Young Firpo vs. Tiger Jack Fox (1st meeting)
Young Firpo 172 lbs beat Tiger Jack Fox 175 lbs by PTS in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1934-08-28
- Location: Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Referee: Tom Louttit
The Oregonian, August 29, 1934
YOUNG FIRPO WINS BATTLE FROM TIGER JACK FOX
Coast Champion Retains Title by Taking Bout
CLASH GOES TEN ROUNDS
Both Fighters Score Knockdowns in Wild Affray; Brown Loses to Ritchie Fontaine
Young Firpo, the Bull from Burke, retained his title of light heavyweight champion of the Pacific coast at the Multnomah stadium last night by winning a ten-round decision over the challenger, Tiger Jack Fox of Indianapolis, before 6000 boisterous customers. Referee Louttit's verdict was evidently very popular. When he lifted Young Firpo's hand a joyous shout burst from thousands of throats.
There were times when it looked extremely dubious whether the Bull either would keep his championship or be on his feet at the finish. There were rounds in which Tiger Jack opened up and threw battering volleys that caused Firpo to rock and roll on his stocky legs.
But Tiger Jack did not keep it up and the weaving, unconventional Firpo always rallied in the pinch to drive him back and rock him in turn with heavy punching broadsides of his own.
The most spectacular round was the fifth, in which each fighter went to the floor.
Each Knocked Down
Firpo was the first to be knocked down. Firpo has just crashed an awful left to Fox's face. The colored man suddenly retaliated with a savage rush in which his long arms swung like pistons, throwing fearful punches to Firpo's face and stomach. A right to the chin sent Firpo to his haunches near the ropes.
Almost instantly, and before the referee could count, Firpo had bobbed up again - - - and the Bull came up fighting.
As he rose his arms were flailing. A left and right smashed Tiger Jack on the chin, and in turn he sank to the floor.
Fox also was up almost instantly but not until Referee Louttit had tolled a count of one over him.
Fox at once rushed Firpo to the ropes. In a wild clinch there he bent the Burke miner's body backwards until it looked as though he would break him in two. Referee Louttit dashed in and pried them apart, then gave Fox a vigorous warning for rough battling.
The sensational round was not yet over. Firpo charged Fox and belted him an awful left to the chin. He bobbed to the floor in his famous crouch, shot up again swinging, and a right half knocked and half pushed Fox through the ropes and to his haunches. Referee Louttit evidently considered it a shove rather than a punch for he helped Fox to his feet and did not count.
Just at the bell, Firpo uncorked a fierce right to Fox's belly.
Rounds Five to Three
On the score by rounds, Firpo took five, Fox three and two were even including the tenth....
Firpo defended his light heavy championship, weighing 172 1/4 pound or 2 3/4 pounds under the limit. Fox weighed 2 1/2 pounds more at 174 3/4.