Imperial Valley press., 1927-05-21

following tho six rounds of speed
dished out in the semifinal.
Eddie White registered victory
over the slow moving Cy Murphy
in the 10 roundcr. Andrew "Dea-
con- Brooks was halted in his
string of knockouts but managed to
gain the decision over frankie Cruz
of Los Angeles while Martin Guer-
rero and Richard Randall fought to
Il draw in the opener.
But getting back to the feature
event of the evening, it was one of
those battles that fight fans see
about as often as February 20 ar
rives. O'Dell and De Soto gave
fans just what they wanted. They
were at it toe to toe throughout the
entire six rounds. Both boys can
use either hand with equal skill and
from the first gong to the last they
both sought to drive the other out
of the ring.
! O'Dell hoped into the lead in the
first round when he caught De Soto
| flush on the chin for a knockdown.
/ De Soto took count of seven and
then back on his feet he managed
to stave off the attack until his
head cleared and before the bell
sounded he was giving O'Dell blow
for blow.
De Soto by some clever infighting
managed to win the second round.
He kept things about even up in the
mixing and by virtue of his infight-
ing was the master in this round.
| In the third De Soto hoped into
the lead at the start, landing several
| blows to one for o Dell But O'Dell
soon evencd matters up and toward
the end of the round he staged a
! whirlwind attack which gave him
the advantage.
In the fourth Dc Soto sent o Dell
to tho mat with stiff left to the
jaw, toward the end of the round
! but O'Dell was on his feet instant
lv and just as the bell sounded he
caught Dc Soto with right to the
: head which staggered him against
the ropes. The round was lively
one, both boys mixing it at arms
length throughout.
De Soto in Trouble
O Dell had De Soto in trouble as
the fifth got under way. 1t looked
as though De Soto was about to hit
the mat when he suddenly uncorked
right to the jaw that laid O'Dell
on the canvas. But O'Dell was
back up in second and continued
to punish De Soto, winning the
round despite the knock down.
Then came the sixth and last
round. Tho boys hammered away
with might and main but both had
+ tired some under the strain and
, neither was able to gain an advant
age. The last round was blow
for blow affair, both boys landing
each time they came together.
Referee Tackett gave the decision
to O'Dell. 1t was a good decision
for despite the fact that De Sot'
scored two knockdowns to one FOL
O'Deil, the winner had the advant
age in three rounds, winning tn,
first by wide margin, the thirc
by an edge and the fourth decisive
ly although knocked down in tn,
round.
e But De Soto must be given much
= credit. He did most of the leading
; III the battle, gave O'Dcll few
= pointers on the infighting and wa,
game to meet O'Dell half way il
t all of the slugging.
) While Cy Murphy showed fan,
that he does possess a punch he was
J; unable to cope with Eddie Whit,
. in the main event. The San Fran
r cisco battler was in and out befor,
r Murphy had chance to get hi
, gloves into action and after tn,
first two rounds he butchcred tn,
, face of the San Dicgan with shor,
, iabs. using a left freely.
i Murphy proved to be we'll built
boy but an awkward boxer and hi,
slow manner of moving about left
him an open target for the speedy
/ White. And White took all posi-
bic advantage of Murphy's lack o,
speed. He kept ON top of Murph :