WORLD BOXING

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20465, 4 April 1938, Page 13

WORLD BOXING

LOUIS WINS AGAIN THOMAS AN EASY VICTIM COLLAPSE IN FIFTH ROUND United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright NEW YORK. April 1 In a heavy-weight boxing contest at the Chicago Stadium to-day, the negro Joe Louis knocked out Harry Thomas in the fifth round. The stadium was half full and the gross receipts were 45,600 dollars £9060). a new low figure for the the championship in recent years. Louis weighed 192 pounds and Thomas 196. Betting was 20 to 1 in Louis’ favour of a win, and 10 to 1 for a knock-out.

The fight started slowly, both men being cautious. Thomas at first made the pace, connecting with several short rights to the jaw. He also won the second round. In the third round the champion woke up and stunned Thomas with a terrific right to the jaw. Loser’s Game Effort In the fourth round Louis, like an automaton, dropped Thomas three times with terrific punches, first for a count of nine. Then Thomas landed a superb right to the head, but Louis followed with a left hook, dropping Thomas for a count of three. Thomas was glassy-eyed when he came up swinging his fists. He was again dropped for nine, but returned gamely, Louis connecting repeatedly. The end of the fight came in the fifth round, when Thomas collapsed in the centre of the ring, under a terrific series of left hooks, Louis finally landing a smashing blow to the side of the head. Towards the end Thomas put up a game fight, but was no match for the champion.