New Britain herald., 1915-11-26
JOE ROCCO GETSk. Q.
 FROM SAM WALTZ
Capital City Italian Is Slowed
 Away in Final Round

Joe ROCCO in the star bout of the Fed eral A. C., and succeeded in knocking out the little Italian battIer in the fl- nal round of the affair, after one Of the most gruelling battles ever wit messed in this city. The Capitol City 1epfeW, landed the finishing wallop nara right to the jaw after he had toppled the gallant little "Wop" to tne Iloor on three occasions. To the Vlctor ln such affairs goes the spells of victory, and Sammy Waltz stands to- "day to the featherweight division in connecticut pugilists what Al Mccoy was to the middleweight division. / Forced to train himself to a weight winch was an injustice to himself and to ms friends who had placed large Wagers on him, to beat the Hartford Jew, Rocco entered the ring in no fit shape to face an opponent whose willy manager had made condition so fa .Vorable for. Joe" did his best under the conditions, and even in the face ot the defeat which he sustained many words of sympathy were heard for him for the gallant effort he had made when things looked 50 dark
 The opening rounds of the scrap were very even. Rocco secured a lead
  my come back and even it up in the second. From the second to the fifth it was fairly even affair. Then the Hebrew cut loose several healthy wal lops which found a resting place in vital sections of Joe anatomy and as a result it looked as if Rocco would succumb there and then to kayo. He, however, weathered the storm. From then on to the finish Rocco more than held his own and it is an agreed fact that up to the time of the last round that he had annexed five rounds on points as compared to three for Waltz, and three which were even. It looked particularly bad in the eighth round that the Jew was to be sent to the mat by Rocco, but poor judgement on part of his seconds al lowed Waltz to stick the round out.
 The finish of the battle was a thrill Ter second to none ever witnessed in this city. Rocco came from his cor ner apparently as fresh as in the opener. He attempted to pix it with Waltz who backed him into tho northwest corner of the ring, and then feinted with a right hook, cross ing a vivacious crashing blow to Rocco's jaw. Those in close proX- unity to the ring could immediately see that the blow was an effective one. Rocco shook from shoulders to his toes, and again tried to mix it with his infuriated opponent. An other hard left to the jaw sent Rocco to the mat, where he fought valiantiy to arise finally succeeding at the count of seven. Waltz grasping his precious chance to end the battle lost no time in again sending thee
 
 down for the third time, clamored to his feet only to get Sammy's power full right on the jaw driving him to the floor with his head and shoulders outside the ropes facing the audience. At this juncture Chief Rawlings arose but it was unnecessary for him to in- terfere, for Rocco was out, and he was picked up and dragged to his corner by his friends, and after pre- liminary steps were taken to resusct- tate him, he was Utterly carried from the ring. It was as clean a knock out as ever witnessed in a local ring. Clifford Star.
 The semi-final introduced to the 1 local boxing fraternity one of he best little boys that has ever aD- peared in a ring in this city, in the person of Jerry Clifford who faced 1 Johnny Hayes in the semi-final of eight rounds Clifford was outweigh ed by the "grandstand fighter" by at least 10 pounds, but Hayes Riley | or whatever he chooses to call him. self, knew that he was in battle before the close. Clifford to a vest | pocket imitation of Terry" Nc Govern both in looks and actions, and he made a host of friends. We'd nesday evening by his gallant battle. It is likely that he will be matched to fight here again at the next show. The Preliminary.
 One of those nauseating atrocities, l often times referred to as prelimin- aries was served out at the show, the contestants in the parsonage of Young O'Neil and Young Ashmore, the lat ter of sorreltopped fame going 6 rounds
 Question, Who won the bout?
 Answer. Damifino.
 The Crowd.
 Despite the fact that there has been more or less talk in regard to the stand to be taken by trades unions against allowing any of their members to attend the exhibition. over 1,26S persons paid admissions to see the exhibition which is the larg- l est gathering at a local exhibition in some time.
 1 The crowd as a rule was well be- | haved, it being necessary only a few times to warn them on account of their noise.
 The referee Walter Vennart of South Manchester gave excellent sat isfaction and as usual E. s. Kilby's l work as me-keeDer was of a high order.
 Both Weighed Under Mark.
 Both boys weighed in prior to the entrance to the ring, Waltz weighing g 122 1-2 pounds and Rocco tipping the l ln 1-