International Research Organization Myrrh NPR i129

This newsletter is dedicated to the nucry of Jim Jacobs, who was not only a personal friend, but a friend to all boxing his- torians. Goodbye, Jim, I'll miss you. From: Tim Leone

As the walrus said, "The time has come to talk of many things". This publication marks the 6th IBRO newsletter which has been printed since John Grasso's departure. I would like to go on record by saying that I have enjoyed every minute. The correspondence and phone conversations I have with various members have been satisfing beyond words. However, as many of you know, the entire financial responsibility has been paid in total by yours truly. The funds which are on deposit from previous membership cues have never been forwarded. Only four have sent any money to cover membership dues. To date, I have spent over $6,000.00 on postage, printing, & envelopes. There have also been a quantity of issues sent to prospective new members, various professional groups, and some newspapers.I have not requested, nor am I asking or expecting any re-embursement. The pleasure has been mine.

However; the members have now received all the issues that their dues (sent almost two years ago) paid for. I feel the time is prudent to request new membership dues to off-set future expenses. After speaking with various members, and taking into consideration the post office increase April 1, 1988, a sum of $20.00, although low to the point of barely breaking even, should be asked for.

I would be more then willing to continue in the roll of acting publisher until such time, new officers could be elected. If the general membership has any specific requests or ideas concerning publisher or officers, I would be willing to print any and all comments in an up-coming newsletter.

Until that time, I have set-up a bank account at Commerce Bank of Manchester, Manchester, MO. (a suburb of St. Louis) under the name of International Boxing Research Organization with my name as signer. Please have your check or money order made out to the IBRo- but send them to:

Tim Leone 794 Crescent Woods Dr. IllValley Park, MO 63088 If at such time another publisher is elected, all funds, and an accounting of said funds of will be published in that current newsletter, and the funds will then be forwarded to the new publisher.

I would like to thank the following members for there contibutions to this newsletter:

John Murphy, Tracy Callis, Bob Soderman, Laurence Fielding, Jack Kincaid, Michael Hunnicutt, L. Robert Davis, Dave Black, Charley Johnson, Paul Zabala, Peter Hutton, Richard Pagano, Lee Kee Chan, and Luckett Davis. JIM SAVAGE

1915

Aug. 31 Charley Weinert New ND-L Pts 10 Oct. 5 ND-L Pts 10 1916

Jan. 26 Charley Weinert New York L tko 7 Mar. 25 New York ND-L Pts 6 July 7 Al Reich New York ND-W Pts 10 Oct. 28 John Lester Johnson New York L ko 2

Record. compiled by Luckett Davis. Savage may have had a few additional fights, especially early in his career.

Jim Savage condi. tioried for bout with , and fought exciting two-bout series with Charley Weinert.

"Jockey" Tommy Hughes / (Hometown : Cleveland or Louisville, depending on the source.)

California Bouts Only 1927 Sept. 30- Harry Goldstein, Hollywood W-10 Oct. - 7- Boy Wally, Hollywood KO-10 Oct. 28- Johnny McCoy, Hollywood L-10 (For the Version of the World Flyweight Title.) Dec. 28- Trip Limbaco, D-10 1928 Mar. 2- Lorenzo Sisson, San Diego KO-8 Mar. 16- Frankie Novey, San Diego W-10 July 6- Alfredo Imperial, Hollywood L-6 July 20- Ramon Montoya, San Diego D-10 Aug. 3- Ramon Montoya, San Diego W-10 Aug. 17- Alfredo Imperial, San Diego W-10 Sept. 28- Ray McIntyre, San Diego W-10 Oct. 19- Ramon Montoya, San Diego L-10 Dec. 21- Delos 'Kid' Williams, San Diego W-10 1929 Jan. 31- Alfredo "Freddie' Imperial, Stockton W-10 Mar. 29- Ramon Montoya, San Diego W-10 Aug. 16- Speedy Dado, Hollywood L-10 Sept. 13- , Hollywood L-10 Sept. 25- Harry Wallinder, Ocean Park W-8 Oct. 3- Mickey Erno, Pasadena KO-2 Oct. 11- Ray Mclntrye, Ventura D-10 Oct. 18- Speedy Dado, San Diego L-10 Nov. 22- Newsboy Brown, San Diego L-10 1930 Feb. 22- Sid Torres, Pismo Beach W-10 July 8- Bobby Payne, Fresno KO-3 May 13- Baby , Fresno KO-5 Oct. 23- Kid Avilino, Watsonville D-6 Nov. 6- Lorenzo Sisson, Watsonville TKO-7 Dec. 4- Speedy Dado, Watsonville L-10 Dec. 18- Alfredo Imperial, Watsonville KO-2 1931 Apr. 9- Charley Kaiser, Pasadena KO-3 May 7- Delios "Kid" Williams, Pasadena W-8 May 21- Sid Torres, Pasadena KO-2 July 30- Cliff Campbell, Pasadena W-8 Aug. 13- Litte Morro, Pasadena KO-2 Aug. 20- Ray Butler, Pasadena D-8 1932 Feb. 12- , Hollywood L-10 Sept. 29- Pete Bautista, Ventura W-6 Oct. 27- Joe Sanchez, Ventura L-6 1933 Apr. 13- Gene Jens, Pasadena W S

Ray McIntyre Ventura Bantamweight Nationality: Irish-Filipino 1927 Apr. 6- Arthur Sylvia, El Rio KO-3 Apr. 20- Herbert Turchi, El Rio KO-3 May 18- Harold Peterson, El Rio W-6 July 4- George Brady, Ventura KO-1 July 13- Ralph Lincoln, El Rio W-6 Aug. 10- Barney Marat, El Rio W-6 Aug. 24- George Brady, El Rio KO-2 Sept. 7- Jackie Mandell, El Rio Sept. 27- Johnny Cruz, Oct. 5- Jackie Mandell, El Rio L-8 Nov. 2- Jackie Mandell, El Rio WF-2 Dec. 28- Jackie Mandell, El Rio W-8 1928 May 12- Freddie Albino, Pismo Beach D-8 June 15- Benny Furrell, Pismo Beach W-10 July 6- Dick Lapan, Hollywood Sept. 3- Vernon Jackson Pismo•Beach W-10 Sept. 21- Ramon Montoya, San Diego D-10 Sept. 28- Tommy Hughes, San Diego L-10 Oct. 27- Dominic Distarce, Ventura W-6 Nov. 23- Ramon Montoya, Ventura L-10 Dec. 8- Ramon Montoya, Ventura D-10 Dec. 21- Huerta Evans, Hollywood 1929 Feb. 1- Jackie Mandell, Ventura L-8 Mar. 8- Clayton Gouyd, Hollywood D-6 Mar. 28- Charlie Sullivan, Ventura D-6 Apr. 26- Charlie Sullivan, Ventura L-10 May 24- Delos "Kid" Williams, Ventura L-10 June 14- Young Al Herrera, Ventura W-6 July 4- Hymie Miller, Ventura D-10 Aug. 9- Claude Varner, Ventura W-6 Oct. 4- Sid Torres, Hollywood D-6 Oct. 11- Tommy Hughes, Ventura D-10 Nov. 9- Frankie Murray, Pismo Beach W-10 1930 Jan. 17- Emil Paluso, Chicago L-10 Jan. 31- Mickey Gill, Chicago W-4 Apr. - Happy Atherton, Peoria, Illinois D-10 June - Joe Rychell, Peoria D-10 July 1- Eddie Shea, Peoria KO by 1 1931 Sept. 25- Mateo Magdalene, Ventura W-6 Oct. 7- Baby Palmore, Ventura L-6 Dec. 4- Aurelio Garcia, Ventura TKO-5 1933 Jan. 13- Ernie Jurado, Ventura L-6 Feb. 10- Speedy Dado, Hollywood KO-1 Mar. 10- Speedy Dado, Hollywood L-10 (For Calif. Version Of The World Bantamweight Championship) Mar. 22- Joe Teiken, Oakland L-10 May . 19- Chris Pineda, Hollywood W-10 26- Joe Sanchez, Ventura L-6 May June 7- Felix Ignacio, Pismo Beach W-10 July 21- , Hollywood L-10 Aug. 31- Ernie Hood, Pasadena L-6 Sept. 27- Gene Espinosa, Pismo Beach KO BY 3 Nov. 4- Juan Zurita, Mexico City L-10 1934 Jan. 12- Young Speedy, Hollywood W-4 Jan. 19- Joe Sanchez, Ventura L-8 Feb. 6- Young Speedy Dado, Bakersfield W-8 Feb. 23- Mark Diaz, Hollywood W-4 Mar. 29- Joe Sanchez, Hollywood TKO BY 4 (Palmore sustained a badly cut mouth due to a broken tooth) May 24- Bennie Gallop, Ventura W-8 May 29- Max Tarley, Bakersfield D-6 June 15- Joe Sanchez, Ventura D-10 July 6- Young Speedy, Hollywood W-4 July 10- Vincente Venturillo, Bakersfield D-10 July 20- Gene Espinosa, Hollywood TKO BY 6 Dec. 14- Speedy Espita, Ventura W-4 Dec. 21- Jackie Synder, Ventura W-4 Dec. 28- Max Ybarra, Ventura W-4 1935 Jan. Abie Israel, Spokane Abie Israel, Seattle No Known Result Alan Fosten, Seattle No Known Result Alan Fosten, Vancouver W-15 (Claimed the Canadian Title) Aug. 30- Ritchie Fontaine, Missoula L-10 Sept . 16- Al Spina, Seattle D-6 - Al Spina, Portland Oct. 1- Russ McMillan, Seattle D-4 Oct. 15- Speedy Dado, Stockton L-10 - General Padilla, Stockton Dec. 17- General Padilla, Stockton Dec. 30- Al Citrino, San Francisco L-6 1936 Jan. 3- Pablo Dano, Stockton TKO BY 6 Jan. 20- George Lenore, San Francisco Feb. 28- Mark Diaz, Ventura W-8 Mar. 20- Mike Villarreal, Hollywood W-6 May 1- Joey Dodge, Ventura W-8 May 8- Little Dempsey, Hollywood W-6 Jul>, 17- Mark Diaz, Hollywood L-6 Aug. 28- Varias Milling, San Diego KO BY 6

Undated Bouts - Gene Espinosa, El Centro Unknown Result Baby Casanova, Mexico City KO BY 5 Hubert "Baby" Palmore (also known as "Baby Pal" and "Babe") Born on November 1, 1913 in Victoria, Texas Santa Paula Bantamweight/Featherweight Nationality: Scottish-Irish-American Compiled by Chuck Johnston 1930 Sept. 5- Kid Lancho, Ventura W-4 Sept. 19- Angelo Fusto, Ventura L-4 Oct. 24- Jackie Rutherford, Ventura TKO-4 Nov. 14- Santos Miniano, Ventura W-4 Nov. 28- Benny Barich, Ventura KO-2 Dec. 12- Salvador Macias, Ventura D-4 1931 Jan. 9- Primo Jovial, Ventura TKO-1 Jan. 16- Mickey Erno, Ventura W-4 Jan. 23- Mickey Erno, Ventura L-6 Feb. 6- Pete Villanova, Ventura K0-2 Feb. 20- Ned Herman, Ventura W-4 Mar. 6- Salvador Luveno, Ventura KO-1 Mar. 20- James La Frenchie, Ventura TKO-2 Mar. 27- Augustine Paranaque, Ventura W-4 May 1- Speedy Lucas, Ventura W-6 May 15- Pedro Pablo, Ventura TKO-3 May 29- Peppy Sanchez, Ventura L-6 June 12- Peppy Sanchez, Ventura D-6 June 26- Peppy Sanchez, Ventura L-8 July 10- Eddie Bagion, Ventura W-6 July 24- Kid Ventura, Ventura KO-3 Sept. 11- Augie Curtis, Ventura L-6 Oct. 7- Ray Mclntrye, Ventura W-6 Dec. 23- Speedy Espita, San Diego W-4 1932 Jan. 15- Speedy Espita, San Diego KO-3 Jan. 29- "Kid Chocolate", San Diego W-6 Feb. 19- Bogus Glover, San Diego L-6 Mar. 4- Bogus Glover, San Diego 0-6 Mar. 18- Ernie Hood, San Diego W-6 Apr. 1- Lou Snyder, San Diego L-6 Apr. 28- Hill Hernandez, San Diego W-6 May 20- Honasto Echavez, San Diego KO-3 June 24- Bogus Glover, San Diego K0-3 Sept. 29- Babe Manila, Ventura .D-6 Oct. 6- Salvador Macias, Ventura W-6 Dec. 16- Peppy Sanchez, Hollywood KO-? Dec. 30- Star Frisco, Hollywood W-4 Penwill Charlie ('Guardsmanl) ID: Charlie 'Guardsman' Penni11 19-2S BORN: 18134i Totnes, Deyon, ( ?) DIED: HET: 5-11 3/4 War RACE CAREER : 1919-15E9 BEST YEAR; 1921 MANAGER: SOURCE: a. Jan Skotnicki - compilation (Charlie Penwill) b. Tom Crome - record compilation (Charlie Penwill) c. Gilbert Odd - record compilation ;Charlie Penwill) PICTURE: COMPILERS : Tom Crome, Gilbert Odd, and Jan Skotnicki FILE SEARCH: COMMENTS : Perwili won the Brigade of Guards Championship at the NSC in 1919;the imperial Services Championships at the Olympia in 1920 and 1921; and the Army Championship at Aldershot in 1920

1919

May o Sid Pape, , Eng (NSC) W 3abc May 31 Darkey Haley, London, Eng (Walthamatow) —(6/06/19 2)— KO 3abc Oct 25 Arthur Evans (Candy), Aberaeron, Wa KO 2abc -was this bout held at Port Talbot, Wa ? Oct 31 Harry Shoop, London, Eng () TK Babe Nov Ralph Nutt, Rornford, Eny KO 4b Nov 27 Bill Mannering, Coventry, Eng W 15b Dec 1 Bob Alliaon, , Wa TK IIabc Dec 6 Harry Drake, London, Eng (NSC) W 10abc

1'320

Jan 1 Paul Journee, London, Eng (Holborn) LT 13abc Feb 3 Charles Ring, London, Eng (Holborn) (2/05/20 2)... LT Sabo Mar 3 Jim Rideout, London, Eng () W 20abc Mar 13 Dan McGoldrick, Newcastle, Eng W 15abc Apr -Penwill won the Championship of the British Army at Aldershot, Eng Apr 5 Jack Rollings, London, Eng (Holborn) L 10abc Apr 20 Ivor Powell, Plymouth, Eng W 15abc May 1 Bob Whiteford, Newcastle, Eng W 15abc May 7 Seaman Merrilees, Caterham, Eng (Barracks) W 10abc May 17 Dick Rice (Bandsman), Newcastle, Eng LT 16abc May 19 Jim Rideout, London, Eng (Fulham) LT 3abc Jul 24 Frank Ray, Walisend, Eng W 20abc Aug 29 Jack Stanley, London, Eny (The Ring) (KO 6 7)... KO 7abc -Was this bout held 8/0/20 ? Oct 11 Paul Murray, Walisend, Eng L 20b Oct 16 Frank Ray, Walisend, Eng L 20abc Nov 1 Harold Ralph, London, Eng (The Ring) L 2Oac Dec 20 Torn Berry, London, Eng (The Ring) LT liabc

1921

Jan 2a Jim Rideout, London, Eng (Paddington) W 15abc Charli ,e ( - Guardsman')

1921 (Cant' d )

Mar 14 Erminio Spalla, London, Eng (The Ring) W 15abc Mar 22 Alfred Bright, London, Eng (Fulham) W 15abc Apr 22 Jack Stanley, London, Eng (Albert Hail) W 10b Jun 8 Corporal Leary, London, 'Eng :Holborn) TK 2abc Jun 7 Sergeant Scott, London, Eny (Holborn) TK iabc -Heavyweight Championship of the Imperial Services; The previous 2 bouts were part of this Heavyweight Competition; were the previous 2 but held at Mile End and not Holborn ? Jun 15 Max Stelly, , Fr w 3abc -Heavyweight Championship of the Anglo-French Services Sep iS , Newcastle-on-the-Tyne, Eng LT liabc Oct 14 Jack Railings, London, Eng .(Albert Hail) W 3abc Oct 14 Torn Berry, London, Eng (Al bert Hall) W 3abc Oct 14 Jack Stanley, London, Eng (Albert Hail) TK 3abc -The previous 3 bouts were held the same date as part of the Albert Hail Heavyweight Competition; Penwill beat Stanley in the Championship bout Oct 31 Alfred Bright, London, Eng (Hoxton) W 15abc Nov 28 Torn Cowler, London, Eng (Hoxton) (riot 11/28/20)... TK Sabo

1922

Jan 2 Walter Buckley, London, Eng (Hoxton) TK 5abc Jan 12 Marcel Nilles, London, Eng (Albert Hail) L 10a be Feb S Frank Goddard, London, Eng (Premieriand) W 15abc Mar 27 Gordon Sims, London, Eng :Hoxton) (TK 7 ?)... TK 10abc May 8 Horace Jones (Soldier), London, Eng (The Ring) LK iabc Jun 15 Arthur Townley, Liverpool, Eng L 15abc Oct 7 Trevor Llewellyn, Cardiff, Wa W 20abc Oct 30 EMil Anderson, London, Eny (Hoxton) (TK 7 ?)... TK 8abc Nov Mike McTigue, Sheffield, Eng LT iabc Nov 27 Bartley Madden, London, Eng (NSC) L 15abc Dec 22 Errninio Spalla, , It (11/22/22 ?)... L i5abc

1923

Jan 3 Fred Tovee, London, Eng (Fulham) TK 7abc Jan 22 Albert Lloyd, London, Eng (The Ring) (1/23/23 ?)... LT 10abcii? Apr 27 Ted Mason, Plymouth, Eng (Ted Moore ?)... LT 14abc Jun 18 Sid Pape, Newcastle, Eng L i5abc Aug 14 :cancelled)... Aug 22 Harry Persson, Stockholm, Swe (W 12 ?)... L 12abc Sep 1 Jim Holland, London, Eng (The Ring) D i5abc Oct 1 Billy Daniels (Gypsy), London, Eng (Olympia) L iOabc Oct 8 Albert Lloyd, London, Eng (The Ring) (W IS ?)... L i5abc -Was this bout held 10/07/23 or 10/11/23 ? Oct 15 Dave Magill, Doncaster, Eng LF 12b Dec 5 Tom Berry, Middlesbrough, Eng L 15abc Dec 12 Arthur Cameron, London, Eng (Crystal Palace) TK 2abc

/© Penw i I 1 Chew.1 ie ( Guardsman* )

1923 (Coat ' d)

Dec 13 Wal Henry, London, Eng (Crystal Palace) .... W 4abc Dec 14 Douglas Warner, London, Eng (Crystal Palace) W 4ac Dec 15 Fred Tovee, London, Eng (Crystal Palace) W 4abc Dec 15 Phil Scott, London, Eng (Crystal Palace) 12 ?) L 10abc -The previous 5 bouts were held as part of a Crystal Palace Heavyweight Competition; Pemill lost to Scott in the Championship bout Dec iS Jack. Stanley, London, Eng (Fulham) LT 18abc Dec 21 Jack Hurnbeeck, Antwerp, Bel (W 10 ?)... L 10abc -Was this bout held ivam Dec 31 Sid Pape, Belfast, ire L i5abc

1924

Jan 24 Charlie Stone, London, Eng (Hoxton) KO 3abc Feb 17 Rudi Wagener, Hamburg, Ge• LK 2ac Mar 11 Trevor Llewellyn, Manchester, Eng (3/09/24 ?)... TK Gabc Mar 15 Giuseppe Spalla, Milan, It (not 3/16/24)... LK Sac Mar 31 Tom Berry, Nottingham, Eng L 15abc Oct 16 Trooper Young, London, Eng (Crystal Palace) W 4abc Oct 17 Harry Drake, London, Eng (Crystal Palace) W 4abc Oct 18 Gunner Bennett, -London, Eng (Crystal Palace) L 4abc -The previous 3 bouts were held as part of a Crystal Palace Heavyweight Competition; Permill lost to Bennett in the Semi-Final Bout Nov 24 Billy Wells (Bombardier), London, Eng (Hoxton) LK 2abc -Was the verdict for this bout T ? Was this bout held lig9/24 ?

1925

Feb 20 Harry Persson, Goteborg, Swe LK 3ac

1926

Feb 10 Jose Santa, Lisbon, Par LK 3abc Nov IS Angus Snyder, Winnipeg, Man, Can (not 1927)... LK 7ac

1929

George Modrick, London, Eng (Shepherd's Bush) LK 2abc -Was this an George Neidrick 7 / /

Chinese Crunch By Lim Kee Chan History has it that the English invented the sport of. boxing. Yet it also does not disclaim that the Chinese could have inspired it as far back as 4000 years ago, when the art of shadow-boxing was perfected in the world's most populous nation. It was during the reign of Emperor Huang Ti that the shadow-art found its origins, more for the sake of building a strong army than for sport. But, in getting his men ready for combat with twisting,turning and dodging calistechnics, the good emperor probably never realised that shadow-boxing would one day be important in the training of boxers. If Queensberry Rules had been adopted by these Chinese shadow-boxers, it could be anybody's guess that boxers from the mainland would have far surpassed the Philipine, Thailand and South Korea as Asia's leading boxing powers today. Unfortunately, mainland ideologies do not make for even . But as it is, the widespread use of shadow-boxing through the centuries have influenced all manner of Chinese...second generation, foreign-born, or otherwise. And it would not be far wrong to claim that some overseas Chinese boxers who early this century raised more than a few expert eyebrows in the . Among the first headliners in the US was a certain pig-tailed Ah Wing, who ruled the in the Pacific Coast. Ah Wing lost a controversial four-round bout (in those days,the law allowed only four-round fights) to an American called Caesar Attell at San Francisco's Dreamland Rink in 1906, a skating rink transformed into a boxing one during weekends. The crowd went delirious each time Ah Wing got mad at Caesar pulling his pig-tail.

Then there was a flybantamweight called George Lee, who fought Pancho Villa twice-once when the Filipino still ruled the world in the 50-kg class. The return ended in a draw in Sacramento on March 21, 1924, after Pancho had won the first two years earlier on points over 15 rounds. Lee, described as the "Yellow Pearl", once remarked: "I never could figure out why I wasn't offered a championship Match." His manager Ancil Hoffman the man who managed is the world heavyweight champion in the middle of 1934, said: "Max Baer is the best fighter ever to come out of Sacramento. Then I'd list Georgie." Ranked high among the bantamweights in the 1920's Lee lost a 15-round-er on points to Johnny Buff on Jan 21, 1921, two months before Buff won the world title.

Reputed as a tough little fighter who liked tearing into his opponent like a windmill , Lee was never knocked out in his 10 years boxing as a professional. Inevitably, there had to be a Chinese fighter dubbed "The Chinaman". He was Jimmy Soo, who was unbeaten in 33 straight fights, 19 of them by .

HAYMAKER

Jimmy was a from who beat every opponent thrown at him since he broke out of the amateurs in 1953. "Chinaman" never believed in wasting time with fancy stuff, making every he threw a potential haymaker.

He fought so fiercely not because he loves to fight that way, but because he felt it offered him the quickest way to a secure future. Most of his victims were either knocked out cold or saved by the referee's intervtion. One of the victims, a more experienced fighter named Earl Hilton, once told reporters when asked if Soo could really hit: "Look at my face. Now look at my body (as he pulled aside his robe and exposed a series of walnut-seized red welts all over him). Now whatta' yer' think. Can he punch?" ✓ 3

After Soo scored his 25th victory, Frank" "Blinky" Palmero, his manager, asked trainer Jimmy Wilson what the next move was, and the veteran trainer said Soo needed only to master the right before he could hit as hard as their former great champion- Ike Williams (Palermo and Wilson handled Williams), the world lightweight champion from 1947 to 1951.

"When Soo achieves that, he'll lick any lightweight in the world," Wilson added. After Soo's 33rd straight victory, Wilson told Palmero the Chinese fighter was ready to move into the big time. So a suitable opponent was found for Soo to fight outside his hometown Philadelphia. But Soo suddenly changed his mind at the last minute, refusing to travel because of his family. Soo said there were lots more important things in life than money and title. And he gave four good reasons for turning down Palmero - his wife and three daughters. Palmero had only this to say to Soo: "I thought I could sell freezers to Eskimos, but with an argument like that,kid, I gotta keep quiet because I don't know what to say. And I wouldn't have you change your mind." Angelo Dundee, the world renowned trainer, told me that he remembered Jimmy. "I saw Jimmy fight a few times. A good lightweight and very popular." But long before Soo came another class fighter called Ralph Chong like , Freddie Steele, Ken Overlin, Solly Kreiger and Tommy Freeman. He lost a 10-round decision to Billy Conn. "The Pitsburg Kid", on Oct. 2, 1936 and three years later Conn became the world light-heavyweight champion after twice falling to dethrone heavyweight champion . Chong went the full 10-round distance three times against Overlin in 1936. And though he lost all three, he found some solace from the fact that Overlin won the world title in 1940, beating Caferino Garcia.

Next came a bantamweights from Honolulu called David Kui Kong Young, whose biggest moment was when he floored Mexican world bantamweight champion Manuiel Ortiz before losing a 15-round decision on May 30, 1947.

The last of the great Chinese boxers was Richard Sue. Ranked No . 1 featherweight contender in the world during the reign of Vincente Saldivar (1964 to 1968), Richard he was often called "Sweet Sue" because of his pleasing style.

He moved gracefully and had a deadly lefthook. And his biggest fight was on Jan 17, 1967, against Howard Winstone, who won on points and a year later became the world featherwieght champion. All said, these Chinese boxers had proven that, despite the complete absence of native fighters in the world arena, at least their blood suggested it would not have been so if China had not closed all its doors.

1955 EDUARDO (KO) LAUSSE 1954 Argentina Middleweight Mar. 28—Gil Edwards. Providence---K0 5 Jan. 26—Clarence Sampson, Born. Nov. 8. 1927, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Apr. 16—Georgie Small. Boston______- 1S0 4 Philadelphia KO 2 May 13—Ralph Jones, New York W 10 Feb. 12—Terry Moore, New York W 8 Height, 5 ft. 9 ins. Sept. 3—Kid Gavilan, Buenos Aires—___W 12 Apr. 16—Moses Ward. New York KO 5 Oct. 8—Oscar Barreiro, Montevideo —KO 2 May 5—Holly Mims, Baltimore .... KO by 9 Mar. 8—Jose MacKadon ------K0 Nov. 25—. New York. ____.W 10 July 28—Bobby Jones, New York W 10 1 Mar. 15—Roberto Lombardo Dee. 7—Johnny Sullivan. Cleveland___KO 5 Dec. 28—Charlie Sales, Miami Beach L 10 Apr. 5—Jose La Rosa -.....-------W 1955 Apr. 12—Antonio Sosa-----K0 2 1956 Jan. 28—Ramon Fuentes, Philadelphia W 10 Apr. 26—Eduardo Aizcardi------K 0 1 Jan. 6—Milo Savage. New York--....13 10 Mar. 22—Garth Pante:, Philadelphia W 10 May 9—Alberto Gomez ..... ----...K0 1 Apr. 8—Ralph Jones, St. Louis .. KO by 5 KO 1 Feb. 15—Bobby Boyd. Chicago ..L 10 5—Charlie Cotton, Miami Beach .K0 8 May 24—Jose Charlint June 9—Humberto Loan*, July May 31—Anibal Ortega KO 1 Sept. 21—Bobby Dykes, Miami Beach W 10 June 14—Jose La Rosa ------..... K0 2 Buenos Aires ------K0 3 (Smith American Middleweight Title) June 21—Francisco Leopardi -KO 3 Nov. 4—Bobby Boyd, Chicago KO by 8 July 5—Rafael Palagon -KO 2 Aug. 3—Luis Coleman, Buenos Alreti—K0 3 1956 -.K0 2 July 25—Oscar Martinez Aug. 10—Andres Seine, Bahia Bianca._-L 10 Jan. 31— Jimmy Beecham. Miami Beach 10 Aug. 16—Livlo Sosa -D 10 Mar. --KO 1 Oct. 13—Andres Selpa, 19—Charley Joseph, ...L 10 Sept. 6—Salomon Donoso _ Buenos Aires by 13 Aug. 14—Ernest Burford, — .K0 1 Sept. 20—Sebastian Romano -KO 1 _KO 2 (South American Middleweight Title) Sept. 8—Charlie Green. Hollywood . KO by 10 Sept. 27—Jose Charlini 1957-1966 Oct 18—Pedro Fenvyra ..... 1 1957 12 (Inactive) Dec. 2—Arnett° Pined* Oct. 12—Antonio Cuevas, 1967 1949 Buenos Aires -1C0 3 Feb. 9—Jimmy McDermott, Mar. 20—Kid Cachetada W 12 Nov.23—Migul Rodrig uez, Portland, Me. W 8 2 Buenos Aim -K0 1 Mar. 9—Bob Harrington, May 15—Julio Giardina _ Portland, Me. Aug. 21—Antonio ... --KO 5 1953 W 8 12 Apr. 13—Bobby Warthern, Portland, Mc W 10 Sept. 4—Mario Diaz May 23—Sixto Tiselli, Mar Del Plata—KO 1 June 8—Elliot Miller, Portland, Me. Oct. 9—Rufino Farias KO 1 W 10 May 31—Ubaldo Sacco. Buenos Aires_KO 1 July 6—Holly Mims. Portland, Me. L 10 19511 July 4—Ramon Perello. Cordoba • KO 2 Oct. 9—Benny Briscoe. Apr. 7—Enrique isuretta ------D 10 Sept. 27—Andres Selpa. Buenos Aires_-__W 10 Philadelphia KO by 4 June 18—Osvaldo Rizzo -KO 1 1968 3 1252 Apr. 4—Jimmy McDermott, July 8--Faustino Navarro Portland, Ma. Nov. 9—Francisco PagOla 10 (inactive) KO 7 25—Bobby Warthem, Portland Me W 10 1151 1960 June 6—Pete iccitelli. Portland, Me• • • • W June 10 Apr. 1—Rafael Miranda -_KO I Mar. 18—Wilf Greaves, New York KO 4 27—Bobby Harrington, Apr. 22—Juan Oviedo 12 June 17—Marcel Pigou, New York__KO by 7 Portland, Me. W 10 W 10 July 28—Roy Lee, Kingston L 10 May 31—Conrado Vera Nov. 19—Victor Zalazar, Buenos Aires_KO 9 Aug. July 8—Kid Cachetada ------L 12 23—Bob Harrington, Portland, Me.. W 10 L 12 Sept. 12—Wilfredo Hurst , rtland,'Po Me... W 10 Sept. 10—Mario Diaz Oct. Sept. 22—Aldo MineIli. Buenos Aires____W 12 17—Dave Beckles, Portland, Me. KO by 6 Oct. 27— Domingo Lorente, Mar Del W 10 Nov. 4—Les McAteer Liverpool KO by 9 Plata 1469 1952 Jan. 9—Dave Beckles, Portland, Me. .. KO 5 Mar. 21—Pedro Cuevas, Mercedes----K0 5 Jan. 30—Lloyd Bozeman. Portland, Me.. W 10 GEORGE JOHNSON Feb. 20—Pat Roberts, Portland. Me Apr. 5— Rafael Miranda KO 1 Trenton, N. J. Light-Heavyweight W 10 Apr. 30—Antonio Cuevas. Buenos Aires--L 10 Apr. 3 —Eddie Owens, Portland. Me. W 10 Born July 2, 1930. May 22—Roy Sept. 13—Kid Gavilan, Buenos Aires L 10 1950 Lee. Portland. Me W 10 Oct. 4—Ubaldo Percy*, Buenos Aires KO 4 July 17—Randy Stevens Portland. Me. .1C0 10 Aug. 3—Al Heath, Asbury Park KO 3 Dec. 18—Eddie Owens, Portland, Me. Dec. 19—Alfredo Aguilar. Sept. 18—James Ryan, Elizabeth KO 1 W 10 -K0 1 1970 Nomas de Zamora 1951 Mar. Dec. 23—Miguel Luchessi. Eva Peron___KO 3 Jan. 22—Joe Tomasello, Trenton KO 2 19—Bob Harrington, Portland, Me W 10 Apr. 16—Herschel Jacobs. Portland W 10 1953 Feb. 6—Frank Anselm, Trenton W 4 Ma 7—Dick Hall. Portland. Me. ... KO by 1 Buenos Mar. 12—Gil Stewart, Newark KO 4 July Jan. 7—Aquiles Gregorutti. May 7—Henry Burroughs, Newark KO 5 30—Paul Cardona, Portland. Me. ....L 10 Aires ..K0 3 June 1971 Jan. 19—Miguel Luchesi. Buenos Aires_W 10 25—Charlie Williams, Newark L 8 Feb. 19—Larry Carney. Portland. Me..K0 7 July 9—Charlie Williams, Newark L 8 Mar. Feb. 18—Johnny Darby. White Plains_KO 5 . Aug. 27—Bobby Mann, Trenton KO 8 11—Tony Fernandezortland. )4.e.K0 5 Mar. 3—Gus Mell. White Plains KO 1 Mar. 22—Joe Burns, New OO rleans W 10 Oct. 22—Charlie Williams Trenton W 12 Apr. Apr. 13—Tommy Smith. Providence—KO 6 Nov. 19—Gene Burton, Trenton KO 7 15—Fred Lewis, Portland Me. L 10 May 6—Antoni Frontudo May 13—Tommy Shaffer, Portland, Me.. W 10 KO 7 Dec. 17—Clarence Johnson, Trenton KO 9 June Buenos Aires 1952 3—Art Miller, Portland. Me. L 10 June I3—Antonio Cuevas, Buenos Aires 11(0 6 June 10—Johnny Freitas, Portland, Me..K0 5 KO 4 Feb. 22—Baby Day, New York KO by 4 July 7—Mario Diaz. Buenos Aires May 28—Dale Evans. Wilmington, Del. . KO 3 July 1—Hershel Jacobs, Aug. 15—Jimmy Beau, Buenos Alres KO 2 Portland. Me. KO by 3 KO 1 June 9—Bobby Mann, Trenton KO 4 Sept. 6—Dennis McNamee, Oct. 3—.jimmy Beau. Buenos Alres July 11—Sylvester Paine, Bridgeport KO 2 Oct. 16-5I1guel Luchessi, Providence KO by 8 Mar Del Plata KO 2 Sept. 18—Charley Williams, Newark KO 5 Oct. 28—Victor Suarez Newark KO 6 Nov. 21—Humberto Loayza, Santiago. Nov. 17—Rudy Zadell, tthiladelphia Chile KO 3 KO 5 KO 9 Dec. 8—Frankie Anslem, Trenton KO 6 Dec. 18—Rufino Ferias, Tucuman Dec. 29—Sammy Walker, Trenton W 8 1,54 1953 Jan. 15—Florindo Malone, Cordoba KO 6 Mar. 23—Jimmy DeCerio, Trenton KO 7 Apr. 1—Jesse Turner. Brooklyn W 10 Apr. 11—Billy Gordon. Philadelphia KO 5 May 7—Jesus "Chico" Varona. N. Y__KO June 8—Ike Williams, Trenton KO 8 June 4—Joe Rindone. New York KO 2 June 15—Al Warner, Philadelphia W 8 Ang. 21—Antonio Diaz. Buenos Aires KO 5 Sept. 28—Luther Rawlings, Trenton W 10 Sept. 11—Jose Nunez, Buenos Aires KO 2 Nov. 19—Billy Why'. Hers yh e 5 Sep t. 24—Miguel Luchessi. Perron City KO 6 Oct. 1—Dante Perevra. Blanca City...KO 7 Oct. 20—Nelson Andrade, San Paulo KO 9 /5

LOUIS THE AMATEUR

Throughout the years, almost every scribe writing of that remarkable match, between a top amateur and a youngest in the ring for the first time in his life, has referred to Louis facing a man "who had represented the United States at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. "They reported that Joe was floored some eight times in losing this bout. It was held at the Naval Armory in Detroit, but nobody has ever been able to present the exact date in 1932 when the bout took place. And this always seemed strange.

But the article in the January 1988 newsletter, I feel, clears it up. It shows a win for Louis in Detroit on May 11, 1932 over one 17-year-old Joe Louis in facing a man of such experience, but it does set the record straighter.

Another question is answered in the article on Louis's amateur career: Did Joe fight anybody in the amateur ranks who he later met as a pro? Obviously, he did not.

How many of Louis's amateur opponents made a name in the pro ranks? Johnny Miller turned pro after 1932 and met some of the world's best light-heavies and heavies, Clinton Bridges did turn pro, but did not go far. Max Marek became a fair to middling heavyweight in Chicago. I don't recall if Stanley Evans ever fought pro. Joey Bauer, the man against Joe Louis had his last amateur fight, fought with fair success on the West Coast as a pro.

Incidentally, there's an explanation for a gap of 2 1/2 'months in Louis's amateur record between his acquisition of the national AAU 175-pound title on April 6, 1934 and that last amateur fight--against Bauer, on June 27. In late May, Louis was in a U.S. team to face Poland in an amateur tournament in Chicago. Louis had to withdraw because he couldn't quite make the light-heavy limit and his place against the Pole was taken by Ario Soldati. While they were arguing about putting Louis in as a heavyweight, in burst three law officers from Indiana. They had a warrant accusing Louis of murdering his wife in 1931!

The still unmarried Louis was hustled in a state of terror back to Indiana, but released a few hours later, when it was learned that the man the police wanted was inches shorter than Joe and several years older.

By: John Murphy A THUMBNAIL SKETCH ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOXING STYLES AND TECHNIQUES DURING THE GLOVED ERA

Since the advent of the gloved era cira 1890, boxing styles and techniques have.changed through the years. The development or regression of boxing techniques are due to the changing conditions of the sport, the influence of the great fighters of the era on their respective peers, the physical equipment of the individual boxers, and the teaching of the sport by the great teachers in their respective era.

The advent of the Queensbury Rules saw the increased usage of and improved punching techniques. Although there have al- ways been bareknuckle boxers who used footwork and excellent punch- ing technique i, e, Mendoza,. John Jackson, Jim Mace, Nonpareil Jack Dempsey, John L. Sullivan, etc., boxing under the consisted of both boxing and Greco-Roman type wrestling, throw- ing, and tripping of the opponent. With the appearance of hitting only rules, movement and improved punching techniques became more prevalent in boxing.

Up into the early 1890's many gloved contest were of a fight to the finish. Such boxers as Jim Corbett, Peter Jackson, Young Griffo, Bob Fitzsimmons, Joe Choyinski among others did become innovators and technical wizards of their era. Corbett's footwork, Jackson's one-two punch, Griffo's great defensive ability, and Choyinski's scientific style all added to the further development of techniques and styles started by the exceptional bare knuckle fighters of the past. From the early 1890's until 1900 the championship distance was 25 rounds. Boxing at this point became even more crowded with dif- ferent styles and techniques. While Jeffries employed a crouch a Peter Maher used a stand up stance to deliver his short, hard punch- es. Since 1900 until the late 1910's, when main event and champion- ship distances were anywhere from 20 to 45 rounds such boxers as , , , Ted Kid Lewis, Jack Johnson, Johnny Dundee, Abe. Attel, etc. all lent their repsective styles to the development of boxing technique. However, it was not until the late 1910's that a substantial change occured in boxing. Since the bareknuckle era there has always been fast, clever boxers such as a Mendoza, devastating short distance punchers as a Sullivan, and non stop punchers as a Langford. What had occured in boxing to transform boxing and speed up the action was the almost complete elimination of the 20 round and over long distance bouts. was among the first truly excellent combination punchers and stylists. Leonard developed three punch combinations, unforseen footwork, and consistent short punching all into an exact science. Leonard was able to accomplish this due to the shortening of bouts, increased boxing regulations, and his own innate ability. In bouts 10 to 15 rounds in length, style and speed became of more importance than ever before. PAGE - 2 7

Successful boxers before the late 1910's needed not only skill but had to have incredible stamina and resiliency. For many pre late teen boxers, conditioning played an even more im- portant role than skill. With looser boxing regulations in past eras where glove and ring size as well as the duration of the bout were so variable boxers had to rely on superb conditioning, great skill, and often incredible toughness. If these pre late teen boxers had set an extremely fast pace in energy draining punching and footwork, it would:have had catastrophic results By the late teens, Leonard was able to pioneer a boxing style which was faster and smoother than ever before.

Harry Greb and Jack Dempsey were among the last of the great boxing pioneers. Greb threw punches in combinations and volleys constantly moving in and out of his opponent's range with great skill and speed. Jack Dempsey, being the heavyweight champion, was probably the most influential boxer in boxing technique not only of his era but ever in the gloved era. Dempsey not only mastered four or more punch combinations and fantastic infighting ability, but also was able to advance on his opponents and hit at openings very quickly without incurring much damage to himself due to his unerringly elusive and weaving style. Since the late teens boxing technique changed little until the late 1950's when great defensive skills started to erode. This was due to a lessening of great boxers and of great boxing teachers whom had either died or left a mob controlled sport. Offensively, since the early 1960's to the present, the average boxer employs better combinations than his predecessors. Although there are few better combination punchers than a Greb or a Dempsey and none the equal of a 1940 , today's boxers generically are more adept in throwing combinations. Since the 1960's the only way most boxers could achieve attention was and is through amateur boxing in which the ability to land as many punches as possible is of prime importance, despite the power or lack of power in the punches. This is a synopsis of the development of techniques during the gloved era. To write a more detailed article on this subject would be of considerable length. I would like to thank Tracy Callis, Herbert Goldman, Bert Sugar, and especially Nat Loubet for their contributions on this subject and their patience. I welcome any and all ideas on this subject. MICHAEL HUNNICUTT 31 Washington Street Port Chester, New York 10573 Tel. (914) 937-2986 THE AMERICAN INVASION OF

- By Bob Soderman

If you had been an inveterate moviegoer during the years 1935 through 1946, you probably were lucky enough to have in- cluded several of the British J. Arthur Rank Organisation films among your cinema viewing pleasures.

You must recall those classic films, such as "The 39 Steps", starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll; "The Lady Vanishes", starring Michael Redgrave and Margaret Lockwood; "King Solomon's Mines", starring Paul Robeson and Roland Young; "Pygmalion", starring Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller; plus countless other memorable Rank Organisation films. All of these films, every one of them, dramatically came on screen showing a huge and very muscular man swinging a very large mallet against an immense gong; the sound from which reverberated to the very rafters of the cinema theatres. This was the trademark of the Rank Organisation; a visual symbol of what the public soon came to anticipate as enjoyable and very entertaining films.

Those inveterate film patrons probably were not aware of just who that gong-striking muscular man was. The man who swung that mallet, and sounded that gong at the beginning of all those films, was one of England's greatest and most popular sporting athletes of the Twentieth Century. More than likely, neither today's cinema patrons nor sports adherents know of this man. His name is- BOMBARDIER BILLY WELLS, and it is of one brief part of his career that we would like to review.

Bombardier Billy Wells became the heavyweight champion of Great Britain in 1911, at the age of 23, and held that championship until 1919. His exploits in the ring during his career, which spanned the years 1909 to 1925, thrilled the boxing fans of three continents. Wells was gifted with a magnificent physique and he was a handsome and personable man besides. more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

Wells revolutioniied the attitude of the British public toward the sport of boxing; transforming it from a spectacle attracting the so-called baser elements of society, to a respectable sport that commanded wide-spread respect and ad- miration. Wells invariably drew capacity gatherings to any arena he was booked to fight in.

Promoters soon came to realize that Wells was also attracting splendidly dressed middle class ladies, who were making up a good part of the ringside seat section at all of Wells' bouts. Very few of these ladies were interested in the art of prize fighting. Their prime interest was in Wells alone, in his 6 foot 2i inch and 190 pound frame, and these admiring ladies soon coined their own name for him- "Beautiful Billy".

It was not his physical beauty that British men admired. It was Wells' physical attributes; his remarkable speed for such a big man and his tremendous hitting-strength, his power to knock an opponent unconscious with one blow. This was what the men ad- mired, and flocked eagerly to see, whenever Bombardier Billy Wells was booked to fight.

Billy had come out of the British Army in 1910, after having won the All-India heavyweight championship. He had scored an impressive run of victories in London rings in 1910 and 1911; culminating with his winning of the heavyweight championship of Britain, on April 24, 1911, when he knocked out the then champion, Iron Hague, in six rounds.

The world's heavyweight champion at this time was the negro, Jack Johnson, who had won the title in 1908 and had ever since built up the enmity of the fistic and social world through his arrogance and flamboyant tactics. more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

As a consequence, in the United States, a thriving new industry had arisen. It was the feverish search for a white fighter to come along and eventually meet the detested Johnson in the ring, and regain the championship for the White Race.

Fight managers, promoters, newspapermen; all were frantically engaged in seeking out, developing, promoting, and writing about this new breed of fighter- the "White Hope". In America there had sprung up dozens of these "White Hopes" and England's Bomb- ardier Billy Wells became a prominent name added to this list. An elimination tournament of sorts had just begun; to crown the "White Heavyweight Champion" and an offer was made to Wells to come to New York for a series of bouts, against other "White Hopes".

Wells set sail for New York in May 1912, and on arrival set his training camp well away from the city, in the small town of Rye. He was booked to meet his first American foe, Al Palzer, a big Iowa farm boy, on Friday June 28, 1912, at New York's . The dozen or so New York sporting writers who visited Wells' camp and watched him box, were extremely im- pressed with him. Their glowing reports in their newspapers helped to build a great deal of public interest in the forthcoming bout.

Al Palzer, Wells' first American opponent, was equally as tall as Wells, being 6 foot 3 inches, and he generally weighed around 220 pounds for his bouts. Palzer was no stranger to New York fistic audiences, having rolled up an impressive string of victories; including wins over some of America's leading heavy- weights.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

The styles of the_two fighters were diametrically opposed. Palzer was a slugger, pure and simple, and thought nothing of absorbing two blows to get in one of his own. Wells relied on cleverness of hand and foot, and was a standup boxer in the classic, British and European manner.

When they entered the ring on June 28, the weights were announced as 2284 for Palzer, and 188i for Wells. As the men stood in ring center for their instructions from the referee, Wells looked like a slender middleweight contrasted to the herculean appearance of Palzer. Billy's legs were thin, as compared to the huge limbs of his opponent.

Wells received a thunderous ovation from the 5,000 fans in the Garden; fully equal to that accorded the American fighter when he had been introduced. At the opening bell Palzer landed a light left to the face and Wells followed with his own light left, and then they fell into a clinch. Billy then began to dance around his foe, shooting straight lefts and rights, making Al look clumsy and slow.

Palzer rushed and tried to get in close, and during one of these rushes Wells ripped in a right as Palzer bored in, starting the blood flowing from Al's mouth. "Go for the stomach," cried Palzer's corner; but the British champion was too fast and clever on the defense. The fans marveled at the rare exhibition they were watching. Not since the heyday of James J. Corbett had anyone seen such brilliant boxing and clever defensive work.

Wells' attack employed every suitable weapon; hooks, , , straight lefts, straight rights. Palzer's head was being jarred back and forth, but he still kept coming forward. Late in the round, Palzer crouched low and rushed at Wells. Billy stepped back a half-step and measured his man with perfection. A terrific right uppercut caught the rushing Palzer coming forward and down the Iowa farm boy went, crashing to the canvas. Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

Al barely got to his feet at . the count of nine and staggered across the ring. Wells followed cautiously, wary of what might be a trick on the part of Palzer, to entice him close enough to let fly a desperation punch. Palzer reached out and grabbed Wells and fell into a clinch. Billy managed to land a few more punches, after the clinch was broken, before the bell ended the round.

The buzz of excited approval from the crowd persisted all during the one minute rest for the fighters, before the bell for round two sent them into action once again. Round two, at least for the first two minutes, was more of the same. Wells was ab- solutely brilliant, dancing rings around Palzer, methodically cutting him to ribbons. Al could only wildly, and was miss- ing by wide margins. Billy moved in closer, to gain more leverage for what he considered would be the final punches, to ensure his apparent victory.

As Wells moved confidently in on Palzer, Al uncorked another wild right, but this time all the luck was on Al's side. The punch landed with shocking, full force on Wells' jaw, and down went Billy. Wells was down for a count of nine, but on rising was able to retreat and keep Palzer at bay with a sterling display of boxing. The crowd was in an uproar. For the rest of round two it was a determined Palzer stalking a cleverly retreating Wells. It had been a long, long time since the Garden had seen such an exciting battle between two big men.

The third round started out with both men a trifle subdued in their attack. Palzer wasn't rushing in aimlessly, as he had been, and Wells was keeping his distance and treating Palzer with a great deal of wary respect.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

His knockdown of Wells had given Palzer a big surge of confidence and he was watching carefully for another opportunity to land one more hefty right. Al did land a hard right, but it wasn't the real big one he had hoped for, although it forced Billy to move into a clinch. Some ringsiders observed that Wells' facial expression showed him to be undergoing consider- able strain, and it was becoming obvious that the unexpected knockdown he had suffered had greatly changed the complexion of the fight.

Wells was fighting purely on the defensive now 'and his early confidence seemed to be oozing away as the seconds ticked by. Palzer on the other hand was gaining in confidence, and he was now assuming the dominant role in the fight. He brushed off Wells' now feeble leads and marched in relentlessly, his every punch sapping Bialy's fast-ebbing spirit. Al got in close and swung a right to the jaw. Down went Wells once more. Billy barely made it to his feet at the count of nine, this time.

Wells walked around the ring, sidling away from Palzer. A puzzled Palzer followed, but carefully, suspecting a ruse on Billy's part. Suddenly, Wells wheeled and landed a smashing left on Palzer's jaw. The punch sent Al's head back and was followed by a clinch. The respite was all too brief for Wells, for as soon as they broke from the clinch, Palzer landed a right hook to the stomach and Billy's mouth dropped open and he went down for the third time.

Wells just managed to regain his feet at the count of nine and he was plainly a beaten man. All his initial strength seemed to have drained out of him. He again walked around the ring, not attempting to throw a punch. He managed to duck under a right swing, moved forward in an attempt to clinch and hold on, and then fell face forward to the floor.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

Referee Billy Joh .once more started to count, as the stunned fans looked on in wonderment at Wells lying as still as death on the canvas. The count had reached eight when Wells' corner threw a sponge into the ring, in token of surrender.

It took several minutes of smelling salts and furious fanning with towels before Wells was recovered enough to leave the ring. The crowd, most of which had waited until Wells was revived, gave Billy a tremendous cheer of appreciation for his efforts. The cheer for Wells was every bit equal to that the crowd had given to the victorious Palzer. To anyone who had not witnessed the fight, and just seeing the two fighters as they exited the ring, it looked like Al Palzer had lost the bout. Al's left eye was closed, his nose was slightly out of kilter, and his lips were puffy and cut. Wells, on the other hand, bore no marks of battle and his face showed no evidence of cuts or bruises.

Promoters for the Garden Athletic Club, after seeing the tremendous newspaper coverage after the bout with Al Palzer, and the unstinting praise for Bombardier Billy Wells, were quick to bring Wells back for antther bout in Madison Square Garden. This time they obtained Tom Kennedy for Wells' opponent. Kennedy was a top-rated heavyweight and he had scored a victory over Al Palzer in one of his recent bouts. On July 18, 1912 another large and enthusiastic crowd filled the arena, for another look at the heavyweight champion of Great Britain.

Tom Kennedy was a much better boxer than Al Palzer, although not as hard a hitter. It was felt that Kennedy would offer a more effective defense for Wells' undoubted cleverness, and would not be as easy to hit as was Palzer. Wells, even with his loss to Palzer, was the betting favorite on the night of the fight; but there was a last-minute surge of Kennedy money, which brought the odds down to even money at fight time.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion 2c Soderman

On this occasion, Billy Wells fought a much better fight. The Garden audience, many of whom had been present to see Wells land the many devastating first round punches that almost put Al Palzer into the land of nod, may not have agreed with that assessment. This time, Billy was careful to husband his strength and not lavish it all on an attempt to score a one-round .

Tom Kennedy was a much different fighter than the wild-swing- ing Al Palzer. Tom was a clever and careful boxer, with a keen and watchful eye in the ring. He was not a man who ignored his defenses and, like Billy Wells, he was quick on his feet.

The fortunate ones in the Garden that night would undoubtedly remember this bout for a long time to come. Seldom would the Garden present a bout in which two big , they both weighed in at ringside at 1911, give such a dazzling exhibition of cleverness and speed. To the spectators, it appeared as if they were watching a pair of dazzling , displaying wondrous speed of foot and of hand.

In the first minute of round one, Wells brought the crowd to its feet, expecting another wild melee, when he floored Kennedy with a beautifully-timed straight right to Tom's jaw. kennedy, on falling, reched up and grabbed Wells and pulled Billy down after him. By the time they both were back on their feet, the chance of a fast knockout had gone fleetingly by.

Kennedy seemed to match Wells in brilliance and cleverness in the first two rounds, but from that point on in the bout, it was obvious that Wells was far superior in speed and cleverness to the American boxer. Billy was most careful not to make the same sort of mistakes he had made against Al Palzer. He took his time, he placed his punches where they would do the most good, and he watched Kennedy very closely, guarding against any un- expected punches that might find a chink in his armor.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion 02 6 . Soderman

In round three Wells stunned Kennedy, forcing Tom to drop his hands to his sides. Billy quickly landed several hard rights to Tom's jaw. Both the crowd, and Wells, expected to see Kennedy topple to the canvas; but Tom didn't even stagger. Indeed, the last hard right seemed to wake Kennedy up, and he mounted his own • attack which forced Wells to back up and give ground.

Wells' corner exhorted him to take it easy and not wear himself out with an unceasing attack. So, Billy relied on his straight left '; a jab which constantly sent Kennedy's head back and gradually wore Tom down. As the fight progressed Kennedy absorbed more and more punishment, although he managed to keep the fight interesting with his sporadic rallies; rallies which worried Billy even while Wells was piling up points with his own unceasing attack.

In round eight Kennedy was finally able to temporarily take the play away from Wells. Tom got home with his own straight jabs, as Billy showed signs of tiring and let his guard drop down. It proved a temporary lapse for Wells, however. Wells regained the initiative by countering with a left hook to the stomach, followed by a right to the jaw, which sent Kennedy down for the second time in the bout.

Tom took a nine count and was dazed when he regained his feet. Billy wasted no time in taking advantage of a greatly weakened Kennedy. Wells again hooked his left to Kennedy's stomach, bringing Tom's guard down, and then shot another hard right to the jaw. Kennedy fell heavily and it was apparent that this time he wouldn't get up. The referee had reached seven in his count when Kennedy's chief second threw a sponge into the ring, to acknowledge defeat.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

Ringside pundits, in their post-fight analysis, agreed that Wells had shown signs, again, of his inability to withstand too much punishment. On several occasions during the bout, Billy had been handed blows to the stomach which had forced him to back up, or fall into a clinch. Kennedy's own corner had shouted to him continually during the bout to."go after the stomach"; but Tom wouldn't, or couldn't, carry out these instructions. One reason of course, was the steady stream of stiff and very damaging left jabs that Kennedy was forced to absorb; punches that kept him back on his heels throughout almost every round of the fight.

Wells returned to England on July 23, the day after he had been the guest of honor at a dinner hosted by Billy Gibson, manager of the Garden Athletic Club, at the Hotel St. Denis. Thirty persons were present for the occasion, one of whom was New York State Senator James J. Frawley, who had been the leader in steering New York's present boxing bill through the state legislature for passage.

Wells delivered a short speech, promising he would return to New York in a few months, where he hoped to dispose of all the leading white heavyweights, so he could force Jack Johnson into a match. At the dinner Wells had been lauded for his excellent deportment, in and out of the ring, and was proclaimed by several of the speakers as a credit to the sport of boxing.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

Wells returned to -England but opted to take a long rest from the rigors of his boxing career. He returned to action on December 6, 1912, at King's Hall in London, and knocked out George (Boer) Rodel, of South Africa, in two rounds.

On February 1, 1913, Wells and an entrourage consisting of his wife, his brother Sidney and his manager Jim Maloney, set sail for his return to the United States. He was supposedly matched with Luther McCarty, the now recognized 'White" Heavyweight Champ- ion, for a March bout in Madison Square Garden in New York. McCarty, who had just knocked out Al Palzer, on January 1, 1913, for some inexplicable reason then refused to sign for the match.

As a substitute for McCarty, the Madison Square Garden promoters signed , of California, to be Wells' opponent. Gunboat was no stranger to New York fistic audiences, having appeared in local rings more than a dozen times in the last year and never having tasted defeat. Smith had been fighting since 1906, and was 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed around 180 pounds.

Wells was the betting favorite for the Friday March 14, 1913 match and was figured to be too clever and hard-hitting for Smith to handle. Overlooked in the calculation of these odds, however, was the fact that Gunboat was quite a knockout puncher himself, having notched ten such triumphs in the last year alone. Also, Smith hadn't lost a bout for over a year and had suffered just three defeats in his entire career.

Wells, whose habit was to train with boxing gloves of regulation five or six ounce weight, instead of the usual big ten or twelve ounce gloves generally used in training camps, had his usual trouble in obtaining and keeping sparring partners. The sparmates had a tendency to quit after they had been knocked out in sparring sessions. They didn't take too kindly to Wells' hard punching. Yet, Wells was not a vicious puncher when in

more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman training. All out sparring sessions were his usual style, his feeling being that he wanted to duplicate the feeling and circumstances of the actual matches themselves; the better to condition himself.

Again the visiting newsmen to Wells' camp were dutifully impressed. They went away convinced that he was the cleverest big man of the time and they were impressed with his hitting ability; especially when they saw him floor sparmate Jack Mc Farland, a 200-pounder from Long Island City, who had fought Gunboat Smith the previous year. The newsmen were awed also by Wells' speed; 'like a featherweight', they said, and then by his punch, 'like the kick of a mule', they reported.

Smith will have to come to Wells, was the consensus of the experts. He won't be able to match Wells in boxing ability, and in coming in he will face the risk of running into one of Billy's devastating right hands. Again howeter, overlooked was the fact that Smith was a fairly good boxer himself and that he was possessed of a very good right hand knockout punch of his own. The Gunboat's stamina was not in question, but some of the news- men questioned that factor in Wells' makeup, citing his sudden deterioration in the match against Palzer. Against Tom Kennedy though, Billy had seemed more in control of himself, pacing his actions very nicely and showing no signs of weakness or fatigue.

An even larger crowd poured into the Garden that night, to see the British fighter they had taken to their hearts emerge triumphant. Alas, that wish was not to be.

Wells weighed in at 192 and Smith at 1822. Even though Billy was heavier, and taller, than his opponent, when they stood together in ring center to receive their instructions, Wells looked almost delicate compared with Smith's rugged appearance.

more So Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

The first round was similar to the bout with Al Palzer, in that an alert Wells scored with straight lefts and rights to Smith's face and easily evaded Gunboat's wild swings. The pattern repeated itself all through the opening round; Smith rushed, Wells stabbed him with straight punches, and Billy made his foe look like the veriest tyro. It was well into the second minute of the contest before Smith was able to land a punch, and then it was just a light straight left to the face. It was all Wells in round one.

Wells was quick to come out for round two and shot out a straight left, but Smith was rushing forward and they fell into a clinch. Coming out of the clinch, Smith again rushed and threw a wild right. It missed, but he quickly threw another one, and inexplicably it landed flush on Wells' jaw, and down he went!

A greatly stunned Billy climbed to his feet at the count of nine. His countenance was clouded and he was weak. Worse, his speed seemed to have suddenly left him. He stood off and tried to box, but Gunboat tore in, discarding any pretense at defense for Wells' now impotent punches. He rained punches from all angles, battering down Wells' feeble attempts at defense.

A looping right hand smash landed just over Wells' left eye and down went Billy again! He made it to his feet again at nine, but it was obvious to all in the crowd, that all the fight had gone out of Billy Wells this night.

Wells was on his feet, yes, but he was now just a chari- cature of that brilliant boxer from round one. Smith threw another looping right that caught Billy on the point of the chin, and as Wells sank to the canvas it was apparent to all that he was out like the proverbial light even before he landed on the canvas.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion 3/ Soderman

This time it took-more than a few minutes to revive Wells and have him depart the ring for his dressing room. And yet, the great crowd stayed around and gave him another hearty cheer as well as lavish rounds of applause. Wells' popularity appeared undiminished, but it was agreed by all the fight experts around New York that this defeat marked the end of Bombardier Billy Wells' career, as far as New York or The United States was concerned.

It was agreed that Wells was possessed of a full knowledge of all the finer aspects of the boxing profession. He boxed like a Corbett, he punched as hard as any man in the ring, he had speed, he had ring generalship. But, he lacked two things; two essential things that every championship fighter must possess- stamina and brute instinct.

Against Al Palzer, Billy had been just one punch away from scoring a quick and decisive knockout; but he turned cautious and let the opportunity get away. Here it was not so much that caution took over. Rather, it was that lack of a brute instinct. Certainly Palzer nor Smith hesitated, when they had sensed that Wells was ready for the kill.

Wells would go on for the rest of his long career having his better nature take over at critical junctures, in fights that this better nature would prevent his winning and would allow opponents to turn the tide and result in Wells' defeat.

For all his devotion to intensive training, at least in his three American bouts, Wells never could seem to muster that reserve of stamina that would have pulled him through to victory. Billy was plagued with a variety of weaknesses that interfered with him becoming the outstanding world success he should have been, even though he was such a resounding popular success in his native Great Britain.

more 3Z Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

Perhaps it was after all, the fact that Bombardier Billy Wells was much too intelligent a man in the ring to be the success, and world heavyweight champion, he might have been. He worried too much in the ring, whereas American opponents Al Palzer and Gunboat Smith worr/ied not at all once they got inside the ring. Their only thought was landing that one crushing blow that would end it decisively. Wells was too much the stylist, too much the thinker, too much the worrier; to be what so many thought he should have been.

So, on March 18, 1913, just four days after the unexpected knockout defeat at the hands of Gunboat Smith; the Wells group set sail for home, aboard the German liner, the Kaiser Wilhelm II. Bombardier Billy Wells never returned to America, although he continued fighting in England and in Europe until the year 1925. He retained the British Heavyweight Championship he had won in 1912, until the year 1919.

A rather strange fate awaited the first of Billy Wells' American opponents, Al Palzer. After Al's knockout win over Wells he then went on to suffer knockout defeats himself; at the hands of Luther McCarty, and Dan Dailey, all in the year 1913. Palzer then was murdered on July 26, 1914, by his own father, at their home in Minnesota.

An equally sad fate befell Luther McCarty, the recognized "White Heavyweight Champion", who had been slated to meet Wells, but who had backed out of the fight, with Gunboat Smith taking his place. McCarty was knocked out in the first round, on May 24, 1913, at Calgary, Saskatchewan, in , by Arthur Pelky_. He was carried from the ring and died eight minutes later. A corloner's jury determined later that McCarty had died of a hemorrhage of the brain, but not from any blow in the ring delivered by Arthur Pelky.

more 3 3 Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

What of Tom Kennedy, and Gunboat Smith? Kennedy's career lasted into 1916, and he even fought in London in 1914. Later he embarked on a second career, moving to Hollywood, California and becoming a star of cinema comedies. Kennedy died in 1965, at age 80, in Woodland Hills, California.

Gunboat Smith fought into the year 1921, and even fought Jack Dempsey three times; twice in 1917 and once in 1918. Smith even fought one time in London, on July 16, 1914, engaging in one of the most controversial heavyweight fights ever fought in England. On that night he was disqualified in the sixth round of his bout against , for striking Carpentier when Georges was down. The jury is still out on that fight, almost seventy-four years later. Ringsiders present at that fight, who are still alive today, would be ready to continue their endless debate of whether the referee was justified in declaring Smith the loser, or whether he should instead have counted out the Frenchman. Gunboat Smith also lived to a ripe old age, passing away on August 6, 1974, in Leesburg, Florida, at the age of 87 years.

Bombardier Billy Wells also lived to a ripe old age, just missing by two months reaching the venerable figure of 80 years; passing away on June 12, 1967, in London. Billy was almost as popular in his later years as he had been during his prime. A few months before his, death he had been the guest at a dinner sponsored by the Bri'h Boxing Writers, in London. Wells had been reluctant to appear, fearing that no one would remember him. In this he was wrong; on being introduced he was given a roaring, standing ovation; a tribute that brought tears to his eyes. There has probably never been as respected, or revered heavyweight boxer in the long history of boxing in the British Isles.

more Bomb. Wells Invasion Soderman

That might have happened, possibly, if Bombardier Billy Wells had not lost to both Al Palzer and to Gunboat Smith in America, and he had won instead? Might he not have gone on to face, and to beat Jack Johnson, for the world heavyweight championship? With just a little bit of luck, and a much kinder stroke of fate, Bombardier Billy Wells might have been included in that roster of fabled heavyweight champions of the world.

RICARDO "PAJARITO” MORAN') The End Born Feb. 7, 1939 in Chalchihuites Sacatecaz, Mexico. Started boxing in 1964. Temporarily 1964 retired in 1961. Jan. 10—Panchito Ortiz, Yucatan------K0 2 1954 Mar. 11—Cruz Figueroa, Morelos----K0 2 June 16-0scar Diaz, Mexico City----K0 1 Apr. 17—Tiger Soliz. Chiapas ..K0 3 June 22.—Juaticito Lopez, Mexico City__KO 1 Apr. 21-115aurillio Kid, Chiapas -KO 2 July 24—Sergio Farias, Mexico City_-__KO 4 May 16—Lobito Cortez. Michoacan.. ___KO 2 Aug. 11—Antonio Cone, Mexico City__KO 4 May 27—Salve Ortiz. Tapachula KO 3 Sept. 4—Nacho Escalante. Mexico City--L 6 June 15—Ray Antunez, Timm _KO 2 Oct. 23.—Chato Monroy, Mexico City--K0 1 June 27—Jose Moreno, Durango -K0 6 —Fernando Garcia. Acapulco___ KO 1 July 18—Charneo Ortiz. —Jorge Herrara. Guadalajara—KO 7 Campeche Merida---____KO 3 Oct. 24—Ventarron Lara. Zitacaro----K0 1 1955 Nov. 22—Mexico Soliz. Uruapan- _KO 1 Jan. 19—Babe Gomez, Mexico City-----K0 3 Dec. 10—Babby Lopez. Guerrero KO 3 Feb. 19—Pepe Chavarria. Mexico City__KO 1 1965 Mar. 10—Cheto Fernandez, Mex. City__KO 2 Feb. 20—Benny Burton. San Jose 3(C) 5 Apr. 6—Jorge Gabino. Mexico City___ KO Mar. 2—Luis Echevesta. Oakland KO 1 May 4—Danny Betiolla. Mexico City__KO 1 Mar. 22—Manuel Ochoa, San Francisco_1K0 2 May 21—Fifl Torres. Mexico City -KO 2 Apr. 11—Trino Savala, San Jose KO 2 June 11—Mike Cruz. Mexico City _KO 6 July 2—Aurelio Rivera. Mexico City--K0 1 Apr. 26—Danny Kid, San rranciseo K0 4 July 27—Americo Rivera. Mexico City__KO 2 May 22—Beto Maldonado, San Jose KO Sept. 10—Pedro Garcia. Mexico City----K0 1 June 26—Fernando Soto, Oakland K0 3 Oct. 29—Baby Moe Mario. Mex. City__-_KO 4 Aug. 27—Tony Vasquez, Oakland -KO 2 Nov. 24—Jorge Cabin°, Puebla KO 2 Oct. 29—Mayico Robles, San Jose 7K0 4 1966 Mar. 18—Raul Rojas, Los Angeles—KO by 3 Jan. 22—Memo Diaz. Mexico CRY L 10 June 3—Raul Rojas. Los Angeles____KO by 2 Mar. 4—Kildo Martinez, Mexicali_ TD 2 Mar. 23—Alejo Mejia. Piedras Negras__KO 5 Dec. 21—Joey Aguilar, San Diego _KO 5 Apr. 26—Oscar Suarez. Mexico City____KO 2 1967 June 23—Frankie Campos. Mexico City—KO 4 Feb. 9—Alex Benitez, Los Angeles_KO by 3 Aug. 13—Pappy Gault. Tijuana KO 3 Aug. 13—Chamaco Ortiz, Macspana_KO by 4 Oct. 6—Billy Evans. Mexico City -KO 3 Dec. 16—Sherman Liggins. Neuvo Laredo _KO 2 1957 Jan. 29—Jesse Mongia, El Paso KO 2 Feb. 12—Tommy Bain. Hollywood -KO 3 Apr. 1—Gaetano Annaloro. San Fran__KO 5 May 28—Jose Cotero. Hollywood____KO by 7 Nov. 21—Ike Chestnut. Los Angeles 6606 195$ Apr. 1—Hogan (Kid) Hassey, Los Angeles KO by 3 (World Featherweight Championship Aug. 24—Rocky Fontnette. Sabinas____KO 1 Oct. 5—Franlde Salas. Mexicali KO 2 Dec. 11—Davey Moore. Los Angeles KO 1 1959 Mar. 22—Al Wilcher. Nogales KO 2 May 30—Pat McCoy. Monterrey KO 5 Sept. 27—Hector Garcia. Chihuahua KO 4 Oct. 25—Luis Sanchez. Juarez KO 3 1960 Feb. 27—Kid Anahuac, Mexico City_KO by 10 June 27—Kid Irapuato. Tijuana L 10 Nov. 5—Hector Garcia, Aguascalientes l<0 4 Dec. 4—Panchito Villa. Sabinas KO 3 1961 Jan. 6—Claudio Adarne. Torreon__KO by 7 Dec 3—Teddy Rand. Leon W. dis. 5 1962-1943 (inactive) 3 S_

STEVE HAMAS

From Campus Hero to Heavyweight Challenger

Steve Hamas was one of those rare participants in the 1930s fight game, a handsome, modest, bright college graduate who probably could have been successful in several other pursuits. Born of Slovak (not Austrian) parentage in Passaic, New Jersey, January 9, 1907, Steve, as well as his four brothers, was well known locally for his athletic ability. When the boys were of high school age, their father organ- ized the quintet into a basketball team and they toured the state. Steve at- tended Penn State University on an athletic scholarship and won more varsity letters there than any other student. He also kept his grades up while win- ning three letters in football, three in boxing, two in basketball, two in track, and one in lacrosse. In his senior year, 1928-29, he won letters in five sports. This did not include baseball, which he played well, but could not fit into his schedule. The Hamas in Penn State box scores was his brother Mike, who also was basketball captain in 1926-27. Steve's schedule was so cramped that once in the early spring of 1928 he boxed in a dual meet with Temple University in the afternoon (winning a third-round knockout) and played a full game of basketball that night. The campus hero then topped off the eve- ning by going to a school dance. Hamas was intercollegiate heavyweight boxing champion as a sophomore in 1927 and as a senior in 1929. He was outpointed in 1928. In football under coach Hugo Bezdek, Steve was an outstanding fullback but failed to Get All- American honors. Nevertheless, after graduating with a BA in 1929, he agreed to play pro ball with the Orange (N.J.) Tornadoes in their debut season in the that fall. The team finished in a tie for sixth place in a 12-team league. Hamas functioned as a fullback and blocking back. Steve wanted to go to medical school in 1930 but needed financial sup- port in that early Depression period. Although pro boxing was not his favor- ite sport, he had attracted some notice as intercollegiate champ. Slightly over six feet and weighing about 190 pounds, he showed a good blend of of- fensive and defensive skills. Jack Dempsey and were both retired and the heavyweight division needed some new blood. Steve decided to give it a try under veteran ring manager Charley Harvey. He won his first six bouts in Passaic or Newark. Than, in mid-1930, his older brother Mike became ill and needed rest in a dry, warm climate. Steve drove him across country to Southern California. There, financially strapped, he contacted various promoters known by his manager, who did not make the trip. Hamas scored nine consecutive knockouts in Los Angeles and Pasadena by April 1931, at which time his brother had essentially recovered and Steve returned to New Jersey. He then scored 11 more knockouts in the area, giving him 20 straight KOs before Hans Birkie went the route with him on November 27, 1931. Most of Hamas' opponents up to this point had been journeymen of limited distinction. Therefore, it was surprising that Harvey should arrange a Jan- uary 15, 1932, bout with , the sixth ranked heavyweight. Loughran, who had relinquished the world title in 1929, had victories in 1931 over such names as Johnny Risko, Paulino Uzcudun, and Max Baer. He had fought 135 times and was still regarded as the master boxer in his division. -2L

Manager Harvey, however, thought Loughran was . He coached Hamas on specific tactics to use against the crafty veteran. Steve followed orders and in the second round at Madison Square Garden he rushed Loughran against the ropes and dropped him with a tremendous left hook to the jaw. Loughran was up at the count of eight, but Hamas put him down again. This time there was no need to count as referee Ed (Gunboat) Smith waved Steve to a neutral corner. Surprised at the sudden ending, Eames went over to help the fallen star to his feet. The crowd was strangely quiet in seeing Loughran knocked out for only the second time in his long career. Hamas suddenly became a hot property. He was off to Los Angeles for another knockout victory and then was matched with Lee Ramage, a rapidly rising young heavyweight from San Diego. He was a quick, clever fighter who could not hit very hard but "could sting you to death with hooks and jabs." Steve thought he could handle him like he did Loughran but wound up swinging wildly against the defensive wizard and losing the ten-round decision. This was his first loss in 30 fights and he returned to New York somewhat chastened. On May 11, 1932, Hamas fought a return match with Loughran in Phila- delphia and won the 10-round decision. Ironically, Steve enjoyed this win more than the first fight because he felt he defeated Loughran at his own game -- by outboxing the classy performer. They fought again in Philadelphia six weeks later and this time Loughran won the decision. Then it was off to Los Angeles again where on July 25 Hamas defeated Lee Ramage decisively in a return bout. He knocked him down twice in the second and won going away. In all, Hamas had four fights with Loughran, winning two and losing two. He also had four with Ramage, winning two, losing one and drawing in the other. He enjoyed these encounters with great defensive boxers who sel- dom made mistakes. They were like chess matches with eight ounce gloves. Steve could hit harder but he wasn't quite as fast as Ramage and didn't have the lightning left hand of Loughran. At the end of 1933 Ring Magazine ranked Loughran second, thanks to his victory over former champion . Hamas was ranked ninth and Ramage tenth. Just as the knockout of Loughran in early 1932 gave Hamas his first boost to stardom, the February 13, 1934 fight against former champion in Philadelphia boosted him high on the list of heavyweight chal- lengers. For this fight, according to writer Paul Gallico, Steve was inst- ructed by his manager to avoid a slugging match with Schmeling and to lean right with his shoulder shielding his chin from the German's powerful right hand. Hamas boxed expertly for 12 rounds and won a clear-cut decision over the "Black Uhlan" before 15,000 fans. According to Gallico, "the licking that Max took from the youngster finishes him as a top flight heavyweight in this country." In June 1934, Max Baer knocked out the champion Primo Camera in 11 rounds. Hamas was signed to fight big Art Lasky of with the win- ner to meet Baer for the title in June 1935. A 6-5 underdog, Steve won the 10-round decision over Lasky at Madison Square Garden on October 5 and was looking forward to the championship go. At the end of 1934 he was ranked as the Number 1 challenger. 37

Unfortunately, Charley Harvey got into a spat with James Johnston, boss of Madison Square Garden, who suggested that Hamas fight Lasky in a return bout to fill the time void. Harvey peevishly withdrew Hamas and accepted a 825,000 offer to meet Schmeling in a return match in Hamburg, Germany. Interviewed many years later (1951), Hamas summed up the episode this way: "When I beat Schmeling in Philadelphia and Art Lasky in New York, both in 1934, I was No. 1. All Charley had to do was sit back. We were sure to get Max Baer the next summer. . . You had to know my manager. He was old and proud and stubborn. Years earlier, when he had been on top, Jimmy Johnston had been his office boy. Now John- ston, the man who could give us Baer, was running Madi- son Square Garden. Jimmy always had the needle out and one day he said to Charley, 'What are you doing with that bum of yours?' (meaning Hamas). Charley suddenly snapped, 'He's going to Germany to fight Schmeling, that's what.'" Harvey took Hamas to Germany in early 1935 in what Ring Magazine later reported "turned out to be one of the most ruinous moves ever made by a fight manager." Steve injured his left elbow in training, but to protect the 325,000 guarantee, the March 10 bout in Hamburg went forward. ' correspondent reported that a large crowd of Nazi sports enthu- siasts were brought in by train to swell the crowd to 25,000. Schmeling had an edge in the first five rounds but really exploded in the sixth when he knocked Hamas down three times. From then on, the American just hung on, taking tremendous punishment. The fight ended in the ninth when Hamas col- lapsed on the ropes. There was criticism of Belgian referee Valoni for not stopping the fight and of Harvey for not throwing in the towel much earlier. However, according to Steve Jr., in a 1982 interview, his father insisted on continuing and Harvey should not be blamed for that lapse. There was a minor political undertone at the end of the fight when the Nazi contingent stood with right arms raised in Party salute. Schmeling, however, did not lend himself to the demonstration. He left the ring and made his way to Hamas' dressing room where he commisserated with the badly beaten American. Battered in head and body and bleeding from his kidneys, Hamas was taken to Berlin for a thorough medical examination. He was found to have numbness in his left leg, double vision in his left eye, and a possible spinal injury. He apparently received a hard smash to the back of his head which impaired brain/body coordination. Hamas was placed in a hospital sanitarium for about ten days. Released on March 21 he showed in outward appearance only a slight hitch in his walk. Asked about his left arm in- jured in training, he said he "didn't want to hand out any alibis" for his defeat. He spoke well of Schmeling and the German people. Even the German press lauded him for his courageous stand. 3 $)

He continued his recuperation after returning to the U.S. In that period he made the decision not to return to the ring. His share of the earnings from his 41 professional bouts from 1930 to 1935 came to about 350,000. There were really no big paydays such as would have come from the planned fight with champion Max Baer. As it happened, Jimmy Braddock, considered little more than a heavyweight, defeated Baer for the title in June 1935. Hamas displayed none of the bitterness which might have been expected under the circumstances. He was married with two children and it was time to get out of the fight game and into other work. Jobs were not easy to find in that Depression era, but Hamas became a tester for Anaconda Wire and Cable Company. After the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, he joined the Army and received an Air Corps commission. One of his assignments was to provide physical training for fighter pilots at Glendale Air Force Base in California. Later he was Chief of Special Services for the 8th Air Force in England. As a major in 1945, he was re- tired on disability with ulcers. After World War II he was a salesman for several different companies. He also was employed by the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles. In 1956 he was elected to a term as mayor of Wallington, N.J., a city of 9,000 persons. He was a good speaker and an efficient administrator but had a low key personality. He preferred the quiet home life with his wife Kathryn, a former concert singer, a son and a daughter. Later his health began to de- teriorate. He was largely forgotten by the boxing community when he died in the Veterans Hospital in Northport, Long Island, N.Y., on October 11, 1974. He was 67. The obituaries brought back some recollections of a brief but remarkable sports career -- winning all those letters at Penn State, playing football in the NFL against such players as Red Grange and Ernie Nevers, and becoming a ranking heavyweight boxer. The nagging question persisted: How could a nice guy like Steve Hamas get involved in the somewhat sleazy atmosphere of in the 1930s? The question was put to his son, Steve, Jr., in an October 1982 in- terview. He admitted that his father didn't care for the shady side of boxing, but his manager, in spite of minor character flaws, was an honorable man and usually shielded Steve from the low life. Hamas enjoyed the competitive aspect of boxing as a sport, much like when he was engaged in intercollegiate bouts. He didn't fight dirty and didn't expect his opponent to do so. He fought no grudge matches. In fact, he lacked a natural "killer instinct," and that was a drawback for him in the ring. He was a gentleman in and out of the ring and conducted himself with credit throughout his career. His son noted in con- clusion that there were only three professionals who defeated Hamas, and he defeated each of them. Steve Hamas, Jr. died of a heart attack a year after the 1582 interview. However, the name lives on through his son, Steve Hamas III, who resides in Florida. --- L. Robert Davids 39 11-E LEGEN) CF JAWS 'WON' ClOWY

by Richard Pogano referee in sight. South Jersey League. previous attempts to The referee for this He even acquired the first capture the world Notel- This is the 17th in a particular fight was hand- of his two nicknames, While still managing series of articles dedicated picked by Doc Kerns. Kerns Jimmy the Wrestler, while Eddie, Jimmy was elected to Delaware County Sports had mode it very clear in playing 'baseball. He I _ as the supervisor and tax Personalities of the Past. the contract who he seemed to have inherited collector' of Ridley wonted as the third man in the name cseer a brawl he Township. Four years later, Fist of three parts the ring. was involved in during one the township adopted the Thri definitive boxing However, he referee had of the garnet Commission form of writer and publisher, Nat been guaranteed $5,000, While playing baseball, government and Jimmy Fleisher, wrote that the first but had been paid Jimmy became quite was off to Harrisburg, - sting" in boxing occured - nothing, and so refused to interested in a appointed by the state as in 1923 enter the ring until he featherweight boxer from an electrician. In April of that year, Doc received his money. Leiperville by the name of On March 5, 1906, Ridley Kerns, Jock Dempsey's Finally, the referee that Eddie Lenny. He soon was incorporated as a first- manager, was notified that — Items insisted work the fight became Eddie's manager, class township. Five a group of wealthy or there would be no fight, but kept his job as a clerk commissioners were bankers, oilmen, and entered the ring, and the and continued to play , appointed, and Jimmy cattlemen from Montana bout began. taseixdl. Dougherty was one of wished to stage a The third mon in the ring During a game in 1898, a them. hecNyweight that hot summer day in pitched boll broke Jirrirmes Later, he would become° championship fight Shelley, Montana was cheekbone, and county commissioner. It eventually he lost his between Dempsey and James Dougherty, the was said that he controlled in Shelley. Baron of Leiperville confidence at the plate. dl of the Irish vole in the this incident he look Little Shelley was literally James Dougherty was After area He also developed a unknown to the boxing born at 20th & Chestnut his management of Eddie strong friendship with John world, and had a Streets in Chester on Dec. more seriously. McClure, the political ruler population of only about 22, 1869. Just six weeks Eddie Lamy eventually of Delaware County for became a contender for 600. This group of civic before his birth, Princeton almost 50 years. minded men thought that the featherweight title. played Rutgers in the very After a period of time, they Through the efforts of his a heavyweight • first intercollegiate football hod a falling out that championship bout would game. manager, he was granted caused Jimmy to switch certainly capture the a shot at the title on Nov. 21, Also, boxers were still parties. He was then attention of the rest of fighting wittiOut gloves 1899. reinstated and become America. '. (they called it the bare- Eddie was scheduled to county commissioner on Doc Kems responded fight the featherweight lcnuckle era). the President the Democratic ticket enthusiastically to the idea, champion of the world, of the United Slates was That some year, Jimmy and a contract was drawn Ulysses S. Grant and there George (Little Chocolate) purchased a pioperty in up. Kerns demanded that was no Statue of Liberty in Dixon. Dixon hod been which was the' Dempsey receive a total of New York Harbor. bantamweight champion site of an old colonial $300,000, but he required Jimmy attended public from 1890-92. He also won house. He then began to that it be paid in three school at 18th & Chestnut the featherweight build a bar and hotel on installments. Sts., and also at the Oak championship in 1890 and The first installment of Grove School. Al the age of held that title until 1900. that fount:lotion, laid in $100,000 was paid when 12 he quit school, and for Many boxing. authorities early Colonial days. the contract - was= signed the next nine years worked still feel- that, pound for That property and early The second installment of in the Chester Mills during pound, was -colonial building were $100,000 was to be paid on the winter months, and in a the best fighter ever. He still originally constructed in June 15. and the final brickyard during the holds the record for the 1846 by Judge Leiper. it $100,000 had to be summer. most title defenses with 34, was later owned by Mike handed over to Kerni on In 1890, at the age of 21, Joe Louis is second on that Bogley. Daniel Lee and July 2. 48 hours before the he became a clerk in the list with 27. Smith Longbotham. bout was scheduled town of Leiperville. Eddie fought well, but after Finally, the Chester If at any time the Shelley Leiperville was established the 25th round the decision National Bank came into group failed to make a in 1810 and was named for was given to the . . possession of the properly. payment, the bout was to Thomas Leiper, a Scottish champion, Dixon. and they sold it to Jimmy. be cancelled and no immigrant who was Eddie fought Dixon again The property was the some money would be returned. involved in the quarry in 1902, and again, he lost. tract that the Continental The Shelley promoters business. However, during that fight Army encamped when agreed, and the fight was Three years later, at the Dixon was no longer the retreating from Chadds set for July 4th.A 40,000 seat age of 24, Jimmy got champion, having lost his Fora. arena was built, but only married at the St. Rose de title to Terry McGovern. While his bar and hotel 20,000 spectators showed Limo Church in Eddystone. He fought the new were being constiuctea,. up at fight time. For the During these years, he was champ, Terry McGovern. in Jimmy also found time to promoter, the empty seats also very active playing Philadelphia, and again, establish Lelperville s first marked the difference baseball. Jimmy was a lost the decision. fire company. 11 was between a financial promising first baseman His last chance for a world originally called the _lames success and a bust. and played tor quite o few title come in 1902 when he F. Dougherty Hre On July 4, at about 4 p.m., teams, including fought McGovern's Company. and was the two fighters were inside Allentown in the successor, Young Corbett. chartered on JOn 2C. 1 908 the ring and ready to Stole League, Unfortunately, the outcome with 11 members begin, but there was no and also for teams in the was the some as his In 1919. it was li-mantra k,r11 •.^ 'non Luc.