Irishman wins World Boxing Title on St. Patrick’s Night in Dublin
Dublin, 19 March 1923 - It was a St. Patrick’s Day to remember for Clare-man Mike McTigue who defeated Senegalese boxer, Louis Mbarick Fall - ‘Battling Siki’ to secure the World Light Heavyweight Title at the La Scala Theatre in Dublin.
The fight took place amidst heavy security, a consequence of the ongoing civil war and, more particularly, the recent republican ‘proclamation’ order demanding an end to all sports and amusements.
The security concerns were justified. Not far from the venue where the fight took place, at the rear of the Pillar Picture House on Sackville Street, a landmine exploded causing widespread damage, two children received injuries from falling glass. The reverberations were felt the length of Sackville Street.
The city was thronged with foreign visitors attending the fight at the La Scala. Press representatives from all over the world were in attendance as was the former world champion, the famous Frenchman, Georges Carpentier, and his manager. Carpentier, who was introduced to the crowd before the fight, had sensationally lost his title last year to the Senegalese Siki. Another boxer who was introduced to the crowd was Frank Moran, the American boxer who, like Carpentier, fought the legendary Jack Johnson some years ago.
British Pathé newsreel footage of Mike McTigue arriving in Ireland for his world title bout on St. Patrick’s night
On this occasion, it was an Irishman and a Senegalese who held top billing. The challenger Mike McTigue, who is now based in New York, began his big fight day by attending 8.30am mass in Lucan and entered the ring in the packed La Scala at 8.17 pm. The champion took the initiative from the start, always busy and moving forward with McTigue using his left-handed jab to keep him at bay.
Twenty unspectacular rounds followed with no knock-out blows, the result falling to a referee’s decision. ‘McTigue wins on points’ came the announcement, to the delight of a home crowd which lept to its feet and started chanting, ‘McTigue, McTigue, McTigue. ’
As victor, the Clare-man becomes not only the World Light Heavyweight Champion, but also the Heavyweight Champion of Europe. He also claims £1,500 of the £2,000 purse.
In all the excitement, there was a reminder of the wider tensions outside the theatre when, on foot of a Military order, patrons were asked to keep their seats until 11.30 pm.
[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]
