New York, Nov, 17.
Greater stamina and powerful long range attacks aided Billy Conn, youthful Irish-American from Pittsburgh, in retaining the world light-heavyweight championship with a victory over rugged Gus Lesnevich, New. Jersey Russian-American, at ihe Madison Square Garden tonight.
It was a grand battle, and the fifteen rounds" were packed with action, "As. in his previous fights fights against Melia Battina, former champion, Conn was slow in warming opened up a devastating offensive, But once he was aroused he carried knóckout and they threw catition to the winds and waded in for a slugfest. First one and then the other would roll back on his heels under terrific punishment, Conn, however, had a slight edge in this wild battle in the thirteenth round. He lashed out more quickly and his timing appeared to be better, He also landed more blows, Lesnevich had the advantages of weight and experience, but they meant little in the actual fight, for Conn fought cleverly and even outsmarted his rival, The youthful champion, despite his victory on decision, was somewhat disappointed with his showing.
I fought one of my worst fights," he told newspapermen ju his dressing room.
Conn praised Lesnevich for his ruggedness and gameness.
Mike Jacobs announced that the gate receipts amounted to U.S.$45,067.
Conn weighed in at 17134 pounds, while Lesnevich tipped the scales at—United. Press, the fight to his heavier and more experienced opponent.
A crowd of 13,704 thundering fans ra{chet the clash. They saw Lesnevich start out with a furious rush and believed that the handsome sandy-haired Russian would win in Professional football is climbing right up the ladder of success as attested by the patronage the public is giving the "cash and carry" sport these Sunday afternoons, For 32 games thus far this season, in good weather and bad, the National Football League has attracted 662,700 cash customers, With 22 games lett, the League is likely to hit the 1,250,000 mark with room to spare because the season's choicest games remain to be played.—United Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.