DEFEAT OF BAER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 256, 26 September 1935, Page 7

DEFEAT OF BAER

NEGRO’S MARKED SUPERIORITY

HEAVY PUNISHMENT GIVEN.

INTENSE INTEREST

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, Sept. 24.

In the professional heavyweight boxing match at the Yankee Stadium, in winch Joe Louis, the Detroit negro, knocked out Max Baer, former champion of the world, in the fourth round, the knock-out came 2min 50sec after the start of that round. Baer took the count while helpless on one knee after being saved by the bell in the third round. He took a terrific beating. Baer weighed lost Oslb and Louis 14st 341 b. Between 90,000 and 95,000 frantically excited boxing enthusiasts crowded the Yankee Stadium as the hour for the starting gong approached. For two days railways, automobiles, and aeroplanes had been bringing spectators and hotel accommodation had been at a premium with many sleeping in parked automobiles. A well-organised ‘‘scalping” business was evident as the choice ringside seats, which were priced at 25 dollars, were selling for as much as 125 dollars. Even 3 dollars 45 cents general admission tickets sold for five to six dollars. It was the most exciting and colourful pugilistic event since the DempseyTunney fights of the boom era. Preliminary estimates indicate that receipts exceed 1,100,000 dollars. Each contestant will receive 30 per cent, of the net proceeds, the promoters 30 per cent, and the New York Milk Fund charity 10 per cent. The drama of the _ contest was increased at the weigliing-in ceremonies when Baer stalked from the building saying that if he was not allowed to use a specially constructed glove to protect his thumb there would be no fight. After much argument the Boxing Commission granted the request over a protest by the manager of Louis.

Harlem, the city’s negro section, which is just south of the stadium, seethed with excitement all day, with hundreds of extra police detailed to the area should a Louis victory provoke a riotous celobratLn. Almost 2000 police were detailed to keep order in the stadium.

Betting odds shifted radically throughout the day, betting commissioners stating that tho wagering was the heaviest in a test they had ever witnessed. Early in the day the odds were 2 to 1 and 9 to 5 on Louis, but the sudden appearance of a large amount of Baer money forced the odds down to 8 to 5 and even 7 to 5. At the ringside, however, they stretched back 9 to 5 with many of the backers of Louis willing to lay 2 to 1. TOUCH. OF ROMANCE.

Louis added a touch of romance to tile aiiair two hours belore the light by going to tho residence of friends, whole he married Miss Marva Trotter, a 19-year-old Chicago stenographer. They liad been engaged lor some time ana were to have been married at noon to-morrow, “win, lose, or draw,” as Louis said, but they decided there was no reason for waiting. The referee for the bout was Arthur Donovan and the judges George Lecrou and Charley Lynclr. At tho opening gong both fighters came out slowly. They sparred cautiously for a few seconds, Louis finally landing a hard left hook to the jaw. Then he battered Baer’s chin with two hard lefts and rights and continued landing punches to win the round easily. In the second round Louis continued his hard attack and, instead of attempting to counter tho rushes, Baer started holding and during the round failed to land a single effective blow. By this time it was apparent that the negro was completely superior and it was only a question of how long Baer could remain standing. In the third round Baer resorted to his familiar crouching position and tried desperately to reach the negro’s chin, but his best efforts apparently failed to hurt liis opponent. In the last minute Louis unleashed a twofisted attack, forced Baer to the ropes, and, with a right to the jaw, dropped him for a count of nine. Baer arose shaky and immediately went down again under a left hook to the jaw and was saved by the bell at the count of four.

UTTER COLLAPSE. At the bell for the fourth round Louis started a concentrated attack to the face and head and swung drive after drive with both fists as Baer retreated, scarcely able to defend himself. Baer finally worked himself into a clinch and, in the break, reached Louis with a light back-hand blow. Louis again planted powerful blows to the jaw and this time, when Baer tried to clinch, Louis 6ent his head back with a straight left, then dropped Baer to the floor with a right to the head. The- former champion took the count on one knee, Louis winning on a knockout at the end of two minutes 50 seconds in the fourth round. It was a clean knockout. Baer sank like a tree falling. He utterly collapsed in a sitting position, dazed. He managed to gain a kneeling position in a futile effort to rise and muttered a feeble protest as Donovan told him the fight was over. Although Louis was favourite, the ease with which he defeated • Baer drew loud praise* from newspaper boxing critics, who practically unanimously agree that Louis will inevitably become heavyweight champion, and thus be the‘first of his race to win the distinction since Johnson won the title. It is pointed out that Louis has .registered the quickest success in a ring career since Jeffries, who won the championship after 17 bouts. Louis has fought 25 times professionally in the past 14 months without defeat, and has scored 21 knock-outs. Baer was knocked out for the first time in his career.