for Alex Greggains in San Francisco May 20, 1904. I'd seen Nelson flatten Spider Welsh in 16 rounds at Salt Lake City on April 6
And suggested Bat for Walcott. Nelson took the bout for $760. He kayoed Canole in the 18th.
There followed five luscious fighting years For Nelson. In which he defeated the finest crop Of ightweights the division ever produced.
.
BattlingNelson, 5-7' 1/2, 133, blue eyed, tow-headed descendant of Vikings, possessed a frame like the oaken vessels in which his ancestors sailed the seven seas. He was invulnerable - truly the "Durable Dane."
No other fighter took such terrific Beatings like Nelson and came on to win. There was nothing of the fancy boxer about his style. He had a careless disregard for the hardest blows rained upon him, seemed indestructible and immune to ' pain. He once fractured his left arm in the middle of a 15 round fight, which, he said, "tended to make me somewhat cautious and possibly kept me from winning by a K, O."
Beat Sluggers, Boxers
Never a great slugger, he beat the greatest sluggers of his day by slugging with them - Herrera, Corbett, Hyland, Hanlon; never a great boxer, he knocked out the great boxers - Sims, Welsh, Canole, Britt, Gans: never a great hitter, he scored a two second K. O. over Billy Rossler at Harvey, 111., on April 5, 1902, which remained the quickest knockout on record till 26 years later when Al Foreman kayoed Ruby Levine in 1.5 seconds in Montreal.
Pugilistically Nelson was an old man at 27 when he lost the title to Ad Wolgast at Port Richmond,1 Feb. 22, 1909, yet in the 40 grueling rounds the shaggy Dane took nary a back step.
I still contend Nelson would have beaten " Gans in their finish fight at Goldfield, Sept. 3. 1906, if Bat hadn't fouled Joe in that historic 42nd round. Nelson fought about 150 fights, cleaned up more than a quarter million in his 20 year of fighting.
If he'd turned his efforts to track athletics, Battling Nelson would have been the world's greatest marathon runner. On second thought, I'd better make that obstacle racer.
Battling Nelson - Bio
-
robert.snell1
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 16 Oct 2003, 07:56
My Fav Story
What did she say when she went home????
NELSON SHOCKED
THE MORMON GUIDE
SALT LAKE CITY, August 10 An
amusing Incident happened during Eddie
Graneys visit 'In this city this
week. It was his first trip here, and
naturally he wanted to take In the
nights. So, with Billy Nolan and Battling
Nelson, he jaunted up to the
Temple and took a long look at that
beautiful structure. While thus engaged,
a guide with a party of tourists
happened along. The three big
chiefs fell In line and were taken Into
the assembly hall and then over to the
tabernacle,
It was while In the latter place that
the woman guide received a shock from
Battling Nelson, that was worse than
the one experienced by Jimmy Brltt
in the eighteenth round of his bout
with the Dane at Colma. The woman
had just finished explaining the wonderful
acoustic properties of the building,
how quickly people could enter
and leave, and was concluding with A
discussion on the seating capacity of
the place, when a tourist Inquired:
"Has the building ever been used for
any other purpose than holding Mormon
services?"
"Oh, yes." answered the guide. "Famous
singers and musicians frequently
rent the building to give concerts.
It was here that Pattl sang on her
farewell tour. Big conventions have
been held here as well as musical
concerts."The woman had hardly finished
when Battling Nelson broke out:
"Lady, do you think there would be
Any objection to renting the hall out
for a prizefight?" The Dane spoke the
words In all seriousness. The guide
looked at him with freezing disdain
and turned away with flushed cheeks,
without answering. Eddie Oranoy, on
whose arm Nelson was learning, sweat
drops of mortification, white Billy Nolan
made a hurried rush for the door.
Through It all Nelson was perfectly
Innocent. It was not until tha guide
finished piloting around the party and
Oraneycalled Nelson's attention to the
significance ot the remark that the
Battler really understood the cause of
his chilly reception. Then Nelson expressed
regret, said that he didn't
mean to be sacrilegious and wanted to
go back and offer his apologies to the
guide.
NELSON SHOCKED
THE MORMON GUIDE
SALT LAKE CITY, August 10 An
amusing Incident happened during Eddie
Graneys visit 'In this city this
week. It was his first trip here, and
naturally he wanted to take In the
nights. So, with Billy Nolan and Battling
Nelson, he jaunted up to the
Temple and took a long look at that
beautiful structure. While thus engaged,
a guide with a party of tourists
happened along. The three big
chiefs fell In line and were taken Into
the assembly hall and then over to the
tabernacle,
It was while In the latter place that
the woman guide received a shock from
Battling Nelson, that was worse than
the one experienced by Jimmy Brltt
in the eighteenth round of his bout
with the Dane at Colma. The woman
had just finished explaining the wonderful
acoustic properties of the building,
how quickly people could enter
and leave, and was concluding with A
discussion on the seating capacity of
the place, when a tourist Inquired:
"Has the building ever been used for
any other purpose than holding Mormon
services?"
"Oh, yes." answered the guide. "Famous
singers and musicians frequently
rent the building to give concerts.
It was here that Pattl sang on her
farewell tour. Big conventions have
been held here as well as musical
concerts."The woman had hardly finished
when Battling Nelson broke out:
"Lady, do you think there would be
Any objection to renting the hall out
for a prizefight?" The Dane spoke the
words In all seriousness. The guide
looked at him with freezing disdain
and turned away with flushed cheeks,
without answering. Eddie Oranoy, on
whose arm Nelson was learning, sweat
drops of mortification, white Billy Nolan
made a hurried rush for the door.
Through It all Nelson was perfectly
Innocent. It was not until tha guide
finished piloting around the party and
Oraneycalled Nelson's attention to the
significance ot the remark that the
Battler really understood the cause of
his chilly reception. Then Nelson expressed
regret, said that he didn't
mean to be sacrilegious and wanted to
go back and offer his apologies to the
guide.
-
robert.snell1
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 16 Oct 2003, 07:56
trivia
glad to hear you found it an interesting read. this another bit of trivia
RENO EVENING GAZETTE
30 Nov 1908
"Battling" Nelson Petitions President to Use Baptismal Name
'CHICAGO,. Nov. 30 - Oscar M. B. Nelson, more familiarly known
as Battling, Nelson, lightweight champion of the world, has petitioned
president Roosevelt to give him the right to Ills baptismal name. All
th is- because the registrar of copyrights at Washington refuses to
let 'him '"register his book, entitled the
"Life, Battles and a career of Battling Nelson,"
under the name of Battling Nelson. “My dear Mr. Nelson, " wrote T horvald Solberg; registrar of copy- rights, "1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of $1, also copy of your title, etc. in) reply, I beg to say that it is .against file law for any 'person to secure :a. copyright under an assumed name. 'Battling Nelson' is notyour legal name,, therefore please be kind enough to give us your legal name and the copyright will be issued."
As a matter of fact, new to most persons probably, Battling is not a
title won in the prize ring, but an actual name. . .
. .
RENO EVENING GAZETTE
30 Nov 1908
"Battling" Nelson Petitions President to Use Baptismal Name
'CHICAGO,. Nov. 30 - Oscar M. B. Nelson, more familiarly known
as Battling, Nelson, lightweight champion of the world, has petitioned
president Roosevelt to give him the right to Ills baptismal name. All
th is- because the registrar of copyrights at Washington refuses to
let 'him '"register his book, entitled the
"Life, Battles and a career of Battling Nelson,"
under the name of Battling Nelson. “My dear Mr. Nelson, " wrote T horvald Solberg; registrar of copy- rights, "1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of $1, also copy of your title, etc. in) reply, I beg to say that it is .against file law for any 'person to secure :a. copyright under an assumed name. 'Battling Nelson' is notyour legal name,, therefore please be kind enough to give us your legal name and the copyright will be issued."
As a matter of fact, new to most persons probably, Battling is not a
title won in the prize ring, but an actual name. . .
. .
-
robert.snell1
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 16 Oct 2003, 07:56
Nelson v Wolgast
POST-STANDARD 23 Feb 1910
Durable Dane
BATTERED DOWN
BY AD WOLGAST
Lightweight title transferred in ferocious contest
Forty Cruel Red Rounds
Battling Nelson at last Encounters His Master..
IS BROKEN, BUT INDOMITABLE
With Splendid Spirit, Vanquished
Champion Yields but to Referee's
Mandate—Victor's Laurels Result
of Generalship.
BY W, W. NAUGHTON
SPECIAL TO THE POST-STANDARD.
.SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 22.—Battling
Nelson is no longer champion, but the
extent of his powers of endurance is still
a thing to be guessed at.
His fight with Ad Wolgast at Richmond
to-day was stopped by Eddie .Smith in
the fortieth round at a time 'when Nelson
stood upright on his feet. But the
referee acted wisely, for in one or two
of the rounds before the last Nelson
leaned across the ropes in a manner that
suggested impending collapse.
His face was punched out of a semblance
to a human countenance and
great strawberry blotches around his
stomach and hips bore testimony to the
merciless battering of Wolgast's fists.
Nelson was too feeble to fight on with
any hopes of success. Wolgast's eyes
were snappy while Nelson's were lusterless.
The Bane had lost all sense of distance
and direction and could only fling
out his arms in a feeble way.
"Telegraphs" Blows,
He "telegraphed" his blows, as the rail
"birds of the prize ring say, so that even
if he had retained the power to hurt, his
intentions were so palpable that his opponent
had ample time in which to escape.-
The champion was only a punching
bag for Wolgast. and to have allowed the
thing to continue would have been to
incur the .risk of fatality.
It could be seen in several rounds before
the finish that the referee was on Uneasy
street, He eyed Nelson closely, especially
whenever the man from Hegewisch arose
from his leaning positions across the
Topes,, -At the end of the thirty-ninth,
which was a particularly severe one for
Kelson, Smith took the champion by the
elbow and led him to his corner.
There he told both Nelson and those
who were handling' him that it looked as
though all hope was lost and that the
champion had better give up. Nelson
shook his head in a -weary, yet determined
way, and said:
Real Thing in Grit.
"Never, never, never."
"I'll give you one more chance, Bat, and
you'must show me something in this coming
round," said Smith, decisively, shaking
his forefinger at the bady bruised
ring-man huddled In his corner. "If you
don't do any better, I'll stop the fight,"
When the gong1 signaled the start o£ the
fortieth round Nelson stalked in a heavy footed
way toward-Wolgast and began
hooking and swinging aimlessly. He was
eo weak that he disturbed his own balance
whenever he lashed out, and Wolgast
chuckled as he noted how easy it
was to avoid the fast fading world beater.
When Walgast stepped in. briskly and
began to batter his feeble opponent on
face and body the wonder was that Nelson
did not topple.- Although scarcely
able to,raise an arm, the durable Dane
stood as straight as "Files on parade,"
even while Wolgast smashed him full
sore on the face.
Dane's Spirit Unbroken.
After Wolgast had driven two extra
heavy right handers against Nelson's
badly puffed lips Smith jumped quickly
between the men and brough it to an
end right then and there. He grasped
Wolgast's blood-soaked glove and raised
it aloft, the orthodox pugilistic way of
declaring a winner.
Nelson was loath to quit. He laid his
hand on Wolgast's shoulder to attract
his opponent's attention, and then raised
his hands feebly to the fighting position.
It was an invitation to continue and the
terribly battered lightweight meant it.
Wolgast only grinned and drew away
from -the man he had fairly beaten, and
then Nelson's seconds interfered and
coaxed .the Dane to his corner.
Durable Dane
BATTERED DOWN
BY AD WOLGAST
Lightweight title transferred in ferocious contest
Forty Cruel Red Rounds
Battling Nelson at last Encounters His Master..
IS BROKEN, BUT INDOMITABLE
With Splendid Spirit, Vanquished
Champion Yields but to Referee's
Mandate—Victor's Laurels Result
of Generalship.
BY W, W. NAUGHTON
SPECIAL TO THE POST-STANDARD.
.SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 22.—Battling
Nelson is no longer champion, but the
extent of his powers of endurance is still
a thing to be guessed at.
His fight with Ad Wolgast at Richmond
to-day was stopped by Eddie .Smith in
the fortieth round at a time 'when Nelson
stood upright on his feet. But the
referee acted wisely, for in one or two
of the rounds before the last Nelson
leaned across the ropes in a manner that
suggested impending collapse.
His face was punched out of a semblance
to a human countenance and
great strawberry blotches around his
stomach and hips bore testimony to the
merciless battering of Wolgast's fists.
Nelson was too feeble to fight on with
any hopes of success. Wolgast's eyes
were snappy while Nelson's were lusterless.
The Bane had lost all sense of distance
and direction and could only fling
out his arms in a feeble way.
"Telegraphs" Blows,
He "telegraphed" his blows, as the rail
"birds of the prize ring say, so that even
if he had retained the power to hurt, his
intentions were so palpable that his opponent
had ample time in which to escape.-
The champion was only a punching
bag for Wolgast. and to have allowed the
thing to continue would have been to
incur the .risk of fatality.
It could be seen in several rounds before
the finish that the referee was on Uneasy
street, He eyed Nelson closely, especially
whenever the man from Hegewisch arose
from his leaning positions across the
Topes,, -At the end of the thirty-ninth,
which was a particularly severe one for
Kelson, Smith took the champion by the
elbow and led him to his corner.
There he told both Nelson and those
who were handling' him that it looked as
though all hope was lost and that the
champion had better give up. Nelson
shook his head in a -weary, yet determined
way, and said:
Real Thing in Grit.
"Never, never, never."
"I'll give you one more chance, Bat, and
you'must show me something in this coming
round," said Smith, decisively, shaking
his forefinger at the bady bruised
ring-man huddled In his corner. "If you
don't do any better, I'll stop the fight,"
When the gong1 signaled the start o£ the
fortieth round Nelson stalked in a heavy footed
way toward-Wolgast and began
hooking and swinging aimlessly. He was
eo weak that he disturbed his own balance
whenever he lashed out, and Wolgast
chuckled as he noted how easy it
was to avoid the fast fading world beater.
When Walgast stepped in. briskly and
began to batter his feeble opponent on
face and body the wonder was that Nelson
did not topple.- Although scarcely
able to,raise an arm, the durable Dane
stood as straight as "Files on parade,"
even while Wolgast smashed him full
sore on the face.
Dane's Spirit Unbroken.
After Wolgast had driven two extra
heavy right handers against Nelson's
badly puffed lips Smith jumped quickly
between the men and brough it to an
end right then and there. He grasped
Wolgast's blood-soaked glove and raised
it aloft, the orthodox pugilistic way of
declaring a winner.
Nelson was loath to quit. He laid his
hand on Wolgast's shoulder to attract
his opponent's attention, and then raised
his hands feebly to the fighting position.
It was an invitation to continue and the
terribly battered lightweight meant it.
Wolgast only grinned and drew away
from -the man he had fairly beaten, and
then Nelson's seconds interfered and
coaxed .the Dane to his corner.
-
robert.snell1
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: 16 Oct 2003, 07:56
the first 13 rounds
BATTLE BY BOUNDS.
A Progress in Detail of Wolgast's
Course to. Victory.
Round 1—
Nelson swinging with left for head and missed. He tried again and caught Wolgast on the forehead. Wolgast missed with a right uppercut and then put right and left on the side of, the head.
Wolgast throw a right Into the side of the stomach and they clinched, in which Nelson was .backing into the ropes and Wolgast got him on the head with both hands and then sidled away.
Wolgast threw a right into the stomach find they clinched in Wolgast's corner. Wolgast’s head went back from a straight left. Wolgast deliberately held his head toward Nelson and grinned as Nelson
struck him with left and right, Wolgast then tore loose with both hands into Nelson’s face and body.
Wolgast back to the ropes and covered up when Nelson tried to hit him. Then Wolgast mixed it with the champion again and reddened Nelson's. face with uppercuts. They Had to
Pulled apart at the bell.
Round 2—Nelson missed with left to the body and shot in left to the face, Wolgast scored left facer and backed away. Nelson Jolted Wolgast with a. left. Wolgast came back with left and right swings on the head and followed with right uppercut, catching Nelson on the head, Wolgast covered up and then drove two hard rights into Neleon's stomach and face.
They mixed It freely . Nelson fought the more steadily, Wolgast covering up at times and then coming back with rapid exchanges .Wolgast’s blows seemed to be the harder. Nelson's chin had blood on. Wolgast went at him savagely, using right and left uppercuts,
making -the champion's head rock . Wolgast was covered up at the bell and Nelson was trying to find an opening.
Nelson Is Steady
Round 3—Wolgast blocked a left, and hooked Nelson with the left on the cheekbone. They exchanged lefts each man scoring, WoJgast tried uppercuts, body blows which- Nelson Intercepted with his arms Wolgast got in two right jolts on the jaw and tilted Nelson's head with left uppercuts.
Nelson forced Wolgast to the ropes and got on the body with both hands . Wolgast sent home two punishing uppercuts and then a left. and a right body blow. Nelson' flogged away steadily and Wolgast covered up on occasions. There was blood now on Wolgast’s nose and mouth. Nelson feinted to get an opening and got to Wolgast with both bands- Wolgast was covered up at the gong-
Round 4—Nelson went after his opponent and walked away. Wolgast reached the face with left and right and then drove both gloves the body. Nelson came beck with a savage right to the stomach, then followed another. Each, man scored with left and right facers Nelson drove a hard right against Wolgast left side .Wolgast executes a left shift, swinging his glove into Nelson's midsection - Wolgast then got
home twice with a left uppercut but Nelson still followed and forced him along the ropes.
Nelson again bent Wolgast across the ropes and smashed him twice on the Jaw with right. Nelson again bent Wolgast across the ropes. Wolgast forced Nelson back with uppercuts and threw a hard left swing
.into Nelson's face. It was one of the hardest punches of the flght and was delivered just as the round ended.
Some Hough Work.
Round 5—Nelson crowded Wolgast and Ad blocked the Battler's punches. Wolgast sent a snappy right across on the face, bringing blood from the Dane's nostrils, Wolgast covered up at the ropes Nelson clubbed him on the side with the , Wolgast then tore loose with the right, in crosses and uppercuts which made the Dane’s head rock . They had a butting match and .the spectators could hear their heads come together. Each man suffered equally guilty and Referee warned Wolgast .
Nelson appeared to casting the blame on Wolgast Ad got in some punishing right uppercuts and Wolgast backed Into a corner and there was some more butting due to each man trying to set his head under the
other's chin. It was a very foul round.
Round 6—Nelson shot in two lefts on the face Wolgast got back with a left facer, followed with several punches of a like description. Wolgast kept Nelson at bay with lefts and rights on the head. - Nelson followed him, working both gloves freely and Wolgast blocking cleverly.
They fought along ropes, each man getting in light lefts on the face Wolgast used right uppercuts and body blows. Wolgast was inclined to back away and It was a question as to whether he was tiring or merely savlng his strength. After holding his face and covering up for a while wolgast drove a hard left into the stomach. Wolgast caught Nelson’s back of the ear with a right just as the bell rang.
Round 7—Nelson threw a right against the ribs and WoJgast Jolted the Dane on the chin with the left. There was an exchange o£ lefts and rights but very little damage done and they clinched and roughed it near the ropes. Nelson pressed Wolgast against the ropes many times keeping up a persistent attack.
Wolgast went on the defensive occasionally But put in fierce blows whenever he cut loose.Wolgast swung a left which landed dangerously Low on the body. Then the men rapped each other With light uppercuts. Wolgast backed all around the ring With Nelson after him. He ducked under Nelson’s blows And mixed it occasionally . Nelson was still in pursuit of His man when the round ended.
Round 8 – Wolgast backed and stood his ground long Enough to hook Nelson with rights and lefts on the face Then he backed again and Nelson pressed after him., hammering The Milwaukeans face and body with both gloves. It looked for a minute As if the steady pace the Dane continued was tolling On Wolgast.
His face was splattered with blood and he Grinned in a half hearted way. Wolgast covered up Repeatedly but Neslon never rested for a second. His gloves were always rooting. And he was reaching Wolgast’s Face and ribs with more certainty than in the earlier rounds. Wolgast fought only in spots and when he did land his blows Seemed dangerous ones.
Round 9 –Wolgast danced around with Nelson Following him. Wolgast put in light jabs On the face and then ripped in hard right uppercuts He got away from savage smashes and they Closed in near the ropes. Nelson landing with right And left on the side of the head and Wolgast ripping in Left body punches.
Nelson steadied Wolgast with his left Arm extended and smashed him on the forehead With the right. Wolgast grinned and then drove both Gloves into the stomach..Wolgast’s head went back From a hard left and then he rammed his fists Into Nelson’s body again. Each man was being Well hammered at this stage of the game. The Dane’s head in particular being bent sideways From the force of Wolgasts smashes.
Round 10—Nelson was there with a brace and straight lefts, Wolgast rapped him on the chin with the right Nelson backed Wolgast to the ropes and sent in heavy punches on the ribs.
Wolgast brought Nelson back with blows Against the ropes and shook the champion up with A right uppercut. Then Nelson got Wolgast against the Ropes and hammered against his face and body Wolgast covered for a minute, then suddenly snapped out with left and right catching Nelson
on the face.
They fought freely again, man seeming to defend himself. Each of them accepted hard knocks on the face and ribs. They had another little butting match and then Wolgast straightened up Nelson with a fierce uppercut Wolgast landed a hard smash into the ribs Just
before the gong.
Round 11—Wolgast met Nelson this time And each man lashed out freely. There were no clean blows Wolgast placed a left jolt on the ear. Nelson Landed two short rights on the chin and Wolgast got to Nelson with a right uppercut. Wolgast repeated with the uppercut and then smashed
Nelson solidly on the stomach with both hands.Wolgast then tore loose with uppercuts again.
Nelson's face was covered with blood Nelson Was accused of butting again but it looked As though both were guilty. Things looked bright for Wolgast at the close or the round.
Round 12—Nelson missed with a left and with a Right and then their heads bumped together. They fought savagely while bending Towards each Other and Wolgast scored the most frequently of the two.
It was determined milling, Nelson’s blows fell on Wolgast’s face and Wolgast put all his strength into body smashes, There was a long drawn out rally during which the men swayed across the ring . Nelson's leg movements suggested that he was tired And for that matter his actions generally did. He did not strike out with the same vim but fought on with dogged perseverance his head rocked many times with Wolgast’s uppercuts but be never backed up In his aggressiveness for an instant.
Round 13 - Wolgast stood his ground And struck back when Nelson came after him.The exchanges were smothered , then Wolgast Brought blood from Nelson’s mouth witb left, They leaned head to head and fought like bulldogs Wolgast used punishing uppercuts and body smashes And nelson hammered at the ribs and face with short arm Punches.
Each man was being well peppered but it seemed as though Nelson was giving more than he took. Nelson pushed Wolgast against the ropes when Wolgast seemed to tire and covered up to save himself Then Wolgast loosened up taking a shower blows from Nelson and sending
back full arm swings on the stomach and head
A Progress in Detail of Wolgast's
Course to. Victory.
Round 1—
Nelson swinging with left for head and missed. He tried again and caught Wolgast on the forehead. Wolgast missed with a right uppercut and then put right and left on the side of, the head.
Wolgast throw a right Into the side of the stomach and they clinched, in which Nelson was .backing into the ropes and Wolgast got him on the head with both hands and then sidled away.
Wolgast threw a right into the stomach find they clinched in Wolgast's corner. Wolgast’s head went back from a straight left. Wolgast deliberately held his head toward Nelson and grinned as Nelson
struck him with left and right, Wolgast then tore loose with both hands into Nelson’s face and body.
Wolgast back to the ropes and covered up when Nelson tried to hit him. Then Wolgast mixed it with the champion again and reddened Nelson's. face with uppercuts. They Had to
Pulled apart at the bell.
Round 2—Nelson missed with left to the body and shot in left to the face, Wolgast scored left facer and backed away. Nelson Jolted Wolgast with a. left. Wolgast came back with left and right swings on the head and followed with right uppercut, catching Nelson on the head, Wolgast covered up and then drove two hard rights into Neleon's stomach and face.
They mixed It freely . Nelson fought the more steadily, Wolgast covering up at times and then coming back with rapid exchanges .Wolgast’s blows seemed to be the harder. Nelson's chin had blood on. Wolgast went at him savagely, using right and left uppercuts,
making -the champion's head rock . Wolgast was covered up at the bell and Nelson was trying to find an opening.
Nelson Is Steady
Round 3—Wolgast blocked a left, and hooked Nelson with the left on the cheekbone. They exchanged lefts each man scoring, WoJgast tried uppercuts, body blows which- Nelson Intercepted with his arms Wolgast got in two right jolts on the jaw and tilted Nelson's head with left uppercuts.
Nelson forced Wolgast to the ropes and got on the body with both hands . Wolgast sent home two punishing uppercuts and then a left. and a right body blow. Nelson' flogged away steadily and Wolgast covered up on occasions. There was blood now on Wolgast’s nose and mouth. Nelson feinted to get an opening and got to Wolgast with both bands- Wolgast was covered up at the gong-
Round 4—Nelson went after his opponent and walked away. Wolgast reached the face with left and right and then drove both gloves the body. Nelson came beck with a savage right to the stomach, then followed another. Each, man scored with left and right facers Nelson drove a hard right against Wolgast left side .Wolgast executes a left shift, swinging his glove into Nelson's midsection - Wolgast then got
home twice with a left uppercut but Nelson still followed and forced him along the ropes.
Nelson again bent Wolgast across the ropes and smashed him twice on the Jaw with right. Nelson again bent Wolgast across the ropes. Wolgast forced Nelson back with uppercuts and threw a hard left swing
.into Nelson's face. It was one of the hardest punches of the flght and was delivered just as the round ended.
Some Hough Work.
Round 5—Nelson crowded Wolgast and Ad blocked the Battler's punches. Wolgast sent a snappy right across on the face, bringing blood from the Dane's nostrils, Wolgast covered up at the ropes Nelson clubbed him on the side with the , Wolgast then tore loose with the right, in crosses and uppercuts which made the Dane’s head rock . They had a butting match and .the spectators could hear their heads come together. Each man suffered equally guilty and Referee warned Wolgast .
Nelson appeared to casting the blame on Wolgast Ad got in some punishing right uppercuts and Wolgast backed Into a corner and there was some more butting due to each man trying to set his head under the
other's chin. It was a very foul round.
Round 6—Nelson shot in two lefts on the face Wolgast got back with a left facer, followed with several punches of a like description. Wolgast kept Nelson at bay with lefts and rights on the head. - Nelson followed him, working both gloves freely and Wolgast blocking cleverly.
They fought along ropes, each man getting in light lefts on the face Wolgast used right uppercuts and body blows. Wolgast was inclined to back away and It was a question as to whether he was tiring or merely savlng his strength. After holding his face and covering up for a while wolgast drove a hard left into the stomach. Wolgast caught Nelson’s back of the ear with a right just as the bell rang.
Round 7—Nelson threw a right against the ribs and WoJgast Jolted the Dane on the chin with the left. There was an exchange o£ lefts and rights but very little damage done and they clinched and roughed it near the ropes. Nelson pressed Wolgast against the ropes many times keeping up a persistent attack.
Wolgast went on the defensive occasionally But put in fierce blows whenever he cut loose.Wolgast swung a left which landed dangerously Low on the body. Then the men rapped each other With light uppercuts. Wolgast backed all around the ring With Nelson after him. He ducked under Nelson’s blows And mixed it occasionally . Nelson was still in pursuit of His man when the round ended.
Round 8 – Wolgast backed and stood his ground long Enough to hook Nelson with rights and lefts on the face Then he backed again and Nelson pressed after him., hammering The Milwaukeans face and body with both gloves. It looked for a minute As if the steady pace the Dane continued was tolling On Wolgast.
His face was splattered with blood and he Grinned in a half hearted way. Wolgast covered up Repeatedly but Neslon never rested for a second. His gloves were always rooting. And he was reaching Wolgast’s Face and ribs with more certainty than in the earlier rounds. Wolgast fought only in spots and when he did land his blows Seemed dangerous ones.
Round 9 –Wolgast danced around with Nelson Following him. Wolgast put in light jabs On the face and then ripped in hard right uppercuts He got away from savage smashes and they Closed in near the ropes. Nelson landing with right And left on the side of the head and Wolgast ripping in Left body punches.
Nelson steadied Wolgast with his left Arm extended and smashed him on the forehead With the right. Wolgast grinned and then drove both Gloves into the stomach..Wolgast’s head went back From a hard left and then he rammed his fists Into Nelson’s body again. Each man was being Well hammered at this stage of the game. The Dane’s head in particular being bent sideways From the force of Wolgasts smashes.
Round 10—Nelson was there with a brace and straight lefts, Wolgast rapped him on the chin with the right Nelson backed Wolgast to the ropes and sent in heavy punches on the ribs.
Wolgast brought Nelson back with blows Against the ropes and shook the champion up with A right uppercut. Then Nelson got Wolgast against the Ropes and hammered against his face and body Wolgast covered for a minute, then suddenly snapped out with left and right catching Nelson
on the face.
They fought freely again, man seeming to defend himself. Each of them accepted hard knocks on the face and ribs. They had another little butting match and then Wolgast straightened up Nelson with a fierce uppercut Wolgast landed a hard smash into the ribs Just
before the gong.
Round 11—Wolgast met Nelson this time And each man lashed out freely. There were no clean blows Wolgast placed a left jolt on the ear. Nelson Landed two short rights on the chin and Wolgast got to Nelson with a right uppercut. Wolgast repeated with the uppercut and then smashed
Nelson solidly on the stomach with both hands.Wolgast then tore loose with uppercuts again.
Nelson's face was covered with blood Nelson Was accused of butting again but it looked As though both were guilty. Things looked bright for Wolgast at the close or the round.
Round 12—Nelson missed with a left and with a Right and then their heads bumped together. They fought savagely while bending Towards each Other and Wolgast scored the most frequently of the two.
It was determined milling, Nelson’s blows fell on Wolgast’s face and Wolgast put all his strength into body smashes, There was a long drawn out rally during which the men swayed across the ring . Nelson's leg movements suggested that he was tired And for that matter his actions generally did. He did not strike out with the same vim but fought on with dogged perseverance his head rocked many times with Wolgast’s uppercuts but be never backed up In his aggressiveness for an instant.
Round 13 - Wolgast stood his ground And struck back when Nelson came after him.The exchanges were smothered , then Wolgast Brought blood from Nelson’s mouth witb left, They leaned head to head and fought like bulldogs Wolgast used punishing uppercuts and body smashes And nelson hammered at the ribs and face with short arm Punches.
Each man was being well peppered but it seemed as though Nelson was giving more than he took. Nelson pushed Wolgast against the ropes when Wolgast seemed to tire and covered up to save himself Then Wolgast loosened up taking a shower blows from Nelson and sending
back full arm swings on the stomach and head