Battling Mack
Battling Mack was born Mattheo Fanelli in Pennsylvania on April 7, 1898 to John and Catherine Fanelli. The family appears in various records as Fanelli, Fannelli, Fanello, and Fannelo.
Although records for the time that he fought are woefully incomplete, his skill and success in the ring are perhaps best evidenced by the length of his career. He was active in the ring from 1917 through 1926. Late in his career Battling Mack founded a gym near South 3rd and Walnut Streets, where many of Camden’s finest boxers of the era trained. It was at this gym in 1930 that Arnold “Jersey Joe Walcott” Cream was first introduced to the fight game.
As Battling Mack, Matthew Fanelli turned professional in 1917, and fought five times in Philadelphia, and possibly twice more in Baltimore that year. With the America at war, he found work at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard on Broadway at Morgan Street, where he was employed when he registered for the draft on September 12, 1918. He was then living with his widowed mother Catherine Fanelli at 320 Mount Vernon Street in South Camden.
The 1920 Census shows Matthew Fanelli still living with his mother at 320 Mount Vernon Street. Also at that address was older brother Rocco Fanelli, a member of the Camden Fire Department, younger brother Charles, and five younger sisters, Mary, Pauline, Millie, Rosie and Marguerite, as well as Mary’s husband John Mucci and their children Agnes and Rafaella.
Matthew Fanelli served as a member of the Camden Police Department in the early 1930s, joining shortly after the April 1930 Census.
Last a resident of Pennsauken, Matthew Fanelli, aka Battling Mack, passed away in August of 1971.
Battling Mack’s brother, Charles Fanelli, fought as Charley Mack in the 1920s through 1930.
Known Boxing Record
Known Boxing Record
Battling Mack (Mattheo Fanelli) career boxing record — W5 (KO4) L5 (KO2) D2, with newspaper decisions W14 L25 D6. Total 57 known bouts.
Bouts
| Date ↕ | Opponent ↕ | Result ↕ | Method ↕ | Location ↕ | Rounds ↕ | Note ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926-03-19 | Kid Williams | W | NWS | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey | 10 | Newspaper decision from the Chester Times |
| 1926-03-05 | Buck Fleming | W | NWS | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey | 8 | Newspaper decision from the Chester Times and from the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid). |
| 1925-12-03 | Young Freddie Welsh | W | PTS | USA | 8 | |
| 1925-09-01 | Buck Josephs | L | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey | 8 | Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid). |
| 1925-08-14 | Benny Bass | L | TKO | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey | 3 | From the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid). |
| 1925-07-30 | Johnny Jadick | W | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey | 10 | Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid), which favored Mack; a wire report in the Logansport Pharos-Tribune also reported Mack as the winner. |
| 1925-07-10 | Buck Fleming | W | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey | 10 | (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 1925-06-04 | Manuel Flores | W | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey | 8 | Newspaper decision from the Logansport Pharos-Tribune (wire report) Also reported in the Pittsburgh Post . |
| 1925-05-25 | Earl Hartman | D | PTS | Norristown, Pennsylvania | 8 | |
| 1924-02-26 | Sammy Novia | L | PTS | Armory, Reading, Pennsylvania | 10 | |
| 1924-02-11 | Eddie Ochs | L | NWS | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey | 8 | (Chicago Tribune) Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid). |
| 1923-08-27 | Joe Ryder | L | NWS | Shetzline Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Ryder won the newspaper decision ( Philadelphia Inquirer . This bout was called at the end of the seventh, to allow the main bout to go on. New York Times |
| 1923-08-09 | Johnny Dixon | L | KO | Airport, Atlantic City, New Jersey | 2 | |
| 1923-04-16 | Kid Williams | L | NWS | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Both the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Public Ledger gave the decision to Williams. |
| 1923-03-13 | Abe Friedman | L | PTS | Grand Opera House, Boston, Massachusetts | 10 | |
| 1923-02-08 | Benny Bass | L | NWS | Adelphia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). |
| 1922-11-04 | Tommy Murray | L | NWS | 11th Street Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | This was Tommy Murray and the Philadelphia Public Ledger had Murray winning. |
| 1922-10-16 | Young Montreal | L | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Montreal won the 'newspaper decision.' (Philadelphia Public Ledger) |
| 1922-09-18 | Carl Tremaine | L | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | From Philadelphia newspapers (Jack Kincaid & Paul Zabala). |
| 1922-05-25 | Tommy Murray | W | NWS | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | The Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala) favored Mack, and the Inquirer (Jack Kincaid) thought the fight was a draw. |
| 1922-04-20 | Battling Harry Leonard | W | NWS | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Public Ledger gave it to Mack. |
| 1922-03-27 | Tommy Murray | D | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | (Philadelphia Inquirer) However the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala) gave Murray the newspaper decision. |
| 1922-03-13 | Patsy Wallace | D | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | The Philadelphia Public Ledger gave the newspaper decision to Wallace and the Inquirer gave it to Mack. |
| 1922-02-28 | Battling Harry Leonard | L | NWS | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 1922-02-14 | Battling Harry Leonard | L | NWS | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision from Philadelphia newspapers ( Inquirer , Public Ledger . |
| 1922-01-10 | Al Ziemer | L | NWS | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Inquirer (Paul Zabala) and the Inquirer (Jack Kincaid). |
| 1921-11-19 | Patsy Wallace | W | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Public Ledger both in favor or Mack. |
| 1921-11-15 | Abe Goldstein | L | NWS | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Goldstein won the 'newspaper decision.' (Chicago Tribune) |
| 1921-10-31 | Barney Reilly | W | KO | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | From the Philadelphia Public Ledger . |
| 1921-10-20 | Joe Nelson | D | NWS | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | The Philadelphia Inquirer had the newspaper decision as a draw. The Public Ledger favored Nelson. |
| 1921-02-05 | Eddie Pinchot | W | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Both the Inquirer and the Public Ledger chose Mack as winner. |
| 1921-01-10 | Abe Goldstein | L | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Both the Public Ledger and the Inquirer had Goldstein as the winner. |
| 1920-12-04 | Danny Kramer | L | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Kramer won the newspaper decision according to the Phil. Public Ledger and the Phil. Inquirer . |
| 1920-11-15 | Tommy Murray | W | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Public Ledger . |
| 1920-05-28 | Sammy Nable | L | NWS | Sportsman's Club, Camden, New Jersey | 10 | (Philadelphia Record) |
| 1920-05-15 | Tommy Cleary | L | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 8 | Cleary won the newspaper decision according to the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid) and the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). |
| 1920-04-21 | Tommy Murray | W | NWS | Sportsman's Club, Camden, New Jersey | 8 | According to both the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala) and the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid), Mack met Tommy Murray, not Johnny Murray, as shown here previously. |
| 1920-03-16 | Battling Harry Leonard | L | NWS | Armory, Reading, Pennsylvania | 10 | Newspaper decision from the Reading Eagle |
| 1920-02-28 | Battling Harry Leonard | L | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision in favor of Leonard from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). |
| 1920-01-10 | Mickey Russell | L | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | The Philadelphia Public Ledger gave it to Russell and the Inquirer had it as a draw. |
| 1919-11-10 | Patsy Wallace | W | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision in favor of Mack from the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala) and the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid). |
| 1919-11-03 | D | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | From the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). By accident, Paul Zabala wrote down Battling Mack's opponent as 'Battling Mack,' thus duplicating Mack's name. | |
| 1919-10-30 | Mickey Russell | L | NWS | Atlantic City, New Jersey | 8 | (Chicago Tribune) |
| 1919-10-20 | Maxie Williamson | L | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision for Williamson from the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala) and the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid). |
| 1919-09-15 | Battling Harry Leonard | D | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision was a draw in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Public Ledger . |
| 1919-05-05 | Abe Friedman | L | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Public Ledger and the Philadelphia Inquirer in favor of Friedman. |
| 1919-02-18 | Bobby Burns | W | NWS | Armory, Reading, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision from the Reading Eagle |
| 1919-02-01 | Hughie Hutchinson | L | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision in favor of Hutchinson from the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Public Ledger . |
| 1919-01-06 | Joe Mendell | D | NWS | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision of a draw from both the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala) and the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid). |
| 1918-12-07 | Young Sharkey | W | TKO | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 3 | From the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). |
| 1917-11-29 | Little Bear | L | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Little Bear won the newspaper decision according to the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). The Philadelphia Record called it a draw. |
| 1917-08-13 | Danny Buck | W | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision in favor of Buck from the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). |
| 1917-08-06 | Joe Bird | W | KO | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 3 | Result from the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). |
| 1917-07-14 | Baltimore Dundee | D | PTS | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland | 10 | From Baltimore newspapers (Laurence Fielding). Baltimore Dundee was hereafter to be billed by that name, having been known heretofore as 'Young Dundee.' But there were several fighters using that name, creating confusion. |
| 1917-06-08 | Bobby Burns | L | PTS | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland | 6 | From Baltimore newspapers (Laurence Fielding). |
| 1917-04-26 | Charley Daggert | L | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 6 | Newspaper decision in favor of Daggert from the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala). |
| 1917-03-22 | Lew Parsons | W | KO | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 3 | Mack's opponent was given as 'Young Parsons' in the Philadelphia Public Ledger ; it is a guess that Lew Parsons was the man who fought him. |
World War I Draft Card — September 12, 1918
World War I Draft Registration Card — Mattheo Fanelli, registered September 12, 1918. Address: 320 Mt. Vernon Street, Camden. Employed at New York Shipbuilding Corp., Broadway & Morgan Street.
Baseball — Boxing
Philadelphia Inquirer —
For One Admission Phillies’ Ball Park
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14 FOR WAR CHEST
HARLAN vs. STANDARD
For Championship of Shipyards
Batteries: DUMONT for Harlan; BIG DAN GRINER, ex-Brooklyn star, for Standard
THREE STAR BOUTS
EDDIE McANDREWS vs. PATSY BRODERICK
Both of Hog Island
JOHNNIE BUCK vs. MAX WILLIAMSON
Both of Hog Island
BATTLING MACK, of New York Ship., vs. JOE O’DONNELL, of Pusey & Jones
Admission: 25c. 50c. 75c. $1. No War Tax
Jimmy Jackson Stops Lawrence at Camden
Trenton Evening Times —
The first knockout of the season in Camden was scored last night in the opening bout at the Broadway A. C., when Kid Conaghy, of Camden, sent Eddie Dewain, of Philadelphia, to dreamland with a right-hand punch to the jaw.
In the feature bout of the evening, Battling Mack, of Camden, and Sammy Nable, of New York, fought 10 rounds, with honors even. Nable had all the best of the fight in the early rounds, but Mack finished strong and earned a draw. Pete Lawrence, of Camden, was no match for Jimmy Jackson, of Trenton, and after the bout had been under way a short time his seconds tossed the sponge into the ring.
Terry Brooks, of Trenton, fought a draw with Sam Katz, of New York, and Joe Dorsey, of Philadelphia, shaded Phil Lundy.
3 Women Scream as Former Boxer Gets 5-Year Term
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Gyp’ Del Duca and ‘Charlie Mack’ Doomed to Hard Labor at State Prison
Stiff prison sentences were meted out in Camden Criminal Court yesterday by Judge Austin H. Swackhamer, of Gloucester county, to Arthur “Gyp” Del Duca, and Charles Fannelli, both of whom were convicted last week.
Del Duca is well known to police. Fannelli, who lives at 319 Penn street is a former policeman and boxer, who fought under the name of Charlie Mack. Del Duca, convicted of maintaining a disorderly house, was sentenced to two years at hard labor in state’s prison, and a 5-year term was meted to Fannelli, on charges of highway robbery.
Del Duca turned around and smiled at his attorneys after hearing sentence pronounced. But Mack’s knees buckled, his face turned ashen and he seemed on the verge of collapse when he heard his sentence.
Three women in mysteries believed to be relatives of Mack, became hysterical and were led from the courtroom.
Del Duca was convicted by a jury of operating a disorderly house at 674 Fairview street. When he was called to the bar by Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin, David Visor, one of his attorneys, moved for an arrest of judgment, contending the indictment was faulty. Judge Swackhamer refused the motion.
“This man,” Baldwin began his address to the court, “as proprietor of a resort had been warned, raided, fined and raided again without effect.
“His was the most notorious place of its kind in Camden, and the reason he never was caught before was that he never was there when it was raided. But in connection with the resort is common knowledge and despite raids he continued to be a flagrant violator of the social and criminal laws.”
Defense Appeals for Leniency
At this point James Russell Carrow, another of Del Duca’s lawyers, made a plea for a minimum sentence, pointing to the defendant’s army record and that he had never been convicted of a criminal offense before.
“In 1924,” Baldwin replied, “he was arrested for violating the Hobart state prohibition act and fined. He was arrested again for the same offense in the same year and sentenced to 30 days.”
“This is a serious case,” said Judge Swackhamer, “and a disorderly house keeper is a serious menace to the community. I am going to make it a punishment commensurate with the crime. Del Duca, have nothing to say for yourself?”
Takes ‘Rap’ With Smile
“Your honor this is the first time I was ever here on such a charge,” the prisoner said.
Sentence was then pronounced. Del Duca smiled broadly at Carrow and Visor and was led away by attaches. Carrow notified the court he would appeal.
Fannelli then was called to the bar. He is convicted of holding up and taking $51 from Joseph Weska, of Philadelphia, whom he met in a speakeasy near Broadway and Kaighn avenue last November 10.
“Fannelli, or Mack, gambled with fate and decided on a jury trial in an attempt to beat the rap,” said Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese. Gene Mariano, Mack’s attorney, objected to the word “gambled,” and added that if the prisoner were sent to prison for a long term he would come out a hardened criminal.
“On the contrary,” Judge Swackhamer declared, “he might have a chance for reformation because I am going to give him a sentence under which he will have plenty of time to reflect and meditate upon his past conduct and make up his mind to do better when he comes out. I sentence you to five years.”
Apparently surprised at the sentence, Mack grabbed his chair for support. He finally regained his composure, however, just as three women in the back of the court began screaming and weeping. Battling Mack, the prisoner’s brother, led them away, but before they left one of them shouted, “I hope you’re satisfied, now!”
Charity Battles Attract Big Crowd
Camden Courier-Post —
St. Joan of Arc Church Bouts Furnish Plenty of Action Throughout
Fifteen sizzling amateur boxing bouts, together with nine acts of vaudeville, were presented to a capacity crowd in the St. Joan of Arc Church gym, Fairview. The proceeds derived from the affair will go toward the church building fund.
In the feature bout, Bob Zimmerman, of Fairview, unintentionally fouled Eddie O’Tell of South Camden, in the first round and Referee Joe Bonnell immediately stopped the fuss. Zimmerman was in the lead when O’Tell, in attempting to avoid a left hook to the body, leaped into the air with the result that the punch landed low.
Zimmerman, in order not to disappoint the crowd went three rounds with Mickey Murtha. Battling Mack and Pee Wee Ross staged a clown act, while Johnny Lucas met Billy De Lue; Tommy Lyons clashed with Jack Stanley; “Peaches” Gray tackled Terrible Pine; Joe Colon faced Billy Osborne, and George Anderson encountered Milton Bamford. All bouts were limited to three rounds.
Deputy Boxing Commissioner Edward A. Welsh attended the affair, and when introduced by Announcer Bill Kennedy received an ovation that lasted fully five minutes. Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus, a member of the city board of censors also was present.
Sergeant Ray Smith assisted Bonell in refereeing, while John McGraw was timekeeper. It was one of the most successful affairs ever conducted by the church athletic association.
Prisoner Taken Ill
Camden Courier-Post —
Aviator Jailed to Await Auto Charge Hearing Is Stricken With Appendicitis
While awaiting a hearing in Camden police headquarters today on a charge of disorderly conduct and driving an automobile without a license, a Haddonfield man was stricken with an attack of appendicitis.
Joseph Tuttle, 23, of 215 Hickory lane, Haddonfield, giving his occupation as an aviator, was arrested last night at Locust street and Kaighn avenue by Patrolman Matthew Fanelli. Fanelli charged that when he asked Tuttle for his license and registration card, the man was unable to produce them and became abusive.
Awaiting arraignment, Tuttle suddenly doubled up in pain. He was found to be suffering an acute attack of appendicitis and was removed to Cooper Hospital. An operation may be performed today.
Ex-Fighters Are Set for Charity Show
Camden Courier-Post —
Jersey Joe Walcott and Roxie Allen in Feature at Civic Hall Tomorrow
Present and past greats of Camden boxing will do their all for charity tomorrow night, when they appear on a card sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden, at the Camden Convention Hall.
Fifteen bouts of three rounds each are scheduled to be held, and the entire proceeds will be used to provide Christmas baskets for Camden’s needy. The boxers and referees have generously donated their services free of charge, and are to be complimented for their willingness to aid a worthy cause.
All 15 bouts as are exhibition matches as the principals have been out of training for several years. However, they have done their best to get in pretty fair shape during the past two weeks and a number of interesting bouts should be presented.
Jersey Joe Walcott, still in action in the heavyweight ranks, and Roxie Allen, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight, but who retired two years ago, are on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in a scheduled eight-rounder.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who spent themselves in out-of-town fights, and are slated to box each other. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest bouts in New York City about two years, while Mickey was one of the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War.
George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Pete Herman were some of the boys Battling Mack met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer, another Attell.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local residents, are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the welterweights of local weights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28.
Pee Wee Ross undoubtedly was the best bantamweight ever developed in this city. Ross fought ’em all 10 years ago and finished with a great record. He meets Bobby Zimmerman, another local product who also was a pleasing performer and who was known as the “buzz saw” because of his rapid-fire punching.
Nick Nichols, one of the hardest-hitting welterweights ever to hold forth here, takes on Tommy McCann, East Camdenite who had one of the best left hands in the city.
Lucas Vs. Straiges
Johnny Lucas, South Camden welterweight who still could go to the wars, faces Joey Straiges, also of South Camden, who also could compete in featherweight ranks if it were necessary for him to continue boxing. In the other bout on the card, Young Palmer and Tommy Dundee, former featherweights, clash.
Nearly 4,000 Witness Old-Timers in Action
Camden Courier-Post —
Past and Present South Jersey Boxers Go Through Paces in Charity Show
NO DECISIONS RENDERED
By FRANK KOPESKY
They turned back the sporting page, month after month, year after year. And out of the staring type and fading newsprint stepped the shadows of all the names you’ve been reading about these past weeks.
With nearly 4,000 in attendance, the United Democratic Clubs of Camden sponsored a charity boxing show at Convention Hall last night that turned into a sentimental journey through the years for most of the fans.
Braddock Gets Big Hand
The feature attraction and a man who received a thunderous reception from the gallery was popular James J. Braddock, former heavyweight champion of the world, who refereed the final two bouts.
Roxie Allen, of Camden, and Hindie, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight, were paired on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in a scheduled eight-rounder.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who spent their greatest days in out-of-town fights. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest bouts in New York City about two years, while Mickey was one of the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War.
The veteran of the card is Battling Mack, one of the finest characters ever to enter the fight game among South Camden featherweights. George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Pete Herman were some of the boys Battling Mack met in his prime.
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local residents, are due to meet. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus Maguire, Charlie Mack, White, Lew Jackson, and Johnny Attell were included among the men which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Pee Wee Ross and Attell clashes with Billy Marino. Joey Straiges is a lightweight, packed a great left hook and has in recent years been known to all South Jersey fight addicts.
Life Hereabouts
Camden Courier-Post —
By CHARLEY HUMES
DOWN MEMORY LANE with that Old Gang of Yours… in a few of the years when Our Town was as good a sport town as any in the land… from the time that Taylor and Gunnis promoted fights through the years to Roxey Allen… Mickey Blair… Eddie Chaney… Shamus Maguire… Pee Wee Ross… Jackie Hindle… Watson Finch… Georgie Abner… Nick Nicholas… Dixie Allen…
The days when Camden was the Mecca for Philly fight fans… with champions like Mike O’Dowd… Benny Leonard… Pete Herman… Jimmy Wilde… Gene Tunney… fighting in the Armory on Haddon avenue… for One, Two and Three… tax included… the days of John Smith… whose son, Lee, became one of our great friends… the days when Philly came to Camden to see the best fighters in the land…
AND THEN DOWN through the years with Lou McFarland… Higgins and Kaplan… Tommy James… the man named Doyle who always gave us a smile when we called him “Mister” because he was so kind… When Sergeant Ray Smith became a referee… “Pose” Robinson… the days of Willie Davis… Harry Smith… Jim Kelly…
Fights in the ball park at Twelfth and Federal streets… at the Fairview Ball Park… in the Temple Theatre… the Star Theatre… Newt Blanchard, the only promoter who gave us MORE money than we asked for… The Broadway Theatre… the early days of Convention Hall…
THE TIME they opened the Plaza Hotel Gym and all the fine lads on the program… with the late Mayor Stewart in the audience… and many other dignitaries… and being “dared” into a match with Ray Smith, because his opponent failed to show… the same guy who fought Tunney… Mike Brennan… Gibbons… Martin… Dempsey… Loughran… and seeing the Sergeant’s body covered with blood in the second round… our very own blood…
THE YEARS when Gloucester city was the fightenest town in the nation…
The days of K. O. Joey O’Donnell… who fought them all… Of Frankie Conway… who never took a backward step… and still has the same courage today… Of Willie Spencer… who headlined show after show… Charlie Daggert… now a referee in Philly… Jimmy Rafferty… Eddie (Kid) Wagner… Young Sherlock… Abe Wustbond, later an instructor of boxing at Herman’s gym in Philly… Eddie Forrest… and his brother, who fought Battling Nelson… the crowd-pleasing Willie Fuller… Joey O’Connor.
Back when Chick Hunt fought under the name of Eddie Melson… and later, in professional ranks, the night he fought Joe “Kid” Fisher at the Apollo theatre in Gloucester… Chick is our friend today… but we don’t believe he ever will forgive us for that night when we yelled at Joe to… well, we yelled at Joe… The days of Harry “Dick” Donohue, trainer and manager of Nick Nichols.
AND THE BEST, learning the business under the incomparable Eddie Prince… who knows how to condition fighters… then and now… with the best in the nation… The days when they called Mister Georgano “Lemons”… but affectionately… not because he was ever sour.
When Johnny Sapio… who only days ago was honored at a banquet at Weber’s Hof Brau by so many people the walls bulged… fought under the name of Young Joe Grim.
HOW MANY will remember when our own Eddie Garrity, now the sedate deputy director of public safety in Our Town, was a boxer… with plenty on the ball? When George Murphy boxed around here… and the Tighe brothers, Eddie and Jimmy… Remember Richie Hoehner?… Jimmie Jordan?… Eddie Douglas?… Bobby Graham, then a soldier stationed in Gloucester?… Steve Jackson?… Frankie McLaughlin (whose brother Neil WAS on Retreat with us, Mrs. McLaughlin, and gave us much of this information)?
Recall Johnny “Homo” Bryan?… Duncan Carswell, Jimmy and Jack Dean, referees, all three?… Theo Ellick, the matchmaker… And who could forget Joe Spearing, afraid of nobody then and now… he fought our boy Fisher three times to our knowledge… once in Atlantic City… another at one of the ball parks here and the third (the windup, no less) in Gloucester… Who won… who cares?
THE DAYS when a Cook was a promoter… and a Politician(?) got the gravy… The time “Red” Haines fought Roxey Allen over top the old Standard movies at Second and Vine streets… amateur against a near-champ… and what a battle… when Everett Joslin and Johnny Taylor were on the First district wagon and backed it up to the door leading to the second floor, and all the people gathering around because they thought it was a raid… and all they came to see was a round or two of the fights.
Back when Joey Powell had an iron fist… and Soldier Freedman an iron jaw… When Mayor Victor King was always in the front row at the bouts… when Augie Oswald “worked” the river in his boat for shad and other fish… when a dollar was a dollar and not 27 cents… when the downtown fight gym was operated by Charley Mack… whose brother Battling Mack was a great drawing card and a great fighter… and Charley was no softie, either.
THE SUMMER BOUTS in the ball park when you could get a swell bleacher seat for half a buck—and be closer to the bouts than $50 seats at some of the big clubs now… and see better fights, too.
Veterans Boxing Association Ring No. 6 — 13th Annual Banquet, 1961
Honoring Frankie Conway, “Man of the Year — 1961”; Sunday Evening May 7, 1961; Moffa’s Farm, Blenheim, N.J.
New Jersey Veteran Boxing Association, Ring No. 6 — 13th Annual Banquet, May 7, 1961. Honoring Frankie Conway as Man of the Year. Sgt. Ray Smith, Ring No. 6 First President and 1959 Man of the Year, appears on page 10. Battling Mack is listed among attendees on page 19.