Irish Giant Bashes Wormald

On October 29, 1868, “Irish Giant” Ned O’Baldwin and English prizefighter Joe Wormald met in a bare knuckle prize-fight outside of Boston in Lynnville, Massachusetts.  O’Baldwin stood 6’06” tall and weighed around 220 pounds.  Possessed of a violent disposition, O’Baldwin had the perfect attitude for the ring but poor social skills outside of it.

Fans of both men arrived in Boston prior to the match and terrorized the population.  A correspondent from one of the New York evening papers, Mr. Harding, attempted to get information from some men in one of the Boston saloons.  Instead, the patrons attacked Harding.  The men beat him so badly he was in danger of having several fingers amputated.  The newspapers held a low opinion of the fans of prize fighting.  In the case of Mr. Harding, the crowd lived up to its blood thirsty reputation.

Prize fighting was illegal in most states, so the fight was arranged for Lynnville with the hope that they would avoid authorities.  O’Baldwin threw his hat into the ring and entered the ring.  O’Baldwin stretched out his limbs, so spectators could see the full extent of his long limbs.

Wormald kept O’Baldwin waiting for 15 minutes before throwing his own hat in the ring.  A bet of 100 to 50 was arranged with O’Baldwin favored to win.  The men took their corners and came out ready to fight.

Wormald was no lightweight at 6’02” and 200 pounds but O’Baldwin had the physical advantage.  When Wormald landed the first blow on O’Baldwin’s chin, “The Irish Giant” countered with a powerful blow to the neck.  Wormald punched O’Baldwin in the mouth.  Wormald was trying to elude O’Baldwin instead of standing toe to toe with him.

O’Baldwin continued to press Wormald and scored two punches to Wormald’s nose.  As Wormald backed away, O’Baldwin struck him in the chest.  Wormald returned fire on O’Baldwin’s neck and nose.  O’Baldwin punched Wormald in the ribs as Wormald struck O’Baldwin another blow on the nose.

O’Baldwin took two steps forward and hit Wormald with a right hand to the jaw, which deposited Wormald into the corner like a dead man.  The thrill of victory was short-lived though.  Before the referee could count out Wormald or end the fight, twenty Lynn policeman charged the ring and arrested combatants, corners and anyone else who did not flee the venue.  A week later, both O’Baldwin and Wormald were still sitting in jail.

Ned O’Baldwin would take part in many other prize fights before being killed by his business partner in 1875.  O’Baldwin could not control his violent tendencies outside of the ring, which was often his undoing.

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Source: New Orleans Republican, November 5, 1868 edition, p. 4

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