New Britain herald., 1922-11-02
BRITTON 6ETHRONED
 AS WEETER CHAMP
Mickey Walker Wrests Title From
 Yeteran--BetS Declared 0il

New York, Nov. ?. - A crowd oi
 about i5.000 persons saw a stirring
 pugilistic drama enacted last night al
 Madison Square Garden. when Jack
 Britton of Clinton, N. Y., was shorr
 Of his worlds welterweight title, after
 . spectacular 15-round bout. by Mick
 ey Walker Of Elizabeth. N. J., who
 only recently had attained place of
 prominence in the ranks of Brtton's
 numerous rivals. After a battle that
 was replete with thrills, crowded with
 exciting moments and tense situations,
 Judges Tommy Shertel and D. w.
 Dingey and Referee Patsey Haley cast
 boxer, and thus crowned new worlds champion.
 There was no doubt as to the wn-
 ner, and. when the final bell changed, the crowd was prepared for the an- nouncement by Joe Humphries. Brit ton was beaten and beaten badly. He was entitled to only three of the 15 rounds. Twelve went to Walker. Only indomitable will power, with re- markable store of experience accumu- lated in hts long years Of ring serv- ice, saved Britton from the crushing humiliation of losing his title in a knockout defeat. Widness in Walk er's attack at critical moments also helped to save the champion from Knockout.
 Britton went down with colors fly ing. He fought desperately to the last ditch. Floored three times for clean knockdowns in the course of the bat tie, Britton regained his feet on each occasion and arose only to be battered from pillar to post. under a furious onslaught by his younger. speedier and more strenuous rival. Brtton was on the verge of knockout in every round after the tenth. He had spent his strength in the futile at- tempt to forestall Walkers vicious as- saults with his own superb boxing skill, but, distinctive as is this skill of Britton, it gained him nothing as far as results were concerned, save pre- venting his inglorious defeat by a knockout
 Youth Is Once More Served.
 The battle brought forth one more proof that youth must be served. | Britton is 37 years old and has been boxing for IS years in career which started back in 1904. when Walker was just ? years old Britton won the worlds title in March, 1919, when he knocked out Ted Kid Lewis in the ninth round of battle at Canton. Ohio. Since that date Britton has defended his title on numerous occa- si0nS in various parts of the country. He was spending his energy and strength with each succeeding bout, and last night Britton. showed that he had little but boxing skill with i which to withstand the spirited, de- listed fire of his rival |
 Walker impressed the large gather ! Ing greatly He showed willingness, , untirinE aggressiveness nnd punching strength. But, without in the least detracting from the showing of the | new champion he is no Jack Britton, considering Jack at his best. He has little cleverness, and depends on his | natural strength,
 DiSuuleting reports, clrculated prlor 10 the start of the bout, were proved. In the opinion of the majority. un- founded. Britton was a favorite in Inc afternoon at betting odds of to 1, but the pendulum of speculation { swung sharply to Walkers favor in Ehe evening, until before entering the ! ring. the Jerseyman was a favorite at odds of ? to 1. This sudden switch In the betting, combined with the gen. eral knowledge of Britton's boxing ,kill and ring ability, overwhelming Is compared with Walkers, caused suspicion to be cast on the genuine ness of the contest. Before the bout started, and under instruction from Chairman William Muldoon of the State Athletic Commission, who was ing side spectator, Joe Humphries declared all bets off in the following words: If any person or persons nave bet on this contest, l wish to on behalf of the New York State Athletic Commission and the management of this athletic club that III bets are hereby called off" '