The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-12
|HARTFD BATTLER
 PROVED CHAMPION IN SINGER K. 0.
BY DIXON STEWART

N
 New York, Dec 12-UP)-Box- ing fans to-day owed an apology to Al Singer, the little Bronx He- brew who 'had every attribute of a real champion except a fighting heart"
 For although the 21-year-old Singer, who won and lost the world lightweight championship before he attained his majority, lasted less than four minutes III his "come- back" attempt against Feather weight Champion Bat Battalino at Madison Square Garden last night, he effectively disproved the theory that he lacked courage.
 Singer took a beating which would have made many a more sturdy rival quit, and although it doubtless marked the end of his career as 8 front rank fighter, 1t is to his everlasting credit that he was making a sincere effort to crawl to his feet for the fifth time when Referee Patsy Haley stopped the bout.
 Up and Down
 Singer was down three times in the first round and twice during the 31 seconds of action in the sec- ond, and not once did he remain down to take advantage of a rest his total of 20 seconds on the floor being spent in frantic effort to rise. It took real courage for Singer to come back to face Bat talino's whitening two-fisted at- tack, for there was no question that Al knew he had met his mas- ter and that he was afraid. Once on his feet, he did show his fear in attempts to run away from his tormentor.
 Battalino was an aggressive vicious puncher throughout the fight and clearly proved his right to 8 championship bout with Tony Canzoneri who succeeded Singer as world lightweight champion. Al though outboxed, outhit and made tc look like clumsy tyro for al- most half of the first round, Bat talino continued tearing in with both hands swinging, paying, no attention to Singers punches. In the Funny t Finally he landed a hard right squarely on the belt line and drove Singer to the canvas. Al made a protest of foul but was up without count and rushed forward to trade punches. A "one-two" punch q stinging left and crashing right. flush to the jaw sent Singer sprawling and virtually ended the fight.
 Al was up at the count of six but he reeled about the ring and was an easy victim to another right to the head. When he re- gained his feet after count of two he first attempted to clinch with the referee and then turned his back on Battalino and ran from one corner to the other. Bat talino cornered him but the round ended before Bat could put over the finishing punch.
 Singer was still "out on his feet" when the second round opened and was unable to protect himself. He was down once for a seven-count and had taken four counts on a second knockdown be- fore the bout was stopped. Short Enders
 The result completely fooled the "wise money" bettors who had made Singer an to favoritt after Battalino weighed in at 13i 1-2 pounds to AIS 133. The bettori believed that Battalino. ruled oi the 126-pound class. had not trained and that the bout was "in the bag" for Singer.
 However, Battalino appeared in perfect condition and his excess poundage apparently indicated nothing except that he is outgrow- ing the featherweight class and must continue his activities as a lightweight.
 And Tony Canzoneri who saw last nights fight rested none the easier for knowing that he soon must meet Battalino.