Pete Sanstol vs. Harry Goldstein

Pete Sanstol 116 lbs beat Harry Goldstein 114 lbs by UD in round 8 of 8

• Date: 1928-09-26
• Location: Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Pete Sanstol Won From Goldstein In Clever Exhibition
Norwegian Scored Thirtieth Victory Before Six Thousand Fans at Forum


In an encounter that overshadowed the scheduled feature bout of the boxing programme offered at the Forum last night, Pete Sanstol, the clever little Norwegian, outpointed Harry Goldstein, of Boston, and took one step nearer the world's flyweight championship. Sanstol never left any doubt as to the outcome of the meeting with the Boston lad, and held a wide margin in each of the eight rounds. When Sanstol climbed through the ropes last night, he was entering the ring for his thirty-first battle, and out of that number he has suffered only one defeat [to Joey Eulo on a foul over a year earlier]. When Sanstol first fought in Montreal [five months before on April 25, when he KO'd Alex Burlie in the 4th round], many expressed the opinion that he was a flash in the pan, but since that fight he has met and defeated some of the outstanding flyweights of the United States in his effort to get a chance at the title.

In meeting Goldstein, Sanstol was put to his severest test and made good at the asking. He fairly smothered his opponent with speed and landed left and right hand blows that had a telling effect upon the Bostonian. No two more finished fighters have ever displayed their wares in a local ring, and each had a big following of fans who cheered them on, and yelling words of encouragement as the rounds were told off. The boys fought at vastly different styles. Sanstol fought at the boring in-style, while Goldstein showed a preference for the open boxing, which was unsuccessful against the fiery little Norwegian.

Previous to the first round, there was an argument between the managers of the fighters. Goldstein objected to Sanstol using a mouth protector. Sanstol insisted on using it, and an appeal was made to the Athletic Commission officials, who ordered Sanstol to discontinue the use of the mouthpiece, which made the fight a grudge affair, which was plainly apparent in each round. When the battlers started, Sanstol set a pace that bewildered Goldstein, and had him on the defensive through the first three minutes. Goldstein kept backing away, while Sanstol forced the fighting and piled up almost sufficient points to carry him to victory. He repeated his tactics in the next round and had Goldstein swinging wildly with lefts and rights as the gong sounded.

GOLDSTEIN CHANGED STYLE

Coming out for the third round Goldstein, apparently on the advice of his seconds, changed his tactics and went after Sanstol at closer range. This was offset by the Norwegian's speed, and he again held the edge. From then until the finish there was no doubt as to the winner, for Sanstol never allowed his opponent to become set, which would have enabled him to land the odd blow. Sanstol was administering severe punishment, and to avoid it Goldstein came into frequent clinches and was warned on several occasions for holding. He would invariably lock Sanstol's left hand under his arm and draw the Norwegian into him with his right. These tactics caused Sanstol to take advantage of the chance offered to hit with one hand free, and in breaking from the clinches he sent over right swings that had his opponent in a bad way.

In the seventh round Goldstein was in a tottering condition and only the bell saved him from being knocked out. Sanstol sent a right cross to the chin and a left swing to the heart, that made Goldstein sag his knees. He clutched the ropes to prevent himself from going down, then came into a clinch which lasted until the bell sounded. In the closing round Sanstol made demon-like efforts to score the knockout he had been beaten out of in the previous three minutes, but the Boston lad wisely held on and went the limit of eight rounds. The decision for Sanstol was unanimous and the announcement that he had been declared the winner was greeted with cheers that lasted until long after the fighters had left the ring for their dressing rooms.

Although beaten Goldstein was a worthy opponent and fought back toe to toe throughout the bout. He showed that he could take punishment as well as administer it, making many friends for himself among the six thousand who paid admission to the Forum. Many on their way out of the building expressed the opinion that the fight between Sanstol and Goldstein made up for the mediocre battle waged by Rioux and King Solomon which was scheduled as the feature.

Per the day-after Montreal Gazette newspaper