Gil Turner vs. Chico Varona

Gil Turner 146 lbs beat Chico Varona 144 lbs by RTD in round 6 of 10

• Date: 1952-04-14
• Location: Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

"Gil Turner, unbeaten Philadelphia negro belter won his 31st straight victory and 25th by KO when Chico Varona, from Havana, Cuba refused to answer the bell for the 7th round of a scheduled 10 rounder. The Cuban and his manager, Allie Zack, bitterly protested that Turner threw "17 low blows." Varona told referee Zach Clayton he was "sick in the stomach" and refused to leave his corner. After being informed by two commission physicians that there was no physical evidence on Varona's body of low punching, John DeGrosa, Pennsylvania state athletic commissioner, held up the Cuban's purse and set a hearing for today." -Associated Press

• On Tuesday, the folowing day, Commissioner John DeGrosa let Varona off with a warning due to his past performances in Pennsylvania. He turned over to Varona his full purse saying he would not be fined or suspended.

Post fight comment

• "The referee refused to warn Turner and wouldn't take away the rounds for low punching. My boy wasn't getting a fair break. His spirit was broken." -Allie Zack, Varona's manager