Billy McColl vs. Dan Creedon (1st meeting)
Billy McCall beat Dan Creedon by TKO in round 6 of 20
- Date: 1903-03-03
- Location: NSC, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian Heavyweight Title (1st defense by McColl)
- Source: "McColl Wins!" The Referee (1903, Mar. 4) p. 1. Article
Rarely has an Australian boxing match excited so much interest as that between Billy McColl and Dan Creedon for the Heavyweight Championship of Australia, at the National Sporting Club last night.
Creedon had done doughty things abroad, and came home again, after ten years' absence, not the least bit broken in health or a back-number in fighting power, as has been the case with most Australians who went England and Americawards searching for fame and coin- that is, those of them who did return, but most remained away, through inability or disinclination to do otherwise. When it became known that Creedon sailed from the land of the almighty dollar for that of the Golden Fleece, those who interested themselves in such matters were agog to see how he looked and shaped after his lengthy sojourn in other lands, and whether he had deteriorated to the extent that would necessitate his being placed on the already heavily-weighted shelf set apart for 'has beens'. Dan arrived here and had a good time among his friends for a few weeks, which was only right and to be expected in the circumstances. Then he settled down to serious business, and trained for a match with Bill Doherty, twice or thrice ex-Champion of the Continent, who had just previously gone under to Billy McColl in five rounds. Creadon acquitted himself well in that battle, so much so that keen critics at the ringside adjudge the whilom Middleweight Champion of Australia very much improved in skill, and the owner of a far bigger stock of ring wiles than the lot he carried away from here. Doherty was laid low in masterful fashion, and, strangely enough, in about the same length of time that Billy McColl occupied in putting paid to the same man's bill.
A continual heavy flow of people found easy access to the hall. Those who had the forethought to secure seats before hand were shown into them without suffering the slightest inconvenience. It was indeed an object lesson in arrangement and detail. The huge crowd inside was nothing to the throng in the street, which spread between the cross thoroughfares of King and Market streets, and completely stopped traffic at times, so great was the interest evinced in the match. Bulletins of how the contest was going on would have been swallowed up greedily, but no one left the hall from the moment the men put their hands up till the struggle ended.
The appearance of the fighters when both stood up stripped for the fray McColl wearing long black trunks- almost Varsity costume, surmounted by a green sash, and Creedon showing a much more abbreviated covering, the crowd spontaneously applauded and roared its admiration. Never did two men show such excellent buckle, and never did a pair of boxers wear such confident looks. It was a fine match, physically- as fine as ever I've known with heavyweights; there wasn't more than a pound or two difference in their weights, and only about half an inch in their heights- the champion having the advantage each way.
McColl was deeply tanned (literally bronzed) from top of head to soles of feet, and stood as shapely an athlete as ever sculptor's eye feasted upon. Great bunches of fine, flexible muscle could be seen writhing like serpents beneath the skin, singly in places, and clustered as if heaped together, in others. Outwardly it would have been impossible for man to be better. Dan Creedon looked as well as hands could make him, and as all trace of stomach had gone, a more shapely athlete could hardly be imagined. His shoulder muscles stood out in bold relief from the body, and his magnificent chest was a revelation- somewhere about 41 normal, but a veritable Sandow breathing apparatus expanded. Dan's legs are the most symmetrical (and, withal, sturdy as could be) pair of underpins I've seen in the Sydney ring for many a day. As I have said of McColl, so I say about Creedon- the mere sight of him stripped to the buff (but for the most abbreviated of screens) ready to fight was a treat in itself. The pair are models in make-Creedon particularly, as he might easily be taken for one of those old time statues given life (Niobo like) and allowed to step down from its pedestal. To Mat Daly belongs the credit of Creedon's fine appearance; he trained from the Adelaide Hotel, near Paddington, and did the greater part of his work in the Centennial Park. There was not much difference in the ages of the pair- not near as much as appearances indicated. McColl is in his 29th and Creedon his 34th year.
The fight was a great and an exciting one all the way; there was no let up at any stage. Dan Creedon dazed his man in the second round and only pure grit kept McColl going; he was dazed three or four times afterwards; that it looked odds-on Creedon winning. In the third round McColl bent over with his hands on the floor to avoid punish ment, and Creedon uppercut him. In the midst of great uproar the referee sent the men to their corners, and after some confusion ordered them to fight on. This respite was undoubtedly McColl's salvation. The responsible official appeared to be under the impression that Creedon had fouled his opponent, but as neither knee was near the boards, this could not be. Thence on the battle was waged with varying fortune, McColl bringing all his strength and power to bear, while Creedon fought desperately till the towel was thrown up in his corner. It was a fierce, exciting struggle all the way battled through amid sustained excitement such as rarely occurs in a boxing hall.
Quotes
"I've suffered very much from diarrhoea during the past week, and thought seriously once of asking for a postponement, but I had the notion that Creadon wouldn't last, and so let the thing go on. Let me tell you that Dan surprised me; he is a great fighter, indeed, and must be much better when in proper condition. I was dazed several times with the punching I got, but always had the one idea in my mind, viz., that the fight must be won. I knew I was up against it good and hard while I was in the ring. I am glad I won, for a large number of friends backed me." - Billy McColl
"I was absolutely done, though still able to stand on my feet. You were right... when you said I could do with another couple of weeks preparation. McColl is a good, strong fighter, and as plucky a man as ever I met. You can't take that away from him. He makes it willing all the time. A man wants to be every bit as well as McColl, and something cleverer to have a chance of beating him. I know of no fighter he resembles in his methods more than Jack Sharkey, as the American sailor was in his prime. McColl said he would fight me again, and that's all I want. I'll get real well for him next time. It's no use talking any more. I couldn't stem the tide to-night." - Dan Creedon