Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-06
THOMPSON BEATEN
IN 15ROUND BOUT
Crowd of $1,000 Sees ChaI-
Ienger 0utpoint Champion
at Cleveland.
BY CHARLES w. DUNKLEY,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

NLENELAND, september o.
1 They're hailing Tommy
Freeman, the Arkansas
buzzsaw, as welterweight
champion of the world today.
After nine long, tough years Of
fighting, Freeman won the title
last night when he defeated
Young Jack Thompson Of Oak
land, Calf, in 15-round battle,
fought in League Park. Patsy
Haley of New York, referee OF the
bout, unhesitatingly raised Free
mans hand in victory. Haley fig-
ured Freeman won 8 of the Is
rounds, with 5 going to the de-
throned title holder and 2 being
even.
Freeman, knocked down for a count
of six in the second round and with
his knees buckling from right that
ratified off his chin in the tenth, came
back to defeat the Negro title holder in
his first defense of the title since ne
won it from Jackie Fields in Detroit
just four months ago.
A crowd of 5000 agreed with Referee
Haley's decision. The spectators, f1rst
stunned at the change in the champion
ship, suddenly cut loose with q deafen-
ing roar in approval of the verdict.
Thompson was the most surprised man
in the ball park He thought he had
won, or at least had deserved draw,
but he made no protest.
Loser o. ks Decision.
at think the decision was fair" he
said after he got over the shock OF
losing TITS all in the breaks OF the
game. I hope Freeman will give me
another chance and that ne VIII pe
creditable champion.
Freeman won the title because OF his
ability to outlook the champion, vino
missed more punches last night than
he ever missed in his life. Thompson
complained as early as the tenth rouno
that his hands were sore. but he did not
offer this as an abb.
Freeman boxed and jabbed rs ne
never boxed and jabbed before ano ne
caused the champion by skillful feint-
ing to miss repeatedly. Only the sec
ond, fifth, eighth and tenth rounds
were Thompsons by . clear margin.
After the eleventh, he appeared to tire
and fade rapidly. From the twelftn
round on Thompson staked his all ON
a righthand punch that never did
reach it's mark. Meanwhile. Freeman
kept on ripping into him, always IN
close, to inf1ict body punishment OF 10
spear him with heavy left hands to the
Like many illustrious members Of
the snort world, Freeman had to leave
| his home town, Hot Springs, Ark, TO
reach the peak of his career. Tommy
| McGinty, a Cleveland sportsman.
brought him to Cleveland five years
ago and from then on he has fought
weight division, including battles with
| Jackie Fields and a previous engage
ment with Thompson. whom he de-
feated before the Negro became title
Freeman is just as years old and
has been engaging in ring warfare LOT
nine years He was born IN HOT
Springs on January a. 1904. he II ~
rugged youngster with shock OF POM
nafolr hair and smiling Irish eyes. He
promises to be a fighting champion.
The result of the fight was a dis-
| tinct surprise. as Freeman entered the
ring on the short end of 11-to-5 bet
| ting. His admirers figured that the
weight would damage his chances Oh
victory. as he scaled only 145% pounos,
the lowest figure he has weighed In
two wears. When he defeated Thomp-
son before he scaled 152 pounds. which
gave him a distinctive advantage.
Freeman returned to ring warfare
| less than a year ago after being out
for a year and half due TO illness.
Sickness Slapped his strength, and ne
was forced to lay the boxing gloves on
the shelf pending his recovery. once
! on the road to health, however, ne
| came back quickly, and his battle last
night was the most sensational OF MS
| career.
what Freeman will profit from the
$50 600 gate remained q question today.
Reports were that he will receive only
| 10 per cent, with the bulk going to the
| title holder, but Freeman expects 70
cash in on a ring fortune from the
| title he now possesses.