Joe Gans vs. George Siddons (2nd meeting)
Joe Gans 124 lbs beat George Siddons 125 lbs by KO at 2:50 in round 7 of 25
- Date: 1895-11-28
- Location: Eureka Athletic Club, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Referee: Harry Mitchell
GANS KNOCKS OUT SIDDONS.
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The Dangerous New Orleans Lad Stays Nearly Seven Rounds.
Joe Gans, colored, knocked out George Siddons in seven rounds at the Eureka Athletic Club last night.
Gans's victory was a most decisive one. His uninterrupted series of winning fights has gained him the title of colored featherweight champion of the South. His victory last night gives him a just claim to the title. Some months ago Siddons fought him a twenty-round draw.
George Siddons is from New Orleans and has a national reputation. Gans has only fought in Baltimore, and thought several top-notchers have been brought here to whip him none have succeeded. He is a natural fighter, never having had an instructor, and only lately has he had the use of traning apparatus.
Siddons was accompanied by his backer, Lewis Bailey, of Philadelphia, and a number of his Philadelphia friends. He was seconded by Sam Miller and Frank (Adonis) Farley. Gans was attended by two colored boys, George Jackson and "Bud" Young. Gans does not like to be coached, preferring to fight his own way.
The men weighed at 3 P. M. and each tipped the beam at 123 pounds.
Many of the visiting horsemen were present, but the attendance was not large. The fight was a thoroughly scientific exhibition of skill, with no roughing at any stage. The referee, Harry Mitchell, had little to do. His most important work was to count Siddons out after Gans had floored him with a right hand half swing which landed on George's jaw. The foot work was fine. Gans excelled both in hitting and in getting away. With his left hand leads he reached Siddon's face repeatedly. Only twice did he use his right, excepting to jab with it now and then. Once he swung it on Siddon's ribs and the second time he landed the knock-out blow.
Siddons did not appear able to reach his wary antagonist, and though he fought every moment of the time he only succeeded in getting in one good, stiff body punch and a few light face blows.
The rounds were as follows:
Round 1--The men fiddled and then Siddons thought he had an opening and led. His mark was two feet away. Then Gans stepped in and landed a light tap on Siddons's forehead. The round ended after a pretty display of science.
Round 2--Siddons reached Gans's body and the latter retaliated a minute later with a left straight, which landed over Siddons's left eye. Siddons shook his head and smiled. Both were wary for the rest of the round.
Round 3--A number of pretty passes were made in the first half, and then Gans appeared to have his man's measure, as he landed several stiff face blows.
Round 4--Gans continued to send in straight lefts, and try as he could Siddons could only stop them with his face.
Round 5--In this round Gans got in a few face jabs and received a stiff punch on the chin. Then Gans feinted with his left for the face, and as Siddons's guard was raised he landed a right swing on the New Orleans lad's ribs. Matters began to look serious, and the colored boy's stock began to go up.
Round 6--Not much was done in this round. Gans satisfying himself with occasional leads and Siddons's forcing matters. The fight was set for twenty-five rounds, and Gans appeared to think he was winning fast enough. Knowing how dangerous an opponent he had before him, he was cautious.
Round 7--In he early part of the round Siddons tried to get in a hook blow, but it missed. Then he tried for gans's body, but failed again and got a jab in the face. He then appeared to debate with himself as to what his next move would be, Gans here feinted with his left and down went Siddons's guard. Gans stepped in and whipped his right across. It reached Siddon's jaw and he dropped hard.
By the timers' watches he was out fourteen seconds, but the referee counted slowly, and had just said nine when Siddons got upon his feet. Gans was at him like a flash, and with a right and left biff sent him to sleep again. The time of the last round was 2 minutes 50 seconds.
--The Sun, 1895-11-29.
SEVERAL GOOD EVENTS AT BALTIMORE.
BALTIMORE, Nov. 28.--There were two knock-outs at the Eureka Athletic Club to-night. Joe Gans, the colored lightweight, of Baltimore, finished George Siddons of New Orleans, in the seventh round, and Jack Ward, of Baltimore, put "Tug" Sayers, of Boston, to sleep in the third round.
Gans and Siddons weighed in at 123 pounds.
Gans did all the leading, and closed the left eye of the white boy in the second round. Siddons landed only three hard blows during the fight.
When the men began the seventh round Siddons was weak and groggy. Gans landed several blows and finally a vicious right hand punch on the jaw sent Siddons flying to the floor, where he laid unconscious for fifteen seconds. He was then assisted to his dressing room.
--The Fort Wayne Journal, 1895-11-29.