New Britain herald., 1922-09-15

q record bfeaklng CTOWu ol llei"iSN fans last night. While kaplan hal been showing vast improvement 1T each of his fights during the pas' year, his work last night stamps him as one of the best boys around the 13o pound weight, and by his latest victory, the crowning achievement oi his career, he is now ready 10 ster cut and meet the best of them, with the positive assurance that whoever he faces will know he is in for q whirlwind affair.
 Mammoth Crowd.
 Many opinions were registered as to the size of the crowd at last night mill, but it is safe to venture that be- tween 1000 and 5000 fans were around the ringside, in the stands and on their feet, when the main mill Vot under way. Due to what appears to have been very poor judgment, the crowd holding ringside tickets were forced to undergo much discomforts before they managed to battle their way past the inch and half entrance.
 Very Poor Prelirs.
 Once inside the inclosure, things
 
 due confusion, and while the enthu- siasm was at fever pitch nothing to mar the affair happened. band enlivened the exhibition through some uninteresting preliminaries, and if 1t had played more during the semi final, everyone would have turned and listened rather than being forced to watch a couple of ham and" performers go through 1o- round min that was very bad.
 Ovation for Kaplan.
 When the prelims were completed, the crowd got itself prepared for the star mill. Kaplan was first to show, and the reception rendered him was deafening He was the same little bunch of nerves, and he appeared to be at a high tension as he had the gloves adjusted and as he stood in the center of the ring, listening to the instructions, he danced and kept every part of his body in action.
 Waterbury With Johnny.
 Shugrue followed a few moments after his arrival, and the Waterbury crowd gave him a hearty welcome.  and paid but little attention to his rival. The weights were announced, as Kaplan tipping the beam at 13o, while Shugrue weighed 132A at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Shugrue was forced to make 133 at that hour. He looked in the pink of condition. When the bell sounded starting the boys, the place sounded like bedlam. In the initial round, kaplan sent his admirers into a frenzy by knocking Shugrue down. It was clean knockdown, and Johnny in a sitting position looked greatly surprised. The first round was Kapans by a city block, and the little Meriden cyclone continued to pile up lead for the first rounds, that undoubtedly won for him the decision.
 Shugrue Shows Improvement.
 Shugrue seemed to improve as the bout went along, and after the fifth round he showed to advantage. It seemed about the tenth round that the Brass City lad might even up the bout, and gain a draw, but he at no time appeared as though he would be entitled to a decision. Kaplan, However, started his whirlwind tac- tics in the eleventh round, continuing it until the end, and when Referee McAuliffe raised his hand as a token of victory, a mighty cheer went up. Meriden admirers brushed aside those who were not so enthusiastic, and made their way into the ring, hug ging and embracing the victor.
 Shugrue Kisses Canvas.
 Shugrue Kissed the canvas" four times during the bout. The first time 1t was clean knockdown. The sec ond was more of a push that sent him to the floor. The other two were the result of slipping on the canvas. Kaplan also went down once but he bounded up like a rubber ball, and tore into his rival like an infur- lated bull
 Much Betting Done.
 Beaucoup coin was in evidence about the ringside, and the Silver City boys who were down on their idol to win, need not worry about the winters supply of coal, if they stand in with the coal barons. It was a very representative gathering that was seated, former mayors poli- ticians, professional men, several women, and galaxy of writers and others who occupied seats arranged for the scriveners.
 Tiresome to Watch.
 The bouts that preceded the star mill were nothing to get excited about. Pete August and Tracey Fer guson put on ten-round thing" that was absolutely boresome to wit ness. It was called draw. Had the | boxers been given the air" nobody | would have protested.
 Record Sized Initials.
 Johnny Mason. of Bridgeport, | boy who had his first bout in the | ring seven weeks ago, did mighty we'll | against one of the Hartford brand of boxers, Kid" Lewis, who has in- itials. on his trunks in letters much bigger than a real boxer uses. Lewis got the award, but the sympathy was with the Park City lad.
 A Comedy Affair.
 A burlesque affair opened the nights entertainment, when Battling Puff of Meriden. an iceman, met Dan Creedon. of Bridgeport occupa- ton unknown. Puff is undoubtedly a good iceman, and Creedon will make his mark some day-but not in the ring. The Bridgeporter got the decision, because he was not nearly IS poor as his rival.
 Referee McAuliffe handled the bouts in an excellent way, there be- ng no qustion regarding the decis-