EPISODE 16: COWAN AT LAST
At long last, after recuperating from his broken hand, Herb was offered a contest with Archie Cowan, back in Sydney at the Leichhardt Stadium, on 13 January 1928. It was an excellent match-up. On recent form, Herb was given a good chance of beating Cowan.
The little man with the big wallop, Herb Barkle, will return from Brisbane in a few days. He is to face Archie Cowan at Leichhardt on January 13.
BARKLE BACK
The Queensland fighter, Herb Barkle, has returned to Sydney and has started training at Al New’s gym for his fight with Archie Cowan at Leichhardt. Barkle looks very well on it, and if appearances are anything to go on he should record a victory over Cowan.
BARKLE AGAIN APPEARS
Pat McHugh has Herb Barkle matched with Archie Cowan at his Leichhardt Stadium to-night. When down here last time Barkle created a fine impression, and proved himself to be a hard-hitting, clever bantam. Since Barkle’s fights in Sydney, Archie Cowan has won and lost the bantam championship of Australia, so Barkle will have some idea how he stands with reference to claiming a fight for the title. If he wins he may be given the chance against McAllister, whilst if he loses he will have to make good again.
AT LEICHHARDT
Archie Cowan, former bantam champion, is to meet Herb Barkle, bantam champion of Queensland, in the main 12-round contest, at Leichhardt Stadium to-night.
Barkle recently knocked out Johnny Rolls in one round, and has a win to his credit over Les Jackson.
As Cowan has not yet been knocked out, it looks as though the Queenslander has a hard task set him.
LEICHHARDT TOMORROW
Herb Barkle, bantam champion of Queensland, who made quite a hit when in Sydney three months ago, is again with us, and will appear in the headline bout to-morrow night at Leichhardt, opposed to Archie Cowan who, not so long back, was our 8.6 crack.
The contest, of course, being the premier offering, will be staged over twelve rounds. Breaking away from the usual routine, however, McHugh has decided on a semi wind-up bout, also over 12 rounds, between the sensational Newtown youth, Al Kelly, and Harry Critcher, a stablemate of Cowan’s, who hails from Port Kembla.
Barkle and Cowan should provide a battle brimful of action. Barkle ranks, probably, as the best thumper we have among the 8.6 boxers in Australia. McHugh’s patrons have seen him on previous occasions opposed to Johnny Rolls, Mickey Walker and Les Jackson. He stopped Rolls in one round, went close to beating Walker in a similar manner, and handed a hiding to Jackson.
It might be interesting to followers to know that Cowan has never yet been knocked off his feet, a thing that adds a great deal of interest to proceedings.
CAN COWAN RETAIN HIS RECORD?
MEETS HERB BARKLE TO-NIGHT AT McHUGH’S
Queenslander Herb Barkle, who created such a fine impression with local fight enthusiasts when in Sydney three months ago, again appears in the Leichhardt Stadium’ fixture-list to-night when he meets the star South Coast boxer, Archie Cowan.
The popularity surrounding Barkle is the fact he can punch. The Northerner goes about his work in a very sound manner and it will take all the skill in possession of Cowan to keep away from the visitor’s right hand.
Working at Al News’ during the week, Barkle has shown out splendidly. Full of determination, he is out to give McHugh’s patrons what they want – fight from the first bell.
Cowan has the reputation of never having been put down for the “count.” He has always shown himself hard to beat, and when he likes, can mix it hot and strong with the chap that desires to keep up with him.
The rest that Cowan has enjoyed during the last few weeks should benefit him considerably to-night and he is sure to be all there when Barkle starts out on tear-in, never-stop style of battling.
TOUGH QUEENSLANDER MEETS EX-CHAMPION
BARKLE AND COWAN HEADLINERS AT LEICHHARDT TO-NIGHT
Tough, methodical Herb Barkle is back in Sydney, and the hard-walloping Queenslander is sure to make his presence felt among the bantams of this State.
To-night at Leichhardt Stadium, Barkle tackles Australia’s ex-bantam champion, Archie Cowan, in a contest scheduled over the now-customary distance of 12 rounds.
Herb is out to do what no other fighter has yet been capable of doing, and that is to put Cowan down on the canvas for the full count. It is the determination which he is sure to put into his work to achieve this object that is going to make to-night’s scrap worthwhile. Barkle is likely to knock out any boxer in the business if he manages to “club” the opposition with his wicked right hand.
On his last trip to Sydney, Barkle made quite a successful showing at the suburban resort. He toppled Johnny Rolls in a punch, was considered extremely unlucky to have dropped the decision to Mickey Walker, after having Mickey out to the world on more than one occasion, and carried on the good work by soundly trouncing Les Jackson.
Whether it is Cowan’s toughness, or his superior ringcraft, that has enabled to keep his record sheet clear of a knock-out is really a matter of opinion, but the fact remains that he is probably the hardest bantam to get away with when going at his top.
Cowan’s ambition is to regain the 8.6 title. He lost it to McAllister, but there was very little between them and Archie can really blame himself for his defeat, as he took things too easily.
The outcome of the Cowan fight was a huge disappointment for Herb. He was defeated on points over the 12 rounds.
Cowan’s Claim
Beats Barkle Well
That Archie Cowan (8.5½) must still be considered as a serious contender for the Australian bantamweight crown, was shown by the way he performed against Herb Barkle (8.6), in the 12-round headliner at Leichhardt on Friday. Cowan is now suing for another crack at the 8.6 title, which belongs to Bill McAllister.
The Queenslander is a very awkward man to meet, and his powerful punch, for a bantamweight, makes him about the most dangerous opponent in that division. Cowan used his lightning-like straight left throughout, and Barkle’s face bumped against so many of these blows that the majority of his punches were made to miss their marks altogether. After the first three rounds, Cowan connected with shots at the ratio of two to one, and ran out a decisive winner.
Herb returned to Brisbane. Queenslanders could still take a degree of parochial pride in Herb’s performance. The following column appeared in the Brisbane Courier.
Barkle’s latest performance against Archie Cowan, former bantam champion of Australia was particularly meritorious! To stay in the contest for 12 rounds and wage war earnestly till the last gong with highly reputed Cowan was something that the Queenslander may well take pride in.
The press took an interest in what his next step might be.
BARKLE BACK
Herb Barkle is back in Brisbane looking for an engagement, but because of the scarcity of suitable bantams he is not hopeful. Cameron, he says, will not fight him, and Cameron is one whom Barkle would like to fight. Barkle would not hesitate to fight the Queensland featherweights, Warren or Unwin. Discussing his fight with Archie Cowan, in which the Queenslander was outpointed, Barkle said that he did not fight up to form. A four-months’ spell had affected his range finding. Cowan was the bantam champion of Australia, until McAllister took the title from him. “Cowan is clever,” says Barkle. “But if I could get a few fights to enable me to strike my best form I believe I should beat Cowan next time.”
EPISODE 17: A CONTROVERSIAL DISQUALIFICATION
Just three weeks after losing to Cowan, Herb agreed, at short notice, to fight the Queensland featherweight champion Jimmy Warren, whom he’d defeated previously, back in November 1925. The fight was slated for Friday 3 February 1928.
Barkle and Warren
Lively Bout Promised To-night
The Stadium attraction to-night looks quite refreshing after what was served up last Friday night, and unless the principals – Herb Barkle and Jimmy Warren – belie their reputations, spectators should see a delightfully fast and spectacular mill.
Brisbane has not seen much of its old favourite, Herb Barkle, since he jumped into the boon, and his reappearance after his run of thrilling successes in the south should attract a big gathering of the fistic “fancy”.
Barkle left Brisbane a highly appreciated mittster, but few thought him equal to performing the deeds which featured his Sydney activities. The sensational one-round knockout of Johnny Rolls was at first glance considered in the light of a fluke, but when he outpointed brilliant Bobby Gray we in Brisbane woke to the fact that our bantam champion was a cut above the average. This he convincingly proved later by extending Micky Walker, to a hair-line points’ decision, and afterwards outpointing Les Jackson.
Barkle’s latest performance against Archie Cowan, former bantam champion of Australia was particularly meritorious! To stay in the contest for 15 rounds and wage war earnestly till the last gong with highly reputed Cowan was something that the Queenslander may well take pride in.
There is not a scintilla of doubt that Barkle is a greatly improved lad. But at the same time he is meeting a vastly improved opponent in Warren. Admittedly, he has a victory to his credit over Jimmy, but the latter has come on immensely since then.
Summed up, to-night’s affair should be one of the brightest little mills seen for a long while. The pace should be there, and the thrills, too. I expect BARKLE TO WIN.
In a controversial outcome which was widely dissected by journalists, Herb was disqualified in the fifth round of the planned fifteen.
WARREN LUCKY
Jimmy Warren has come in for his share of wins in recent fights, and was fortunate again in Brisbane on Friday night. He was fighting Herb Barkle, and it did look as if Warren was in for trouble. Barkle took the four rounds boxed, and was finding the chin with good short right counters. Scoring a knock down in the fourth, Barkle threw caution to the winds, and sailed in, banking almost wholly on his right. He was working along those lines in the fifth, when one of Warren’s long rights streaked over and caught Barkle on the face, toppling him over. Barkle’s first thought, apparently, was to get straight up. He got his feet under him, then appeared to change his mind, and lapsed back on to one knee. The referee thought the breach sufficient to warrant the contest being awarded to Warren. Disputes followed the decision.
WIN FOR WARREN
Barkle Disqualified
Interpreting the rules strictly, the referee (Mr F Craig) disqualified Herb Barkle (8.8½) for a technical infringement in the fifth round of his contest with Jimmy Warren (8.11 ¾) at the Brisbane Stadium last night. Barkle had been sent down by a right to the jaw, and after rising went back on to his haunches. The rules decree that a boxer must not go down without receiving a blow, and accordingly the referee declared for Warren. It was an unfortunate ending, for the contest had reached a most interesting stage.
Barkle was a 6 to 4 on favourite. He took the first two rounds, mainly on aggressiveness. Barkle connected with several hard right counters to the chin in the third, in which Warren fought in hesitating fashion. A short right to the jaw sent Warren off his balance early in the fourth, and a little later a similar blow dropped him for “eight”. Barkle endeavoured in vain to exploit the situation, his punching being too erratic. Early in the fifth Warren dropped his opponent momentarily, and the end then came as already described.
BARKLE UNLUCKY
LOSES TO WARREN
Because the referee strictly observed the rules there was what many regarded as an unsatisfactory ending to the main contest at the Brisbane stadium last night. Victory was almost within the grasp of Herb Barkle, bantamweight champion of Queensland, who was fighting the State featherweight champion, Jimmy Warren. Barkle had demonstrated his superiority as a boxer, had floored Warren for eight, but was then knocked down himself.
While the referee was getting Warren into a neutral corner, Barkle got to his feet, but dropped onto his knees again when he saw the referee coming towards him to start the count.
To go down without being struck is a technical breach, concerning which a referee may use his own discretion. Major Craig awarded the contest to Warren. Barkle, who weighed 8.8½ to Warren’s 8.11¾, was the favourite at 6 to 4 on.
Boxing on countering lines, waiting for Warren to lead, then to whip over a short right to the chin, Barkle won the first three rounds, each succeeding one clearer than its predecessor. Then, in the fourth, a right heavier than before set Warren off his stance. As he flashed back, Barkle planted another right fair on the chin, and down Warren went, taking eight counts.
Barkle fired everything in an effort to finish his opponent, and though he missed often, some good punches found the target. Warren was either spinning from the effects of heavy blows or hanging on. Near the end of the round Warren’s wits cleared somewhat, and he began anew to swing his right. But he went to his corner in a weak condition.
Reviving well, Warren came out in the fifth, and taking advantage of Barkle’s nonchalance (Barkle had dropped his boxing and was intent on clinching the fight through the agency of his right) tried getting in first with heavy swings for the chin. Barkle was having the better of the slugging when Warren dropped him with a good right.
Barkle got on to his feet, but then decided to take a spell, and dropped on all-fours, this without being struck. The referee then took action as described.
Before leaving the ring Warren agreed that his featherweight title shall be at stake when he next fights Barkle.
THE COUNT OF SOME ACCOUNT
Barkle Mistook Ref’s Idea And, Perforce, Took The Knock
TITLE NOT AT STAKE
For some obscure reason the featherweight title, of which Jimmy Warren is the reputed holder, was not offered up as part of the honour and glory of the fight between the nimble James and Herb Barkle, when that pair came together at the Stadium on Friday night.
The idea of a champion keeping his title immune from attack while he does battle in the ring sounds like having one’s overcoat in dry shelter during rainy weather. Not that there would have been any alteration in the custody of the title in this instance, for Barkle, a slow thinker, was, so to speak, non-suited by referee Major Craig when the bout had reached an interesting stage in the fifth round.
Both boys weighed inside the feather limit, and as Warren won there will be no dispute about the laurel leaves, but there would no doubt have been something of a rumpus had the decision gone the other way.
Barkle brought about his own defeat, because he was too long in making up his mind about taking advantage of the time limit after being knocked down from a light blow delivered when he was off his balance in the fifth round.
Previously he had taken the honours of every round, his aggressive tactics prevailing over the back-pedalling style of Warren.
Boxing better than he has done ever in Brisbane, which goes to show that he had his eyes open during his many recent visits to Sydney, Barkle, with solid body blows, slowed Warren down in the first few rounds and was able to connect with his chin in the fourth. Twice Warren went to the floor in this session, on the first occasion for a very brief period of time, but on the other for “eight”.
Barkle looked surprised when he flopped on this occasion and as the referee turned away with Warren, Herb stood up. Suddenly he remembered that he was allowed nine seconds and a bit in which to do this so he immediately dropped to his haunches.
But at that moment the referee turned and captured little ‘Erbert in the act, whereupon the Major once more lifted up his right foot and his left heel in the correct military manner, turned about and lifted up the arm of Warren as winner, while those who had bet 6 to 4 on the other fellow lifted up their voices in a squeal.
It is understood the pair will meet again in a return bout at an early date. This time the Title will be placed at stake. Friday’s unsatisfactory termination will lend interest to their next clash.
Disqualification of Barkle
Referee’s Drastic Action
Public Must Be Considered
By ‘Amateur’
A slight breach of the rules earned disqualification for Herb Barkle (8.8½) in the fifth round of his encounter with Jimmy Warren (8.11¾) at the Brisbane Stadium last Friday night. Knocked off his balance, Barkle rose almost immediately, but went back on to his haunches, and Referee Craig thereupon declared for Warren. Had Barkle stayed down for “nine” and then endeavoured to take another spell, there would have been nothing to cavil at in the referee’s action, but to my way of thinking Craig’s ruling in the circumstances was far too drastic.
A referee should not disqualify performers for merely technical breaches, or the public has to be considered, and the referee’s action last Friday was most unfortunate, as the contest had reached an interesting stage. Neither a side wager nor a title was involved, and it would have been much more satisfactory for all concerned had Barkle’s slight infringement been overlooked.
BREACHES THAT HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED. Readers of these columns know that I have a high opinion of Craig as a referee, but, nevertheless, I am going to say that the official is not altogether consistent in some of his actions. For instance, when “Little Cowboy” fought Eddie Lynagh recently the Filipino struck his opponent low on two occasions, but was not disqualified. The blows no doubt were unintentional, but they were fouls just the same. And when Herb Acworth fought Joe Hourigan, some weeks back, he was off the perpendicular on several occasions without receiving a blow, but he also escaped disqualification. How many times do we see boxers in Brisbane hit with the open glove, palm, wrestle, punch with the inside of the glove, or rough up their opponents? Often, I should say. And to the uninitiated it can be pointed out that all these things are infringements of the Marquis of Queensberry rules. Few referees, however, would disqualify a boxer for doing any of those things without first cautioning him, and that is why I contend that Barkle only should have been cautioned last Friday.
Persons who pay to see a contest like to see the best man win, and if a contest is stopped through some trifling breach of the rules they do not get value for their money. This is a matter that manager Harry Sunderland and his referee ought to confer about.
It may be argued, of course, that a man of Barkle’s experience ought to do better, but it should not be forgotten that a fighter who has been felled by a sizzling right cross cannot always gather his wits together immediately, and Barkle seemed in a dazed condition when he offended on Friday. It might be stated that I do not hold a brief for Barkle; had Warren offended the same criticism would have been given.
“MAY,” NOT “MUST.” It is worthy of comment that the rules say a referee “may” – not “must” – disqualify a contestant for falling without receiving a blow. The word “may” gives a referee the option of using his own discretion. Another rule is broken repeatedly in Brisbane when seconds shout advice to their principals during the progress of a round, but it is not on record that a fighter has been disqualified here through such a breach. No one wants a boxer disqualified for such a thing, either, but it is mentioned to back up my argument that Craig’s “rubbing out” of Barkle was not consistent with the attitude he sometimes takes when the rules are infringed.
A man who will deliberately foul and injure an opponent, of course, deserves short shrift, but if the game is to prosper in Brisbane contests must not be ended for slight technical breaches of the rules.
INTERESTING CONTEST. The contest originally listed for Friday was Billy Richards v Denny O’Donnell, but the latter was not ready, and three days before the bout Warren and Barkle were asked if they would step into the ring. They agreed, and, in the circumstances, performed so well that if they meet again they ought to fight before a good crowd. Barkle returned from Sydney last week, after dropping a points verdict to Archie Cowan at Leichhardt. He displayed good form against Warren, much better indeed than he showed when he was so easily beaten by Sid Maguire on his previous performance here. Early in the bout Barkle worked a neat left “double” to body and head, and his accurate countering with the right to the chin pleased those persons who laid odds of 6 to 4 on him. Barkle, however, has yet to learn how to finish off an opponent artistically, for, after he had dropped Warren twice in the fourth round, he swung wildly like the crudest of amateurs. Warren was stepping away from his man far too much in the first four rounds, at the end of which Barkle looked the best of good things. Early in the fifth, however, Barkle was beaten to it by a snappy right to the chin, and there was a whoop of joy from the Warren faction when Herb hit the boards. It was obvious that the bantam champion’s wits were a-scatter when he rose, and after he had been disqualified for going down again without receiving a punch he still wore a vacant look. Warren is a great little sportsman, and after telling Barkle that he did not like winning on a foul, said he would give Herb a chance to acquire the featherweight title if he (Warren) defends it successfully against Vic Albrecht on Friday week.
In his next bout, nine days later on 17 February 1928, Jimmy Warren defeated Vic Albrecht on points over 15 rounds at the Brisbane Stadium, taking forward the title of Queensland featherweight champion. However, he never gave Herb a shot at that belt.
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About Dave Goodwin
Dave Goodwin is a Queenslander by origin. He was born in the country town of Kingaroy but he’s been based in Melbourne for the past 40 years which makes him a fish out of water. Along the way he’s developed a passion for the Hawthorn Football Club. His musings on Aussie Rules (including applying nineteenth century bush ballad forms to sports reporting) were part of The Footy Almanac editions from 2007 to 2015. As a cricketer he played in four losing grand finals in Melbourne’s Mercantile Cricket Association for the Yarra Park Club -– albeit he’s taken four career hat tricks, bowling leg spin. He’s an appreciator of athletics and of the noble art of boxing.