The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-04
by Harry
|(raysoll
Victory Over Jannazzo
Indicates Ross, Slow
After IdIeness, Isn't
Fighter He Once Was

New York, Dec. 4.-Barney Ross,
by his victory over 1zZy Jannazzo,
gained nothing except negotiable
currency. Prior to his fight with the
Alabama boy, the welterweight
champion was held in high esteem
in New York. Customers had every
reason to place Ross on high ped
estal, for they saw him trounce
Tony Canzoneri and McLarnin. 1t
was probably lucky for Ross that
McLarnin wasn't in there instead Of
Jannazzo. Had such been the case,
the championship might have
changed hands.
Little known outside of New
York, Jannazzo was named as
Ross chief challenger following
Izzy's 15-round draw with Cefe-
rino Garcia. The latter will meet
Ross within go days In another
championship fight, for 1t was de-
creed by the state athletic COM
mission that Garcia be given his
chance, whether or not Ross sue
cessfully defended his crown.
From the outset the Ross-Jan-
nazzo bout was regarded as a
lemon. The fans knew that jan
nazzo, who fights along the same
lines as Make Rosenbloom, did
not possess the power necessary to
bring down the champion.
Last season Jannazzo dropped
decisions to Jackie Davis, Kid
Azteca, Jimmy Leto, and Cleto
Locatelli. Early this season jan
nazzo astounded eastern fight en-
thusiasts by defeating Gustave
Elder, the Wanted German weller.
Against Ross, however, Jannazzo
was Just a pest. He can't punch, is
only fair ring general and GER
tainly not the type fitted to be hon.
ored with the title once held by
such pugilistic greats as Mysterious
Billy Smith, Tommy Ryan, Matty
Matthews, Joe Walcott, Jack Brit
ton, Mickey Walker, and Jimmy
McLarnin.
Fight Didn't Please Fans
Ross, fighting his first major bat
tie since May, 1885, will have to be
punching in more accurate FASH
ION when he is called on to defend
the crown against Garcia In jan
uary. Jannazzo, an elongated, awk-
ward and pesky ringster, lost the
first six rounds, COPIED the seventh,
and lost the eighth.
Jannazzo's better boxing won
the ninth, 10th. 18th, 18th, and
18th rounds, but the crowd didn't
like 1t.
The challenger's best punch was
a glancing right to the left side Of
Ross body. AS punch followed
punch into that region, Ross
sported several red abrasions. The
champion showed a flash Of speed
and punching power in the two
closing rounds to win a unanimous
decision, In q fight which was q
disgrace to mention as title con-
test.
In the opinion Of the writer, the
Ross Jannazzo fight brought back
the goofy-night era TO New York.
Ross, contracted to draw down 40
per cent of the net gate, did not
earn 5000. He fought like one Of
Singers Midgets, and that was a
terrific surprise.
The fight received a good build
up, but I suppose the fans are be-
coming wise to the fact that box
ing In all divisions is at an ex-
tremely low ebb. This is proved
by the the fact that, before many
moons have passed, a Filipino
ringster who has been knocked
out on the west coast will be
hoisted into the ring and regarded
as the chief challenger for the
diadem.
With the exception Of Garcia,
Jannazzo, and the 30-year-old Nc
Larnin, there isn't Q 147-pound
ringster capable Of drawing more
than flies In q title scrap. That's
quite change from the days
when such belters as Jimmy ,Clab-
by, Jimmy Gardner, Clarence
Ferns, Ray Bronson, and other
top-notchers were battling 1t out
for the right 10 be recognized MS