Fight:96428
George Godfrey drew with Steve O'Donnell by PTS in round 6 of 6
- Date: 1893-11-08
- Location: Metropole A.C., Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Referee: Jess Brown
In August 1893 various papers reported if Steve O'Donnell wins his fight on August 18th, 1893 against John Cattanach then the Coney Island Athletic Club would match him against Joe Choynski.
August 15th, 1893 the Boston Globe reported on page 5
August 17th, 1893 the Buffalo Enquirer
On August 16th, 1893 The Buffalo Courier printed a report from New York stating that the Coney Island Athletic Club thought of Steve O'Donnell as a wonder, likening his style to that of Peter Jackson and also reitterating the opinion that he would be matched with Joe Choynski should he defeat Cattanach.
Also on August 16th, 1893 the Boston Globe reported on page 2 and on August 17th, 1893 The St. Louis Dispatch on page 10 that George Godfrey, who had been retired for almost a year, wished to meet the winner of the O'Donnell Cattanach fight or Frank Childs.
August 16th, 1893 the Boston Globe page 2
August 17th, 1893 The St. Louis Dispatch on page 10
On Saturday August 19th the Los Angeles Herald printed an Associated Press report describing Steve O'Donnell's stoppage victory over John Cattanach at the end of four rounds, earning $2500.
On September 3rd, 1893 The Buffalo Sunday Morning News reported on page 9 Godfrey challenged O'Donnell. The Muncie Daily Herald September 19th, 1893 reports a possible motivation for the challenge.
Between September 8th and 21st various sources reported that O'Donnell and Godfrey had been matched to meet in October at the Coney Island Athletic Club. George Godfrey was making a comeback as he had previously announced his retirement. Any thoughts that O'Donnell would fight Choynski were put to rest.
Standard Union September 8th, 1893 reported on page 3
The Scranton Republican September 11th, 1893 reported on page 4
The Buffalo Commercial September 20th, 1893 reported on page 4 and the Chicago Tribune September 21st, 1893
The date was set for November 8th according to the Boston Globe of September 14th, 1893
The Boston Globe on September 27th, 1893 reported on page 9 that Barney Hubbard vs Mike Leonard was being considered for the undercard.
The Times Picayune on September 24th ran a short profile piece on page 18 which reports that in addition to George Godfrey, O'Donnell was targeting matches with Denver Ed Smith and Joe Choynski. The report indicates that O'Donnell had already boxed Choynski twice in Australia.
On September 28th a report out of New York published in various papers stated that O'Donnell declared the match with Godfrey at the Coney Island Athletic Club had been indefinitely postponed.
On September 29th published in "The Hartford Currant" on page 1, and "The Morning Courier Journal" on page 3 and the "Daily Times" on page 4
Tom O'Rourke expressed interest in matching O'Donnell with Joe Walcott.
"The Philadelphia Enquirer" October 1st, 1893 page 15
On October 1st, The Coney Island Athletic Club confirmed the postponement of the Godfrey-O'Donnell finish fight.
Printed in the Philadelphia Enquirer" on October 2nd, 1893 on page 3.
"The Boston Post" on page 3 of October 4th, 1893 issue indicates the willingness of Mike Haley,Steve O'Donnell's manager, to match O'Donnell, his crack heavyweight, against any New England heavyweight, preferring George Godfrey or Billy Wilson.
Also on October 4th, "The Buffalo Courier" and "The Buffalo Enquirer" on there respective on page 8s report that Steve O'Donnell was matched to fight "Denver" Smith.
On October 8th, "The Pittsburgh Press" and the "Times Picayune Sun" printed an interesting prediction describing O'Donnell as one of the best specimens ever to come out of Australia and characterizing George Godfrey as old. Going as far to say that Godfrey's best days were behind him and he would be child's play for O'Donnell and expecting O'Donnell to meet Choynski when he gets past Godfrey.
On October 9th, "The Philadelphia Enquirer" page 3 gave the reason for the cancellation of O'Donnell- Godfrey match to be too many matches already planned at the Coney Island Athletic Club.
On October 19th, 1893, "The Boston Globe" reported that the Metropole Club was trying to arrange a match between Godfrey and O'Donnell, now that the Coney Island Club was out of the picture.
On October 20th, 1893, "The Boston Globe" reported on page 3 that O'Donnell and the Metropole Club were optimistic that terms for a fight with Godfrey could be arranged.
The six-round match scheduled for November 8th, 1893 was officially announced on October 21st. Reported by the Boston Post October 22nd on page 3.
On October 30th, 1893, "The Boston Globe" reported Godfrey was set to begin his training for the contest with O'Donnell. As part of his preparation, Godfrey was scheduled to publicly spar with Jim Hall at the Boston Music Hall. O'Donnell expected to stop Godfrey within six rounds.
An advertisement for the public spar between Jim Hall and George Godfrey appeared in "the Boston Globe" of October 29th, 1893.
On November 4th, 1893, "The Standard Union" reported that O'Donnell must stop Godfrey within the 6 rounds to win and that many do not think that he can. Godfrey was the betting favorite.
On November 6th, 1893, "The Boston Globe" reported O'Donnell had been underrating Godfrey but his opinion may have changed after seeing Godfrey for the first time in the Hall-Godfrey spar.
Also, on November 6th, 1893, "The Times Picayune" characterized the upcoming Godfrey-O'Donnell contest as a tryout for O'Donnell.
The Boston Post predicted an O'Donnell victory on November 7th.
