Terrible Terry Wins Bantam Title

“Terrible” Terry McGovern earned a reputation as one of the most powerful punchers in the history of the lighter divisions of professional boxing. McGovern weighed between 112 dan 126 pound. Unlike his fellow smaller fighters, who overwhelmed their opponents with punching volume, McGovern possessed exceptional knockout power.

McGovern proved his power on Tuesday, September 12, 1899, when he fought British boxer Pedlar Palmer for the World Bantamweight Boxing Championship. Before the first round was concluded, McGovern stood over the prostrate Palmer as the new champion.

The men arrived at the venue on Monday, September 11, 1899 to weigh in at 5 pada. Both men weighed in under 116 pound. Anehnya, they had to meet again on Tuesday, September 12, 1899, to weigh in as they were both supposed to be under 116 pounds ten hours prior to the beginning of the fight.

It had been raining in Tuckahoe, New York all day, so Palmer was unable to do road work. Palmer, who seemed to be the party requesting a second weigh in, asked that this requirement be waved by McGovern’s camp. McGovern agreed to the request. Both men entered the ring around 120 pound.

Prior to the start of the match, George Dixon, who McGovern already defeated, requested a match with the winner of the fight. Both McGovern and Palmer said they would address the Dixon challenge after their title fight.

McGovern was a 10 kepada 8 favorite to beat Palmer. Significant wagers were placed on the bout, which would be contested under Queensberry Rules. McGovern and Palmer would go down in history as the first fighters to contest a world championship under the new rules for professional boxing.

Pada 3:40 sore. pada September 12, 1899, Palmer and McGovern slid on their gloves. The men met in the center of the ring, where referee George Siler gave the final instructions. Both men returned to their corners and the match began.

Palmer attempted a punch with his left hand but McGovern was out of range. Palmer threw a second punch, missed completely and fell to his knees. Palmer’s frantic pace leads one to believe he had too much nervous energy to begin the fight.

McGovern scored a light blow to the head. McGovern used the punch to close the distance and get inside Palmer’s defense. McGovern landed two powerful rights to the head before confusion reigned in the ring.

The timekeeper was confused at the new rules and rang the bell early. The referee realized the timekeeper’s error and quickly restarted the bout. McGovern threw a left right combination before McGovern knocked Palmer to the floor with a left hook.

Palmer staggered to his feet. McGovern swarmed but was trying to finish him too quickly. Palmer was able to duck out-of-the-way of most of McGovern’s blows. McGovern realized his mistake and threw two shots to the body.

As Palmer backed away, McGovern caught him with a left hook-right cross combination, which dropped Palmer for good. Palmer reached for the ropes but missed and fell to his back. Palmer tried to rise up on his elbow but referee Siler counted him out.

McGovern won his first world title but would not defend it. McGovern vacated the belt to compete for the featherweight title against old foe George Dixon in January 1900.

McGovern won significant money for the betting public and had a tough time getting out of the ring. Everyone in the arena seemed to want to shake his hand. McGovern was making the smaller weight divisions popular, an unusual occurrence in boxing.

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Source: The Topeka State Journal, September 12, 1899 edition, p. 1

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