Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-15
CROSSISA
LOSER TO RIVERS
Whirlwind of Blows in Final
Round Nearly Finishes the
New York Boxer.

Leach Cross. the New York light
weight, that his bout with Joe Rivers
Of Los Angeles at the Empire A. c.
did not last more. than 10 rounds. If
the bout had been longer Rivers sure
ly would have scored knockout.
When the last round ended Cross,
who had been under terrific fire, was
practically all in. He was stallingand
hugging to avoid the Mexican's fear
full punches that came so swiftly that
it was almost impossible to block
them
In word Rivers, with real fighting
ability, won, though 1t was not by a
big margin. for in some of the proceed
ing rounds Cross. depending upon clean
boxing, still made an excellent show
ing.
Rivers was puzzled by Cross style
in the early stages. He was knocked
down for a couple of seconds In the
second round when Cross reached his
jaw with solid right, but in the next
three rounds Rivers began to get his
| bearings. He partially solved Cross
methods and by incessant rushing tao
tics he showed the crowd that he
knew how to hit
Cross braced perceptibly in the sixth
round, but Rivers made an even break
/ CT it. In the seventh round Rivers
again brought his heavy artillery into
play and Cross received many hard
blows. Boxing at long range and
using cool-headed judgment, Cross had
slight advantage in the eighth and
ninth rounds, after which Rivers went
into the fight like a champion Cross
made a brave resistance, but strength
and hitting power, coupled with won
derful aggressiveness, proved too
much for him.
The second round, where Cross scor-
ed a knockdown, began with a rush by
Rivers. Cross threw a left into his
face, and then with a terrific right
handler on the jaw he sent the Mexican
to the canvas. Rivers was bleeding
from the nose when he got up and
Cross dashed in to finish him.
The Mexican was full of fight, how
ever, and mixed it holly. Both landed
swings with all their might and then
clinched. Cross stood away after that
and used the left with some effect.
Rivers then confined his attacks to
hard body blows at close range. Cross
had the round, and the crowd went
wild with delight.
|
swings as starter in the sixth round
Rivers cut loose. He ripped in upper
cuts to the stomach until Cross clinch-
ed. Rivers was warned by the refefee
for rough work and the men shook
hands Cross met two fierce rushes
with swings on the jaw, but he could
not keep off the hotheaded Mexican
Cross then boxed at long range until
Rivers drove him to a corner. This
round was about even.
Cross hristled with confidence when
he toed the marx for the ninth round
He blocked a left and shot a jab to
the nose. Rivers rushed wildly into
clinch Cross stood up and mixed it,
landing more accurate punches that
covered the Mexican's face with the
. crimson stuff. Rivers, however. rush.
ed and missed Cross again punched
him in the face with a stiff left-hand
er, Rivers fighting wildly. At the end
Rivers was forcing it, but Cross had
the round
The moment the last round started
Rivers rushed like a tiger, slamming
away with both hands. Cross mixed
it with solid smashes until Rivers
backed away. Rivers soon came back
with another rush and a Highlander
that almost put Cross down. Cross
mixed it. but Rivers with terrific punch
es made him hang on.
Rivers cut loose with a storm OF
blows then, and, with a left on the
jaw, had Cross in trouble. He forced
Cross to the ropes and drove in blows
that left no doubt as to which was the
better man. Cross was stalling and In
trouble at the bell and Rivers was en-
titled TO the verdict by small margin