The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-23
New York Bantam Earns
Honors in Majority OF
Rounds of Fast Bout.
CHAMPION ON THE ROPES
West Side Idol Forces Title
Holder to Clinch and Cover
Up Repeatedly.
by CHARLES f. MATHIsoN.

II
career, Joe Lynch, the West Side ban
tarnweight. last night wrested the
worlds championship of that class
from Pete Herman of New Orleans be-
fore gathering of $1,000, which
jammed Madison Square Garden to
suffocation
The contest went the limit of fifteen
rounds. but there was no doubt as to
who was entitled to the verdict. The
judges agreed in trice. Lynch out
boxed his man in thirteen rounds, and
gave the Southern fighter a severe
beating.
The new champion not only out
boxed the Crescent boy in thirteen OF
the fifteen rounds but he also out
punched him from start to finish and
had the titleholder in serious trouble
several times during the bout.
.Lynch's plan Of hattie. which was ag-
gressive from the opening gong in the
first round to the final bell in the fif-
teenth, was admirably designed to puzzle
and battle the little chap from New Or
leans. who since he gained the title on
QuGSllOndDlc QtClSlOi ONNi tNAa " tAf-pAA-N
In that city in 1917 has been looked
upon as a champion who gained the title
through luck rather than fighting abil-
ity. Only once previously since winning
the title had Herman defended 1t in
bout to decision. and that was in 1917,
the same year In which he won the
championship.
HERMAN. who had never shown any
aggressiveness or hitting power in his
cfSi0O1acS hn1IfS during the
last three years, met in Lynch a boy
who could not only punch with solid
effect but who in recent years has de-
yeloped into a scientific boxer and an
aggressive conlbatant Judging from
Hernans procedure he was of the opin-
ion that he could tire out Lynch and
then finish him in the closing rounds of
the contest.
AS matter of fact, although Lynch
forced the pace In nearly every round
of the fifteen, the victor was stronger
at the finish than the title holder. In
addition to being on the defensive the
greater part of the time Herman made
doubly sure his defeat by constantly
clinching throughout the combat
Herman Hit in Clfnches.
The New Orleans boy apparently
thought he was piling up points by beat
ing a tattoo on Lynchs ribs every time
they came to close quarters. but as Her
man usually held with one hand while
hitting with the other and as the blows
did not do the slightest damage TO Lynch.
Herman's efforts In that direction were
fruitless S.
Only in one round did the former
champion have the advantage over
Lynch Herman seemed to realize when
he came out for the tenth round he had
UP to that point been hopelessly out
pointed. He therefore made a great
show of agRressiveness, carried the fight
TO Lynch throughout the round, landed a
number OF heavy face and body blows
and encouraged his supporters with the
hope that he would go forward and end
the contest by knockout.
The champion resumed his aggressive
ness in the eleventh round, but Lynch
met him with such fusilade of blows
that all the fight was taken out of him
and he relapsed into his former condl-
ton Of clinehing and running away.
Lynch. on the other hand not only
fought with great GOODNESS and good
Judgment but his attack was so furious
that Herman was utterly unable to
Withstand the assaults Of the West
Slider. One thing that can be said II,
favor OF Herman is that he possesses a
strong jaw. Lynch landed on the cham
times In nearly every round. but while
the thumps staggered Herman and fire.
1uently drove him against the ropes, he
7ever went to the canvas from the ef-
fects Of the punishment
Lynch's handlers declared he injured
the thumb on his right hand in the
third round. but despite that fact Lynch
let fly with full force every time he
saw an opening. The shifting OF the
atle from Herman TO Lynch was re-
ceived by the great crowd in the Garden
with wild enthusiasm. Herman was
very unpopular tltleholder.
Lynch First I'm Ring.
Joe Lynch. looking lean and hungry
ard needing the attention Of a barber,
entered the ring at three minutes to TO-
Joe humphreys. with the Tex Richard
$4,000 diamond studded championship