The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-26
KNOCK FEM QUICK IS NEW LOUIS
 BATTLE PLAN
John Henry Lewis Showed Courage But Was COm-
 pletely Outclassed
BY HARRY FERGUSON United Press Sports Editor)


 United Press Sports Editor)
 New York, Jan. 26.--(UP)-Joe Louis, a rising young millionaire from Detroit, counted his dollars to- day and announced he had em- parked upon new business policy -"knock 'em out quick in the first round"
 In pursuit of that policy he made a bleeding, helpless hulk out of one of the best of the boxers last night in two minutes and 29 seconds of what was scheduled to be a 15- round bout in Madison Square Gar den.
 John Henry Lewis, light heavy weight champion of the world and ring strategist with all the cun- ming that 90 fights can give to a man, was knocked down three times in less than three minutes by blows that travelled so fast that he hardly saw them. The third time his brave heart commanded him to get LID and he tried-oh, how hard he tried-but a wise referee stopped the fight before something serious could happen.
 Bring 'em On
 Today Louis was ready to fight anybody In March-Bob Pastor, Max Baer, Tony Galento, Lou Nova--or any other heavyweight. Conferences were called for late today by the officials of the Twentieth Century Sporting club to try to make 0 match that will lure the customers.
 Eighteen thousand persons in Madison Square Garden last night saw Louis at his peak. He was a cold, efficient fighter who was out to knock a man senseless as quick ly as he could. No more of this feeling a guy out for a couple Of rounds. No more cautious sparring in mid-ring. No more searching for an opening for Joe Louis. From now on he's cutting 'ein down with one punch If he can, and he would like to land that punch in the first 10 seconds. Let him tell you about It,
 T got a new system. Knock 'em out quick in the first round couldn't feel sorry for John Henry even If we are friends. had a job to do and I got 1t over as quick as I could"
 He spoke those words sitting on Q rubbing table in his dressing room after the fight. His hair wasn't mussed; there were no precipitation beads on his sleek brown body; he wasn't panting. He looked like a man ready to go Into the ring instead of one who had just come out of 1t.
 The fight looked so easy for Louis that most people forgot today the caliber of the man who was in there against him. Lewis had never been knocked out before. He had the reputation of being c smoothie with plenty of speed afoot. But he had never stood up and shaken his fists at lightning before and last night lightning 8truck-three times and in the same place.
 Louis came out in a Bhuffle and for 90 seconds they reached for each other with lefts. John Henry's left grazed Joe's ear, and that was the only time he ever came to landing @ blow. They were over along the ropes when Louis right, moving only about 18 inches, caught Lewis just above the eye.
 First Punch
 Bopl It went and Lewis hit the floor, blood gushing out of cut.
 It's doubtful If Lewis ever will remember any more about the fight. He got up, his brain too full Of clouds and cobwebs to stay down for nine count and recover. Then Louis stalkcd him. John Henry re- treated toward his own corner, un- able to get in 0 blow because Joe's left was Kicking in and out to the head. With his back to the ropes John could go no farther.
 Bop! went Louis right again, and Lewis feet flew out from under and he reelcd half way through the middle and top ropes. Referee Ar thur Donovan started count, but nobody in the Garden was ever go- ing ot live to see the day when John Henry Lewis dogged 1t in Q fight. Again John Henry came up without waiting for a nine count and flung q left, hopelesly short, in Louis direction. Two minutes had licked away and now Joe vas stalk ing his foe along the ropes to an- other corner. Louis eyes narrowed to slits when he saw his opening That incredible right that flashes so fast the eye can hardly catch it landed again-this time flush on the jaw.
 John Henry hit the canvas and rolled directly fin front of the United Press ringside wire. His eyes were as vacant as an unfinished house. His arms and legs were limp. It was then that Donovan stopped the fight, after getting Up to a count of five.
 Ten minutes later, in his dressing room, John Henry confirmed the fact that the first right hand punch knocked him silly. The rest of the time he was fighting only on heart and instinct. Somebody asked John Henry why he didn't take e nine count on the first punch.
 T didn't see that punch" he said, shaking his head. "What did they stop it for? They give you three knockdowns in most states"
 You were down three times. John," he was told.
 Was I? I don't remember about that"
 So ali he does remember b Q narrow-eyed man in red gloves coming out at him, c couple of flickering exchanges and then ob- livion. That's the new Joe Louis