ut i n First Round Retains World Heavyweight Title; Attack Sees Three Knockdowns New York, Jan. 25.
ING a murderous attack reminiscent of the slaughter Max Schmeling, dusky Joe Louis, world heavyweight cham-retained his title by scoring a technical knockout over John Lewis, negro light-heavyweight titleholder, in two minutes ud 29 seconds of the first round.
Referee Arthur Donovan, dean officials, was forced to halt the battle after Lewis had tg the canvas three times and rose from.the last knockdown heavily from the mouth, with knees buckling and his eyes took the Brown Bomber exactly 25 seconds longer to off Lewis than he required to crush Schmeling last summer.
The champion, weighing 200% pounds, did not give his foe a chance. He rushed out of his corner from the opening gong and before Lewis knew "what it was all about, the bout was over and Louis walked out of the ring still champion of the world, unhurt d unruffled.
Louis did not waste time, living up to his announcement prior to the bout hat he would stretch his rival out before the second round ended.
Lewis, who weighed 180% pounds, almost twenty pounds less than the champion, was plucky and willing but) the terrible barrage of hooks and explosive rights were too much for him.
18,000 Spectators Eighteen thousand spectators flocked te Madison Square Garden and paid U.S.$102,000.
The quick ending brought thunder-ling cheers from the spectators who, for the first time since Louis became champion, seemed to be all in favour Coming out of their corners, Joe darted after his foe, shuffling slowly but surely toward his moving target, who appeared slightly nervous.
The Brown Bomber feinted a couple of times and as his foe attempted to close in and stage a counter-attack, he lashed out a jolting right.
It was a perfect straight right that cracked on the point of John Henry's jaw. His head snapped back under the terrible impost. His eyes became leery. But before he could cover up, Louis was'on top of him, hammering away with terrific left hooks and a right cross, Another right to the side of the head sent Lewis staggering. His knees buckled and as he attempted to back away he collapsed and sprawled to the canvas.
Shaking his head to clear the daze, John Henry did not wait to regain complete possession of his senses.
He rose on the count of two and appeared to be prepared for a whale of a battle. But the champion shook off his somewhat weak attempts to tangle.
Easy for Louis fg. tt of pts.
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Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.