The sun., 1919-09-30
RATHER Is EASY N
FOR MIKE O'DOWD
New York Middleweight Finds
Champion Too Rugged in
Jersey. City Bout.
by CHARLES r. MArHIsoN.

Mike O'Dowd still is tho worlds mid
dlewelght champion. despite an earnest =
though quite unsuccessful effort on the
part Of Augie Rather Of Harlem to re-
move the titular crown from the head,
OF the st. Paul athlete. The meeting
between champion and challenger took
place last night IN the ring of the
Armory A. A., Jersey City, in the pres
ence of a crowd that packed the open
air arena from the ringsde to the fence
tops. and the sturdy Celt won the battle
In way that disillusoned those who
thought that Rather might have a
chance tp become the relgning monarch.
Of the middleweight division.
Rather won the first and second rounds
OF the bout O'Dowd took the third,
fourth and fifth rounds, the sixth was
even and O'Dowd captured the seventh
ana eighth rounds in whirlwind style
He had the Harlem man shaky, bleed
ing and on the defensive at the close,
II there had been the slightest iIriIe
preston that Rather could possibly WIN
by knockout this idea was dssipated
from the opening round to the close.
Rather never landed a blow on the
champion that did the slightest damage,
while ODowd, who started furious at
tack in the third round and continued
II to the finish, frequently staggered the
challenger with heavy rights to the face
and discouraging thumps to the body.
II was the body punishment that slowed.
Rather to walk in the fifth round and
neutralized his cleverness.
Ratner's Eye Cut. 'i'
o'Dowds heavy right hooks cut Rat,
ner over the right eye in the seventh and
the challenger bled freely to the close
OF the bout. The only mark that
oDowd bore was slightly pulled rigne
eye from the left. jabs that Rather
landed with much frequency ,o.
1t was evident in the early stages OF
the game that 'O'Dowd, who weighed
1874 pounds to 154 by Rather, was to-
rugged and powerful for his opponent
and that Rather in a longer bout would
unquestionably have been worn down
and stopped. AZ a matter of fact Raj,
ner was so tired and weary at the close
OF the last round that 1t is questionable,
II he could have gone two more had
they been necessary.
ODowd, who in his previous battleo
since returning from France had re-
duced himself to 156 pounds and boxed
with apparent loss OF vigor was at his
natural fighting poundage last night
and was the same whirlwind fighter hs,
was previous to his departure for over
seas service. aat
Rather Scores Early.
Rather started off with a speed and; ~
boxing skill that gave the impression he
might win on points. He danced about
like Jim Corbett and jabbed O'Dowd
on the nose with the greatest frequency.
He also avoided the heavy hooks
ODowd sent at him and had so muchs
the better of the first and second rounds
there was not the slightest question as
to the winner Of the points In those two
sessions. hes
Rather landed one stin left 10
ODowd's Jaw in the first round that
made the champions eyes water
ODowd used his hard head a bit In the
nrst and second rounds, but Rather man.
aged to avoid it, ~
ODowd was quite wild in the second
and missed several hard rights by
inches. but got in a heavy hook to tbs
body as the bell ended the round. -
Beginning with the third frame
ODowd came to life with a bang and
started a fusillade of blows TO Ratnerss
body that Redeemed the Harlemte's RIBS
and slowed him perceptibly. O'Dowd
took the aggressive and rushed Rather
to the ropes, where he pummelled tho
challenger hard on face and body u
was O'Dowd's round by a wide margin.
The champion continued these t. cites
In the fourth and fifth, which rounds
he won handily. but seemed to let down
bit in the sixth. Rather got busy
with his left and held the champion to
even terms In that session.
Opowd started out in the seventh
round with the apparent determination
to score knockout and he fought like
tiger from bell to bell. The Champion
had Rather in distress and landed mary
savage blows, but the challenger, by
good foot work. managed to keep out
OF serious danger.
In the final round the champion rushed
at his opponent and began to hook and
! swing with the greatest fury, landing
with telling force on body and jaw
Rather was entirely on the defensive
and was beaten man when the bell
ended the battle. ~.
Rather was the recipient OF a Handsome
silver Vase from the Young Mems IIs-
| brew Association, which was presented
to the fighter when he entered the ring.
The preliminary bouts were interest
Ing, frankie Jerome OF Harlem stopped
Kid Perkins in the third round Of a bout
scheduled for six rounds. The referee
stopped the bout to save Perkins from
further punishment. ts5
youth who claimed TO be John Rels-
ler Jr., son OF John the Barber, pounded
Mike Russell of New York SO thoroughly
the beaten man declined to come out OF
his corner for the fifth round N
Kid Baker Of Providence outpointed
Barry Norton Of New York in a fantastic
six rounds. Norton was a strong, will
ing chap, but unscienced. He made
much trouble for Baker and stayed the
limit