Teddy Yarosz by Rob Snell

[Mofo2]

The Tyrone (PA) Daily Herald

12 Sept 1934

Teddy Yarosz Is New Middleweight King

Gets decision in 15 Rounds

Over Vince Dundee

Teddy Yarosz, youthful boxing idol oof the steel district, ruled the middleweight class today by lifting the crown from titleholder Vince Dundee in a 15 round split decision battle here last night.

Yarosz dethroned the champion but the chorus of boos that greeted the verdict showed it was far from a popular verdict. Two judges split the decision and it was left to Al Grayber, referee of Pittsburgh , to cast the deciding vote in favour of the Monaca battler.

The battle,marked by an absence of punching power on the part of both fighters, lacked the colour and glamour of a title match. It was exceedingly tame and not altogether pleasing to the crowd of 28,000.

Unofficial scores gave Yarosz a slight edge in six rounds and four to Dundee. Five were even. But the dethroned champion forced the issue. He kept pressing in and followed the challenger as Yarosz resorted to his peculiar style of combat. He continually pushed his left hand into Dundee’s face and then circled the ring.

Neither battler displayed any hitting power. Dundee’s weaving style and his experience caused Yarosz to miss frequently but the loser found it difficult to land any telling blows.

Both men left the ring unmarked. At the final bell both Yarosz and Dundee were tired and weary. Neither was floored during the fifteen rounds although one or the other fell during clinches on three different occasions.

Dundee entered the ring holding a 1 lb advantage over his opponent. He displayed a determined defiant air and relied heavily upon his experience and knowledge rather than an aggressive attack to carry him to victory.

Yarosz was eager and obviously nervous. His desire to win the match and title caused him to miss many blows to the champions head as the latter danced around the ring.

The early rounds were uninteresting as Yarosz assumed his peculiar stance. Pushing his left glove into Dundee’s face and circled the ring while the champion pursued.

Repeated warnings to Dundee from the referee for hitting low brought a complaint from the titleholder that Yarosz was pushing the glove to the low mark.

As the battle proceeded Dundee’s experience and ring knowledge became more obvious. He weaved his head and shoulders forcing Yarosz, anxious to pile up an advantage, to miss many good blows.

Dundee’s bid for victory in the final round fell short. Some of his blows found there mark and Yarosz weakened. The challengers pace was retarded as he stumbled awkwardly about the ring. Still he showed no signs of going down as he fought back until the bell.

Then he trudged slowly to his corner when Dundee moved with equal uncertain steps toward his handlers.The decision was as unpleasant to Yarosz as it was disappointing to Dundee who had been defeated twice before in non title bouts by the newly crowned champion.