GREATEST BOXING UPSET

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19056, 2 July 1936, Page 7

GREATEST BOXING UPSET

SCHMELING’S VICTORY SPECTACULAR CONTEST “MURDEROUS RIGHTS” TO CHIN NEW YORK, June 20. Max Schmeling’s smashing knockout over Joe Bonis in the twelfth round at the Yankee Stadium last night was not only one of the greatest upsets in modern boxing history,.but was one of the most spectacular heavyweight battles seen for many a year. The gallant German unleashed a murderous blast of terrific rights to the unprotected chin ot the “Brown Bomber,” and. once again won the right to challenge for the heavyweight title he once held.

Schmeling entered the ring under what would have been heavy psychological handicaps to any but a man of iron nerve.

In the first place, he had been conceded hardly a chance of surviving the 15 rounds with the supposedly invincible negro.

In the second, lie had just seen the veteran promoter and referee, Tom O’Rourke,.collapse and die as he stepped into his dressing-room to wish him good luck; anything but a happy augury.

The defeat of Louis was a great disappointment to his well-wishers. He had had 28 straight victories and it was believed that lie could not lose. His .-.managers attributed his poor showing and ineffectual hitting to t lie fact that he broke his left thumb in the fourth round and his right thumb in the ninth. HELPLESS, BUT CONSCIOUS Schmeling started working slowly and without trace of fear or nervousness. He simply beat his opponent down by steady slugging. Louis went down helpless, but not unconscious, with a puzzled gaze as if he was not able to comprehend what had happened.

lie looked towards his corner and his handlers had to carry him from the ring and work over him for several minutes before he could walk from the ring.

It was a right-hand attack which won for Schmeling and stunned the spectators, who had been educated to believe that Louis was unbeatable. The German outbombed the “Brown Bomber” in a manner that upset all expectations. Louis entered the ring favourite at 15 to one on, and three to one on to win bv a knock-out.

Ninety per cent of the crowd came merely to attend the German’s execution. There was almost a total absence of Schmeling money. The fight was a bigger financial fiasco than was first believed. The actual paid attendance was 39,878 and the receipts 547,000 dollars.

Louis is 22 years old, and Schmeling is approaching 31. Schmeling Avon the world title from Jack Sharkey on a foul in the fourth round on June 12, 1930, but lost it to Sharkey on points on June 21, 1932. Among the victims of Louis’ punching power are Primo Camera, King Levinskv, Max Baer, and Paolino Uzcudun, who had never previously been knocked out.

■Schmeling has been knocked out )>v Baer, has defeated “Young” Stri'bling, Mickey Walker, and Walter Ncusel.

Americans thought Schmeling’s career was finished until he suddenly returned to fame in Berlin last year by knocking out Steve Tamns and outpointing Nzcudun. Through these two victories he secured the match with Louis.