Fight:18721
Harry Greb 161 lbs lost to Kid Norfolk 179 lbs by NWS in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1921-08-29
- Location: Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Referee: Yock Henniger
"Harry Greb, Pittsburgh light heavyweight won a shade over Kid Norfolk, colored heavy in a ten-round bout." (Appleton Post Crescent)
The Pittsburgh Post report shows that there is no substance to the old story that Norfolk thumbed Greb in this fight, resulting in his losing sight in one eye. (The fight in which the injury probably occurred will be noted below.) According to the Post, Norfolk was fast and 17 1/2 pounds heavier, and won 4 of the first 5 rounds, even scoring a flash knockdown in round three. Greb was up quickly and did not appear to be hurt. In the last five rounds, Greb (who did a lot of holding in the first five rounds) decided to trade punches with Norfolk. Apparently he had held his opponent in too much respect because he won all five remaining rounds and had Norfolk all at sea. Greb "smothered him with a two-fisted attack" as Norfolk tired. It was an excellent fight. Greb had a real uphill battle after getting himself in a hole in the first five rounds, but came through excellently. Norfolk suffered a badly cut eye. Referee Yock Henninger said, next day, that he would have named Greb winner.
(((My report from the Post lists Norfolk as the winner, the seventh round being the first round that Greb won. The Post gives Norfolk rounds 1-6 and Greb 7-10. Norfolk also scored a knockdown in the 3rd round. The Gazette Times scored the bout the same way, Norfolk winning the first six and Greb the last four. The Daily Dispatch gave Greb the "hairline" verdict by claiming Norfolk won the first four rounds, the fifth being drawn and 6-10 going to Greb. This bout should obviously not be listed as a win for Greb. Kevin)))
- Questionable actions on the part of Greb in this fight no doubt contributed to the near free-for-all in their next meeting.