Watson Finch
Watson Finch. Augusta Chronicle, March 12, 1928.
Watson Finch was a Camden, New Jersey welterweight boxer who competed throughout the 1920s, fighting in South Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. He is known to have fought fellow Camden boxers Tip Gorman (Frank Guetherman) and Young O’Connor (Cesar Campana Sr.).
Watson Finch died on July 9, 1931, from injuries received when he was struck by an ice truck at Magnolia, New Jersey. He was approximately 30 years old. His brother Walter served as a blood donor in a transfusion performed the night before his death in an effort to save his life.
Watson Finch Known Boxing Record
Boxing Record
Watson Finch's known boxing record. Summary: W 3 (KO 2) * L 7 (KO 7) * D 0. Division: welterweight. Hometown: Camden, New Jersey.
Bouts
| Title ↕ | Date ↕ | Weight ↕ | Result ↕ | Method ↕ | Round ↕ | Scheduled ↕ | Location ↕ | Notes ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connie George | 1928-03-16 | W | PTS | New Baseball Stadium, Augusta, Georgia | ||||
| Billy Angelo | 1927-07-13 | L | KO | 2 | 6 | Milford, Delaware | ||
| Young Ketchell | 1927-04-12 | L | KO | 1 | 4 | Shellpot Park, Wilmington, Delaware | ||
| Eddie Adams | 1927-04-05 | W | KO | 2 | 4 | Shellpot Park, Wilmington, Delaware | ||
| Young Ketchell | 1927-03-01 | L | KO | 3 | 4 | Shellpot Park, Wilmington, Delaware | ||
| Joe Martin | 1927-01-04 | W | NWS | 4 | 4 | Shellpot Park, Wilmington, Delaware | Newspaper decision from the Chester Times | |
| Vic Righter | 1926-09-03 | 149 | W | KO | 1 | 6 | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey | Opponent weighed 153 lbs |
| Tip Gorman (Frank Guetherman) | 1926-07-23 | L | NWS | 6 | 6 | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey | Newspaper decision from the Chester Times | |
| Jimmy McNulty | 1926-01-08 | L | KO | 1 | 6 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||
| Joe Libby | 1925-06-04 | 149 | L | TKO | 2 | 8 | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey | Opponent weighed 152 lbs |
| Soldier Freeman | Before 1925-10-25 | L | KO | Reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid) | ||||
| Pat Haley | 1924-12-08 | L | KO | 1 | 6 | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
Brennan to Face Stiff Opposition
Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser —
BRENNAN TO FACE STIFF OPPOSITION
Local Flyweight Boxes Kid Harvey In Arena Windup Tomorrow Night
Trenton boxing fans will watch two local ring rivals come to grips tomorrow night at the Arena, when Willie (Kid) Harvey, of Chambersburg, and Johnny Brennan, South Trenton flyweight, box the eight-round windup. The contest is probably the hardest test Brennan has thus far faced as Harvey is a hard puncher for his weight. This was proven a few weeks ago, when he battered Johnny Fone, of East Trenton.
Brennan’s chances of beating Harvey rest in his speed. He proved by his victory over Emil Paluso that he is entitled to be rated among the best and his supporters are of the opinion that he will baffle Harvey with his speed and boxing skill. Harvey will likely stalk Brennan from beginning to end, in the hope of landing a haymaker, and his backers believe that he will be certain to connect.
The match is at 118 pounds at 8 o’clock. Brennan, being a natural flyweight, did not even have to reduce. Harvey, in his recent match with Fone, weighed only 118½ pounds, and inasmuch as he was not compelled to make weight, it is reasonable to assume that 118 pounds will not trouble him in the least.
In the semi-final bout, two new boxers will be introduced. Enrique Savardo, a Filipino, and Young Eddy, of Providence, R. I., are scheduled to clash. Both are said to be aggressive, stiff punchers.
Mickey Mitchell, local Greek welterweight, and Soldier Freeman, of Camp Dix, are down to clash in another eight-rounder. Freeman is somewhat of a knockouter, having flattened Bob McClellan, of Mount Holly, in three, Georgie Abner, of Camden, in three. Freeman stands out as the strongest opponent Mitchell has boxed since taking up the game.
The show will open with Tony Mason, of Chambersburg, tangling with Ray Selby. This will mark the return to the ring for Mason after a long lay-off. Mason has the reputation of being a puncher. The show will start at 8:30 o’clock.
Watson Finch
Augusta Chronicle —
Finch will battle Connie George in the semi-final to the Stribling-Joyce fight here Friday night. Finch hails from Camden, N. J., and [sic] said to be a clever mitt-handler.
Gorman Meets Test Against Joe Bashara
Camden Courier-Post —
Hard-Hitting Middleweights Meet in Prelim to Forgione-McGorgary Bout Tuesday
ALLEN FIGHTS MURPHY
Successful so far in a comeback campaign launched recently, Joe Bashara, hard-hitting middleweight from Baltimore, will stack up against a tough customer in one of the preliminary bouts at the all-star show arranged by the Matthew Purnell Post, 518, Veterans of Foreign Wars, at the Camden Convention Hall next Tuesday.
Bashara opposes Tip Gorman, Camden’s fighting cop, himself in the midst of a comeback.
The Marylander was brought to Philadelphia by “Boo Boo Hoff” two years ago and he became one of the most popular club fighters then performing in this section.
He was inactive for some months, but has started fighting again and hopes to reach former heights.
Gorman, after a string of victories up North Jersey, gained favor here with triumphs over Watson Finch and Tony Gildo. He then joined the police force and retired temporarily. Now he is back in harness again, and rarin’ to go.
There should be plenty of action when the hard-hitting Tip tackles the tough Bashara.
The windup Tuesday brings together Vincent Forgione, Atlantic City speedster who is also a member of the Hoff stable, and Babe McGorgary, the rugged Oklahoma cowboy. McGorgary is a slugger but Forgione is a better boxer, and hits hard, besides.
The semi-windup presents two South Jersey Italians who rank among the leading lightweights in the state. Roxie Allen, fresh from a victory over Mickey Blair and a draw with Emery Cabana, opposes Tommy “Kid” Murphy, the Trenton flash.
Two terrific punchers mingle in the main preliminary. Al Gordon, Hoff’s southpaw lightweight, fights Jesse Gosa, Trenton colored sensation. Gosa is the boy who ended Jackie Hindle’s career with a knockout victory, during which he almost blinded the Camden denite.
Gosa also boasts a win over Murphy. It was after this bout that Murphy attacked a Trenton sports writer and was suspended by Commissioner Bugbee. He has been restored to good graces since.
The opening bout on the program shows Leon Lucas, former amateur champion who fought in the recent Olympics, making his professional debut. The Camden heavyweight meets Mushy Brown, formerly of Chicago, who has been under the care of the veteran Adam Ryan. Ryan thinks he has a comer in the 180-pound Brown, and Lucas is sure to be tested in his pro start.
In addition to these five star bouts, a novice scrap will be staged between Jimmy Russell, of Beverly, and George Jackson, of Camden.
Watson Finch Dies; Camden Ex-Fighter
Trenton Evening Times —
WATSON FINCH DIES; CAMDEN EX-FIGHTER
CAMDEN, N. J., July 9 (AP).—Watson Finch, 30, former local boxer, died today from injuries received when he was struck by an ice truck at Magnolia on Sunday. A blood transfusion, with his brother, Walter, as the donor, was performed last night in an effort to save his life.
Finch is widely known in Trenton. He boxed at the Arena some years ago.
Life Hereabouts by Charley Humes
Camden Courier-Post —
LIFE HEREABOUTS by CHARLEY HUMES
DOWN MEMORY LANE with that Old Gang of Yours is a few of the guys who’ll tell you Tatum was as good as or the best man in the land … from the time that Taylor and Glimits managed Rocky Robinson, … the days of Johnny Allen … Rocky Eddie Chaney … Shamus Maguire … Pee Wee Ross … Jabbering Jackie Hindle … Watson Finch … lots and lots of fun.
The days when Camden was the Mecca for Philly fight fans getting the paper with Rocky Robinson as challenger, Benny Leonard, Pete Herman … Jimmy Wilde … Gene Tunney … fighting in the Arena on all given Wednesday nights.
HOW MANY will remember when our own Eddie Garrity, who now occupies an important post in the city government, was a boxer … with plenty on the ball … boxing out of a big gym around here … fighting at the Thirteenth Ward Republic Club … trying for fame on Louis Street, Whitman Avenue section
THEN AND THEY DOWN the memory lane again when a man named Dopey John and a man named Kaplan … a fighter … and there was a guy boxing around here named Mickey Blair … When Sergeant Ray Smith is Robinson … the days of Willie Robinson … the days of Willie Graham, then a wider stationed right here … the days of Young Jordan … Frankie McLaughlin … Neil McLaughlin … and gave us much of this informational … Joe Spearing did.