121 years ago
Abe Attell vs Harry Forbes
Date: 1st February 1904
Venue: West End A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, USATitle: World Featherweight Title
Referee: Harry Sharpe
Abe Attell
(
21
-
2
-
8
)
Weight: 120 lbs
Harry Forbes
(
72
-
7
-
22
)
Weight: 120 lbs
On February 1, 1904, at the West End Athletic Club in Saint Louis, Missouri, Abe Attell and Harry Forbes faced off for the fourth time in their storied rivalry. This bout, significant for being another chapter in their ongoing contest, was particularly notable as it was contested over 20 rounds for the World Featherweight Title. Both fighters, weighing in at an even 120 pounds, had previously met with mixed results, making this fight a crucial tie-breaker in their series.
Abe Attell, hailing from San Francisco, had already established a formidable reputation in the boxing world by the time he stepped into the ring for this bout. Having won the vacant World Featherweight Title on September 3, 1903, against Johnny Reagan, Attell was keen on solidifying his hold on the championship against a familiar adversary. The history between Attell and Forbes was rich with competition; Forbes had won their first meeting by a 15-round decision in 1901, while their second and third encounters, one in Chicago and the other in Indianapolis, ended in draws.
This fourth meeting in St. Louis differed from their previous bouts, not just in stakes but also in outcome. Unlike their earlier encounters, which required the judge's decision, this fight saw Attell take a definitive route to victory. Displaying his superior skills and perhaps benefiting from a refined strategy against Forbes, Attell ended the fight abruptly by knocking out Forbes in the fifth round. This knockout was a significant statement in the ongoing rivalry, emphasizing Attell's prowess and his ability to adapt and overcome in successive fights.
Harry Forbes, a former world bantamweight champion who had claimed his title from Danny Dougherty in 1901, was no less formidable in his own right. His experience and skill made him a worthy opponent, yet on this day, the combination of Attell's agility, power, and perhaps an intimate knowledge of Forbes' techniques led to a shorter-than-expected conclusion.
This fight underscored Attell's dominance in the featherweight division and marked a pivotal moment in both fighters' careers. It demonstrated Attell's ability to defend his title successfully while also reflecting the intense competitive spirit shared between him and Forbes, who had met six times in total, each bout adding layers to their rich competitive history.