DEATH OF VETERAN NEW ZEALAND BOXER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1383, 26 October 1916, Page 33

DEATH OF VETERAN NEW ZEALAND BOXER.

Members of the sporting fraternity throughout New Zealand and oldtime boxing enthusiasts in particular will learn with regret of the death in Auckland on Friday last of Mr. Eugene ("Barney') uonovan, who for many years held the lightweight championship of the Dominion. “Barney” was well-known from one end of the country to the other, having, during his successful ring career, fought in almost every important town in this country. His remarkable skill with the padded mitts soon won him renown throughout Australasia, for he was not averse to meeting opponents to whom he frequently conceded from two to four stone, and despite his big handicap he in most instances proved their master. Apart from his boxing skill, Donovan made innumerable friends by reason of his kindly disposition and sportsmanlike qualities, his readiness io help those in need of assistance being a marked feature of his long and honourable career as a boxer and citizen. He was 65 years of age at the time of his death, and with the exception of one year he resided during the whole of that period in New Zealand. He was born at Cork, Ireland, on April 13, 1851, and arrived in the Dominion when but 12 months of age. On leaving school he entered into the bakery trade, and it was in 1882, when the great Jem Mace made a trip out to New Zealand from the Old Country and created a regular boom in fistic circles, that Donovan made his first appearance in public. A lightweight championship tournament was instituted by Mace, in which a large number of aspiringchampions competed for the honour, the winner proving to be no less a person than “Barney” Donovan, who thus auspiciously commenced his climb r 'of the pugilistic ladder. He then in turn defeated Tom Harris, the Wairoa champion; Micky Kirby, run-ner-up for the heavyweight championship; Jim O’Connor, and Tom Colgan. He then visited Wairoa for the purpose of meeting Tom Harris, whose reputation was firmly established in the district which claimed him as a resident, in a return match, which resulted in Donovan’s favour in the third round. Donovan’s success proved the means of bringing out another aspirant in the redoubtable Billy Murphy, who challenged him to defend his newly-won boxing honour, and a match was eventually staged in the old Theatre Royal in April, 1885, when in addition to the lightweight championship, a purse of £lOO was involved. A big crowd witnessed the clash between these two lightweights, both of whom were destined to win wide fame in the roped arena, and after a thrilling contest Donovan accounted for “Torpedo Billy” in the ninth round. Donovan next agreed to fight the N.Z. heavyweight champion, Dick Matthews, but found the task beyond him, the heavier man winning in four rounds. He then defeated Sam Wentherburn in three rounds, and scored a victory in Wellington over Terence Lynch, who was six feet high and weighed JL4st. Whilst in the Empire City he met Pettengell, the N.Z. middleweight champion, but though the verdict went against him the consensus of opinion was to the effect that Donovan gave a far more skilled exhibition than his conqueror. He returned to Auckland, and in a return match with Terence Lynch for £6O and the house receipts he again accounted for the giant boxer in eight rounds. Napier was the scene of his next bout, Ted Williams suffering defeat at his hands. Donovan then went south, and at Dunedin vanquished Dan Lees, while at Christchurch he defeated Billy Hercom, a contender for the lightweight title. He then re-visited Dunedin and knocked out Tom Williams, well-known as a trainer of equines, in the tenth round in a match for the championship. Fred Burke was his next victim, four rounds seeing the end of the contest, which was staged in Dunedin. Donovan then returned North, and at Wellington beat big “Butcher” Lane in an eventful fight, and later

accounted for Wallace, a heavyweight, in two rounds. On arrival in Auckland again he was matched with the American middleweight, Young Mitchell, in a four-round no-decision bout, and gave a splendid exhibition against the visitor. Capt. Morse and Mr. Alf. Isaacs were present at this exhibition, which proved a regular treat to boxing patrons. Donovan further enhanced his reputation in a bout with Jack Burke, the Irish lad, who was the only man at that time who stood up to the great John L. Sullivan for four rounds. Donovan then went to Dunedin at Exhibition time and met Peter Boland, the well-known Australian middleweight champion, who defeated him. He returned to Auckland and scored victories over Jack Laurie; Joe Campbell, and Jim Martin. He thereupon retired for some time, but was persuaded to meet Barnes at the Zealandia Skating Rink, when after 12 rounds his condition gave out. The late “Barney” Donovan had as his first lieutenant curing his successful pareer a well-known personality in Mr. Frank Burns, honorary timekeeper to the Northern Boxing Association, who himself was one of the leading exponents of boxing in the pioneer days of the si ort in New Zealand.