FOR THE HEAVY-WEIGHT CROWN

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 122, 24 October 1941, Page 8

FOR THE HEAVY-WEIGHT CROWN

Blow-By-Blow Ringside Description Of Louis-Nova Fight

ON September 29, at the New York Polo Grounds, Joe Louis retained his heavy-weight title with a technical knock-out victory over Lou Nova in the sixth round. Thus Louis fulfilled his ambition to enter the U.S, Army with the prized crown still on his head. His fight with the Yogatrained Nova may be his last. Here is a blow-by-blow description of the bout, taken on a stenotype at the ringside, and airmailed to "The Listener" by PanAmerican clipper: OVA is the first to enter the ring N followed by his trainer, Ray Arcell, and Manager Ray Carlin. The crowd exceeds 56,000, which should make the box-office more than 580,000 dollars. Here comes Louis wearing a towel from his hotel round his neck. It is customary for all boxers to wear a towel from the hotel where they’re stopping. Here is the announcer: " Ring officials are, judging, Charlie Drakoff, and the referee will be Arthur Donovan. This is the feature attraction-15 three-minute rounds for the heavy-weight championship of the world. From California, weighing 20214, wearing black trunks, the challenger, Lou Nova. From Detroit, weighing 20214, wearing purple trunks! the world’s heavy-weight king, Joe Louis." Round One The bell for Round One. Both in the centre of the ring. Nova moving around the champ. but steps back as Louis moves towards him. Both pawing but no blow struck yet. Nova jabs a left to Louis’ nose after half a minute. Louis comes in but Nova steps back — a very tense moment. A straight left by Joe countered by a left hook to the jaw by Nova. The boys seem to have a lot of respect for each other but Louis is trying to get Nova into action. Right cross to the jaw by Nova short of the mark. Nova jabs a left to Joe’s chin and Joe bounces off the ropes and spears Lou’s chin with a left. Louis grazes Nova’s nose with a left hook and follows in with two short hooks to Lou’s head. The bell goes as Nova catches Louis on left eye with a left jab. Summary: Round even mainly because neither seemed inclined to fight. Round Two, Nova jabs with left which is partially blocked but catches Louis lightly on the bridge of nose. Nova swings a right which soars over Joe’s head followed by another which also goes astray, Action is very slow now and the crowd roaring disapproval. Nova answers by hooking a left high to Joe’s head but Louis bounces a smashing right to Nova’s chin. Lou comes charging back, and they go into the first "huddle" of the match. They tie each other up and Donovan separates them. Two minutes have gone. Louis still appears to be trying to get Nova to make the action. Nova throws a wild right as the bell goes. Summary: Nova’s round.

Round Three Louis comes out with left extended trying to get Nova on to ropes. Nova moves his head from side to side parrying light lefts, two of.which fall short. The tempo slows again. Nova is in centre of ring moving his head from side to side. Louis is very calm and collected and seems to be waiting for Nova to lead or make a false move. Nova. keeps moving trying to ‘get Louis to move for

his counter. Summary: Honours about even but there is still no action. | Round Four Both boys in ring centre with Joe trying to get Nova into an exchange. He spears Lou with a left to the face. Nova is dancing around and in and out, not giving Joe a clear crack at his head. Things are warming up now and closing in, Nova connects with rights and a left

to the head. Louis shakes his head. Louis makes use of his left more now, trying to make Nova open up, but Nova keeps moving back. Louis jabs his left to the jaw and driving Lou to a neutral corner smashes left and rights to the challenger’s jaw. Louis is fighting fiercely now and another smashing right makes Lou’s knees sag, but he is fighting back again with both hands. Louis misses with a left and Nova hooks his left to Joe’s jaw as the bell goes. Summary: Louis was definitely stalking Nova, looking for an opening for his right. He is not using his left as frequently as we know he can. Louis’ a Round: Five Louis ‘shuffles from his corner and Nova comes in looking very determined. He is moving in and out flicking light lefts which fall short. Louis watches. No action going on_and again the crowd roars for both men to fight. Louis misses with a left hook and Nova slams a hard left to the champ.’s nose. Louis jabs a left to the chin and a hard right by Nova whizzes over Joe’s head. Two hard lefts from Louis bring the blood from Lou’s nose and Nova backs away. Louis shuffling and stalking again. Two minutes gone. Leuis goes into a semi-crouch and Nova feints with a right then falls short with a left. Louis stalking again and Nova hooks a left to his jaw. The champion shuffles out of range, Joe pokes out his left and just misses with a terrific right (Continued on next page)

LOUIS-NOVA FIGHT (Continued from previous page) that had his whole body behind it. As the bell rings Louis jabs two hard lefts to Lou’s nose and the challenger is bleeding freely. Louis’ round. Round Six Both come out cautiously. Nova shoots out three or four lefts which are short. Louis not attempting to box his opponent but seems to be waiting for a chance to use his right. They circle around and the crowd are calling for more action. Nova lashes out with a hard right. Both miss with cautious rights and again the crowd howls. Nova stands his ground and moves his head from side to side. Louis feints a left and Nova takes a half step back and a smashing right by Louis catches Nova flush on the chin and the challenger is down. 1, 2, 3, 4-the place is in an uproar, 7, 8, 9-he gets to his feet but he’s badly hurt, and Louis is in for the kill but Donovan pushes him away while he wipes the resin off Nova’s gloves. Louis is at Nova now. Left to the jaw, right to the body, left to the jaw, left hook, right cross, I can’t follow them. Louis is the killer of old. Lefts and rights are hammering on Nova’s head and body. It looks like the end. The fickle crowd are crying out to Donovan to stop it. Louis is pummelling Nova un-, mercifully and a terrific left hook has torn Nova’s eye. The uproar is terrific’ and Donovan is between the fighters and he’s taking Nova to his corner. The bell has gone and Donovan has called Dr. Walker to the ring. It is the finish. Donovan has signalled Louis the winner on a t.k.o, in the sixth round, Everyone is going crazy. Joe was never in any trouble and Nova had no chance once that right had landed on his jaw. The t.k.o was timed at 2 minutes 59 seconds in the sixth round. The Fighters Speak ’ Nova at the mike: "I feel fine, I was very surprised when the referee stopped the fight. I could have continued. I wish the referee had let me continue." Louis at the mike: "Lou fought well but he ain’t the fighter Billy Conn was, I saw the opening in the fifth round. I threw a punch then but it missed. I knew I'd get the opening again so I just waited until it came. I was a bit slow in getting under way, but it was very cold. Then too, Lou fooled me the way he fought. I just had to wait for an opening to come. When it came I threw the hardest right hand punch I ever landed." Nova at mike: "I wasn’t expecting Joe to hit me then. It probably was the hardest punch and the quickest punch anyly ever, threw at me, and the lights went out, When I gathered my senses I was able to get up but I couldn’t protect myself much then I guess. Maybe I could have rallied in the next round, but we can’t tell. You know. Joe, if you retire I think I'll claim your title." Louis. at the mike: "I go into the Army late next month, and maybe tonight was my last title fight. I dunno. Mike Jacobs and my managers, Julian Black and John Roxborough, would best be able to tell you that. They have the say and I guess at present they ain’t saying nothing. But I am glad I can go into the Army as the heavy-weight champion."