Monte Attell Battles Reagan

Monte Attell was the younger brother of World Featherweight Boxing Champion Abe Attell.  Monte would always be stuck in the shadow of his older brother but was a talented fighter in his own right.  Monte would win the World Bantamweight Boxing Championship during his career and establish himself as a world class fighter.

In 1904, he was a 19-year-old up-and-coming contender.  Monte joined his brother Abe in St. Louis to pursue his professional boxing career.  He made a great start in his first bout at the West End Athletic Club against his brother’s old foe Johnny Reagan.

Johnny Reagan fought Abe at featherweight but was a more natural bantamweight.  Local fight observers expected Reagan to do better with the younger Attell due to Monte Attell’s youth and lighter natural weight.

While only 27-years-old, Reagan’s age was cited as a reason for his struggles in this fight.  Lighter fighter as a rule peak earlier than the heavier weights and pass their prime in their late 20s to early 30s.  A heavier fighter can still compete at a world class level into their mid to late 30s.

When the men met on December 22, 1904, the fight was an even affair at first.  Attell pushed the fight from the start with Reagan relying on his defensive mastery.  Attell was ferocious in his offensive attack but Reagan deflected most of the blows harmlessly away.

After 10 rounds, the referee would have declared the fight a draw.  However, after the 10th round, he wouldn’t have given Reagan another round.

It was obvious from the 10th round on, Reagan would have a hard time lasting the 20 round distance.  Attell sensing Reagan’s weakening began pummeling Reagan’s body.

Reagan had to clinch repeatedly to stop from being knocked down.  His strategy went from winning to preventing Attell from knocking him out.

As the men met in the center of the ring to start the 17th Round, Attell sensed the end was near.  He changed his focus from Reagan’s body to his head.  It didn’t take long.

Attell shot a right cross-left hook combination that knocked Reagan back against the ropes.  As Reagan stepped back to Attell, a follow-up right cross ended Reagan’s night.  Attell had knocked Reagan out with 3 rounds left in the fight.

The reporter noted Abe Attell was in his brother’s corner for the fight.  The reporter said ringside observers began talking about a potential Abe Attell-Monte Attell fight.  Most felt Monte was the only fighter at the time, who could give Abe a fight.  Neither brother showed any interest in fighting each other though.

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Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 23, 1904 edition, p. 14

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