Young Griffo vs. Owen Ziegler

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Young Griffo beat Owen Ziegler by NWS in round 6 of 6

• Date: 1897-07-12
• Location: Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Chicago Tribune, July 13, 1897:

“Young Griffo, the Australian boxing wonder, tonight surprised his admirers by outpointing the Philadelphia favorite, Owen Zeigler [original article’s spelling] in a six-round contest at the arena. Griffo not only bested Zeigler with comparative ease, but he showed than when necessary he could hit hard.

“Zeigler looked in good condition, while it was the reverse with the eccentric Australian. Griffo was as fat as a prize porker. The men had a falling out a few days ago at a well known club, and it was with difficulty that friends prevented them from having it out then and there.

“Zeigler started the fun by rushing at the little foreigner, but the latter got out of harm’s way and jabbed Owen in the face. Zeigler kept up the rushing and Griffo jabbed merrily without getting any blows in return. All through the contest Griffo seemed to land when and where he pleased, much to the annoyance of Zeigler, who seemed worried at his repeated failures to land a telling blow on his antagonist.

“In the fifth round they mixed it up in lively fashion, with Zeigler trying hard to get in a knock-out blow. But Griffo had a tantalizing way of getting his head out of harm’s reach and sending in hard left hand punches on the Philadelphian’s face. Twice in the fifth round he landed hard on Owen’s mouth and the blows resounded through the arena. The sixth was a hot round, in which Griffo was still the master of the situation. They were clinched and plugging away when the gong sounded.”