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[kenyan_cheena]

Woo hoo! 1,000 posts! Well done, JC! Congratulations.

[JCWeb]

Thanks, KC and thanks to Lee who actually was Post #1000.

On to the next report, summarizing the ring action from the second half of May 1934, covering a total of 62 bouts. Three WBA title bouts are on the agenda.

May 18, 1934: The next Friday night card is held in the Far East at Manila’s Rizal Arena. The double feature main event pairs top 10 ranked fighters in the BW and WW divisions, with Filipino fighters prominent in both of these non-title contests. In the first co-feature, ex-WBA BW Champion Pablo Dano faces another top five BW, American Pete Sanstol. Dano is making his first 1934 appearance since losing the title in December 1933 to Kid Francis. Action heats up in round three, when Dano sustains a cut over his left eye. The cut is quickly patched up and, a round later, Dano puts Sanstol on the deck for an eight-count when he lands a big cross. Sanstol, trailing, becomes more aggressive in the later rounds, targeting the cut with little success in breaking through Dano’s defenses. The cut is reopened in the ninth round, but never is it a threat to end the contest. Dano goes on to take a narrow UD 10 (95-94, 96-94, 95-94), with the one knockdown proving to be the difference. Post-fight career marks: Dano, 27-3-3 (14); Sanstol, 27-6-2 (8). The second co-feature pairs #3 ranked WW, Irineo Flores, with #9 Baby Joe Gans. The two are renewing acquaintances some nine years after their initial encounter, back in 1925 when both were at Pre-Prime, that ended in a UD win for Gans. This time, Flores suffers a cut nose early on, clearly the result of an accidental butt. Gans takes advantage to deliver some telling blows, registering KDs in both rounds two and three. The gallant Filipino battles back from adversity to keep the bout close, although he is unable to mount an effective rally due to the cut which continues to ooze blood, even into the later rounds. Gans repeats his earlier win, this time via a MD 10 (95-93, 94-94, 96-92) that moves Gans to 34-15-1 (14), compared to 41-14-2 (20) post-fight for Flores.

May 19, 1934: Next up is a packed card at the Palazzo del Sport in Rome, headlined by a WBA title bout. First up, preceding the title action, is a 10-round non-title BW clash between ex-WBA Champ Kid Francis (now ranked #6) and recently-crowned GBU BW titleholder, #14 Dick Corbett. Not much in the way of action through the early rounds, as the hometown favorite, Francis, looks a bit slow and lethargic. Then, in the middle and later rounds, Francis moves inside and begins to land with greater effectiveness. Despite a late cut over his left eye, Francis goes on to record a very comfortable UD 10 win (98-93 on all cards), perhaps assisted by some hometown judging. As a result, Francis’ career stats move to 30-13-3 (17) overall; Corbett is now 27-8 (10). Then, it’s time for the main event, with WBA Flyweight Champ Midget Wolgast traveling all the way from the USA to make his 11^th title defense against another crowd favorite, Italy’s Johnny “Midget Organ Grinder” Vacca. It is Wolgast’s 11^th defense, and his first meeting with Vacca, who is unfortunately at Post-Prime for this title effort. Wolgast gets off to a strong start, then he shifts to a holding pattern. The only real action in the middle rounds involves cuts: Wolgast suffers a split lip, while a gash appears over Vacca’s right eye. In round 10, a second cut is opened under Vacca’s left eye. The eye starts to swell a round later, and then the cut is reopened, necessitating a stoppage. Wolgast was well ahead on points anyway, and it goes into the books as a TKO 11 for Wolgast on the cuts stoppage. Post fight career marks: Wolgast, 35-4-1 (17); Vacca, 29-9-3 (12).

May 19, 1934: Next card is at a familiar venue, the Cow Palace in San Francisco. As at Rome, the feature matchup is a WBA title contest, with an interesting non-title bout on the card. The co-main event matches top 20 HW Paul Cavalier with hard-hitting Max Baer, who is still seeking a big win to move up the HW ranks. Baer comes out swinging wildy in the opening round, but the more targeted approach by Cavalier proves more effective, so Max is sporting some redness under his right eye as he returns to the corner. Baer finally gets on track with a big round three, but Cavalier bounces back, winning some tough inside exchanges in round five. Baer goes on the attack, landing a big cross in the sixth, but cannot follow up. Late in the round, Baer suffers a cut over his right. That, plus some noticeable tiredness in the later rounds, spells his doom as Cavalier goes on to take the rather lopsided UD 10 (98-92, 98-92, 99-91). Cavalier moves to 32-11-2 (15) with the win, and Baer’s second straight loss leaves him at 19-4 (18), and Max is still unable to crack the top 20 in the HW rankings. The main event tonight features the longest-reigning WBA Champion, MW Mickey Walker, making his 26^th defense against #1 ranked MW contender, Freddie Steele. Steele has reigned as NABF MW Champ since early 1932 but has been forced to play second fiddle to Walker, suffering two prior title bout losses. Will the third time be the charm? Walker, the “Toy Bulldog,” presses home the attack in the early rounds, but Steele manages to keep the bout reasonably close. According to the unofficial scorecard, Walker’s edge is two (49-47) after the first five rounds. Walker then connects with a series of uppercuts and hooks to register a big round six. The end comes a round later, when a wicked cross from Walker puts Steele down and out. KO 7 for Walker. It’s Walker’s 40^th win inside the distance, moving him to 53-4 (40). Steele, despite the loss, has an excellent career mark at 31-4 (25). At this point, as Walker has turned back all challengers in the MW division for nearly a decade, once again rumors are abounding about a possible move to LH or even HW.

May 25, 1934: Next up is a Friday night card “Down Under” in Melbourne. Light card, topped by a Commonwealth FW title clash. Two Brits, Al Foreman and Dom Volante, have traveled to stage this title clash in Aussie-land given the two UK cards were already filled. This is a rubber match, as the two have traded wins in two prior encounters. Foreman is now at Post-Prime and battling the effects of aging; however, he will retain his GBU FW belt and Volante, his EBU belt, as those two titles are not at stake. To the surprise of many, the bout does not last long, as Foreman is cut over his left eye, and Volante wastes no time in taking advantage, swarming all over his hapless opponent, who is pinned against the ropes. A hard hook from Volante staggers Foreman, whose knees buckle. The ref steps in, with Foreman still standing, to call an immediate halt. TKO 1 for Volante, and the CBU title changes hands. Post-fight career marks: Volante, 30-12-2 (19); Foreman, 32-21-1 (22).

May 26, 1934: Next card is at London’s Earls Court. Headliner is a Commowealth HW title clash, and the co-main event features some Flyweight action with Hungary’s Istvan Enekes facing the reigning but aging NABF Champion, Newsboy Brown. The youthful Enekes gradually pulls out a points edge over the aging vet; after five, there is noticeable swelling under the left eye of Brown. Enekes pounds out a UD 10 win by a comfortable margin (98-93, 99-92, 99-92) on all three cards to improve to 19-2-1 (9) overall. The Hungarian has record three straight wins after a failed bid for the EBU Flyweight crown. Brown, now at Post-Prime, is 37-14-2 (11) and definitely on the downside of a long career. In the main event, Canada’s Larry Gains defends his Commonwealth belt against South African Don McCorkindale. To the surprise of many, Gains comes out a bit flat, and McCorkindale takes advantage when he nails Gains with a solid hook in round four, forcing Gains to cover up. A round later, Gains is on the deck after a solid combination from the challenger. By round six, Gains’ right eye is beginning to puff up as a result of the accumulated blows landed by the challenger. A solid cross from McCorkindale drops Gains on the deck for a second time in the seventh, and two more KDs follow later in the round before the ref calls a halt. TKO 7 for McCorkindale, who suddenly has inserted himself in the HW picture. Post-fight career marks: McCorkindale, 25-5-1 (15); Gains, 35-10 (21).

May 26, 1934: Final card of the month is a good one, headlined by a WBA title bout at Yankee Stadium in New York City. First, though, there’s a shocking upset on the undercard as Al Hostak suffers a KO 2 loss to a TC after having recorded 10 wins inside the distance in his first 10 bouts; Hostak is now 10-1 (10). On the undercard is a matchup that tracks a real-life encounter has Jimmy Braddock facing Art Lasky, a dangerous opponent for Braddock, who has been struggling for several years now – perhaps this is his big chance. For Lasky, it is his final outing at Pre-Prime career stage. Out of the gate, bad luck for Braddock who sustains a cut over his left eye in the opening round. Good cornerwork helps keep the cut under control. Then, in the third round, Braddock begins landing consistently, and it is Lasky’s left eye that begins to swell, showing the signs of the accumulated blows and punches landed advantage for Braddock. The “Cinderella Man” keeps it up through the middle rounds, building a points advantage. In round six, the cut over Braddock’s eye is reopened, and Lasky moves in to try to take advantage. Good defense by Braddock and more good cornerwork mean the cut is not a factor. Braddock weathers an all-out assault from Lasky in the later rounds and emerges the victor via a solid UD 10 (98-92, 99-91, 98-94). The win improves Braddock’s career stats to 25-10-2 (6) and perhaps opens some doors to moving higher in the HW ranks. Lasky wraps up his Pre-Prime stage with a solid 17-2-1 (17) mark and remains a feared opponent and potential HW contender. Then, in the main event, it is the fourth meeting of Tony Canzoneri, reigning LW Champion, and WBA JWW kingpin Jack Kid Berg. Berg holds a 2-1 edge in prior meetings, but Canzoneri won a SD 15 for the title in the most recent encounter with Berg for the title in January. Now, it’s a rematch, and Canzoneri’s WBA LW title is once again on the line. Canzoneri, making his seventh defense of his WBA title, has the better of it in the early going. In round five, Berg is issued a warning by the referee for leaning against the neck of Canzoneri. By round six, there is noticeable swelling around Berg’s left eye. Berg steps up the pace in the middle rounds, while Canzoneri is content to stay outside. Berg is unable to make much of an impression on the “Roman Warrior,” and he begins to tire badly as the bout heads into the later rounds. Canzoneri goes on to take a UD 15 (146-140, 147-139, 146-140) as Berg is gradually worn down in the final few rounds. The win lifts Canzoneri to 32-4-2 (15) while Berg – now 30-9-3 (13) – faces an uncertain future, with a lack of credible challengers at JWW while being unable to break through at LW.

[JCWeb]

Friday, June 1, 1934: Chicago's Soldier Field is the scene of a big fight card, but the attention is focused on a six-round preliminary bout. Young HW prospect Joe Louis, a multiple Golden Gloves Champion in the amateur ranks, makes his pro debut against TC Jack Kracken. Much anticipation for this bout, as Louis has all the tools to be a HW Champion.

Round one, bell sounds, and Louis immediately puts his opponent on the defensive. He traps Kracken in the corner and is able to land a big hook to the head. Kracken moves away from Louis, who pursues him back to ring center. Louis unloads with another hook and Kracken goes down, arising at the count of three. Louis bears in, digging a left hook to the body that causes Kracken to retreat into the corner. With the crowd roaring with every blow and feint by "the Brown Bomber," the bell sounds, saving his hapless opponent from further punishment this round.

Round two, Louis moves inside and comes out swinging. A leaping shot falls just short as Kracken sidesteps to avoid the blow. Louis lands a hard jab. Kracken retreats. Louis tags Kracken with an uppercut. Kracken is able to land a shot of his own, a short hook that does little to slow down Louis. Louis scores with a glancing cross. Kracken backs up. A hard cross is landed by Louis, to much applause from the fight fans gathered tonight. The bell sounds, again drowned out by the roar of the crowd. Kracken has taken a beating thus far, and most observers don't see the bout lasting much longer.

Round three, and this time Louis is looking to finish his man. Kracken gets in a hook to the head before Louis regains control, working his jab to keep Kracken at bay. Joe scores with a straight right, then doubles up on the jab. He lands a cross, and it is clear that Kracken is now in real trouble. Another big shot from Louis, and Kracken topples to the canvas. The count reaches seven before Kracken regains his footing. The ref takes a good look, then waives the bout off.

Joe Louis wins in his pro debut, via a TKO at 2:50 of the third round.

Due to scheduling conflicts, his next bout will not take place until August, 1934.

[CONN CHRIS]

It's always fun when a big name comes on the scene.

[JCWeb]

Back to the regular bi-montly reports after a bit of a break, having rushed through some bouts to get to the Joe Louis debut.
This is a summary of ring action from the first half of June 1934, covering a total of 62 bouts, including the Joe Louis debut, as reported in the immediately prior post.

June 1, 1934: The Joe Louis debut kicked off the month with a really strong fight card in Chicago. Following Joe into the ring is another hot young prospect, MW Tony Zale, “the man of Steel." He finishes off his TC opponent in less than one round. The KO 1 result runs Zale’s record to 3-0 (2). In the co-main event, #2 ranked LW, ex-WBA Champ Billy “the Fargo Express” Petrolle, faces #6 Jack Portney, a former USBA LW titleholder. Petrolle is the aggressor in the early going, piling up points and also causing some swelling under the left eye of his opponent. However, Portney battles back and things go wrong for Petrolle in round seven, when he suffers a cut over his left eye. Then, suddenly, Portney connects with a big shot that puts Petrolle down and out. KO 7 to Portney. Post-fight career marks: Portney, 27-6-2 (15); Petrolle, 42-7-3 (21), and Petrolle – now at Post-Prime – is clearly on the donwside of his career. The main event is a rematch for the USBA Flyweight title belt, with Fidel LaBarba – winner of his last six – facing Emil Paluso, whom he has defeated twice, most recently in December 1933. Both men are at Post-Prime career stage. Paluso does well to keep the bout close through the opening few rounds, but then LaBarba takes charge, building up a huge punches landed advantage and, presumably, a solid points lead as well. The bout goes the distance without incident and LaBarba does emerge victorious, but – to the surprise of many – it is a SD 12 (114-115, 117-112, 118-111) for LaBarba, the surprise being that one judge actually saw it in favor of Paluso. LaBarba improves to 35-6-1 (9), compared to 33-18-2 (8) post-fight for Paluso.

June 2, 1934: It’s a very abbreviated card at the Amor Bahn in Munich, just a main event and a couple of support bouts. In the feature, EBU MW Champ Hein “Spider” Domgorgen, #2 in the MW rankings, faces Johnny “Bandit” Romero, #3 MW. Romero proves to be a stubborn foe, to the dismay of the German crowd which is totally behind Domgorgen. By round five, there is some redness under Domgorgen’s right eye, and late in the round he goes down as a delayed reaction to a big hook landed by Romero. Domgorgen cannot beat the count, so it is a KO 5 for Romero. Post fight career marks: Romero, 27-6 (18); Domgorgen, 36-13-1 (19).

June 2, 1934: Nice card at Philadelphia. On the undercard is unbeaten MW prospect Holman Williams, who takes on veteran Billy Angelo, but Angelo is on the downside of his career and no match for the quicker, hard-hitting Williams, who takes charge early in the bout, landing repeatedly to the left eye of Angelo which begins to swell up right away until it becomes almost closed, enough to force an earlier stoppage. With the TKO 5 win, Williams runs his totals to 16-0 (15). Then, in the main event, it’s veteran WW Jackie Fields, still highly ranked despite hitting Post-Prime career stage, facing veteran Filipino WW Lope Tenorio, who holds the OPBF title belt and is looking to move up the ranks with a win over Fields, still the NABF Champion. Fields is the aggressor in the early going, while Tenorio seems content to stay on the outside. A big moment occurs midway through round five when Fields is cut under his left eye. The bout remains a close one, going the ten-round distance. The end result – a draw (96-96, 97-95 Tenorio, 97-95 Fields) leaves no one satisfied, as Fields retains his top 10 WW status but Tenorio does not rise in the rankings despite a credible effort. Post-fight records: 30-3-3 (15) for Fields; 27-13 (8) for Tenorio.

June 8, 1934: Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada is the venue for the next Friday night action. Several home-grown Canadian fighters are on the agenda, including LH Charley Belanger, who faces recently dethroned EBU Champ Gustave Roth in the co-main event. The bout starts as a defensive struggle between two boxers and remains close for the first three rounds. Then, in round four, Belanger opens up, scoring well and causing Roth to suffer some swelling under his left eye. Roth battles back and holds the edge through the middle rounds. Belanger tries to pick up the pace and become more aggressive in the later rounds, but Roth holds on to take a UD 10 (97-93, 98-92, 98-93) to run his career totals to 29-6-2 (12); Belanger slips to 29-14 (13) with the setback. The main event is for the Commonwealth LW title, one of three belts currently held by Britain’s Harry “Leeds” Mason. Canadian Billy “Blonde Tiger” Townsend is the challenger. Mason gets off to a good start, piling up an early points lead. Townsend, frustrated through much of the first half of the fight, finally breaks down Mason’s defenses in round seven, nailing the Champ with a big cross. Mason barely beats the count, arising at the count of nine, and is saved from further damage by the bell which ends the round. Mason continues at his slow, steady pace, and the rest of the bout proceeds without further incident. However, Mason’s approach proved too passive for the judges, and the one KD was enough to earn Townsend the title belt via a very close UD 10 (114-113, 114-113, 115-113). The strongly pro-Townsend crowd goes home happy, while Mason still has two title bouts (EBU and GBU). Post-fight career marks: Townsend, 23-8-1 (15); Mason, 34-21-4 (5).

June 9, 1934: Next action is back at Liverpool in the UK. Len Harvey puts his EBU LH title on the line against long-time GBU Champ Gypsy Daniels but, with such a large difference in rankings, Harvey’s connections require Daniels to put his GBU title up for grabs also, so it’s a multiple belt title event to headline the card. Harvey boasts three prior wins, but the two have not met since 1928 as their career arcs have taken different paths, with Daniels unable to beat any major contenders outside of Britain. Harvey stuns Daniels with a big hook in round three, forcing Daniels to cover up. Gypsy returns the favor in round four, delivering a solid right hook to the jaw of Harvey that stuns the EBU Champ. However, from the midway point on, Daniels is battling a rapidly swelling left eye, the result of the effects of accumulated blows landed by Harvey. It’s a solid effort by Harvey, and he builts an unassailable points lead that is too great for Daniels (now at Post-Prime) to overcome. Harvey puts Daniels on the deck for an eight-count in round 10, and the result – a UD 12 (117-110, 119-109, 117-110) for Harvey is a foregone conclusion. Post-fight career marks: Harvey, who has won every belt except for the WBA title which has thus far eluded him, is 43-11-2 (17); Daniels, who is dethroned as GBU LH Champ after holding the belt for six and half years, slips even further, to 31-23-2 (18).

June 15, 1934: A solid Friday night “Down Under” card at Melbourne is headlined by a pair of OPBF title tilts. In the first of these, long-time OPBF HW Champ Tom Heeney takes on Aussie Jack O’Malley, who carries a gaudy 22-1 record into the bout. Unfortunately, both are at Post-Prime, having hit their real-life retirement year. It’s a bruising bout with lots of hard-hitting action, and Heeney picks up a mouse under his left eye after some sharp exchanges in round three. Both of these sluggers are not afraid to mix it up on the inside, but neither can deliver a telling blow and the bout goes the distance. Heeney’s experience is enough to give him the UD 12 nod (115-114, 117-112, 117-112) to retain the belt. The win improves “the Hard Rock Down Under” ’s career totals to 36-19-1 (12); for O’Malley, his second career loss leaves him at 22-2 (11). The second of the dual main events is for the OPBF MW belt currently held by Ron Richards, whose other belt (the Commonwealth one) is not up for grabs. His challenger is another Aussie, ambrose Palmer. This one turns out to be a very competitive and entertaining bout. Both men are feeling each other out in the early going, when Palmer unleashes a jab near the end of round two that snaps Richards’ head back, forcing the Champ to cover up. Palmer continues to make an impression on the Champ, but in round five it is Richards who scores the bout’s first knockdown, connecting with a hook to the head. Shaken, Palmer arises at the count of eight and continues to battle. Midway through the bout, Richards’ left eye begins to puff up as Palmer continues to find the target. Then, in round nine, Palmer uses his uppercut to set up a huge shot that sends Richards toppling to the canvas. Richards cannot beat the count, and the title changes hands via the KO 9 for Palmer. Post-fight career marks are 21-6 (13) for Palmer; 25-3-2 (19) for Richards. Good action bout, marking it down as a possible “Fight of the Year” candidate.

[JCWeb]

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of June 1934, covering a total of 60 bouts.

June 16, 1934: Back to Europe for a nice-looking card at Cannes. The headliner is an EBU title affair, and there are two unbeaten Italian fighters in separate bouts on the undercard. In the first of these, WW Michele Palermo takes on Bermondsey Billy Wells, with the Brit nearing the end of his long career. The two battle to the end in a bout with no cuts, swelling or knockdowns. Palermo turns aside the veteran to take a UD 10 (98-92, 98-93, 97-94) and run his record to 17-0-1 (9). Bermondsey Billy’s career stats are now 52-24-4 (18). Then, LW Aldo Spoldi takes on Al Gordon, a USBA LW Champ as recently as 1931-32 who has reached End career stage. A hook from Spoldi puts Gordon down in the third, and then in the seventh the Italian uncorks a big cross that forces Gordon to cover up. Not much in the way of a rally from Gordon, so Spoldi takes a one-sided UD 10 (100-89, 100-89, 98-91). Post-fight marks: Spoldi, 22-0-2 (11); Gordon, 29-16-7 (9). In the main event, Emile Pladner (now in his second stint as EBU Flyweight Champ), defends againt former Champ Harry Stein. Stein took the title from Pladner but then lost it to Kid Socks, from whom Pladner won the title back. However, this time around Stein is a Post-Prime, so a repeat of the earlier result is less likely. Halfway, through the opening round, though, a huge shot from Stein puts Pladner on the canvas; the Frenchman arises after taking a seven-count. Then, a key turning point occurs in round five when Stein is cut over his right eye. While Stein battles the cut, Pladner gradually builds a points lead. Stein runs out of gas in the later rounds of the fight, and the cut (accompanied by some swelling) becomes a huge problem. Finally, in round 12, it leads to a stoppage. TKO 12 for Pladner, who retains the title belt. Pladner improves to 23-11-2 (9) with the win, compared to 30-11-2 (20) post-fight for Stein.

June 22, 1934: Briggs Stadium in Detroit is the scene of the next fight action. Strong card, featuring a USBA title bout as the main event, with a very interesting main support, with FW prospect “Homicide Hank” Armstrong taking on another top prospect, 14-2 Everett Rightmire. Armstrong starts well, and in round three he staggers Rightmire with a big hook. Another hook from Armstrong results in the fight’s first knockdown, in round five. Rightmire, visibly shaken, arises at the count of five and barely manages to last the round. Rightmire tries to keep the bout close, and he seizes on a ray of hope after a cut is opened over Armstrong’s right eye in the seventh round. Hank has the last word, digging a short hook to the midsection in round nine that sets Rightmire up for the bout’s second KD. This time, however, Rightmire cannot last the round as Armstrong lands blow after unanswered blow, forcing the referee to call a halt. TKO 9 for Armstrong, who runs his record to 14-1-1 (13). Rightmire is now 14-3 (11). Then, in the main event, USBA LW Champ Sammy Fuller defends against Cecil “Kaintucky Colonel” Payne, a former NABF LW titleholder. Early in the second round, there is a clash of heads, and Payne comes away with a cut over his right eye. Fuller takes advantage of the situation, pounding away so that Payne’s left eye begins to swell. The cut is reopened in round six, and this time it is too serious to allow the bout to continue. With four or more rounds in the book, the scorecards are consulted, and it goes down as a UTD 6 win for Fuller (49-46 on all three cards), who retains the belt. Post fight career marks: Fuller, 38-7 (9); Payne, 30-7-3 (8).

June 23, 1934: Back to the UK, this time to the Olympia in London. No titles at stake, mostly British fighters but a very intriguing main event with long-time LH Champ Tommy Loughran continuing to campaign at HW, and in the feature he faces GBU HW Champ Tommy Farr. The two boxers keep their distance in the early going, and Farr sustains an early cut over his right eye. Farr, trailing at the midpoint of the bout, steps up the pace in the second half and begins to land more scoring blows. Late in round six, he even manages to drop Loughran; Tommy arises after taking a six-count. The cut is re-opened once, in round nine, but it proves not to be a factor as Farr (sweeping the last five rounds on all cards) manages a UD 10 win (97-92, 96-93, 96-93) so Loughran’s goal of a HW title seems even more remote. Post-fight records: 30-8-1 (13) for Farr; 52-6-4 (8) for Loughran.

June 23, 1934: The Polo Grounds in New York City is the scene for the next fight card. Plenty of action on the undercard, but the only meaningful bout worth reporting is the main event, which sees unbeaten WBA LH Champ Tiger Jack Fox, in his third defense, taking on challenger Joe “Cairo Calamity” Knight. Tiger Jack is on target early, landing repeatedly and building up a points advantage. Knight, however, gets in a few shots of his own and manages to keep the bout reasonably close through the first half of the title encounter. By the end of round seven, a mouse has formed under the right eye of the Champ. Fox responds by ramping up his attack. Early in round nine, he drills Knight with a three-punch combo that forces the challenger to cover up. Fox’s killer instinct kicks in, and soon Knight is leaning against the ropes, helpless, and Fox lands blow after unanswered blow. The ref responds by stepping in and calling a halt to save Knight from further punishment. The TKO 9 win runs Fox’s career totals to 33-0 (25). Knight slips to 23-4-2 (14) with the loss.

June 30, 1934: Havana’s Gran Stadium is the scene of the next fistic action. Several Cuban fighters on the agenda, but the fans are most excited about the main event, which matches NABF FW Champion Freddie Miller with the “Cuban Bon Bon,” Kid Chocolate, for Miller’s NABF title. Both are ranked among the top five FWs, and each has won a UD verdict in their two prior meetings. Kid Chocolate assumes the role of aggressor in the early going, and he steadily builds up a points lead. Miller, forced to battle back, manages to close the gap in the middle rounds. The title hangs in the balance in the bout’s final few rounds. Miller seems to have the edge but, late in the final round, Chocolate snaps his head back with a big uppercut. Then, the bell sounds, and it is in the hands of the judges. Was it a case of too little, too late for the Cuban challenger? The cards are read, and Miller retains the belt via a SD 12 (114-115, 116-113, 115-114) that is greeted by a loud chorus of boos around the Gran Stadium. Post-bout career totals: Miller, 26-4 (12); Chocolate, 25-4-5 (14).

June 30, 1934: The month wraps up with a solid card at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, headlined by a WBA title clash. Bushy Graham, who won the belt earlier in the year, faces ex-Champ and #1 contender, Johnny King. King gets off to a solid start and builds an early points advantage. This forces Graham into an uncomfortable role of becoming the aggressor into the middle rounds of the fight. No cuts or knockdowns in this one. In the final round, right before the bell, King delivers a big hook that staggers the Champ. The final bell sounds, and both corners nervously await the decision. The scorecards are tallied, and there is a new WBA Champion, as the nod goes to King a very close but UD 15 (143-141, 144-141, 143-141). The Brit does just enough to regain the belt, upping his career stats to an impressive 32-3-1 (15). Graham is now 33-17-1 (10).

[bob_bask]

Armstrong seemed to be going under the radar here in comparison to Louis - but he's another one I'm following.

[JCWeb]

Bob Bask, in this report Jersey Joe and John Henry Lewis are going to feature prominently ...
This is a summary of ring action from the first half of July 1934, covering a total of 52 bouts. Two unbeaten young fighters contend for their first titles, and there are even a couple of controversial calls in two of the title bouts.

July 4, 1934: Big Fourth of July card back in the States, this time in Boston. No titles at stake, but an intriguing main event has former WBA HW titleholder Young Stibling facing an up-and-comer, “Kingfish” Levinsky. Stribling, while on the downside of his career, still maintains a top five position in the HW rankings, so it’s a good opportunity for Levinsky to move up. Things start poorly for Stribling, who sustains a cut over his right eye in the opening stanza. Things get even worse for “the King of the Canebrakes” in round five when Levinsky drops the former Champ with a big uppercut. Stribling regains his feet at the count of eight, and in the following rounds, Levinsky is unable to take advantage. The bout goes the distance, and in the end, Stribling’s superior boxing skills are enough to convince two of the three judges, so he takes a SD 10 (96-93, 94-95, 95-94). Post-fight marks: Stribling, 48-8-2 (24); Levinksy, 22-5-1 (11). Tough break for Levinksy, as the one KD was not enough for him to prevail in the end.

July 5, 1934: Friday night card at Rome’s Palazzo del Sport. Two non-title HW matchups headline the card. In the first of these, popular Italian HW Primo Carnera, the “Ambling Alp,” faces a former top 10 contender, Floyd Johnson. Carnera, who has been fed a list of carefully selected opponents to build up an artificially inflated record, is likely to be severely tested by Johnson, a skilled fighter who is on the downside of his career. Action heats up right away when Carnera goes down as a delayed reaction to a hard cross landed by Johnson. He arises at the count of six, attempts to cover up, but goes down again from a well-placed uppercut. Nonetheless, Johnson is unable to finish the job, and Carnera manages to last the round. The Italian, urged on by a partisan crowd, manages to bounce back in the second round when he puts Johnson down with a big shot. The “Ambling Alp” ramps up the pace, working inside in round three, but he cannot manage to follow up on his earlier success. Carnera then becomes a bit more passive, perhaps overconfident, allowing Johnson back into the bout. In the later rounds, it is Johnson who becomes noticeably tired while Carnera is still full of energy. Carnera sustains a cut under his right eye, which begins to swell up with a couple of rounds remaining. Johnson also feels the effect of a brutal ring battle between these two sluggers, as his left eye is puffy near the end. The bout goes the distance and, with a 2-1 edge in knockdowns, Floyd Johnson takes a UD 10 (94-92 on all cards), to the dismay and disappointment of the pro-Carnera crowd. Johnson improves to 33-17-1 (23) with the win. Carnera, now 20-5-1 (16), will be shut down for the remainder of the year, with his next outing expected in early 1935. Good action bout, but the result was a disappointing one for Carnera’s fans and managers. In the second feature, former EBU HW Champ Paulino Uzcudan, the “Basque Woodchopper,” faces newly-crowned Commonwealth Champ Don McCorkindale. McCorkindale finds the range in the early going, and there’s a mouse under Uzcudan’s right eye as early as the end of round one. In the third round, McCorkindale walks into an Uzcudan combination and goes down for the bout’s first knockdown. By the end of the round, there is noticeable swelling around McCorkindale’s left eye. Uzcudan goes to take a fairly routine UD 10 (95-94, 96-93, 96-93) although the closeness of the scores was a bit of a surprise. Post fight career marks: Uzcudan, 34-11-1 (12); McCorkindale, 25-6-1 (15).

July 6, 1934: North of the border to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the next series of bouts. In the main event, Bobby Leitham defends his NABF BW belt against a former WBA Champion, veteran Panama Al Brown, who is still looking to rise back to the top of the division. One prior meeting, back in 1931, resulted in a controversial DQ win for Leitham. The early going this time around seems to favor Panama Al, who rocks Leitham with a straight right near the end of round four. Then, in the following round, Brown puts the Canadian Champion on the deck with a vicious cross. Leitham manages to cover up and survive the round. Brown appears to be on his way to victory when, in the middle of round nine, history repeats itself as he is called for a flagrant foul, hitting on the break and, for the second time, the DQ win is awarded to Leitham. While the crowd goes home happy with the DQ-9 win for Leitham, Brown and his corner are left seething with anger. Post-fight records: 29-5-1 (12) for Leitham; 42-9 (17) for Panama Al Brown. It is Brown’s second DQ loss in a row and the third in his career.

July 12, 1934: Friday night fights come to Atlantic City with some top-notch HW action on the card. Steve Hamas runs his record to 18-2-1 (14) with a TKO 6 win over Natie Brown. Then, in the main event, unbeaten young HW Jersey Joe Walcott challenges Patsy Perroni for the latter’s USBA HW crown. Walcott puts Perroni on the defensive in the early rounds, and his aggressive posture helps build an early points edge. Perroni’s left eye begins to puff up after just a few rounds. Round five sees the two trading blows on the inside, and Jersey Joe nails Perroni with a hard cross that forces Perroni to cover up. Perroni manages to survive into the final round, when Walcott and fatigue finally catch up to him. Walcott decks Perroni with a combination, and then Jersey Joe follows up with a big hook to score a second KD late in the round, and this time Perroni does not get up. KO 12 for Walcott, who now has an impressive 21-0 (19) career slate; Perroni is 24-5-1 (14) after the loss. Walcott, now firmly entrenched in the top 10 HW ranks, is a force to be reckoned with as a future WBA title contender.

July 13, 1934: Back to the Stadium in Liverpool, UK, for a very light card. Two interesting bouts headline the abbreviated card. In the main support, Flyweight Benny Lynch faces Belgian Kid David in a matchup of two hot young prospects. Lynch gets off to a solid start while David looks a bit lethargic through the early going. Gradual swelling under the Belgian’s left eye hampers his chances, but late in the bout he does manage to land a hard shot with a straight right that forces Lynch to cover up. Lynch retreats into a defensive shell but has done well enough to take a convincing UD 10 win (97-93, 97-93, 98-92) to run his career mark to 15-3 (11). David finishes the bout at 10-2 (7). In the main, Commonwealth FW Champ Dom Volante faces challenger Merv “Darky” Blandon. Volante’s EBU title is not at stake, just the CBU belt; ditto for Blandon’s OPBF title which he will keep regardless of the result. For Blandon, it is his final bout at Pre-Prime and, through much of the early rounds, he seems overmatched by the much more experienced Volante. Volante puts the Aussie challenger down with a big shot in the second round; Blandon is also bothered by a cut over his right eye and a rapidly swelling left eye; then, to make matters worse, his other begins to swell up midway through the bout. In the end, the cut proves to be decisive, and the end comes when it becomes too severe for the ref to allow the bout to continue. Volante takes a TKO 7 on the cuts stoppage, but a peek at the judges’ cards reveal he was well ahead of Blandon. Post-bout career totals: Volante, 31-12-2 (20); Blandon, 17-3 (10).

July 13, 1934: Next up is a nice card at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The main attraction is an NABF LH title tilt and, as was the case earlier in the month with Jersey Joe Walcott, another of the young unbeaten prospects is stepping up to challenge for his first title. This time the youthful challenger is 17-0-1 John Henry Lewis, and Tony Shucco is the man defending the belt. No prior meetings, and through the early rounds it is the veteran Shucco who gives the younger man a boxing lesson, compiling an early points edge while also causing some swelling under Lewis’ left eye. Lewis bounces back with a strong round six, but he soon begins to tire as the bout wears on. Shucco appears to be headed to a points win when, in the bout’s final round, he gets careless and begins hitting Lewis below the belt. After a warning, the ref declares the fouling to be flagrant, so he takes the drastic step of halting the bout and awarding a DQ-12 win to Lewis. That also means a new titleholder, over the protests of Shucco’s corner. Lewis is now 18-0-1 (15) with one more bout at Pre-Prime, while Shucco slips to 22-6 (8). A peek at the scorecards showed Shucco ahead on all three cards, and the controversial foul call is roundly booed by the crowd.

[JCWeb]

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of July 1934, covering a total of 54 bouts. Two WBA title bouts are on the agenda.

July 19, 1934: Friday night fights “Down Under,” this time in Sydney, Australia. Main event is an OPBF BW title clash, once again featuring Speedy Dado, who defends against countryman Pablo Dano. The two are familiar foes, having met three times previously (with Dano holding a 2-1 edge in those prior meetings). Dado pulls ahead in the early going, after a big round three. Dano begins to feel the effects, with some swelling beginning to show under his left eye. Dado continues to dominate the action for most of the rest of the bout, and he coasts to a UD 12 win (116-112, 115-113, 116-112) to regain the title as well as leveling the career series at 2-all. Post-fight marks: Dado, 25-10-2 (13); Dano, 27-4-3 (14).

July 20, 1934: One of the largest crowds ever for a boxing event in Europe gathers at the Olympia Stadium in Berlin, Germany. A WBA HW title defense by the “Black Uhlan,” Max Schmeling, headlines the action, but up first on the undercard is #4 ranked WW, German Gustav Eder, still on the comeback trail after suffering his first career loss in a bid for the EBU WW title. Eder faces lower ranked Italian counterpart Saviero Turiello, and on paper the German is a heavy favorite. However, Eder comes out flat, enabling Turiello to seize on the opportunity to build a solid lead. Eder is forced to step up the pace in the bout’s latter rounds, rallying to secure a majority draw (94-96 Turiello, 95-95, 95-95) with an assist from a couple of hometown judges. Eder moves to 26-1-3 (9) while Turiello ends up 22-7-4 (10). After such a disappointing effort from Eder, the crowd seems unsettled when Max Schmeling takes to the ring to make his sixth defense of his WBA HW title against Elmer “Kid Violent” Ray, the reigning NABF HW titleholder. Ray is the aggressor in the early rounds, and round three sees somr good fight action, with both men getting some good shots in. Max begins to step up the pace in the fourth round, finding the range with a straight right, and Ray ends the round with some noticeable swelling under his right eye. Then, in round five, Schmeling seizes control, opening a cut on Ray’s lip, then hammering away at the hapless challenger until the ref has seen enough. Schmeling wins via a TKO 5 as Ray is saved from further punishment. Post fight career marks: Schmeling, 35-3 (26); Ray, 28-6 (16).

July 20, 1934: Next up is a very solid card at St. Nicholas Arena in New York City. On the undercard is the “Cinderella Man, James Braddock, rooted on by a partisan crowd against visiting HW Harry Persson from Sweden. In the opening round, Persson suffers a cut over his left eye. Braddock is content to work from outside and to let the Swede assume the role of aggressor in the fight. Braddock gradually builds a solid points lead, and all Persson ends up with for all his trouble is a rapidly swelling left eye. The bout goes to decision, and it is a UD 10 for Braddock (98-92, 97-93, 97-93) who moves his career totals to 26-10-2 (6) and, for the first time, is closing in on a top 30 HW ranking. Persson winds up 31-15 (21) after the loss. Then, in the main event, long-time WBA MW Champion Mickey Walker, the “Toy Bulldog,” continues his efforts to step up to LHW by challenging George Manley for the latter’s USBA LH title belt. Walker gets off to a strong start, landing repeatedly in the opening stanza to the point where Manley’s left eye begins to swell from the repeated blows. Walker continues to dominate the action, putting Manley on the deck with a huge shot in round seven. Manley arises, only to suffer more punishment as Walker unloads with a big cross followed by a powerful hook, but the bell sounds before he is able to finish matters. Manley survives the round and also lasts until the final round, but only to wind up on the short end of the scorecards. Walker takes a UD 12 (116-112, 117-111, 116-111) and claims his first title in the LH division (while still hanging onto his WBA MW crown). Post-fight records: 54-4 (40) for Walker; 33-16 (16) for Manley.

July 26, 1934: Next Friday night card is at Seattle’s Sicks Stadium. A couple of notable bouts headline the cards, but first a huge shock on the undercard as Max Baer’s younger brother, Buddy Baer, is a knocked out – a KO 2 victim – in his career debut. Then, in the co-feature, long-time JLW Champion Tod Morgan takes on Al Singer, a top 20 LW contender. Singer gets off to a solid start, dishing out a lot of punishment, so much so that Morgan’s right eye begins to show signs of swelling after just three rounds. Midway through the encounter, Singer suffers a cut over his right eye, but some good cornerwork means the cut is not a factor for the remainder of the bout. Singer’s steady effort is sufficient to notch a solid UD 10 (100-90, 99-92, 99-91), surprising only by the margin of victory over Morgan, who has struggled when moving up to LW. Post-fight career marks: Singer, 25-8-1 (15); Morgan, 42-11-1 (12). The win elevates Singer into the top 10 in the LW rankings list. Then, in the main event, Newsboy Brown makes his first defense of the NABF title belt he won over a year ago. His opponent is a former WBA and NABF Champion, Frankie Genaro, and both men are at Post-Prime. It is the fifth meeting of these two familiar foes, each of whom has won two in the prior encounters. Genaro once again delivers a solid boxing exhibition, and Newsboy appears to be totally outclassed for much of the bout. The bout goes the distance, and Genaro takes the belt – but only via a narrow SD 12 verdict (113-115, 115-113, 116-112) as one judge somehow saw it for Brown, in spite of a clear punches landed edge for Genaro. With the win, Genaro (the fifth new NABF Fly Champ in as many bouts) improves to 42-15-3 (18); Newsboy Brown slips to 37-15-2 (11) after the loss.

July 27, 1934: Back to the UK and the venerable Harringay Arena in London for the next card, which is headlined by a WBA title contest. Pete DeGrasse defends his WBA FW title against challenger Baby Arizmendi, a former titleholder. The two have split in two prior bouts, making this the rubber matchup. The two boxers launch into a tactical duel through the early rounds of the bout. DeGrasse has the better of it in the early going, and there is a welt formed under the right eye of the Mexican challenger. Then, in round five, the bout swings in Arizmendi’s favor, as DeGrasse sustains a cut on his forehead. DeGrasse is able to battle back, forcing the challenger to cover up after a big uppercut finds the target in round six. DeGrasse, ignoring the cut, continues to press forward in the later rounds. He lands a big hook in round 11, and Arizmendi briefly spends some time on the canvas as a result. The KD has an impact on the judges, who go for DeGrasse, who takes a UD 15 (144-141, 146-140, 146-140) after taking the last six rounds on all three cards to retain the title. Post-bout career totals: DeGrasse, 27-8-1 (6); Arizmendi, 25-4-1 (10).

July 27, 1934: The month of July 1934 wraps up with a solid card in Panama City, Panama. No titles at stake, but there are several interesting matchups involving Latin American boxers along with several top contenders. First up, LW contender Ray Miller faces Chilean Stanislaus Loayza in a prototypical boxer versus slugger matchup. Miller gradually builds a points edge, and Loayza’s aggressiveness proves ineffective in attempting to blunt Miller’s superior defense. UD 10 to Miller (96-94, 98-93, 97-93) who moves to 37-11(16) with the win. Loayza ends up 30-19-4 (12) with the loss. Then, two top BW contenders take to the ring in the co-feature, as Pete Sanstol faces Sixto Escobar. Sanstol suffers a cut over his right eye in the second round, and the cut gets progressively worse as the bout continues. Escobar drops Sanstol in round three, with the American arising after taking a five-count. The end comes in round six, when the cut becomes too difficult to control. The ref steps in to call a halt, and it goes down as a TKO 6 to Escobar on the cuts stoppage. Post-bout marks: Escobar, 20-2 (10); Sanstol, 27-7-2 (8). Then, in the main event, veteran MW Vince Dundee, the reigning USBA MW Champ, faces Cuba’s Kid Tunero. Tunero has the upper hand in the early going, and Dundee shows signs of swelling under his left eye by the end of the second round. Tunero continues to dominate through the middle rounds, and in round seven he puts Dundee down with a big combination. The bout goes the distance, with Dundee making a late surge as Tunero steps off the gas the final few rounds. The end result – a draw (95-95, 97-94 Tunero, 95-96 Dundee) is roundly booed by the pro-Tunero crowd, but Tunero allowed Dundee back into the bout by being too complacent and just sitting on his lead. Post-fight career marks are 33-8-4 (14) for Dundee, and 21-3-4 (8) for Tunero.

[Infinity]

Congrats on 50k views, one of the best loved threads on these forums for sure.....

[hawk360]

I'll be reading to see how Dempsey's career progresses. He was always one of my favorites. I am glad there are so many thriving
leagues on the OOTP forum.

[JCWeb]

Thanks for the kind comments, on to the next report.
This is a summary of ring action from the first half of August 1934, covering a total of 54 bouts. Two WBA title bouts are on the agenda.

Aug. 3, 1934: The month’s fistic action kicks off with a Friday night card at Atlantic City. The talents of hot LW prospect Gus Lesnevich are on display on the undercard, and he hammers out a UD 6 win over a TC opponent to run his totals to 4-0 (3). The main event wraps up the evening’s festivities, as NABF MW king Freddie Steele – still in the shadow of all-time great Mickey “the Toy Bulldog” Walker – makes his eighth defense of that belt, facing challenger Teddy Yarosz who has won his last four to earn his first ever title shot of any kind. The bout is fairly close until Steele dominates the action in round five, until Yarosz is left defenseless, out on his feet and clinging to the rope. The TKO 5 moves Steele’s career totals to 32-4 (26), which include two recent losses to Walker. Yarosz is 23-6 (11) after the loss.

Aug. 4, 1934: Rome, Italy is the scene of the next fight action. Two unbeaten Italian prospects are scheduled for separate bouts on the undercard. First, LW Aldo Spoldi punches out Pete ”Kid Indian” Nebo in three to run his record to 23-0-2 (12). The KO 3 means Spoldi is closing in on a top 10 spot in the LW rankings. Then, WW Michele Palermo stumbles against Dutchman Bep Van Klaveren, dropping a SD 10 (94-96, 97-93, 98-92), as only one of the three judges favored the hometown fighter. Post-fight career marks: 20-7 (9) for Van Klaveren, while Palermo’s first career setback leaves him at 17-1-1 (9) – with one more bout left before hitting Prime career stage. Then, in the main event, WBA BW Champion Johnny King faces former Champ Kid Francis for the title. King has two prior wins against Francis, so this is a relatively “safe” title defense, albeit in the Italian’s back yard. Francis manages to keep the bout close into the middle rounds, when King rallies and decks the challenger with a big cross in round eight. Francis begins to suffer the effects of a rapidly swollen left eye. King lands a big left early in round nine, staggering Francis, and goes on to dominate the rest of the way to retain the belt with a solid UD 15 win (144-139, 146-137, 145-138), so the Italian fans go home unhappy. Post fight career marks: King, 33-3-1 (15); Francis, 30-14-3 (17).

Aug. 4, 1934: Next up is a solid card at Chicago’s Soldiers Field. Two top young prospects – HW Joe Louis and MW Tony Zale – are on the undercard. Louis makes quick work of his TC opponent, landing a big shot and then finishing his man with a big combination midway through the opening round. KO 1 leaves Louis at 2-0 (2). Then, “the man of Steel,” Tony Zale, takes the ring in a scheduled six-rounder. Zale takes a bit longer to get going, flooring his TC opponent with a hook in round two, then following up with two more KDs to end matters. KO 3 for Zale, who is now 4-0 (3). Then, after a series of preliminary bouts, it is time for the main event – a USBA title clash with veteran FW Louis Kaplan defending that belt against Tommy Paul, in a bout that is Paul’s first title shot of any kind. Kaplan. A former WBA Champ, is now in decline, and Paul is able to take advantage and keep the bout close through the early rounds. Kaplan becomes the aggressor in the late rounds, but Paul’s defense is solid and he manages to lift the belt via a close but UD 12 (116-115, 117-114, 117-116). Post-fight records: 25-7-2 (6) for Paul; 43-15-3 (11) for Kaplan.

Aug. 10, 1934: Next Friday night card is at the Forum in Montreal. Co-main event has top 10 LW Justo Suarez facing Canada’s Billy Townsend. The action commences in round one, with both men landing repeatedly, so both show signs of swelling under their left eyes. At the end of the round, Townsend drops Suarez who takes a count of nine before arising. Townsend remains aggressive, but Suarez gradually battles back, piling up a points edge. Near the end of the seventh round, Suarez tags Townsend with a big hook. By this time Townsend’s eye has ballooned, and the swelling causes the ref to step in and call a halt, despite howls of protest from the crowd and Townsend’s corner. TKO 7 for Suarez runs the Argentinian’s record to 26-5-1 (17). Townsend is now 23-9-1 (15). The main event matches two Canadians for the Commonwealth LH title belt held by Jack “Bright Eyes” Delaney, with Charley Belanger taking on the challenger role. The two have never met before, and it is Belanger’s third try for the CBU belt. Belanger gets off to a good start, and by the end of round three, Delaney’s left eye is showing signs of swelling. Delaney battles back, establishing control in the middle rounds. By round nine, it is Belanger who is battling swelling, this time under his right eye. Delaney connects with a crushing hook in round 10, and Belanger topples to the canvas and cannot beat the count. KO 10 for Delaney, who improves to 45-12-3 (29) with the win; Belanger slips to 29-15 (13) with the loss.

Aug. 11, 1934: Next up is a quality card at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, headlined by a WBA title contest. In one of the main support bouts, popular young HW Max Baer, the “Livermore Larruper,” is out to get his career back on track after some recent losses; he faces Johnny Risko, the “Cleveland Rubber Man.” Baer struggles with Risko and his timing in the early going; Max comes away with a split lip in round two. Risko continues to take advantage of the situation, landing some good counter-shots, and by the end of the fourth, Baer’s right eye is beginning to puff up. Baer gathers his energy and is able to make a late surge, staggering Risko with a straight right near the end of round nine. In the end, though, it is not enough as Risko impresses the judges enough to take a UD 10 (98-93, 97-93, 97-93) to move his career totals to 32-12-3 (7). Once again, it is back to the drawing board for Baer, who ends the bout at 19-5 (18). Then, in the main event, Midget Wolgast makes the 12^th defense of his WBA Flyweight title, once again facing USBA Champion and #1 contender Fidel LaBarba. LaBarba, who has lost twice in prior efforts to dethrone Wolgast, has compiled a nice seven-bout winning streak since his last title loss in 1932. The bout evolves into a tough defensive struggle, with Wolgast getting on top early and gradually building a points lead. By the end of round seven, LaBarba is battling a split lip. He continuews to battle on, and after eight rounds, Wolgast is showing signs of swelling under both eyes. He rebounds with a big round nine, stunning LaBarba with a big uppercut that forces the challenger to cover up. LaBarba begins to tire, and his left eye begins to swell up in the later rounds. In the end, LaBarba offers little resistance as Wolgast goes on the retain the title with a fairly comfortable UD 15 win (146-138, 146-138, 145-139). Wolgast has not lost since 1930. Post-bout career totals: Wolgast, 36-4-1 (17); LaBarba, 35-7-1 (9).

Aug. 17, 1934: Friday Night fights “Down Under” card is in Melbourne this time. Not much to report from the undercard, which features various Far Eastern and Australian fighters. The main event matches Filipino Lope Tenorio with Aussie Jack Carroll for the former’s OPBF WW title. The two are familiar foes, with Tenorio holding a 2-1-1 edge coming into this, their fifth meeting, and Tenorio is currently serving his third stint as OPBF titleholder. The Filipino builds an early lead. Carroll tries to remain active but he tires badly as the bout heads into the later rounds. In the end, it is all Tenorio as a late surge from Carroll falls short. UD 12 for Tenorio (118-112, 117-113, 117-113). Post-fight career marks are 28-13-8 (8) for Tenorio, and 27-15-5 (12) for Carroll.

[JCWeb]

Just realized that I had moved on to Sept. 1934 bouts without posting the results from the second half of August. Thus, here's an abbreviated report which unfortunately covers only three of the six cards from the 63 bouts staged in the second half of August 1934. (Apologies in advance for any fights that were skipped over as a result of this oversight.)

Aug. 25, 1934: Next card is at London’s Harringay Arena. No notable bouts on the undercards, but the main event is an EBU title clash with German Walter Neusel making his first defense against former Champ Tommy Farr. The tone is set early on, when Farr decks Neusel near the end of the opening stanza; the German arises after taking an eight-count. Neusel assumes the mantle of aggressor while Farr, content to fight outside, gradually builds a points lead. The German does well to keep the bout close, but Farr regains the EBU title, taking a narrow SD 12 verdict (114-113, 113-114, 114-113). Farr improves to 31-8-3 (13) with the win, while Neusel wraps up the pre-Prime stage of his career with an excellent 17-2-1 (14) slate.

Aug. 25, 1934: A WBA title bout headlines an excellent card at New York City’s Yankee Stadium. On the undercard, unbeaten young MW Ken Overlin takes on Harry “Harlem Thunderbolt” Smith, a dangerous opponent now in the Post-Prime stage of his career. Smith suffers a nick under his eye in round four, and is unable to overcome Overlin’s superior boxing skills. Overlin takes a solid UD 10 (97-93, 97-93, 98-94) to run his career totals to 21-0-2 (11). Then, in the first of two main support bouts, Henry “Homicide Hank” Armstrong steps up to take on Mike Dundee, a former NABF and USBA FW titleholder, now at the tail-end of his 18-year career. Armstrong wastes little time, staggering Dundee with a crushing right hand early in the second round. Armstrong follows up with a hook to the head, leaving Dundee defenseless against the ropes before the ref steps in to call a halt. TKO 2 for Armstrong, running his record to 15-1-1 (14), with a spot among the top 20 FWs awaiting in the future. Meanwhile, Dundee decides to call it quits, ending his career at 43-27-3 (20). Then, in another key support bout, former WBA HW Champ Jack Sharkey is back on the comeback trail, facing ex-USBA Champ Ad Warren in a non-title affair. Bad luck at the outset for Warren, who suffers a cut nose in the bout’s opening round. Sharkey appears to be in control but, in round three, he gets careless, and is decked by a Warren hook to the head. Sharkey arises at the count of seven, buy he recovers quickly during the break between rounds. Then, in round four, Warren’s nose is bleeding again, leading to a cuts stoppage -- TKO 4 for Sharkey. Post-fight career marks: Sharkey, 31-10 (19); Warren, 24-7 (19). Then, it is time for the main event, as Tony Canzoneri, the “Roman Warrior,” makes the eighth defense of his WBA LW title, facing #1 ranked LW contender Sammy Fuller, the current USBA Champion who has won his last six to set up this title shot. It is the first career meeting of the two. Fuller assumes the role of aggressor in the early going, with Canzoneri content to snipe away from long distance. By the end of round four, the accumulated effect of Canzoneri’s blows has caused Fuller’s left eye to begin to swell. Canzoneri goes on to dominate the rest of the way, delivering a workman-like performance to retain the belt. He takes a UD 15 (143-142, 147-138, 147-139) although the scores from the first judge’s card seem way too generous to Fuller. Post-fight, Canzoneri (unbeaten since 1930 and now winner of his last 11) moves to 33-4-2 (15). Fuller ends the bout at 38-8 (9).

Aug. 31, 1934: The month wraps up with a Friday night card at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix. The main event matches Jimmy Leto against Joe Dundee for the latter’s USBA WW title. First meeting of the two, and it is Leto’s first try at a title belt of any kind. Dundee gets off to a solid start, and Leto is suffering the effects of some swelling under his right eye as early as round two. Leto bounces back to keep the bout close with a good effort in rounds three and four, but Dundee re-establishes control as the bout enters the middle rounds. Leto steps up the pace in the second half of the bout, but he tires badly down the stretch. The bout goes to the decision, and the nod goes to Dundee, but only via a SD 12 (113-117, 117-113, 117-113) as one judge sees it for Leto despite a huge punches landed advantage for Dundee -- who is now firmly established as the #1 ranked contender in the WW division. Post-fight career marks are 41-15-8 (7) for Dundee and 29-10-5 (11) for Leto.

[JCWeb]

Just checked, only one title bout was inadvertently skipped over ...

Aug. 18, 1934 (at Detroit): Sergeant Sammy Baker takes the NABF WW title from Jackie Fields (TKO 12). Fields was at Post-Prime, so no huge surprise.

On to Sept. results in the next day or so ...

[JCWeb]

This is a summary of ring action from the first half of September 1934, covering a total of 63 bouts. Two WBA title bouts are on the agenda.

Sept. 1, 1934: The month opens with a card at the Garden in Boston. Two top five FW contenders, Kid Chocolate and ex-WBA Champ Battling Battalino, meet for the first time in the headliner, which is a 10-round, non-title affair. Battalino pulls ahead in the early rounds. But, in round five, Kid Chocolate connects with a short, clean uppercut that puts the Battler on the canvas. Battalino arises at the count of five, and he manages to cover up to last the rest of the round. By round six, there is swelling under the left eye of Battalino, and the KD has changed the entire complexion of the fight. Kid Chocolate goes on to dominate the rest of the way, taking a UD 10 (96-94, 97-93, 98-92) to run his career stats to 26-4-5 (14); Battalino ends the bout at 29-9 (12).

Sep. 7, 1934: Next fistic action is a rare Friday night card at the Sports Palace in Rome, Italy. The feature is an EBU title contest, but the undercard matches two HWs – the Basque Paulino Uzcudan and Argentinian Jose Domingo Carattoli – in a 10-rounder. Uzcudan, a top 10 HW contender, is using the bout as a tune-up for what he hopes is a WBA or EBU title shot, while Carattoli is hoping for an upset win. Uzcudan begins the bout by teeing off repeatedly, such that Carattoli is showing the effects with a rapidly swelling right eye by the end of the second round. The bout begins to swing in Carattoli’s favor when, in round five, Uzcudan suffers a cut under his right eye. The cut is reopened once, in round seven, but otherwise some good cornerwork keeps the cut under control. This enables Uzcudan to escape with a UD 10 decision win (sorry, scorecards not available). Post-fight, Uzcudan is 35-11-1 (12), while Carattoli ends the bout at 21-7-1 (9). After some more preliminary bouts, it is time for the main event: Cleto Locatelli defending his EBU WW title belt against Jack Hood, the reigning Commonwealth and GBU WW Champion. Locatelli feels confident, having two prior UD wins under his belt against Hood, who is now at Post-Prime career stage. Locatelli quietly builds a solid points lead, and by round five, Hood is showing the effects with a cut on his nose dripping blood. Despite several efforts at repair, Locatelli is able to target the cut and force an early end. TKO 11 for Locatelli on the cuts stoppage. It is Locatelli’s fifth successive title defense of the EBU belt he has held since 1930, improving his career totals to 29-9-1 (11). Hood is now 26-11-7 (9). Locatelli, now among the top three ranked WWs, is once again campaigning for a WBA title shot.

Sep. 8, 1934: The scene shifts to Western Canada for a Saturday afternoon card at Vancouver’s Exhibition Gardens. WW WBA king Jimmy McLarnin headlines the card, defending against Baby Joe Gans. The two are 1-1 in prior meetings, but the one loss was when McLarnin was at Pre-Prime back in 1927. This time, McLarnin is in the midst of his third stint as WBA Champion in front of a hometown crowd here in Vancouver. He manages to connect with some serious leather in round one, and by the end of the stanza Gans’ left eye is already showing signs of puffiness. McLarnin goes on to build a comfortable lead after the first five rounds. Gans begins to tire in the middle rounds, and he lacks the firepower to mount an effective comeback. McLarnin puts the challenger on the deck in round 10, and Gans is further handicapped as his eye is coming close to being swollen shut. Despite a couple of looks from the ring doctor, the bout is allowed to go the full distance, and McLarnin takes a lopsided UD 15 (147-136, 148-135, 147-136). Post-fight records: 41-5-1 (21) for McLarnin; 34-16-1 (14) for Baby Joe Gans.

Sep. 8, 1934: Next card is at Detroit’s Briggs Stadium. Making his third pro start, young HW Joe Louis, the “Brown Bomber,” is featured on the undercard. He faces Chris Ruth, a Canadian TC, who manages to survive the first two rounds before falling victim to a Louis uppercut that puts him down and out. KO 3 for Louis, making this his third career win inside the distance. Later in the evening, the main event takes place, matching German Gustav Eder with Young Corbett III in a WW non-title clash which is a rematch of their 1933 encounter in Germany that went down as a UD 10 for Eder. This time around, Corbett appears to have the edge in the early rounds. The German gets more aggressive in the later rounds, and he manages to close the gap with two of the judges, earning a majority draw (95-95, 95-95, 94-96 Corbett) to maintain an excellent overall career record, marred only by one loss to Locatelli, i.e., Eder is 26-1-4 (9) post-fight; Corbett emerges from the bout at 41-11-5 (12), maintaining a top 10 WW ranking.

Sep. 14, 1934: Next Friday night card is “Down Under” at Sydney, Australia. A rare HW WBA title bout in Aussie-land headlines an excellent card. The main support has recently crowned GBU BW Champion Dick Corbett facing some stiff competition in the form of Young Tommy in a non-title contest. Early on, the Filipino is landing some telling blows, as illustrated by the swelling under the left eye of Corbett. During the second half of the fight, Corbett – now trailing – begins to pick up the pace. However, his right eye is nearly swollen shut, making any progress difficult. He manages to inflict a cut around Tommy’s mouth in the ninth round, but the cut has no effect on the outcome, as Young Tommy coasts to a UD 10 win (97-93, 96-94, 98-92) to run his career totals to 22-3 (13). Corbett, who still has the GBU title to fall back on, is now 27-9 (10). Then, in the main event, WBA HW Champion Max Schmeling is making the seventh defense of the title he won back in 1932 against OPBF Champ Tom “the Hard Rock from Down Under” Heeney. Schmeling quickly gains the upper hand, landing repeatedly in the bout’s opening rounds. Heeney responds by moving inside and is able to trade blows effectively with the Champ in rounds four and five. Then, in round six, Schmeling reasserts control, relentlessly pounding away at Heeney. By round nine, Heeney is tiring badly and, a round later, there is noticeable swelling under the left eye of the challenger. Schmeling takes a huge lead into the later rounds of the bout, and Heeney – needing a knockout to win – opens up and, as a result, he is decked by a hook to the head from Schmeling in the 13^th round. Two more KDs follow in the final stanza, but Heeney is on his feet when the final bells sounds. The end result – a lopsided UD 15 for Schmeling (149-133, 146-135, 149-132) was never in doubt. Post-fight career records: Schmeling, 36-3 (26); Heeney, 36-20-1 (12). Creditable effort by Heeney to last the distance with Schmeling.

Sep. 15, 1934: Back in Europe for the next card, at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden. In the main event, EBU Flyweight Champion Emile Pladner defends against Hungarian Istvan Enekes. It is Pladner’s second title defense, Enekes’ second try for this belt, and the first meeting of the two. The bout evolves into a defensive struggle, with Enekes gradually pulling ahead in the middle rounds. From round seven on, Pladner decides to become more aggressive. Then, in round nine, Pladner is called for frequent and flagrant holding and hitting. He is disqualified as a result, over the protests of the crowd and his corner. Post-fight career marks are 20-2-1 (9) for Enekes and 23-12-2 (9) for Pladner. A rematch is ordered in two months’ time, but -- for the time being -- Enekes (who was ahead on all three cards at the time of the DQ) is the new EBU Flyweight Champion.

[JCWeb]

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of September 1934, covering a total of 62 bouts. One WBA title bout and several regional title bouts are on the agenda, including a pair of bouts featuring undefeated young contenders.

Sep. 15, 1934: Next up is a card at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. No titles at stake, but in the main event top five LW Ray Miller looks to regain his winning form by facing Harry “Leeds” Mason, the reigning EBU and GBU LW Champion who is looking to pull out an upset. The bout starts fairly benignly without a lot of action, with Miller pulling ahead ever so slightly with Mason doing his best to hold his own. Then, in round five, Miller unloads with a big cross that puts the Brit on the deck. Mason arises slowly at the count of five and manages to survive for the rest of the round. Then, in round seven, Mason is in even more trouble when a nasty cut opens over his left eye. The cut is in a bad spot, and two rounds later, it results in an early stoppage. TKO 9 for Miller, who was ahead on all three cards anyway. The win lifts Miller to 38-11 (17) while Mason, now 31-22-4 (5), will be out of action for awhile.

Sep. 21, 1934: Friday night card at Havana’s Gran Stadium. The feature is an NABF LW title contest that has Cuba’s Emory Cabana making his first defense of the belt against former USBA Champ Jack Portney. Portney is higher ranked and holds a prior win, in 1933, over Cabana. The bout, featuring two boxers, evolves into a defensive struggle. Cabana appears to have an early edge in punches landed when, in round four, Portney’s right eye begins to show signs of swelling. However, Portney is quick to turn things around in his favor when, in round six, he connects with a big hook that catches Cabana flush, forcing the Champ to cover up. Portney then continues to pile up points throughout the middle rounds of the fight. Cabana, forced to take on a more aggressive posture, leaves himself open for a big shot from Portney and goes down, taking a nine-count, in the tenth. He launches an all-out attack in an effort to retain the belt in round 11, but all he winds up with is a cut over his right eye. The bout goes the distance without further incident, and Portney lifts the belt via a UD 12 (116-111 on all three cards) without much in the way of protest from Cabana or the Cuban crowd. Post-fight career marks are 28-6-2 (15) for Portney; 33-15-4 (12) for Cabana. Portney has moved into the top three in the LW ranks and is clamoring for a WBA title shot.

Sep. 22, 1934: The scene shifts to the Olympia in London, UK for the next fight action. A series of interesting and entertaining bouts on the agenda, featuring British boxers taking on each other or other fighters from overseas. Three matchups stand out. In the first of these, “the Trenton Terror,” Young Terry, takes on the British MW Champion, Jock McAvoy, aka “the Rochdale Thunderbolt.” For the first four rounds, the two fighters seem reluctant to exchange heavy blows, with a slight edge to Terry. By the end of round five, McAvoy is beginning to feel the effects of swelling under his left eye. Terry continues to dominate, although McAvoy has his moment in round eight when he drills Terry with a big right to the head that forces the American to cover up. The bout goes to decision, and Terry takes a fairly lopsided UD 10 (99-92, 99-92, 100-91) to run his career record to 29-10-3 (10). McAvoy dips to 24-6-4 (17). Then, in the co-main event, EBU and GBU LH Champ Len Harvey faces American Lou Scozza. Scozza, who defeated Harvey in an earlier meeting back in 1930 (UD 10), has hit Post-Prime since then so the Brit hopes to even the score. In round two, Scozza suffers a cut over his left eye. The eye, targeted by Harvey, begins to puff up in round three. Harvey continues to dominate, with Scozza being handicapped by the damage to his eye. A solid uppercut from Harvey forces Scozza to cover up in round six, and later in the round, with blood dripping from the injured eye, the ref is forced to call a halt. TKO 6 for Harvey. Post-match records: Harvey, 44-11-2 (18); Scozza, 34-9-1 (25). Then, in the main event, Commonwealth Flyweight Champ Kid Socks puts that belt on the line against the GBU Champ, Jackie Brown. Socks, who has held the CBU belt since 1931, is making his first defense in over a year. The two boxers are content to trade blows from long range, with the early edge going to Brown. Socks, at Post-Prime, begins to tire badly in the second half of the bout. Socks is unable to mount a rally, and Brown takes a solid UD 12 (116-111, 115-112, 117-111) to add the CBU title to his GBU one. Post-fight records: 25-8-3 (9) for Brown; 31-22-3 (8) for Socks.

Sep. 22, 1934: Next card is at the Polo Grounds at New York City. Two top 10 LWs meet on the undercard to a top-flight NABF title clash in the main. Wesley Ramey faces Al Singer, and Ramey pulls ahead in the early going. Singer battles back, and the bout appears to be very close heading into the final few rounds when, all of a sudden, Ramey is called for repeated low blows and the bout is awarded as a DQ-8 win for Singer. Ramey’s corner protests, to no avail. Post-fight records are 26-8-1 (15) for Singer, and 19-3-4 (9) for Ramey. After the controversial ending, a rematch is ordered for November. Then, in the main event, unbeaten LH John Henry Lewis puts his NABF LH title belt on the line against all-time great Mickey Walker, who now holds the USBA LH title in addition to his WBA MW crown. Walker starts well, landing the more telling blows in the early going to take an early punches landed advantage. Lewis appears content to lay back on the outside, while it is Walker forcing the action on the inside. Walker has the stamina edge as well, gradually wearing down the younger Lewis as the bout heads into the later rounds. In round nine, Lewis sustains a cut over his left eye but, with some good cornerwork, the cut is not a factor as the bout progresses. In the final round, Lewis manages to stun Walker with a big left hook. Leaving a lasting favorable impression on the judges near the end. The cards take awhile to be finalized, and Lewis manages a draw (116-112 Walker, 113-116 Lewis, 114-114) to keep the title belt and his unbeaten slate, at 18-0-2 (15). Walker, now 54-4-1 (40), will be at Post-Prime for his next outing, in early 1935.

Sep. 28, 1934: Next Friday night card is at Jersey City’s Roosevelt Stadium. Headliner is a USBA HW title contest, with two strong preliminary non-title bouts as the main supports. The first of these features well-traveled HW Jimmy Braddock, aka “the Cinderella Man,” facing Joe Sekyra. It’s a rematch of their 1933 encounter which ended as a UD 10 win for Sekyra. Sekyra works the inside, while Braddock is content to stay outside. In round four, Sekyra manages to slice open a cut over Braddock’s left eye. The bout is close through the middle rounds, with Sekyra having the best of some toe-to-toe action in round seven. In round eight, a nasty looking cut is opened over Sekyra’s right eye, but in the ninth Sekyra lands a nice cross that puts Braddock on the canvas briefly. The bout goes into the 10^th and final round and, with both men bleeding from cuts, the ref consults the ring doctor who determines that Braddock’s cut is too severe to allow the bout to continue. The “battle of the cuts” goes to Sekyra, who takes a TKO 10 to run his career totals to 27-9-2 (20). Despite protests, Braddock drops to 26-11-2 (6) with another disappointing setback. The second main support features “Homicide Hank” Armstrong, facing another top young FW prospect, Simon Chavez; each fighter enters the bout with just one loss. After a good opening round by Armstrong, Chavez is showing the effects as a mouse has formed under his left eye. Early in round two, Armstrong puts Chavez on the deck for a five-count, but he is unable to follow up in the remainder of the round or in round three. Then, in round four, an overhand right from Armstrong puts Chavez down for a second time and, with Armstrong’s killer instinct kicking in, the ref has to step in to save Chavez from further punishment. TKO 4 for Armstrong, who moves to 16-1-1 (15) with an impressive win over a quality opponent. The light-hitting Chavez is now 17-2 (3) after suffering his second career setback. In the main event, USBA HW Champion Jersey Joe Walcott faces a determined foe in long-time LH Champ Tommy Loughran, who is still hoping to make his mark in the HW division. Walcott, eager to retain his title and keep his unbeaten record going, moves inside in round three but Loughran, holding his own on the outside, manages to land effectively. Then, in round five, Walcott finds his way through Loughran’s defenses and puts the challenger on the deck with a big shot. Loughran, a bit groggy, arises at the count of seven and covers up to last the round. Loughran, who appears to be tiring in the later rounds, is forced to take on the mantle of the aggressor. He manages to keep the score close and, in the final round, Walcott falls victim to a Loughran cross. The final round KD is just enough to earn Loughran a MD 12 (114-112, 113-113, 114-112) to hand him the USBA HW title and, for Walcott, his first career loss. Post-fight career records: Loughran, 53-6-4 (18); Walcott, 21-1 (19). Dramatic finish to an exciting bout that is a fight-of-the-year candidate.

Sep. 29, 1934: The month wraps up with a card at Mexico City. Top-ranked JWW and hometown crowd favorite Battling Shaw finally gets a mandatory shot at the WBA title held since 1928 by the “Whitechapel Whirlwind,” Brit Jack Kid Berg. It’s Berg’s first defense in almost a year, after two unsuccessful attempts to wrest the LW belt from Tony Canzoneri. Berg puts on a boxing exhibition and builds an early points lead through the first five rounds. Then, in round six, Shaw suffers a cut over his right eye. The cut proves to be in a difficult spot, and it leads to an early end a couple of rounds later. TKO 8 for Berg, who was well ahead on points on all three judges’ cards, so not much protest from the Mexican’s corner. Post-fight career marks are 31-9-3 (14) for Berg and 24-6-3 (12) for Shaw.

[bob_bask]

Nice wins for Lewis and Loughran.

[JCWeb]

On to October ...
This is a summary of ring action from the first half of October 1934, covering a total of 54 bouts. One WBA title bout and several regional title bouts are on the agenda.

Oct. 5, 1934: The month opens with a Friday night card at Pittsburgh. Featured is a USBA BW title bout, with K. O. Morgan defending against recently-dethroned WBA Champ Bushy Graham. First meeting of the two, a tough matchup for both. A strong start by Morgan, and Graham is troubled by a rapidly swelling left eye after just two rounds. Morgan builds an even larger edge into the middle rounds, when Graham battles back and manages to close the gap. In the final round, Graham suffers a cut under his swollen left eye and, by the taking the final two rounds, Morgan sews up a close MD 12 triumph (116-112, 114-114, 115-113). Post-fight career marks: Morgan, 21-3-3 (14); Graham, 33-18-1 (10).

Oct. 6, 1934: Back to Europe for an abbreviated card at the Sportpalast in Berlin. Main event has German fan favorite Hein Domgorgen making the second defense of his EBU MW title against France’s Eduoard Tenet. Domgorgen, who defeated Tenet (UD 10) in an earlier encounter, seems fairly confident of a repeat win. Domgorgen takes charge early, bulling his way inside and dictating the action. Tenet gradually settles in, comfortable on the outside. Both men tire badly in the later rounds, with Tenet staging a late rally to steal the belt. The MD 12 goes to Tenet (115-113, 114-114, 115-113), with the Frenchman taking the last five rounds on all three cards to dethrone Domgorgen, to the German crowd goes home unhappy. Post-fight career marks are 31-12-5 (7) for Tenet; 36-14-1 (19) for Domgorgen.

Oct. 6, 1934: The scene shifts to the Rizal Arena in Manila, Philippines, for the next ring action. Two interesting bouts top the card. In the co-feature, two Filipino BWs do battle as Pablo Dano faces Little Pancho in a rematch of their 1933 WBA title encounter that ended in a draw. Little Pancho appears to have the best of it in the early going, but Dano rallies in the middle rounds. Pancho is gradually worn down in the later rounds, so Dano manages to take a UD 10 win (97-94, 98-93, 98-94). Post-fight, Dano improves to 28-4-3 (14) while Little Pancho’s post-fight record remains an excellent one, at 21-4-3 (7). The main event has Aussie Ambrose Palmer defending his OPBF MW belt against former titleholder Ceferino Garcia. Palmer holds a prior win, via KO, over Garcia, in 1933. The action picks up in the second round as Garcia rocks Palmer with a hook to the head that forces Palmer to cover up; Garcia also manages to rip open a cut on Palmer’s forehead. However, just when the fight is going his way, Garcia gets careless and, a round later, he falls victim to a wild overhand right from Palmer that puts him down and out. KO 3 for Palmer, repeating the result of their earlier meeting. Post-fight records: 22-6 (14) for Palmer; 30-14 (21) for Garcia.

Oct. 12, 1934: Next card is a rare Friday night one at the Stadium in Liverpool. A pair of FW bouts headline the card. In the co-feature, reigning USBA FW Champ Tommy Paul visits the UK to take on Commonwealth titleholder, the veteran Brit Dom Volante. It’s a non-title bout involving a pair of top 10 FW contenders. The bout remains close through the early rounds, but in round five Paul manages to break through Volante’s defenses, connecting with a hard cross that puts Volante on the deck briefly. Volante is able to battle back, with some success, as Paul begins to feel the impact with some noticeable swelling under his left eye. In the end, though, the KD made a major difference, as the judges award Paul a close but UD 10 (96-93, 95-94, 96-93). Post-fight records are 26-7-2 (6) for Paul, and 31-13-2 (20) for Volante. It is Volante’s last bout at Prime, as he will be hitting Post-Prime in 1935, his retirement year. In the main event, Al Foreman – in his third stint as GBU FW titleholder – makes his first defense in over two years, facing the challenge of Dave Crowley. Crowley starts well, and Foreman is in some early difficulty, as evidenced by some puffiness under his right eye that appears at the end of the opening round. Foreman battles back, and as the bout enters the middle rounds, Crowley also shows signs of swelling under his left eye. Then, in round nine, Foreman suffers a cut over his right eye. The cut proves troublesome, and it eventually leads to a late stoppage. TKO 12 for Crowley on the cuts stoppage. Crowley improves to 20-10-1 (11) with the win, while Foreman – who was already at Post-Prime -- slides to 32-22-1 (22) with the loss. Crowley was well ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage.

Oct. 13, 1934: Next up is a big card at the Forum in Montreal, with a WBA title fight headlining the card. Making his third defense of the WBA FW title is Canadian Pete Grasse, and this time his opponent is the “Cuban Bon Bon,” #1 ranked contender Kid Chocolate. It is Chocolate’s first try for a WBA title after lingering among the top five FWs for the past few years. Kid Chocolate combines an inside and outside attack to build a slight early lead. After a strong round four for the challenger, DeGrasse emerges on top in the toe-to-toe action in round five, stunning the Cuban with a three-punch combination in the process. Chocolate is warned for a low blow in round eight, but he still manages to carry a slight advantage into the final rounds. DeGrasse picks up the pace and becomes more aggressive in the later rounds. A big round 14 helps DeGrasse close the gap somewhat, but still the challenger, Kid Chocolate, goes to take a SD 15 (143-142, 142-143, 144-141) in one of the closest WBA title contests in recent memory. Chocolate moves to 27-4-5 (14) with the win. DeGrasse drops to 27-9-1 (6) after as a late rally falls just short.

Oct. 13, 1934: Next up is a good card at the Mammoth Gardens in Denver. The main event is a USBA WW title bout, with Vince Dundee making the second defense of the belt won in 1933, facing Johnny “Bandit” Romero. Romero has won his last five to set up this title clash, and he holds a UD 10 win over Dundee back in 1932. However, Dundee quickly gains the upper hand, and by the end of the fourth round, Romero is showing the effects, with a cut lip and a rapidly swelling left eye. Romero also looks sluggish and, early in round six, the bout comes to a sudden conclusion when Dundee moves inside and delivers a barrage of blows, decking the challenger. Romero is not able to beat the count, so it goes down as a KO 6 for Dundee, who retains the USBA title belt. Post-fight career marks are 34-8-4 (15) for Dundee; 28-7 (19) for Romero.

[JCWeb]

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of October 1934, covering a total of 54 bouts. One WBA title bout and several regional title bouts are on the agenda.

Oct. 19, 1934: Friday night “Down Under” card at Sydney, Australia. One noteworthy bout, which also happened to be the main event, for the Commonwealth MW title. Aussie Ron Richards defending against Canadian challenger Frank “Fireball” Battaglia. First meeting of the two, although Richards had split two recent bouts with Battaglia’s countryman, Lou Brouillard, for the same belt. Richards starts well, decking Battaglia in round two with a big hook to the head. Groggy, the Canadian arises after taking a nine-count. Battaglia gradually works his way back into the bout in what turns out to be a good action fight. However, it is marred by fouls when, in round eight, Richards is called for blatant holding and hitting. In a very unpopular move, the ref awards a DQ-8 win to Battaglia, who takes the belt back to Canada. Post-fight career marks: Battaglia, 23-4-1 (13); Richards, 25-4-2 (19). No word on a rematch.

Oct. 20, 1934: Back to Europe for a solid card at the Palais des Sports in Cannes, France. No titles at stake, but a pair of interesting encounters headline the card. First up, a HW encounter between Paul Cavalier, now ranked #10, and Belgian Pierre Charles. It’s a rematch of a previous encounter from 1932, also at Cannes, which ended in a draw. This time Charles leaves little doubt, jumping on his opponent at the outset. He decks Cavalier with a sharp combination and then follows up with a second KD later in the round that puts Cavalier down and out. KO 1 for Charles, who has registered four KO wins in a row, making him one of the hottest fighters in Europe at the moment. Post-fight records: 37-16-2 (22) for Charles; 33-12-2 (16) for Cavalier. Charles’ connections are now clamoring for an EBU HW title shot. Then, in the feature, veteran Flyweight contender Frankie Genaro, now at Post-Prime, takes on the young Spaniard, Fortunato Ortega. Genaro, the #2 ranked Flyweight, has slowed a step, and Ortega takes advantage, pulling ahead in the early rounds. Genaro’s superior stamina kicks in as the bout heads into the later rounds, and he is able to mount a comeback. In the end, the judges see this one as a draw (97-97, 96-94 Genaro, 93-97 Ortega) that leaves the rankings largely unchanged. Post-fight career marks are 42-15-4 (18) for Genaro; 17-3-2 (11) for Ortega.

Oct. 20, 1934: The scene shifts to Miami, for a packed card topped by a WBA title clash. The main support has two top LHs squaring off in a 10-round, non-title affair, as “Slapsie Maxie” Rosenbloom meets Jimmy Slattery. Rosenbloom enters the bout as a heavy favorite, holding a prior UD 10 win over Slattery, on top of which is the fact that the latter is now at Post-Prime career stage. It is all Rosenbloom in the early going, so much so that Slattery shows signs of swelling under his left eye by the end of round two. Nonetheless, Slattery puts forth a good effort and manages to keep the bout reasonably close headed into the later rounds. Rosenbloom appears to wear Slattery down in the last few rounds, taking advantage of his superior stamina. In the end, Maxie walks away with a MD 10 victory (97-93, 95-95, 97-93), although not sure what the one judge who ruled it a draw was watching as Rosenbloom had a huge punches landed advantage by the end. Post-fight, Rosenbloom improves to 34-6-6 (13) while Slattery ends the bout at 33-16-3 (12). Then, in the main event, WBA BW Champ Johnny King makes his second title defense against former Champ and current OPBF BW titleholder Speedy Dado. The two have met twice before, back in 1930, with King winning both times. The Champ starts well, stunning Dado in the opening round with a three-punch combo. In round two, King continues the onslaught, dropping Dado who takes a six-count before arising. Dado recovers quickly, and by round four, he is consistently beating King to the punch, drilling the Champ with a sharp three-punch combination of his own near the end of the fourth. The action picks up in the fifth round as the two lock horns on the inside, a good action round. After five, the KD and the Champions’ advantage seems to slightly favor King. Dado continues to chip away in the middle rounds. More inside action in round seven, and this time the edge appears to swing toward the challenger. By the end of round seven, there are signs of swelling under the right eye of King. King regroups, settling into a groove on the outside. Then, in round 10, he connects with an uppercut to register his second KD of the fight. This time Dado bounces up at the count of four. Full of energy, Dado steps up the pace in the later rounds. However, in the 12^th, he leaves himself open for another strong counter from King and goes down for the third time in the fight. In the end, the three KDs by King are sufficient in the minds of the judges to outweigh the overall punches landed and greater activity by Dado. King takes a MD 15 (142-141, 141-141, 142-140) to retain the belt in one of the more entertaining title bouts of the year. Post-fight records: 34-3-1 (15) for King; 325-11-2 (13) for Dado.

Oct. 26, 1934: Next up is a Friday night card at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. On the undercard is popular young MW sensation, Tony Zale, who is looking to pad his record in a scheduled six-rounder against a hapless TC opponent. Zale takes awhile to get going, decking his opponent with a hook in round two, then following up with a second KD two rounds later that forces an early stoppage. Easy TKO 4 win to move Zale to Pre-Prime with a 5-0 (4) start to his fledgling career. Then, in the main event, Joe Dundee defends his USBA WW title against Barney Ross. Ross, who is returning to action after losing the WBA belt to Jimmy McLarnin, is a prohibitive favorite. In the actual bout, Ross starts well and builds an early points edge. Dundee tires badly in the second half of the bout and lacks the firepower to mount a comeback, so Ross goes on to take a fairly straightforward UD 12 by a comfortable margin (118-110, 116-113, 118-110). Ross moves to 24-3-1 (8) with the win, while Dundee is now 41-16-7 (13) after the loss.

Oct. 27, 1934: Back to the UK for a nice card at the Earls Court at London. Two bouts of interest: a CBU title clash preceded by a HW non-title main support. In the HW encounter, young British HW hopeful Jack Peterson. Von Porat, who is now at Post-Prime, is the aggressor in the early going, but Peterson displays some strong defensive and boxing skills to keep the veteran Norwegian at bay. Then, in round six, Peterson suffers a cut over his right eye, and the momentum swings in Von Porat’s favor. Then, in the ninth round, Von Porat is cut over his right eye, and late in the same round, a Peterson uppercut drops Von Porat to the canvas. Otto arises after taking a seven count, then covers up to last the round. Then, in the final round, Peterson snakes through another uppercut, and this time Von Porat goes down and stays down. KO 10 for Peterson. Post-fight career totals: Peterson, 20-2 (14); Von Porat, 23-12-1 (13). Then, in the main event, the Verdun Flash, Bobby Leitham, puts his Commonwealth BW title on the line, facing Benny Sharkey, a one-time EBU Champion. The two met for this same title back in 1932, with Leitham taking a narrow win via a SD 12. This encounter starts out as another close bout, at least until the fifth round when Sharkey connects with a big combination that puts Leitham down for an eight-count. Sharkey,after being warned for a low blow, follows up with an uppercut for a second KD, then takes the belt via a TKO 5 as the ref calls a halt. Benny Sharkey moves to 24-5-1 (16) with the win, while Leitham, who still has the NABF title to fall back on, drops to 29-6-1 (12) after the loss.

Oct. 27, 1934: The month wraps up with a packed card and a WBA title bout at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The main support features two talented HWs as Herman “Baltimore Banger” Weiner is matched with Art Lasky. It’s a battle of two sluggers and Lasky, who has all of wins coming inside the distance, wastes no time in putting a beating on the hapless Weiner in the opening round. Weiner barely survives the opening onslaught, then in round four, when Lasky catches him with a big uppercut, Lasky is not so fortunate as he is down and out. KO 4 for Lasky, moving him to 19-2-1 (19) overall. Weiner is now 32-9 (21). Then, in the main event, Tony “the Roman Warrior” Canzoneri defends his WBA LW belt against former Champ, Billy “the Fargo Express” Petrolle. Canzoneri feels confident, having scored two wins and a draw in their prior meetings, plus Petrolle is now at Post-Prime. Petrolle suffers a nasty cut over his right eye in the opening stanza, and the cut leads to an early end in the second round. The cut is ruled due to an accidental butt, so it goes down as a technical draw. Canzoneri retains the belt, and the post-fight career totals for the two combatants are: Canzoneri, 33-4-3 (15); Petrolle, 42-7-4 (21).

[JCWeb]

Pushing hard to wrap up 1934 action in the next week or so …

This is a summary of ring action from the first half of November 1934, covering a total of 56 bouts.

Nov. 2, 1934: Friday night card to start the month off at the War Memorial Auditorium in Syracuse, New York. No title fights on the agenda, so the headliner is a 10-round non-title matchup of two top 10 LHs: Young Firpo and Battling Bozo. The bout is a classic boxer versus slugger confrontation, with Bozo (the boxer) won their only previous encounter via a UD 10, back in 1932. This time, Bozo appears to be on his way to a repeat win, gradually building a solid points edge over the first four rounds. But, surprise, in round five he falls victim to a big shot from Young Firpo and goes down and is counted out. KO 5 for Firpo, lifting his overall career totals to 26-11-3 (16); Bozo dips to 23-7-2 (10) after the loss.

Nov. 3, 1934: Next card is back in Europe at the Amor Bahn in Munich. A fairly light card, lots of German boxers, and the main event is a rematch for the EBU Flyweight title between Istvan Enekes (the new Champion) and ex-Champ, Frenchman Emile Pladner, after their initial bout in September ended in a controversial DQ call going against Pladner for some questionable fouling. This time, Pladner – set to avenge the earlier loss – looks sharp early. However, Enekes battles back, and the bout is fairly even at the halfway point. Then, Enekes combines an inside and outside attack to gradually pull ahead in the later rounds. No cuts, knockdowns or fouls, but the outcome is still in doubt right down to the final round, with Enekes emerging the victor via a close but UD 12 (115-114. 116-113, 115-114). Enekes did just enough, taking the final round on all three judges’ cards to retain the title. Post-fight career marks are 21-2-1 (9) for Enekes; 23-13-2 (9) for Pladner.

Nov. 9, 1934: The scene shifts to Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, for a Friday night card featuring former WBA HW Champ Jack Sharkey, still on the comeback trail, in a tough matchup with Don McCorkindale, the recently crowned Commonwealth HW titleholder. First meeting of the two. McCorkindale is the aggressor in the early going, but by the end of round three he has been on the receiving end of some Sharkey counters and there is some swelling under his right eye as a result. Then, in round four, McCorkindale lands a big shot to put Sharkey on the deck, and he follows with a second KD later in the same round. Sharkey covers up and is able to survive the round. In round six, McCorkindale uncorks a big hook, once again forcing Sharkey to cover up. McCorkindale cannot finish Sharkey and, with a big points lead, eases up a bit in the later rounds. Sharkey becomes more aggressive and frustrated, and he manages to last the distance but cannot prevent McCorkindale from pulling off the upset UD 10 win (96-92, 96-93, 95-93) largely based on the strength of the two knockdowns. The win lifts McCorkindale to 26-6-1 (15) while the loss (Sharkey’s fourth in his last five outings) leaves Sharkey at 31-11 (19).

Nov. 10, 1934: Next up is a card at Manila’s Rizal Arena. No titles at stake, but two titleholders square off in the main event as NABF WW Champ Seargant Sammy Baker takes on his OPBF counterpart and local favorite, Lope Tenorio. Baker builds an early points advantage. Tenorio battles back to keep the bout close. In round five, Baker staggers Tenorio with a big cross, but the Filipino hangs on to last the round. Then, in round six, Tenorio is back on target, causing some swelling to appear under the left eye of Baker. It’s a good, solid effort by both men, with Tenorio taking the last round to secure a MD 10 verdict (96-94, 95-95, 96-94) from the panel of judges, which was perhaps influenced somewhat by the pro-Tenorio crowd. Tenorio moves to 29-13-8 (8) with the win, while Baker, saddled with the loss, is now 31-12-1 (18).

Nov. 10, 1934: Next up is a card at St. Louis’ Kiel Auditorium. The main event is a rematch featuring WBA JLW Champ Tod Morgan, once again testing the waters in the higher weight class, facing #6 ranked LW Al Singer; Singer took an earlier bout, just four months earlier, via a UD 10. This time, the two appear to be evenly matched through the first half of the bout. Morgan pulls ahead with a slight punches landed advantage, and Singer becomes more aggressive in the second half of the fight. Not much in the way of hard-hitting action, and both men end the bout relatively unscathed. Morgan takes a UD 10 (97-93, 98-93, 97-94), making it even more likely he might permanently abandon the struggling JLW division. Post-fight, Morgan is 43-11-1 (12). Singer, who will hit Post-Prime next fight, is 26-9-1 (15) after the loss.

Nov. 16, 1934: Back to Europe for a couple of good matchups in a rare Friday night at the Sports Palace in Rome. The co-feature is a LW encounter with unbeaten Aldo Spoldi facing Joe Glick, a top ten ranked LW visiting from the USA. Spoldi, working primarily on the outside, manages to build a slight lead in the early going. Glick responds with a solid fifth round, and the bout remains close headed into the later rounds. In round seven, Glick suffers a cut on his forehead. Then, in round eight, Spoldi drills Glick with an uppercut. The cut is still bleeding in round nine, but Glick soldiers on. In the final round, he catches Spoldi with a nice combination that puts the Italian on the deck. In the end, the bout goes to decision and the last round KD is enough for Glick to escape with a razor-thin SD 10 win (95-94, 94-95, 96-93) to hand Spoldi his first career defeat. The win moves Glick to 36-14-5 (13) while Spoldi is now 23-1-2 (12). Then, in the main event, EBU WW Champion Cleto Locatelli makes his sixth defense of that belt, defending for the second time against German Gustav Eder – Locatelli handed Eder his only career defeat when the two met earlier in the year. This time, the bout devolves into a defensive struggle, which is to Locatelli’s advantage as he tries to wear down Eder. In the second half of the bout, Eder steps up the pace. Locatelli’s defense remains solid, and he takes most of the later rounds to emerge a UD 12 victor (116-114, 117-113, 117-113), once again retaining the EBU title. Post-fight career totals: Locatelli, 30-9-1 (11); Eder, 26-2-4 (9).