New Britain herald., 1930-07-16

Dat bdtldilHO, WOTk0 lCdlHeT- . weight champion, retained his crown at the Hurley Stadium in East Hartford last night when he scored a knockout over his challenger, 1g- nacio Fernandez, of San Francisco. and the Philippines after two min utes and 50 seconds of fighting in the fifth round Of their scheduled l5-round bout. The brown-skinned d little warrior from the far flung is- lands in the Pacific, was counted out amidst chant of catcalls and bcos from the stands while cries of fake" and fin the bag" rang from the threats of many of the 9,000 fans on hand to see the battle.
 Fernandez upon entering the ring, wore worried look. The weighing in ceremonies of the day previous when Battalno scaled at 125h and Fernandez barely topped the scales at l26, told the story of last nights debacle for the challenger. Fernan- dez was so palpably weakened from making the featherweisht pounI- age that Battalino, without seeming ly putting much steam behind hi. punches, was able to knock him down eight times in all.
 Two terrific wallops. A left and right uppercut landing flush in Fer nandez' stomach in tho first round really ended the fight. Fernandez was taken of his feet and fell as i! he had slipped to his knees with his hands resting on the floor. He arose at the count of one but the bell ended the round before either could get going again.
 These punches had taken thoir toll because shortly after the second round had opened, Battalino sent short rights and lefts to the body and suddenly, Fernandez crumpltd up and went down. Referee Billy Conway counted five over him when Fernandez reeled to his feet.
 Battalino was on him like a wild cat. He shot left to the stomach and crossed right to the jaw and Fernandez went down again, this time for the count of six. Slowly, grasping the middle rope in the ring he dragged himself to his feet only to go down again as the tiger was on him. He stayed down again for the count of six.
 As he arose, Battalino stalked him across the ring and with a left hook to the jaw and a terrific right swing that landed on Fernandez elbow. the Filipino went down again. The blow on the elbow seemed to have hurt him as much as one flush on his body. He stayed down for four and was up again. He was sick, weak and plainly badly hurt.
 A left hook glanced of his jaw and Fernandez toppled over again. He staggered to his feet at the count of one and Battalino stepped in try ing to get an opening that would en the fight He crashed a solid blow to Fernandez stomach and the Fili- pino went down again. He was down for four but still he struggled to his feet. While they were milling around in the center of the ring, Fernandez hanging on and Battalno trying 10 push him away, the bell rang
 Fernandez came out for the third round seemingly recuperated from the punishment he had taken in the second round. He fought back at Battalino but the champion took everything he had and came wading in for more. Battalino kept playing for the body but Fernandez managed to cover up quite bit although he winced and doubled up several times from hard punches to the stomach.
 The fourth round was a repitition of the third with Fernandez finding it hard to pull his hands up or throw punches. He landed several punch .s flush on Battalno's jaw but these failed to even halt Battalino's rush to get at him.
 In the interim between the fourth and fifth rounds, Pete Reilley, vel eran handler of the champion, was heard to urge his charge to go in and finish the fight. You've got him, Bat, finish him. Don't let up. Fight him. never mind boxing. Go and get him."
 AS a result. when the bell rang Battalino was three quarters across the ring to meet Fernandez who was doubled up trying to protect himself from further punishment.
 As they met, Battalino punched Fernandez up straight with both hands and sent a wild right that missed. They clinched. Fernandez hanging on and Battalino trying 10 drive him away. The round went by the two minute mark with Battalino still trying for the finishing blow.
 Then. Fernandez was cornered on the ropes and after pummeling him about the body with short, jolting rights and lefts, Battalino suddenly switched to the head. He landed q solid left hook to Fernandez's face. Fernandez started to topple and Bat crashed a terrific right flush on the jaw and Fernandez Hoped straight down on his face. He dug his nose into the canvas in an effort to rise but he rolled over on his back. He