The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-06-01
ROSS RET|RES FROM RING WITH OUT K. 0. STAIN
Armstrong Is New Welter Champ; Points for Third
 Crown in July
By LESLIE AVERY


 Ross demonstrated last night that he has yard of moxie for each incl of his height and today, perfectly contented, he retired from the ring to enter the cloak and suit business
 He had promised himself that ht would take only one beating and ht took one from Hammerin' Henry Armstrong last night that in sheer brutality could hardly be equallet in the professional ring or out.
 The 28,000 spectators in Madison Square Gardens Long Island Bow were treated to a savage orgy which demonstrated conclusively that ir blind lmreasoning courage man is the equal of any other animal. Ross was whipped from the third round on: he was helpless, his body and head seemed blood-soaked jelly un- der the ring lights, and each time Armstrongs iron fists struck, the gore splashed. But at the end of the 18th round, he still was on his feet and, moreover, his leaden arms were trying pathetically to carry blows to the man who had butchered him
 Modified Murder
 The horror of what was happen ing was reflected in the white, tense faces of the spectators. From the 1lth round on, they were screaming to Referee Art Donovan to stop 1t. Toward the end, the screams were hysterical--not the cries of sports fans, but of men and women pro- toundly moved by spectacle of hu- man suffering so intense that they could feel the pain of each blow as if it was striking them.
 Ross. 28, a wealthy man, who in nine years in the professional ring has met and defeated the best and who was, until he met younger and better fighting man, welter- weight champion of the world was a gracious but proud gladiator in defeat.
 T am through" he said through lips that looked like raw beef. T lost to better man. have no alibis."
 No photographers were permitted near him. He did not wish his hor- ribly beaten face preserved for pos terity.
 A year ago Ross beat up Jimmy McLarnin and took his title. Nc Larnin announced his retirement through his battered lips and Ross, overjoyed with his victory, talked about the men he was going to lick in the future. That little drama was repeated today, for, as Ross nursed his Jumps, the victor, Armstrong, 25 year old negro who in three years of a professional career has made himself both featherweight and welterWeight champion, looked for ward jubilantly to the new worlds he intends to conquer.
 Third Crown Ahead
 By winning last night, he won a match with Lou Ambers, the light weight champion, which is sched- uled for July 26. Hammerin' Henry intends then to become the first man champion of three divisions simultaneously.
 "I had one of the easiest fights in my career" he said. T expect Am bers to be tougher because he's harder to get at"
 Armstrong demonstrated last nigh: what everyone had known before that pound for pound he is one of thn tact Guhfi,,n ,,,or, of oil time. He set a terrific pace from the first round to the last; he never ceased throwing punches, he never slowed, he was the perfect fighting machine. His new crown appears to be safe until age slows him up and Ambers probably is in for tough evening when he gets into the same ring with him.
 Ross pride was the prime ingre- dient of his torture. He had never been knocked out and he intended 10 end his career on his feet. He had made his manager, Sam Plan, swear by everything he held sacred that he would never, under any circum- stance, throw towel into a ring where he was fighting. To close every avenue, he had objected to Donovan as referee, alleging that Donovan had favored McLarnin in one of their fights. Donovan, usu- ally tender-h hearted, inclined to stop a fight when anyone is being hurt badly, left it to Ross to decide when he had had enough.
 The first two rounds were fairly event. but in the third Armstrong's superior strength and skill asserted itself From then on he hit Ross all most at will and by the fifth the champions right eye was swollen shut and his mouth dripped blood But he was not holding or retiring. He was trading blow for blow, though Armstrong seemed hardly to feel his weakened punches.
 At the end of the sixth, Ross was gasping for breath his mouth wide open. At the end of the seventh, his chest was gory from his dripping mouth and nose and his eye was horribly swollen. By the eighth he Ioliitl llulOiy oCC Ut hll illu CCllltl tlO little but stand and take 1t. But the moxie was in his veins and he staged an offensive so futile it was pathetic.
 Wouldn't Quit
 At the end of the 10th Donovan hoping Ross would surrender, asked him how he felt. All right" groWled Ross through his mangled lips.
 Armstrong wanted to knock out the champion who had never been knocked out and, if anything. the butchery was stepped up in the llth. Ross reeled around the ring seemed out on his feet. Donovan ap- pealed to Plan to throw in the towel. Plan, his face mask of agony, shook his head.
 The 18th, 18th, l4th were all pret- ty much alike. Ross was Arm strongs chopping block. Then in the 18th and final round, the moxie bubbled up in that battered bleed- itx.x ptN at..ft t.Nff