New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-02-24
.TUNNEY IS AWARDED
DECISION over GREB
Judges Verdict Causes a Surprise
Battle Q Stormy One

New York. Feb. sa.-Gene funney
idol OF Greenwich Village. regained
the American light heavyweight
championship last night when he re,
eeiyed the judges decision over Har'
~ Greb Of Pittsburgh, the titleholder
In a ib-round contest at Madison
square Garden,
Decision b surprise
The decision met with mingled
booes and applause. despite Tunney's
popularity among the great majority
OF fans. and came as a surprise 20
those at the ringsiie who had given
Greb a wide margin on points in most
OF the rounds.
Tunney was baffled by Greb's whirl-
wind style of attack throughout the
early part OF the bout. He finished
the last two rounds. however, with
the only effective aggressiveness he
had shown. dazing the champion once
with hard right smash TO the jaw.
This closing rally Of the challenger.
plus consideration probably given to
alleged foul holding tactics employed
by Grob In several rounds. was be-
lieved to have swayed the judges vcr-
dict however unsatisfactory II was TO
a larger portion OF the crowd.
Greb Is Warned
While Greb landed at least three
blows TO one for his rival. few or
them did much damage. Tunney's
body attack. especially in the 14th
round, at times checked Greb's rush
es. but the Pittsburgher blocked most
of the New Workers. blows. Tactics
used by Greb which his opponents
handlers claimed were unfair werc
subject of lengthy parley mt the start
of the bout. Referee Patsy Haley was
vigorous In warning Greb for holding
in several rounds, going to the Pitts
burgers corner at the end OF the 18th
round to emphasize his warning.
The only round which Tunney
earned decisively, In the opinion of
ringside critics. was the 14th. He
showed aggressiveness IN she fourth,
tenth and 18th, but except in these |
and two or three rounds in the early
part of the bout. which were classed |
rs even, Greb's forcing tactics gave |
him substantial margin on points. in |
he remaining rounds.
Tunney's victory restored to him /
he crown he lost to Greb In a Is
'ound bout at the Garden last May.
What Haley Said
Referee Patsy Haley declared that
sreb's III tactics, including holding
md bat,.1s influenced his verdict
which he and the judges gave to Tun-
ley, despite the Pittsburgner's APP
'arent margin on points.
II warned Greb repeatedly after the
rst round" declared Haley. "and
threatened to dIsqualify him II the
9Th round after he had ignored my
epeated admonitions."
'Greb's blow did not hurt me az
ny time and think proved my
bility to stop his style Of attack" the ,
ew champion said in his dressing I
pom. "Greb's holding handicapped ,
lie some but he didn't gam much by (
is tactics. / was forced to complain !
, Referee Haley frequently but his S
arning seemed to have little effect" a
Greb Criticises Decision /
Downcast by his defeat, Greb was v
element in his criticism of the de- +
sion and declared that he did not G
el that he had been given fair treat t
ent. He denied that he fouled his v
oponent and asserted that Tunney
,peared more anxious to hold and
inch than he did.
In the 12-round semi-f1nal contest
onie TAFT, Canadian lightweight, was
varded the decision over Ray Nit
leIl of Philadelphia.