Drew The “Colour Line” Against Men Of His Own Race

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6864, 21 May 1932, Page 13

Drew The “Colour Line” Against Men Of His Own Race

FAMOUS FIGHTS OF “OLD CHOCOLATE”

B RAWING the “colour line” has long been the favourite pastime of white boxers when they wished to avoid challenges from troublesome coloured men or for some other reason which made the ban an excuse that fitted into the white .man’s plans. It remained, however, for George Godfrey, of Boston, known a generation ago as “Old Chocolate,” to draw the colour line against men of his own race (writes A. D. Phillips, in an American publication). Not only did he make the statement in public, but, that there could be no mistake, he put it in writing in rather bold style. The reason for Godfrey’s action was two-fold. In the first place, there was Peter Jackson, who had just arrived from Australia, and was threatening Godfrey’s place as the negro champion of America. Then, too, there had always existed in the brain of Godfrey the belief that he was the master of John L. Sullivan, a feeling he bad possessed ever since the night they were stripped to box in “Professor” Bailey’s room in Boston, but were prevented by the police—interference that Godfrey insisted was purposely arranged by John L.’s friends who feared for their man. The fistic world was startled by Godfrey’s statement, the wording of which was: “I will fight any white man living.” There were in it no “ifs,” “ands,” or “huts.” It was so direct that it was all the more impressive. Sullivan a short time later met Godfrey during a boxing show in the Music Mall of Boston, and offered to battle then and there, but Godfrey did not accept the chance he had so long been seeking. Later, he did agree to meet Jackson, and on August 24, 1888, he clashed with Peter for a purse of §ISOO at the California A.C.—a battle that veterans in California still remember as one of the hardest ever seen on the Pacific Coast between heavyweights. The fight was a give-and-take affair for 19 rounds, when the youth of Jackson prevailed and the veteran went down to defeat. Godfrey’s showing, his display of gameness, and his fighting heart were so appreciated, that one of the_ San Francisco papers the next day said of the negro: “He’s a gamest fighter that has ever been seen in this locality.” Later, Godfrey lived up to his reputation by lasting through many gruelling rounds with Jake Kilrain, until

finally, in the 441 h, he was put away. That bout look place in the same ring in which he fought Jackson. Subsequently Godfrey again proved his worth as a gladiator when he fought his sensational battle with Peter Maher in Boston on March 28, 1894, in which the negro was knocked out in the sixth round. That contest virtually ended the career of this great coloured scrapper, although he later beat Billy Woods in Baltimore and boxed a 15-round draw with Nick Burley in Boston. His great career extended over a period of 17 years, in which his only defeats were by Jackson, Kilrain, Coynski, and Maher. Despite Godfrey’s professional feelings toward Sullivan, whom he openly accused on many occasions of being afraid to tackle a negro, and whom he always felt certain he could whip, Godfrey had the greatest admiration for the honesty of the “Big Fellow.” In at least two of Godfrey’s important lights Sullivan was acceptable to the negro as the referee. The first time was at the Crib Club, when Godfrey won the American negro heavyweight championship by knocking out “Professor” Hadley, and on a second occasion, when Godfrey and Joe Lannon, a pal of Sullivan, fought a terrific 15-round draw at the same club on February 4, 1889. They came no belter than Godfrey. He was a white man among the negroes. Although not an exceptionally great fighter, he could always be depended upon to give a good account of himself.