Fight:150803

Charles Kid McCoy fought without result Vern Hardenbrook 183 lbs by ND in round 4 of 4

• Date: 1898-03-11
• Location: Princess Rink, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

McCoy then sparred four rounds with Vern Hardenbrook, champion amateur boxer of Indiana. The contest was purely for points, no knock-out to be made. Hardenbrook made a splendid exhibition, landing on the champion repeatedly. The bout was at times fast, but Hardenbrook's tactics were to keep out of harm's way, and he made many trips around the ring with agile McCoy following. Hardenbrook's friends were well satisfied with his performance and he was, at times, clever, but on many occasions threw himself open for the same fate as Bates met, and he would have received it but for the understanding that it was but a friendly bout. (Fort Wayne Gazette)

Verne Hardenbrook, of Knox, champion heavyweight of the state, then stepped into the ring for a four rounds sparring contest with McCoy. Hardenbrook is taller than McCoy, and well developed. McCoy played with him through three rounds, striking with his open hand. In the last round Hardenbrook grew confident of being able to make a good showing and began a series of wicked rushes. He landed on McCoy several times, but did no damage, but the Kid began to come back straight from the shoulder, and his long arm jabs kept Hardenbrook busy getting out of the way. In one of his rushes Hardenbrook carried the Kid to the ropes. (Fort Wayne Journal)

Verne Hardenbruck, of Walkerton, made his appearance as soon as Bates had been led away. The first thing that Hardenbruck's seconds did was to make McCoy promise not to knock their man out. This promise was unknown to the crowd and Hardenbruck, who is suspected of a yellow streak, got credit for a great deal that is not his due. It is easy to rush a man and make a showing when he has promised not to hurt you, and at one time it looked as if Hardenbruck was a little rough with the champion. At any rate, in the last round McCoy sent in some stiff ones that made Hardenbruck groggy. McCoy could have put him out at any time after the first two minutes of fighting. (Fort Wayne News)

Verne Hardenbrook, of Walkerton, champion heavyweight of Indiana, was McCoy's next adversary in a four round exhibition for points. McCoy remained in the ring when Bates retired. Hardenbrook is heavy and strong, and has some skill, but was totally outclassed by McCoy's shiftiness and science. In the first round McCoy demonstrated how easily and quickly he could have disposed of the Walkerton boy by landing on him when and where he liked. Hardenbrook acquired a little more confidence and generated a little more steam in the second and third rounds and made a better showing, but at no time endangering McCoy, though he made some vicious swings that were either wild or were stopped by that ever-ready reach of the champion. In the fourth round Hardenbrook started in with good intentions and for his pains was given a warm time. In the last half of the round Hardenbrook did little but clinch or run, but McCoy kept at his work with much diligence and when the gong rang for the close of the round the Walkerton man was manifestly groggy and needed the attention of his seconds before he left the ring. (Fort Wayne Sentinel)