New Britain herald., 1925-12-19

secure today as the result Of q con- vincing decision over his persistent challenger, the erstwhile Californian, Babe Herman, last night before l4,- 900 spectators in Madison Square Garden.
 In spite Of the fact that Kaplan's second defense of his title within four months against his most dan gcrous foe was marked by frequent clinchlng and wrestling, the contest at least cleared the atmosphere of doubt which prevailed after their first title contest last August at Wat erbury, Conn.
 The draw verdict given tho Meri- den, Conn.,, titleholder after 15 hard fought rounds in that bout was received with almost unanimous dis approval by visiting ncwspapermcn, who considered that Herman was clearly entitled 10 the verdict and the championship.
 Kaplan's aggressive offense last night, however, won his II of the l , rounds while but two were carried by Herman, with the remaining two rounds adjudged even.
 Herman was in steady retreat be- fore the attack of the champion eX- cept in the 10th and 14th. when he rallied with stinging right hand drives 10 the face. Twice he took acrobatic plunges to the canvas. once in the 10th when he stumbled and again in the 18th when he dived to the floor to avoid a swing.
 The bout was devoid Of spectacu- lar features which had colored their six previous encounters, four of which took place prior to Kaplan's winning of the l26-pound title. The mauling and clnching accounted for considerable punishment, however, and both men bled at the close, Kaplan from one ear and Herman from cuts over his right eye.
 The weights were announced as; Kaplan, 125; Herman. 1o5 1-4.
 Three fcathcrwcight matches pre- ceded the final, Jackie Snyder of New York winning over Jimmy Sa- hhIIplD VI Jdp'll III SIA IpHlIbS , Tommy Jones of Atlanta losing 10 Nick Quagcrell of New York, and Johnny Filucci of New York decfat- ing Willie Makcl of Washington. The latter two matches were four rounders.
 The fight hy round fOlioWs:--
 Round One
 The boys met in T Clinch 10 start the fight. The champion broke away and landed his lcf. to the head and Herman scored in the infghting that followed. Kapan backed Her man with q weak left to face. Rap Ian missed a rushing left and Her man scored 10 the face with lis right, Two Of Kap.an's leads went wild and he was forced 10 clinch. Both were missing frequently. The bell found them in another clinCh.
 Round Two
 Kaplan sent Herman to the ropes with a right upper cut. Herman jar red the champion with his left jaD Herman scored with his right 10 th, head. Kaplan s,artcI one of his bug, saw attacks, chasing his challenger around the ring. There was mucl clinching and wrestling. Klplar staggered Herman with N left square to the facc. They were dancing around at the bell.
 Round Three
 Kaplan bore into his challenger with both fists flying and droy. Herman to cover. A singing Ivt caused the challenger 10 wine" kaplan Was doing all the tca.lll- with Herman almost entirely on 'h' defense. H"rman's jab was bOthcrinl Kaplan and his ear began 10 bleed A short left 10 the face sent Her man off his balance just before tho tell rang.
 Round Four
 Herman sank his left 10 th' champions ribs but missed a rgh follow, and ciuchcd 10 save him self The referee warned IlcrmaI for holding on. kaplAn crashed hi right to Hcrmans face and the chal lenger gave ground. \ solid rlgh cross missed liaplan's chin by q hail and Herman almost toppIcd by lh' force of Kaplln's coUutcIing right They were wrestling at the bell
 Round Five
 They c'inrnuI. x close quar''@ both played Cor 'h. boIy \ h. lab and q rirh' cross staggered th' champion, bu. he I,,'.i and salc, into Herman lu u VICIOUS charg" Kaplan landed three times with lt left without return Ho'n Handed 10 the heal, EapIan honnl.l hi right off Hsrmar-s chm simuIta ueously with 'ar trM
 Round NiN
 Herman s'u',I to slug HTh '"' champion and in u4uI NclHug" both landed puur'e. Herman anl sl his I,ft in 'n. lts. and 1.hri They wnHrnG l'uHnl the r,nE wI'i one arm us. punching r."k.rss.g |" the head and uo .y. \ rlga [" tH' stoma~h Joua'I Earao. iI"rml landed 'N9,e ..lDa 4" '.le sa.' as 'H' bell rarg.
 Round NcNCn
 They m. in I tJu"u. jIrrH1l scored nir4 suar, runru> 70 ta body. Tuny .o'D m.-s,l .ars14 leads. ",.n karar -aor ran a iron a dist1ur. wh.u iIHuau roH.i no .tad,. Hrwau -.or, ) with rell 1T head and th" crowd } 'loI ln' ao,ioI .4s the Urs'lng anu''nI.l. IT, h,l found 'nrm rlInrb'i.
 Rnund Fight
 Kap,au r.,'~I Herman nHH smash 60 ta. :4r. IS tho toun npencl. toaoar4 ttr con. 1J"nA r.inca. Thy jIrg,.I and puHi t" each ota.r gu a c.iuch and 1h' crowd .. l. Herman staggered ta' champion ~na rjrl' Cross lT Kaplan .4m. harE strong 70 'h body. Hcrmou's d-lFire rt-.' Ia"d .rl to Kapan'- 5ao" as 'he hs' rang