Evening journal., 1915-01-05
CRAWLEY-
BOUT THE HARDEST
Eleven Round Mill SO Years
Ago Has En- All Beat
For Heat
DETERMINED THE
ENGLISH TITLE

While battles in the old prize ring
often lasted more than hundred
rounds. and were measured in time
by hours, pugilistic historians are
generally agreed that the severest
bout ever fought was not one of these
long, dragged-out engagements, but
a contest which lasted only eleven
rounds and occupied only twenty-siN
minutes. 1t was lightweight years ago
on January 2. 1927, that Jcm Ward,
the Black Diamond champion of
England. met Peter Crawley, known
as Young Rumpsteak." at Royston.
Crawley. butcher by trade had been
hghtng since he was fifteen, but this
was his first try for championship
honOrs. At that period big proper
ton of the bruiscrs were butchers,
and the cockneys of the London mar
kets were always scrapping. AT the
time he was matched With Ward ior
the title Crawlcy kept a butchers
shop. with a boxing school on the
second noor-a novel combination of
businesses.
Crawley' stood over six feet in
height and had an advantage OF three
inches over Ward. but both weighed
about the same.
The memorable and ferocious battle
began with a minute or two OF spar
ring. but after that il was am cS-
change Of smashing blows I'm rapid
succession. Jcm landed two punches
10 Crawloy's one but they lacked the
terrific force of the blows delivered
by the butcher
In the first round Ward blocked
Peters first hard blow and counter
cd with "a smash which laid open the
flesh above one Of Peters eyes, and
stretched him on his back Crawiey
was covered with blood when he toed
the mark for the second round. After
rapid exchange. CraWloy saw an
opening and landed With the force
of a mules kick on Wards temple
For a brief space il was thought tho
blow had killed Ward, but Jem quick.
" recovered and faced his hard-hit-
ting antagonist.
In the third. fourth and fifth rounds
Ward was felled by terrific blows Oh
the nose and mouth. The rapid &c
tion and terrible punishment wer'
already telling on both men. and th'
sixth round ended when both tel
together. after an exchange of sledge
hammer punches. A cross-buitocl
which sent Crawley TO the grass mo
mentariiy unconscious ended the sew
enth round. Crawley appeared al
in and 10 to 1 was offered agains
him.
Ward tried TO land knockout II
the eighth. but so weariod himsol
that he fell forward ON his face. Til
worn gladiators accomplished litil
In the ninth and tenth rounds. whc
both fell from sheer exhaustion.
In the eleventh il wgT apparen
that Ward was scarcely able {
stand. and Peter. with a final sum
moning of his strength. put all hi
waning power into "a blow whicl
caught lem full in the mouth. tn
champion was rendered scnsoless an
deaf to the call of "Time,' an
Peter Crawloy. himself unable
stand. was proclaimed champion {
England
In a battle shorter i'm time than
modern ten-round bout Jem War
became an eX-champiOn. For hour
he remained unconscious. and he wa
forced to spend several days i'm be
while the victor's condition was Ii
tie better Hundreds of Ward
hackers were ruined by the resu
Of this brutal contest. Although Il
rightful champion. Peter resigned Ia
new honors rather than defend she
against Ward, and Jem resumed q
title when he had fully Secovere
Relin0uishing the glories of the pri.
ring. Crawley retired 10 the humh
position Of a tavern-keepcr. and b.
came a famous breeder and fight
OF game cocks.