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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
September came and along with it a wind of excitement in the boxing world. As the Federal Tour made its way to New Jersey, papers across the Northeast excitedly reported the claim that President Lincoln himself would attend the event he spurred the creation of. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth at large still buzzed at the possibility of a return to the state, and excitement was building for the return of competitors like Bob McDowell and Jeremy Wethington, the two finalists of both previous tournaments. With the President's endorsement and furthered press engagement, the two were emerging as some of the country's first sporting stars -- especially in Pennsylvania itself.
Something of a damper was put on the Federal Tour with Wethington's announcement that he would return home to Pittsburgh in light of the continued schedule and what he deemed as insufficient compensation. Yet even without its champion, the Tour steamed ahead with more than enough momentum to draw crowds.
En lieu of the champ it would be McDowell who was the main draw to the Atlantic City tournament, which would ultimately turn out a smaller attendance compared to the two preceding events.
McDowell would kick things off the right way as a heavy tournament favorite against a debuting local brawler Michael Scott with a first-round knockout that truthfully was never in doubt.
Jacob Phillips made his return after missing out on the Philadelphia date, knocking out the teenage Lou Mulholland, who again showed he may not be prepared for the brutality of the bare knuckle boxing world in it's professional stage.
Ronnie McIntosh of Maryland made his debut in New Jersey but came up short against David Moser, a man who is a quiet favorite given he had once driven Wethington to a majority decision, the closest call of Wethington's career to this point.
Randy Lewis, the former semifinalist and loser to McDowell renowed for his quick feet would win a dominant decision over Doug Luckett, who fell to an 0-2 career record.
The second day's first match had McDowell meet Phillips in the ring. The former semifinalist in Phillips showed that these semifinals may be his peak performance as he was simply outcontrolled and outclassed by McDowell, who would score a 3rd round knockout over the New Yorker. After the bout, Phillips promised he'd remain on tour, especially given the upcoming stops in New York and New York State.
David Moser and Randy Lewis was a much closer fight, as was the expectation. Lewis and Moser shared a chess match of sorts, each prying at the chance for an opening, but the door remained shut for most of the fight. In the end, it was Lewis who would score a unanimous decision victory, booking his ticket as the first finalist on the Federal Tour other than McDowell or Wethington. The Pennsylvania Inquirer reacted in jubilation to this news, proudly naming McDowell a heavy favorite in the finals bout. After all, it was Lewis who McDowell had handily beaten just two months prior to book his ticket to the finals in Philadelphia.
But the fan favorite in McDowell found himself the bridesmaid once again in what was an utterly shocking beating placed upon him by Lewis. Certainly, McDowell is no shorter of grit than Lewis is his cash prize -- he would be felled a shocking five times in eight rounds before narrowly missing the ten count. For perhaps the first time, the Federal Tour saw a flurry of traveling spectators for the final, as attendance increased considerably with proud Philadelphians making the trip, only to see their local hero battered by the veteran from Ithaca, NY.
As the Tour continues into New York State, expectations are high for Lewis in particular as he returns nearer to home. Even still, with this win he has established himself as one of the chief competitors in this still growing world.
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