EUGENE DONOVAN, THE AUCKLAND PUGILIST.

Kumara Times, Issue 3095, 4 October 1886, Page 3

EUGENE DONOVAN, THE AUCKLAND PUGILIST.

The Auckland Bell says :—Eugene Donovan, or as he is more popularly termed, Barney Donovan, is a colonial reared in Auckland, and his pugilistic caieer is one of the most remarkable in the world, his list of battles comparing favourably with that of any other pugilist that ever stood in the ring. Out of eighteen battles he only lost two. He has never been defeated by his own weight, while on the other hand he has beaten several men two and three stone heavier than himself. It vrill scarcely be disputed that, as a pugilist, he is the, best science man New Zealand has produced, and his staying powers being equally good, it is questionable whether there is a man of his own weight who could beat him. In his late trip to the South Island he defeated the local champion in every town, and yet made friends instead of enemies; in fact, his well-known generous disposition made him almost as popular in the South as he is in the North. In Auckland there does not exist a man who is such a thorough favourite in his own circle as Barney Donovan. He is far removed from the low pothouse “pngs” of the old days. As a theatrical star, from a supernumerary, he has always championed the cause of the weak against the strong, and yet never abused his powers. His battle on Wednesday night in the Choral Hall ends his pugi'istic career, and Auckland sports intend presenting to him on the stage a handsome gold albert, as a mark of their admiration and esteem. The following are his principal battles :—Defeated Harris, Wairoa, heavy weight ; etherburn, Auckland, heavy weight ; Muiphy, Auckland, light weight; Lynch, Auckland, heavy weight; Donolley, Mercury Bay, heavy weight ; M i 'son, Napier, light weight; Arthurson, Napier, light weight ; Lane. Wellington, heavy weight ; Parker Dunedin, light weight ; Williams, Invercargill, middle weight; Hurcome, Christchurch, light weight ; Lee, Timaru, light weight; Burke, Napier, middle weight ; Webb, Auckland, middle weight. Was defeated by Mathews, Auckland, heavy weight; Petiengell, Wellington, middle weight.