Jimmy McLarnin vs. Barney Ross (1st meeting)
Jimmy McLarnin 142 lbs lost to Barney Ross 138 lbs by SD in round 15 of 15
- Date: 1934-05-28
- Location: Madison Square Garden Bowl, Long Island City, Queens, New York, USA
- Referee: Eddie Forbes 2-11
- Judge: Harold Barnes 1-13
- Judge: Tom O'Rourke 9-1
New York Times accounts:
"Barney Ross, the first man in ring history to simultaneously wear the world lightweight and welterweight crowns, would like to give Jimmy McLarnin a return crack at the 147 pound title which he wrested from him last night before 45,000 fans at MSG's Long Island Bowl. The split decision fueled dissatisfaction in the McLarnin camp but the verdict was generally popular with fans and sports writers. Virtually everyone admitted McLarnin appeared somewhat rusty after his long layoff in which he fought only 2 minutes and 46 seconds in a year and a half. After the first couple of rounds, in which Ross displayed shrewd caution, he was ready to match punches with the Pacific slugger. And his explosive barrages to body and head gave him the better of many savage exchanges." -United Press
- Referee Eddie Forbes penalized McLarnin 5 rounds for low blows, but he said four of those would have gone to Ross anyway.