haymaker (boxing) antedated (?) to 1899

[Stephen Goranson]

In the following article, apparently, Billy Brady is the promoter and manager (1863-1950?) who "cannot be blamed for making hay while the sun shines"--making money before the New York boxing law may change.

And "haymaker," in this instance, may refer to a boxer under his management, rather than to a specific punch.


"He [Brady] knows that there is more money in one fight in New York than there is in half dozen at Carson or some other outlandish place where finish fights are possible. Besides, he's got the best haymaker in the puglistic meadow."


Nov. 13, 1899 (Mon.), "The Old Sport's Musings" in The Philadelphia Inquirer p. 6 col. 1 (America's Historic Newspapers)


Stephen Goranson

http://people.duke.edu/~goranson/

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