Mexborough and Swinton Times February 6, 1909

” Iron ” Hague.

Challenged By The Gunner.

Hague and his backers have had a fairly eventful week. On, Monday morning an offer appeared in the papers from Mr. Harry Jacobs, of the “Wonderland,” London, the well-known boxing resort, of a purse of £500 for a match between the Mexboro’ man and Gunner Moir, the English heavy-weight champion.

Mr. W. Biggs, of the Bull’s Head, Mexboro’, who has the arrangements in connection with “Iron” Hague in hand, was interviewed on the subject the same day, and he remarked that it was scarcely likely that a £500 purse was sufficient for a match which directly affected the English championship, one of the best matches which would be seen in the country for years. He pointed out that but recently the National ‘Sporting Club had put up a £900 purse for a spar between light-weights, Summers and Britt. If they had been prepared to accept £500 they could have had it three weeks ago from the National Sporting Club.

Two days later the papers came out with a challenge from the Champion himself to “Iron” Hague. Moir is fairly asking for it, whatever “it” might be. Ever since Hague beat Charley Wilson. Moir has been itching to get at him. It is evident that Gunner Moir is a real sportsman. He is “all or nothing.” His reputation would stand or fall by the result of a match with the Mexboro’ man. He offers to fight Hague for £500 a side, and Hague’s backers are inclined to accept the challenge for him. If it were left to the fighting man himself the match would he speedily fixed up, for he is just as eager as Moir.

Probably the signing of articles will be decided by the size of the purse which such a match would fetch, and the purse itself will be decided by the venue.