Arthur (Kid) Roger vs. Pete Sanstol

Pete Sanstol 118 lbs beat Arthur 'Kid' Roger 116 lbs by TKO in round 8 of 10

• Date: 1929-05-15
• Location: Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

ROGER OUTCLASSED BY PETE SANSTOL FOR EIGHT ROUNDS
Norwegian Fighter Scored Technical Knockout When Bout Was Stopped

Arthur Roger's triumphant march came to a sudden termination before seven thousand enthusiastic fans last night, when he stepped out of the preliminary class to battle Pete Sanstol in the feature bout at the Forum. Roger's successes were interrupted when his seconds tossed a towel into the ring in the early stages of the eighth round, conceding victory to the hard-battling Norwegian, who has never been outpointed in a local ring. The action of Roger's seconds was well-advised and justified by the condition of the local lad, who was staggering around the ring, practically out on his feet. The bout will be recorded against the French boy as a technical knockout, the first that has ever been marked up against him. It was apparent that the in-experienced Roger was no match for Sanstol who measured punches with the best that can be produced in the United States and Europe before his arrival in this country. Roger first came into professional prominence less than a month ago when he scored a fast knockout over Johnny Vacca. On that victory he was rushed into a feature battle and fell far below the standard, due to his lack of experience. He was outpointed, outfought and outpunched, at all stages, until many in the crowd called to the official in charge to stop the bout.

ROGER SHOWS GAMENESS

Roger was as great in his loss as Sanstol was in victory, as the little French lad went down to defeat, showing marked gameness and making courageous efforts to fight back against overwhelming odds.

While Roger depended entirely on his knockout punch, Sanstol displayed all his wares, changing his tactics so frequently that he bewildered the local boy and piled up sufficient points in the first three rounds to carry him to victory. Roger, who is more of a slugger than a boxer, made the fatal mistake that is frequently seen among green battlers, that of trying to carry the fighting to a finished boxer. Each time that Roger closed in with Sanstol, the Norwegian would back away and invariably in the breaks would administer severe punishment. By degrees Sanstol gradually cut Roger down, until his defence was gone and his attack grown weak.

At all stages of the encounter Sanstol made sure of keeping away from Roger's right-hand crosses, which carried him to two outstanding victories, first against Villeneuve and then against Johnny Vacca. Roger misjudged his punches and failing to find the mark wore himself into submission by swinging wildly and missing. Taking advantage of this, Sanstol kept up his rushing tactics, and dodged under his opponent's swings to land left and right-hand swings to the head and body.

Not to be denied so easily, Roger continued his grueling battle, hoping for the one punch that would carry him to a coveted victory, and give him a right to challenge fighters of greater fame than his opponent of last night.

Coming back in the sixth, Roger was in a bewildered condition, and, although he landed several times, his blows lacked steam and had little effect on Sanstol. Sanstol opened up with a shower of blows in the early stages of the seventh round that made Roger back away. He rallied, but was unable to stand the punishment he was put to, and was staggering about when Sanstol sent over a right that made him reel against the ropes. He was again saved from a clean knockout by the gong. Returning in the eighth, he staggered from his corner with his left eye practically closed and his face well cut up.

Sanstol, realizing that his chance had come, carried the fight to his opponent. He sent in a straight left to the face and followed it with two right crosses that brought about the termination of the battle.

Roger's efforts became weaker and weaker until the fight was stopped. The victory paved the way for Sanstol to secure a fight for the bantamweight title, as that was the promised prize to the winner. When the boxers entered the ring the weights were: Sanstol, 117½ pounds; Roger, 116.

Montreal's The Gazette