The Sporting Life - March 18th 1886 - Complimentary Benefit in Birmingham

The Sporting Life - July 11th 1895 - Death of Alf Greenfield

The Sporting Life - November 30th 1895 - Sale of Alf Greenfield's Trophies, Jewellery and Effects

Last evening the grand Boxing Competitions organised for the benefit of that well known and respected exponent of the noble art, Jem Mace and his protégé Herbert Sinda, the Maori chieftain, were concluded in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester. The contests were commenced on Thursday evening, when the preliminary rounds were decided. The attendance last evening was very large and was a considerable increase on the number present on the opening night. As stated in our issue of yesterday, Maco ???? since announced his intention to give a belt, value £50, to be boxed for by the best exponents of the art in the country, while Mr. Edward Garcia notified his intention of offering a substantial prize to the second best man, and ???? the events under notice. The proceedings last evening were of the most lively description, and the excitement manifested throughout by the large and ???? present was of the most absorbing nature. In addition to the contest belt above mentioned, a handsome cup was offered for competition amongst light weights, a medal being given for second prize. The boxing commenced with the second round of the light weight competition. The final bout lay between Conley and Strand, the latter of whom is a very strong and sturdy fellow, who bids fair, with a little more practice, to become a very clever boxer. Conley was by far the better man with the gloves, and though the severe rushes of his opponent all through were hard to withstand, the competition was a contest for points only, and consequently Conley was most deservedly declared the winner. The second prize to Perry, who withdrew from the contest, declining to meet Conley. The event of the evening, and in which all the excitement and interest was centred as the great bout between Alfred Greenfield, of Birmingham, and John Burke, of London, the latter of whom fought a draw with C. Mitchell, who is at present in America. The pair were left in to contest for possession of the Championship Belt given by Mace, and when they appeared upon the stage and took their seats in their respective corners the cheers were loud and prolonged. Both are men of splendid physique, though Greenfield is somewhat older than his opponent. Before commencing Mace announced the rules under which the men would box, and stated that they had mutually agreed upon Messrs. A. Milner of Sheffield and Tom Earley of Boston, to act as umpires, while he himself would officio as referee. It was at once obvious from the commencement that each was determined to do his level best to win, and the rounds all through were most stubbornly contested, whilst the ?????? attainments of both were shown to the best advantage. There was very little to choice the pair up to the very finish, and, indeed, until the umpires gave their decision it was difficult to decide who had won. The announcement was at once made that Greenfield was the winner, but the decision, however, was not well received by a large portion of those present. Mr Mace then came forward and addressing those present said that as both umpires had agreed that Greenfield was the winner, it was not his place to interfere, but had he been appealed to, he should certainly have given it as a draw. ( Cheers ) The wind up was between the ????? and Slade, the pair coming in for an ovation at the finish.

Below we append full details of the boxing:- LIGHT WEIGHT COMPETITION ( Second round ) Conley ( Salford ) beat W. Payne alias the “Dodger” (Manchester) There was a marked disparity in the heights and reach of the pair, Conley having a decided advantage in this respect. In addition to which the “Dodger” was considerably older than his opponent. After sparring for an opening Connolly got home with his left two or three times in succession and then put in right and left. ???? slogging exchanges followed, and then the pair went at it in great earnest but there could not have been much in it at the end of the round. In the second round Conley, aided by his long reach went for his man, and twice brought his opponent down heavily. He continued to all the leading, and in the last round the “Dodger” was simply a recipient for his younger adversaries blows, being almost unable to stop them, and it is needless to say that Conley won pretty easily, though he seemed well tired out at the finish. M. Perry, of Salford, sparred a bye with W. Hanley. W. Hirand of Manchester sparred a bye with W. Spittle, of London. This was a right down spirited slogging “set to” all through, and was much appreciated, each coming in for an ovation at the close. FINAL BOUT…..H. Conley beat W. Strand. On appearing in the ring it was obvious that Conley had a slight advantage in height, but Strand was very much stronger and thicker built than his opponent. Strand at once led off, but Conley countered in fine style and then ???? later, feinting cleverly, got home clean with his left several times in succession. Strand, however, went in with a terrific rush, and, closing, lost the best of the half arm fighting. In the second round Strand continued to go for rushes, but Conley was much the cleverer of the two, and all through scored the most points, and at the finish was deservedly awarded the first prize, amidst loud cheers.

HEAVY WEIGHT COMPETITION FOR CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND BELT.- Final Bout : Alfred Greenfield Birmingham beat John Burke London. On entering the ring both contestants were received loud and prolonged cheering. The preliminaries being adjusted, the pair shook hands, and at once prepared for action. Burke led off on the head and Greenfield’s return failed to reach it’s destination. Then Burke attempted to lead and the Birmingham man got home on the face with his left cleverly. The pair then sparred warily for an opening, until Burke, hitting out heavily, Greenfield rushed in, and half arm fighting was resorted to and they had to be told to “break”. Both then got in clean blows with the left in turn, and at the end of the first round there was very little in it. Coming up for the second round neither was so eager to lead as before, and, after waiting for an opening, Greenfield attempted on the head, but Burke countered smartly and then got in right and left. After dodging round they closed and the fighting was very severe, Greenfield putting in were parted. The Birmingham pugilist then ducked for a body punch, but Burke, with remarkable agility, launched fairly on his “??? box” amid cheers. The London man now attempted to duck, but Greenfield was too quick for him, and, bringing his arm round with surprising rapidity, dealt his opponent “stinger” in the face. Half arm fighting and ??? exchanges closed the round. Coming up for the final round both still appeared pretty fresh and Greenfield at once commenced to force the work. He ??? got home in the face Burke’s return falling short, the pair again ??? heavily, and severe round arm fighting was indulged in. Greenfield continued to do most of the leading from now to the finish, the remainder of the bout being a series of rushes both men coming and being called upon “break” repeatedly. At the conclusion there was certainly very little in it either way : In fact, taking everything into consideration we should find it difficult to give an opinion in any case. The umpires at once agreed that Greenfield was the winner, and although the decision did not altogether seem to meet with the approval of the majority present, there is no doubt that the umpires used their very best judgement.

It affords us pleasure to be able to state that the benefit organised on Greenfield’s behalf bids fair to be a great success. The committee appointed to carry out the arrangements experienced great difficulty in securing a suitable place, but ultimately they obtained the Museum Concert Hall, Bull Ring, Birmingham, which was crowded in every part by a most enthusiastic audience last ( Thursday ) evening, despite the heavy charges made for admission. Although the programme was a most attractive one is was robbed of it’s chief feature through the absence of Smith, but Greenfield’s friends, in order to make amends for his opponents absence, secured the services of George Fryer, of Nottingham, who proved an admirable substitute. Not only was there a numerous attendance of boxers, but amongst the audience were to be seen the following well- known patrons of the ring :- Mr Jem Mace, Mr H. Bull, George Probert, George Mountford, George Fryer, E. Harding, Bill Fossett, Hookey Joe T.Roberts, Ben Garrington, George Bewley, Frank Shackle, Jeni Carney, H & W Bull Jnr, Mr J Homer, Mr W Neal, J Bevan, Joe Breeze, James Lear, and a large number of well known sportsmen. After an interesting programme of concert hall business, which appeared to give great satisfaction had been got through, Mr Tyler, of London, announced the first couple of sparrers, their names being Sam Hodgetts and Bill Argyle. These clever exponents of the noble art treated the company to three very cleverly contested rounds, which met with great favour, and when they retired they were deservedly applauded. The next pair to occupy the stage were Alf Howe and Bill Tuslin, and this , like the preceding bout, resulted in a excellent illustration of the noble art. The mittens were next very ably handled by Hickey and Young Tom Palmer, and some really clever points characterised this set to, which occupied three rounds. A rather pleasing portion of the programme was Tom Cribb’s Parlour Scene, and in this were to be found many of the leading Turf and ring notabilities in the Midlands. Mr H Tyler, of Nottingham, acted as spokesman, and after introducing the principals in the scene, he heartily thanked the numerous patrons of Greenfield earnestly wishing him success in business on his retirement from the prize ring. These remarks were greeted with loud and continuous cheering, and when the names of Mr H Bull and Mr Mace were mentioned the house was fairly brought down. Mr Tyler paying Mt Bull well-dash merited tribute as a promoter of the sport. Mr Tyler also mentioned that when the subscription was closed on Greenfield’s behalf he had reason to believe that it would amount to upwards of £500. The entertainment will be brought to a close this ( Friday ) evening. Mr Gregory and Ben Garrington waited upon the sparrers and Mr G Probert introduced them. Several afterspars took place which called for no particular mention, as they were between local boxers. When the wind-up was announced, which was between Alf Greenfield and George Fryer, of Nottingham, beneficiaries (sic) name, and also Fryer’s was most enthusiastically received and the final bout was a grand exposition of the noble art of self-defence, there cornering (sic), mode of attack, and their in- fighting being pronounced on all hands faultless. In concluding our report of the first portion of Greenfield’s complimentary benefit it gives us great pleasure to state that it passed off with the greatest possible satisfaction to all present. Mace and Fryer are announced to appear again this (Friday) evening. Mace exhibited his Champion belt and a number of presentation medals.

Alfred Greenfield, who achieved fame as a pugilist, died at Birmingham yesterday morning. Poor Greenfield, who was once champion of England, ended his days in a lunatic asylum. Born in Northampton in 1853, he stood 5ft 8 3/4ins and when fit and well scaled 11st 8lb. He first met Nat Perry, of Birmingham, at Beggar's Bush, but after 55 minutes his backers threw in the sponge. He next defeated Sam Breeze for £50, and then encountered the late Jem Highland at Packington. It was a severe contest but Greenfield obtained the verdict after one hour and a quarter in the ring. Denny Harrington was his next opponent, but this affair was under the Marquis of Queensbury's rules. After a contest extending over an hour and twenty minutes, in which Greenfield defeated Jem Highland and Jem Stewart, of Glasgow, the latter, too, after injuring an arm in the early part of the contest. Then Greenfield reverted to work under London prize-ring rules. He and Tug Wilson fought for a purse, and after 28 sharp rounds, in the course of which Greenfield again damaged his arm, the result was declared a draw. By defeating John Burke of London, in a boxing competition, Greenfield carried off Jem Mace championship of England belt at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, on June 20th 1883. His last fight was with Jem Smith, and it is well-remembered by sportsmen. It took place near Paris and ended unsatisfactorily, for after 13 rounds had been fought in one hour and eight minutes the battle was abruptly terminated by the rope being cut. Afterwards he kept a public house in Birmingham, but was as we have already suggested the victim of misfortune

The Sporting Life - November 30th 1895
"Sale of Alf Greenfield's Trophies, Jewellery and Effects"

By order of the commissioners in Lunacy, the lease, license, goodwill, and possessions of the Oxford and Cambridge, Digbeth, Birmingham, and also the collection of paintings, prints, photographs, and engravings of members of the Prize Ring, pedestrians game-cocks, dogs & jewellery, and championship belts and effects belonging to Alf. Greenfield, ex-champion pugilist, were sold by auction by Mr. H. Hawkins ( Messrs. Hawkins and Sons, yesterday. The sale brought together a representative gathering of sporting men and fanciers in the large club room of the Oxford and Cambridge. The licence, goodwill, possession, five years lease, and all effects, with the exception of jewellery, certain pictures and belts, were bought for £105 by Messrs Showell of Oldbury. An ebony stick, gold mounted, presented to Greenfield by his American friends reaches £3.15s, at which price it was knocked down to M. John Brown, of the Minerva Tavern, Bordesley Street, to whom also fell an 18 carat gold ring with three diamonds, for £7 and a horse-shoe pin containing thirteen diamonds for £14 10s. A portrait in oils of the late Lord Aylesford was bought by Mr. A. Bevan, of Bennett's Hill, secured a gold pin for 2 guineas, and a silver watch for 30s. Greenfield's gold watch and chain, seal, and guinea brought £13, and became the property of Mr. Davison, Farmers' Arms, Moat Row. A gold ring with two diamonds fell to Hippy Homer, the lightweight boxer and son of Mr. Greenfield's late trainer, for £3 5s. 5 guineas was given by Mr. Goodwin for a silver belt, and the same sum secured the belt presented to Greenfield by Jem Mace. A large oil painting of Alf. Greenfield was bought in by a friend, who presented it to Mr. Greenfield. Should the once famous boxer recover sufficiently to take to business again he will be re-installed as host of the Oxford and Cambridge.