BoxRec

It's unlikely many here are familiar with me, but my name is Patrick Connor and I write for Queensberry-Rules.com. Figured I'd at least introduce myself so it didn't just come off as spam.

In any event, I researched a fighter named Martin "Fiddler" Neary that likely very few people are familiar with, and wrote the following article, for those interested:

http://www.queensberry-rules.com/2013-a ... neary.html

Thank you!

Very enjoyable story on Martin (Fiddler) Neary. It seems that Neary was a rather complex fellow as the following newsclip reveals :

Back to the death in Moyamensing prison recently of Martin Neary, a once well known Philadelphia bantam weight boxer, and later a daring steeplejack, is an unusually pathetic story, says the Philadelphia Record. His friends declare that Neary's life was sacrificed for the life of others. Some time ago, while he was near Harrisburg, attending a Granger's picnic, a bridge over a river collapsed, and six women and a number of children were thrown into the water. Neary leaped into the river, and, after desperate struggles, saved more of the victims. The others were also gotten safely ashore.

It is declared, however, that, had it not been for Neary, the majority of those who fell into the water would have been drowned. Neary was exhausted from his heroic service, and someone offered him a flask of whiskey to drink from. The rescuer raised his hand and told the man to to take the liquor away. He had the habit once. The crowd, however, insisted on his taking a drink, telling him that unless he did so he might be taken down with pneumonia.

Finally, Neary yielded, and from that time on he continued to drink until last Monday, when he was arrested by the police of the Sixth district on the charge of disorderly conduct. He was picked up in the Tenderloin, while under the influence of liquor. The next morning he was arrigned before Magistrate Gallagher and sentenced to Moyamensing prison for five days. His death was due to delirium tremens. Neary belonged to the old school of Philadelphia boxers. He was about 40 years old, and had been one of the cleverest men in the profession.

*Patrick, I have a nice photo of Neary, given to me by artist, Bob Carson.

Good stuff. I found a bit more information than I put in the piece, as I wasn't able to verify a few things. But I did find records of fights that BoxRec doesn't have on his page, as I did with my Mickey Walker piece.

Thanks for the info, though.

POLICE GAZETTE, July 23, 1887 :
D.C. Baltimore - Martin Neary, of Philadelphia, Pa. was born August 16, 1866, height 5 feet, six inches, weight 117 pounds. Knocked out George Fealey in 30 seconds, Park Theatre, Chicago. for a purse of $ 100. April 23 !886; Knocked out Joe Hender in the second round, Park Theatre, Chicago purse of $100. April 23, 1886; bested James Hagen, of Philadelphia, in four rounds for a purse October 5, 1886, fought a draw with Joe Kennedy, for a purse, in 4 rounds, at Philadelphia, Oct. 14, 1886; fought a draw with Jack Lynch, in 4 rounds, at Philadelphia, for a purse, Oct. 28, 1886; fought a draw, with Patsey O'Leary, for a purse, in 4 rounds, at Philadelphia, Dec. 29, 1886; beat Jack Williams, of New York, in five rounds, for a purse of $ 75. at Philadelphia, Jan. 5, 1887; knocked out Jake Hines, of Haverstraw, in 2 rounds, skin tight gloves , for a purse of $ 300, May 28, 1887.

PHILADELPHIA RECORD, July 29, 1887 :Martin Neary, of this city, has just returned from Albany N.Y., after knocking Al Adams out in eight rounds. Neary is willing to meet any 125 pound man, in a limited round or finish contest. John O'Donnell, No. 1725 Vine Street, is Martin's manager.

MILWAUKEE EVENING WISCONSIN Nov. 30, 1888 :
Two featherweight pugilists, Neary, of Philadelphia, and Weston, of Cleveland, fought near Cleveland last night. Weston was knocked out in three minutes.

POLICE GAZETTE March 22 1884 :
In Philadelphia on Feb. 26, the glove fight between Jack Morcius, alias "Young Fiddler Neary," and William, alias "Shorty" Clark, for a purse, attracted a large crowd. Shortly after midnight time was called, and the principles, looking wickedly at each other, squared off. Neary forced the fighting, in the hope of knocking Clark out, and landed a savage right hander, knocking Clark off his feet. It was evident that trouble was brewing, and the referee tried to allay the excitement by announcing that if there were anymore interference he would declare the fight a draw. When time was called for the second round the principles clinched. This was a signal for a general row, and every man struck at his nearest neighbor. The ring of benches was smashed, and the principles, forgetting all about the rules, used their hands, feet and heads upon each other to the best possible advantage. Finally the pugilists were forced to the wall, each man fighting the other man's friends. The disturbance finally quieted down, and the referee declared the fight a draw.

* Patrick, I don't know if you had read this one before. If not thought you might enjoy this report of the events of a typical night out at the fights in Philadelphia in 1884.