Introduction
Joe Spearing
JOE SPEARING was born Thomas Joseph Spearing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 13, 1904 to Thomas F. Spearing and his wife, the former Mary Kelly. As his father was named Thomas, he was known to family and friends as Joe. A brother, Leonard F. Spearing was born in 1906. His father was a machinery salesman. Sadly, Thomas F. Spearing died on February 14, 1912. Joe Spearing went to public and parochial schools in Philadelphia, and although he boxed out of Camden, census records from 1920 and 1930 show him living with his mother in Philadelphia.
Joe Spearing is known to have been boxing as a professional as early as 1925. He took up boxing to raise money to pay for his continuing studies on violin. Joe Spearing was known as the “fiddling boxer,” as he was in the habit of playing the violin immediately before going into the ring in order to calm his nerves. He was still fighting as late as 1929 then left the ring to go back to school, attending the Camden County Vocational School in Pennsauken, where he learned to read blueprints. Boxing, unfortunately, had damaged his hands to the point where continuing study of the violin was impractical. He was listed in Camden’s City Directory at 2707 Cleveland Avenue in 1929.
Joe Spearing worked at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard, the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and for the DuPont Corporation. The 1940 Census shows him living at 619 Linden Street. The 1943 City Directory has him at 870 Haddon Avenue. In 1944 when he went to work as a pressman for Triangle Publications, which also owned the Philadelphia Inquirer. He retired from that line of work in 1974.
Joe Spearing remained close to his friends in the boxing community and was an active member of Ring 6 of the Veterans Boxing Association. He served as president of the chapter for two years, beginning in January of 1965.
Joe Spearing lived out his years as a resident of Pennsauken, New Jersey. He passed away on April 17, 1982, survived by his wife, the former Mary Carmody, and brother Leonard F. Spearing. He was buried in Bethel Cemetery in Pennsauken.
Blair and Chaney Get Return Shots
Camden Courier-Post —
BLAIR AND CHANEY GET RETURN SHOTS
Meet Moffo and Spearing in Feature Bouts at Ball Park Friday
Mickey Blair, Camden’s promising featherweight, will get an opportunity to wipe away the only stain on an otherwise spotless career next Friday when he meets his only conqueror, Billy Moffo, the Bristol bearcat, in the feature bout at the Public Service Ball Park, Twelfth and Federal streets. Moffo is the lad who halted Blair’s winning streak in a hard-fought battle last month, and Mickey is training hard to try and avenge that setback. If successful against the Pennsylvanian, the Camden youth will go after bigger game.
Joe Spearing, the rugged Camden lightweight, and Eddie Chaney, Whitman Park star, appear in another return engagement in the semi-windup. Spearing first leaped into fistic prominence by beating Chaney at the Temple Theatre last winter. While Eddie is anxious to turn the tables this time, Spearing is planning an active campaign, and he will try hard to repeat his impressive victory.
Tommy Boylan, the scrappy Beverly bantamweight, faces Ray Weigand, of Philadelphia, in the second setto. Weigand was originally booked to meet Boylan at the last show, but an injury prevented the Philadelphian from going through with the bout. Kid Bevo, the elongated Trentonian who knocked out Boylan at the Convention Hall last winter, returns to Camden and faces Tommy Lyons, of Gloucester, in the opening bout. All four fights are slated for eight rounds.
Mickey Blair Wins Mythical Lightweight Crown by Decisive Victory Over Sammy Moffo
Camden Courier-Post —
BRISTOL BATTLER FAILS TO CARRY SINGLE ROUND
South Camden Flash Puts Up Most Sensational Bout of Career
WINS BY WIDE MARGIN
Courier Decisions — Mickey Blair, (130½) Camden won from Sammy Moffo, (124) Bristol, in eight rounds. Joe Spearing (134) Camden, shaded Eddie Chaney (132½) Camden, in eight rounds. Ray Weigand, (133) Philadelphia outpointed Tommy Boylan, (124) Beverly, in eight rounds. Jack Dunee, (131) Philadelphia, defeated Kid Bevo, (131½) Trenton, in eight rounds. Referee Joe Robinson. Timer Dan Dean. Announcer Joe Valentine.
BY FRANK H. RYAN (Courier Sports Editor)
Mickey Blair, South Camden’s fistic wizard, today wears the mythical lightweight championship of Camden and vicinity. Outboxing and outpunching Sammy Moffo all the way, Blair won the lightweight title at the Twelfth and Federal streets baseball park last night when he gave the Bristol bearcat an artistic beating.
Showing a complete reversal of form over that which he exhibited in his first fight with Moffo a month ago, Blair thrilled more than 2,000 fans by carrying the fight to Sammy from bell to bell. He outguessed and outslammed Sammy at every stage of the game and won by one of those well-known city blocks!
Blair’s margin of victory is indicated by the fact that he carried five of the eight rounds with the other three sessions being even. In other words, Moffo, despite his desperate rallies in the last four sessions, failed to carry a single round, although he did manage to get an even break in the second, fourth and seventh sessions.
Near Kayo in Sixth
Mickey’s biggest round was the sixth, in which session he came within a hair of winning by a knockout. A right cross flush on the jaw befuddled Moffo’s brain and when Mickey landed two more similar punches he had Sammy wobbly and the bell was a mighty welcome sound to the Bristol bearcat.
It was a much different Blair that faced Moffo last night than the one Sammy trimmed a month ago. Last night Mickey boxed in the same cool-headed, determined manner that returned him the winner over Buck Fleming, and which triumph brought him out into the championship spotlight.
Whereas Blair appeared to forget the value of his left hand in the first bout, it was just the opposite last night. Mickey had his left mit in Moffo’s face seven-tenths of the time, and followed so quickly with his right that Sammy was unable to duck or dodge, as he did in the other bout. In other words, Mickey used his left to throw Sammy off his stride, and then he “socked” through with his right, which appeared to carry more weight last night than in any previous bout.
Blair’s impressive and decisive triumph easily can be termed the greatest fight of his career, and he well deserved the congratulations that were showered on him at the finish. Mickey took his reverse by Moffo in the other bout like a real sport, and his victory last night was all the more popular for that reason.
Moffo Fought Desperately
Moffo, full of confidence at the off-start, proved his gameness and made several determined rallies in an effort to cut down the lead Blair piled up in the early rounds, but Mickey was ready for him at every time, and Sammy invariably was first to clinch when the battling went to close quarters.
Moffo was not disgraced by any means. He simply was beaten by a lad who rose to his greatest heights at a time when it meant everything to him. At long range Blair was considerably superior to Moffo, and while many looked for Sammy to do damage in the clinches, Blair surprised even his most ardent admirers by his willingness to trade slams from any old angle and at any old time.
Excitement ran high throughout the bout because of the fast pace set by both boys from bell to bell, but the peak of the excitement was reached when it looked as though Mickey would send Sammy to slumberland in the sixth. It seemed as though the entire crowd was on its feet, and scores of Blair’s admirers crowded round the ring yelling and pleading for Mickey to put over the finishing punch as Moffo pluckily stayed on his feet until the bell came to his rescue.
It was a mighty close call for Sammy to clear his befuddled head and he finished in whirlwind fashion, but no faster than Mickey.
Spearing Beats Chaney
Joe Spearing, Ray Weigand and Jack Dundee were the winners in the other bouts, all of which also went the full eight round limit.
Spearing shaded Eddie Chaney, of Whitman Park, in a hard-fought but peculiar battle. Spearing, with his rushing style of battling kept on top of Chaney the greater part of the time and the Whitmann Parker was unable to make use of his ability as a boxer.
Chaney made several good rallies, and fought hard all the way but Spearing was entitled to the verdict, principally because he put over the most punches. It was a hard bout to judge and not a very pleasing scrap to watch.
Weigand, who made his first appearance in this city in last night’s show, took the measure of Tommy Boylan, of Beverly, in one of the fastest bouts seen in this city. Weigand proved a fast stepper who can hit with either hand and from any angle. He was too clever as a boxer for Boylan and made Tommy miss many times. The Beverly lad, however, drove home a number of hard lefts to Weigand’s stomach that had the Philadelphian worried.
The boys gave the crowd a big thrill in the eighth round when it appeared as though one more punch might put either out. Weigand caught Boylan with a left to the stomach early in the round that made Tommy stagger.
No “Kick” in Bevo
It was evident that the wallop hurt Boylan and Weigand tore in like a wildcat in an effort to finish Tommy. But the latter brought a big cheer from the crowd when he rallied and started to trade punches with the Philadelphia flash. Both lads flayed away with both hands until the bell ended the battle.
Dundee proved an excellent substitute for Tommy Lyons. After being knocked down in the first round by Kid Bevo, Dundee turned around and carried the fight for the rest of the bout. Bevo, who did a lot of fancy footwork and retreating, tried desperately to put over his famed knockout, but his wallop had no poison in it last night. Dundee won the second, third, fifth and sixth rounds, while Bevo won the first session. The others were even.
MICKEY BLAIR — South Camden flash who won the mythical lightweight championship of Camden by decisively defeating Sammy Moffo last night.
Boxing Will Return to Bridgeton Nov. 5
Camden Courier-Post —
Joe Spearing Meets Gene Fernandez; Pine and Nazaretian Clash Again
Boxing will return to Bridgeton November 5, when P. M. Post and E. H. Sheppard will stage their first show at the Moose Auditorium.
Five bouts will mark the return of boxing to the Cumberland County metropolis. The windup will feature Joe Spearing, rugged Camden lightweight, and Gene Fernandez, of Perth Amboy, in an eight-round scrap.
Two fours and two sixes complete the program. The semi-windup brings together Jocko Pine, of Gloucester, and Turk Nazaretian, the fighting Marine, in a return engagement.
Pine and Nazaretian first met at the Camden Convention Hall last with Pine scoring a clean-cut knockout over his foe. The pair staged an encore at Gloucester last night, and this time Nazaretian avenged the previous setback by stowing Pine away in the fifth frame.
Post, who was presented at the New Arena last night, was so impressed with the exhibition put up by these two that he matched them immediately for the “rubber battle.”
The other six-rounder shows Marine Johnny Corbett, who stopped Eddie Dent in the first round last night, and Eddie (Kid) Bates, of Long Branch. George Williams, of Bridgeton, and Henry Quinn, of Gloucester, mix in the second four-rounder. Two Bridgeton boys will provide the fireworks in the opener.
Post has introduced something of an innovation in connection with his bouts. He will run private fight buses from Vineland, Port Norris, and other towns around Bridgeton, directly to the scene of action. These buses will be used only to carry fight fans to Bridgeton, and back again.
In Bridgeton Bout
Camden Courier-Post —
JOE SPEARING — The scrappy Camden lightweight will meet Gene Fernandez, of New York, in the eight-round windup of the opening show at Bridgeton tonight.
Spearing Challenges Local Lightweights
Camden Courier-Post —
Joe Spearing, star Camden lightweight who has been showing in Philadelphia a great deal lately, is anxious to fight in Camden again, and desires shots at Roxie Allen or any other leading 135-pounder hereabouts.
Spearing, who is being handled here by Hubert Cook, is a strong, willing mixer and he has learned how to box until he now ranks as one of the cleverest lightweights performing in Philly.
Joe Spearing Stops Kid Chapman in Third
Camden Courier-Post —
Joe Spearing, Camden’s fast-rising lightweight, scored an impressive victory last night when he knocked out Kid Chapman in the third round of their windup scrap at Atlantic City.
The battle was vicious while it lasted. Chapman carried the first round but Spearing tore loose in the second and evened up the fight. The pace was fast and furious in the third, when suddenly Spearing landed a smashing left hook under the heart. The blow felled Chapman as though he had been pole-axed, and he was counted out.
Spearing May Give Michaels Real Tilt
Camden Courier-Post —
East Camden Lightweight is Rapidly Developing Into Windup Performer
Joe Spearing, of East Camden, who meets Joey Michaels, Riverside slugger, in the eight-round semi-final to the Roxie Allen–Emory Cabana bout at Public Service Park on Friday night, is rapidly fighting his way into the windup class.
It only has taken two bouts for Spearing to become one of the best drawing cards in this section. And that despite the fact that he had been on the sidelines for the past year before he met Patsy Carlo, of South Camden, here about a month ago. However, that bout “made” Spearing. He held the hard-hitting Italian even in a sensational six-round fracas and then won the decision over Carlo in a return bout.
The fact that Spearing was picked to lose both bouts with Carlo made his showing all the more noteworthy. He took all Patsy had, and the latter is one of the best punchers in this neck of the woods, without blinking an eye and handed out plenty in return. He is the most improved battler in the city, his long layoff evidently having done him a world of good.
Both After Windup Bouts
Owing to his sensational bouts with Carlo, local fans are vastly interested as to how he will fare against the slugging Michaels. It will be Joey’s first bout here since Cabana knocked him out in the first round of a scheduled eight-rounder and as the latter is particularly anxious to regain his lost prestige by bowling over Spearing in short order, the fuss should develop into a torrid contest.
Spearing is the sort of scrapper that can “take it” and may again fool the critics by scampering through to a decision over Michaels. The East Camden mauler has an iron-bound chin and Michaels may find it just as difficult to floor him as Carlo did in both bouts in which he faced Spearing.
Anyway, the two Joes appear to be due to make a fight of it. Spearing is battling to reach the main event division, while Michaels also is making a determined bid to get back in the feature class and that’s reason enough for them to give their best efforts.
Three other events round out the night’s program. Kid Boots, of Riverside, meets Joe Lill, U. S. Marine Corps, in the main preliminary of six rounds, while Joe “Kid” Kelly, of Camden, clashes with Freddy Brady, of Philadelphia, in the second six-round tilt. Frankie Mack, of South Camden, appears in the six-round curtain raiser along with Joe Powell, of Whitman Park.
Michaels Anxious To Beat Spearing
Camden Courier-Post —
Riverside Youngster Out to Erase Cabana Defeat; Spearing Has Iron Jaw
The Joe Spearing–Joey Michaels bout, which is slated as the semi-windup to the Roxie Allen–Emory Cabana fight at the Public Service Park on Friday night, is attracting nearly as much interest as the windup.
Spearing is rapidly becoming one of the best drawing cards in this section. Joe was on the sidelines for nearly a year before he exchanged wallops with Patsy Carlo, of South Camden, about a month ago. Spearing fooled the experts by holding the rugged Carlo even in this fight and then climaxed his showing by winning the decision in a return bout.
Spearing took a lot of punishment in those two battles, but he took all of Carlo’s best without a murmer and handed out enough himself to convince the fans that he was “there” after his long layoff.
And now comes the test against the hard-punching Joey Michaels. There is no denying the fact that the Riverside youngster packs a mean wallop, and although Michaels dropped a decision to Cabana in his last time out, his previous great record still is vividly in the minds of the fans.
Michaels Trying Comeback
Michaels is out to erase that Cabana defeat, and hopes to climb back into his winning stride against Spearing.
Spearing has proved that he can “take it” and it remains to be seen if Michaels can make an impression on his iron jaw. Carlo couldn’t make Spearing whince, and now it remains to be seen if Michaels packs a hard enough punch to dent it.
Spearing can throw quite a few punches himself, and if Michaels gets in the way of one of his vicious swings, he may hear the “birdies peep” for the second time.
At any rate, there is bound to be plenty of action, as Spearing is fighting to get into windup fights, while Joey has to prove that he deserves another chance to fight in the feature bouts. Three other events round out the night’s program. Kid Boots, of Riverside, meets Joe Lill, U. S. Marine Corps, in the main preliminary of six rounds, while Joe “Kid” Kelly, of Camden, clashes with Freddy Brady, of Philadelphia, in the second six-round tilt. Frankie Mack, of South Camden, appears in the six-round curtain raiser along with Joe Powell, of Whitman Park.
Allen Takes Thumping But Gets Even Break
Camden Courier-Post —
Ringside Howls Greet Draw Decision in Allen-Cabana Bout
SPEARING BEATS K.O. KID
A chorus of 1000 enraged voices raised in a discordant howling protest against the decision of a draw handed down by Referee Ray Smith at the conclusion of the eight-round principal bout between Roxie Allen and Emory Cabana at the Camden City A. C. boxing show at the Twelfth and Federal streets ball field last night filled every nook and corner of that old hall.
Frankie Mack, 126 pounds, of Camden, stopped Joe Powell, 128 pounds, of Camden, after end of first round. Joe Kid Kelly, 126 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Freddie Brady, 126½ pounds, of Philadelphia, in six rounds. Tommy Kid Boots, 175 pounds, of Roebling, won referee’s decision over Joe Lill, 180 pounds, of U. S. Marines, in six rounds. Joe Spearing, 135 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Joey Michaels, 143 pounds, of Riverside, in eight rounds. Emory Cabana, 129 pounds, of Philadelphia, fought draw with Roxie Allen, 138 pounds, of Camden, in eight rounds. Referee—Thomas Walters (first three bouts); Sgt. Ray Smith (last two). Timer—George Dean. Announcer—Joe Valentine.
This howling mass assembled at the local ball plant hoping to see Allen, regarded as the premier “lightweight” puncher of these parts, take a slamming from the shifty son of Maine’s woodlands around Sanford. They feasted their eyes on the unusual sight of Allen catching rights and lefts to the head and body. They saw Cabana clout his ever-moving target around the roped enclosure in four of the eight innings, losing but three, one of which was by a slim margin. They watched the popular Cabana fight to a standstill in the other frame and gloried in the scene of a reeling, leg-weary Roxie, with left eye battered, make his uncertain way toward his stool when the fight ended.
But the decision that called the affair even came like a lightning bolt from the sky and they cut loose their shrieking protest in a venomous volume that could be heard for blocks around the premises.
Cabana Gets Early Lead
Coming out of his corner with fire in his eyes and dynamite in his upholstered fists, Cabana lashed away at Allen to win the first two heats. These frames were treats to the patient patrons who have frequently flocked through the Camden Club’s turnstiles, hoping for just such a scene. Allen did better in the third session, for he earned an even break, but Cabana was right back at him in the fourth and carried that chapter, boosting his lead to almost an insurmountable edge.
Roxie heard plenty of barking when he went back to his stool at the end of the fourth and he came out a changed clouter when the gong signaled for the fifth heat. It was the real Allen fighting back, jabbing, right-crossing, and he also pecked away with a series of one-twos in the sixth, shaving a considerable chunk off Cabana’s lead. Emory decided to do some more hustling on his own hook when the seventh started, but Allen retained a slim margin when they took the next rest.
In the eighth and final round Cabana came out the stronger, although Allen tried to trim him down with long right leads and light jabs. After this resulted to Cabana’s advantage Allen shifted his tactics and bulled the former Maine mauler over the four sides of the ring. It was a furious rubbing, heeling, clinching round, with Cabana deserving the nod due to his greater aggressiveness and cleaner punches. Allen showed much of his old self in this round, but he was whipped when he ambled to his stool.
Allen in Typical Form
Barring the first two rounds it was a typical Allen fight. Taking it from start to finish it was the usual pleasing Cabana mode of battling. In the initial rounds Emory was more than the rugged, rushing slashing, two-fisted knuckler that Camden fans have seen before. He tore in from the sound of the first bell, connected well with his long right crosses and sweeping left hooks to the belt and when he feinted it was just too bad for Roxie. The latter exhibited flashes of creditable work but he was often backing and did not add to his prestige.
There might have been a few who felt that Allen deserved a draw and there might have been some in that gallery of mixed minds who may have given him the decision but if there was one person inclined toward either of those turns he or she did not let it be known to that motley, screaming mass that yelled in protest of the verdict. They looked like an enraged mob with their hands waving high and their voices pitched to the limit, seemingly aching to reach the object of their ire but held in restraint by some invisible bonds.
To the writer it is hardly conceivable how the three rounds that are granted to Allen could balance against the four frames that Cabana earned even if an allowance of any one of the latter innings could be shifted to Roxie’s credit.
Question Over Allen’s Weight
There was considerable comment heard around the ringside and back in the dressing barn as well as throughout the gallery over the weight figures.
At 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon it was announced that Cabana surprised everybody with 129 pounds while Allen’s weight was given as 138 pounds. When the fighters were brought into the ring after the first two bouts owing to threatening weather it was announced that Cabana’s poundage was 131 with Allen scaling at 138 pounds. It was frequently heard that Roxie tipped the beam at 141 yesterday afternoon and came in around 144 last night.
Since starting his comeback here several weeks ago Joe Spearing, the husky local lightweight has done some tall thumping and he added another nick in his knuckles when he beat down Joey Michaels, the Riverside knocker, in the semi-windup of last night’s bill.
Michaels took the aggressive at the start and whipped over some speedy rights and lefts, forcing Spearing to the pedal act for two rounds. The latter, however, rated as one of the strongest boxers in the local ring racket, has always been a slow starter and he didn’t get going until the third heat. But from then on the youthful blond Burlington county slugger was in plenty of trouble.
Joey came out for the third much the same manner that he whaled away in the previous rounds, but a couple of Spearing jabs and two right uppercuts followed by a series of rights and lefts that contained a bundle of sting slowed him down a peg and marked the turning point of the battle. When the bell sent them to rest Michaels bled from the nose but it was merely a slight trickle that didn’t look dangerous.
After winning the first and second Michaels trailed Spearing in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth while the seventh was even. The final frame went to Michaels. It was a hard fight and Referee Smith was given a far more pleasing round of applause than that which marked his return to the ring after the Allen-Cabana tilt.
Tommy Kid Boots, that 175-pounds of handsome, bull-like fighting stock from Roebling, gave Joe Lill, a former marine, a good thumping about the head and body in the main preliminary contest. Lill scaled 180 ponds and gave Boots loads of grief for a couple of rounds, but when all was said and done there was really only one and that was the big slam and slug boy from Roebling.
Joe Kid Kelly, a slim Irish lad, gave a foe named Freddie Brady a beating in the second duel. Brady who hails from Philadelphia, likes to have his residence announced as Panama but it didn’t matter to Kelly as he was clouting O. K. and let them fly hard and often in the direction of Mr. Brady’s fizz. Joe might have put the boots to Freddie if he had worked downstairs but that’s neither here nor there, he won the decision.
Frankie Mack gashed Joe Powell in the first round of the opener and when the boys sat down Inspector Edward A. Welsh decided it might be too dangerous to allow the bout to go on. Powell had an ugly wound over his right eye and faced serious injury if the bout were permitted to go farther than it did. Noone saw a punch open Joe’s forehead and it is felt that he received the cut accidentally during a clinch.
Local Fight Results
Camden Courier-Post —
The winners, losers and their weights in the Camden City A.C. boxing show at the Twelfth and Federal streets ball field last night follow:
Frankie Mack, 126 pounds, of Camden, stopped Joe Powell, 128 pounds, of Camden, in two rounds. Bout stopped after end of first round.
Joe Kid Kelly, 126 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Freddie Brady, 126½ pounds, of Philadelphia, in six rounds.
Tommy Kid Boots, 175 pounds, of Roebling, won referee’s decision over Joe Lill, 180 pounds, of U. S. Marines, in six rounds.
Joe Spearing, 135 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Joey Michaels, 143 pounds, of Riverside, in eight rounds.
Emory Cabana, 129 pounds, of Philadelphia, fought draw with Roxie Allen, 138 pounds, of Camden, in eight rounds.
Referee—Thomas Walters (first three bouts); Sgt. Ray Smith (last two). Timer—George Dean. Announcer—Joe Valentine.
Boxing — Convention Hall
Camden Courier-Post —
Boxing
CONVENTION HALL, Haddon Avenue and Line Street, directed by the Camden City Athletic Club, presents boxing TONIGHT.
Roxie Allen vs. Joe Reno — Camden vs. Trenton — 8 Rounds
Willie Beetle vs. Joe Spearing — Trenton vs. Camden — 8 Rounds
Eddie Wallace vs. Eddie Myers — Camden vs. Philadelphia — 6 Rounds
Frankie Mack vs. Billy Logan — Camden — 6 Rounds
George Anderson vs. George Jackson — Camden — 6 Rounds
4-Round Novice Bout: Johnny Lucas vs. Al “Peaches” Gray — Whitman Park, Mt. Ephraim
Admission: $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00.
Tickets on sale at Higgins’ Cafe, 24th and Federal Sts.; Jos. A. Thompson, Haddon Ave. and Line St.; Arcadia Cafe, 529 Federal St.; Eddie Welsh Cafe, 601 Pearl St., Camden; and Pose Robinson, 110 S. Broadway, Gloucester, N. J.
Terry-Decker Tilt Looks Good to Fans
Camden Courier-Post —
Newcomer Expected to Give Philadelphian Great Fight Here on Friday Night
It only required one bout to make Young Terry, of Trenton, who meets Harry “Kid” Decker, of Philadelphia, in the semi-final to the Al Gordon-Jesse Goss fight at the Convention Hall Friday night, a popular favorite with local boxing devotees.
But his first showing here warranted his gaining favor with the mob. Inserted as a last-minute substitute against the rugged Joe Spearing, East Camden junior welterweight, Terry gave a sparkling exhibition to hand Spearing the first setback he has suffered since starting a come-back campaign during the outdoor season.
Spearing was an odds-on favorite to win the scrap as Terry came here unheralded and unsung. He replaced Willie Beetle, another Trenton scrapper, who was originally scheduled to box Spearing, but who was forced to withdraw from the match, having received a deep gash over his right eye while in training.
Many fans had attended the show to witness Beetle battle Spearing, but they soon forgot about the hard-hitting Trenton southpaw when Terry opened up his bag of tricks. In fact, Spearing never had a chance to win the fuss, Terry forging to the front at the start of the gong, and he continued to pile up point after point as the bout progressed.
Terry gave a dazzling exhibition. He displayed a keen knowledge of the game, using both hands in approved style. He banged Joe with a varied assortment of wallops until the latter became bewildered stopping the avalanche of punches Terry sent in his direction. All in all, Terry made a remarkable showing in his first appearance here, and the bugs are looking for him to give Decker, one of the cleverest boxers in the east, a great set-to before the winner is determined.
Decker, incidentally, has met and defeated some of the most remarkable boxers in his division. He is fast and clever, can absorb a good pasting and, coupled with Terry, he should give the mob a real treat.
Besides the two eight-rounders three six-round affairs are on the night’s program. Nick Nichols, Camden postman, who is staking another come-back campaign, tackles Frank Sumpter, of Cleveland, in the main preliminary. Stuart Gest and Georgie Jackson, bout of East Camden, meet in a return scrap, while Joe Dent and Patsy Dever will come together in the opener, which will determine the lightweight championship of the Haddon Press.
Career Record
Career Record
Joe Spearing career boxing record — 10 wins (1 KO), 6 losses, 4 draws
Bouts
| Date ↕ | Opponent ↕ | Result ↕ | Method ↕ | Location ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929-01-18 | Al Conway | W | PTS | South Jersey A.A., Camden |
| 1928-11-19 | Young Harry Wills | D | NWS | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City |
| 1928-11-05 | Willie Beetle | L | PTS | Arena, Trenton |
| 1928-10-02 | Ernie Caesar | L | PTS | South Jersey A.A., Camden |
| 1928-09-28 | Young Terry | L | PTS | Convention Hall, Camden |
| 1928-09-30 | Joey Michaels | W | REF | Public Service Ball Park, Camden |
| 1928-08-17 | Patsy Carlo | W | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden |
| 1928-07-27 | Patsy Carlo | D | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden |
| 1927-06-27 | Kid Chapman | W | KO | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City |
| 1927-06-07 | Joey Hatfield | L | PTS | Carnival Park, West Manayunk |
| 1927-05-30 | Kid Chapman | W | NWS | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City |
| 1927-03-23 | Ernie Caesar | W | PTS | 108th Field Artillery Armory, Philadelphia |
| 1927-03-18 | Jack Gallagher | D | PTS | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia |
| 1927-02-21 | Frankie Hayes | L | NWS | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City |
| 1926-12-10 | Jimmy McGurk | D | NWS | Convention Hall, Camden |
| 1926-08-06 | Eddie Chaney | W | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden |
| 1926-07-23 | Joe Wilton | W | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden |
| 1926-07-09 | Billy Moffo | W | NWS | Public Service Ball Park, Camden |
| 1926-01-28 | Ray Maxwell | L | NWS | Temple Theater, Camden |
| 1925-11-05 | Eddie Chaney | W | NWS | Temple Theater, Camden |
Ex-Fighters Are Set for Charity Show
Camden Courier-Post —
Jersey Joe Walcott and Roxie Allen in Feature at Civic Hall Tomorrow
Present and past greats of Camden boxing will do their all for charity tomorrow night, when they appear on a card sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden, at the Camden Convention Hall.
Fifteen bouts of three rounds each are scheduled to be held, and the entire proceeds will be used to provide Christmas baskets for Camden’s needy. The boxers and referees have generously donated their services free of charge, and are to be complimented for their willingness to aid a worthy cause.
All 15 bouts as are exhibition matches as the principals have been out of training for several years. However, they have done their best to get in pretty fair shape during the past two weeks and a number of interesting bouts should be presented.
Jersey Joe Walcott, still in action in the heavyweight ranks, and Roxie Allen, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight, but who retired two years ago, are on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in a scheduled eight-rounder.
However, Walcott held a 25-pound pull in the weights, scaling around 165, while Frankie weighed around 160. Walcott eventually knocked out Allen, Roxie had the satisfaction of flooring Jersey Joe in the first two and a felt hook to the jaw sending the Negro down for a count of two.
Blairs Box Each Other
Allen quit fighting about this bout, but still is in good physical shape as Frankie Blair, one of Camden’s well-known heavyweights showed three fast rounds against Walcott.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who spent themselves in out-of-town fights, and are slated to box each other. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest bouts in New York City about two years, while Mickey was one of the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War.
George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Pete Herman were some of the boys Battling Mack met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer, another Attell.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local residents, are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the welterweights of local weights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus McGuire, Charlie Mack, White, Lew Jackson, and Johnny Attell were included among the men which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Charley Mack meets Young O’Connor, Jackson in short four-round bouts. Spearing battles Frankie Rapp, downtown southpaw who fought four of the best featherweights in the East in short time. Pee Wee Ross and Attell clashes with Billy Marino.
(Continued) — is dotted with knockouts. He will take on Joey Allen, South Camden featherweight who never fought a slow bout and who never side-stepped a match.
Pee Wee Ross undoubtedly was the best bantamweight ever developed in this city. Ross fought ‘em all 10 years ago and finished with a great record. He meets Bobby Zimmerman, another local product who also was a pleasing performer and who was known as the “buzz saw” because of his rapid-fire punching.
Nick Nichols, one of the hardest-hitting welterweights ever to hold forth here, takes on Tommy McCann, East Camdenite who had one of the best left hands in the city.
Lucas Vs. Straiges
Johnny Lucas, South Camden welterweight who still could go to the wars, faces Joey Straiges, also of South Camden, who also could compete in featherweight ranks if it were necessary for him to continue boxing. In the other bout on the card, Young Palmer and Tommy Dundee, former featherweights, clash.
Jim Braddock, former world heavyweight champion, is expected to be on hand to referee at least one bout. Others invited to referee are: Sgt. Ray Smith, Harry Shaw, Tom Walters, Al Ettore, Joey O’Donnell, Mike DeLeece, Young Lawrence, Charley Harris, Bill McFarlane and Walter “West” Kennedy.
The committee in charge of the boxing arrangements consists of Caesar Campana, chairman, Dominic Lombardo, Daniel Gallasso, James McSparrin and Paul Daly.
Nearly 4000 Witness Old-Timers in Action
Camden Courier-Post —
Past and Present South Jersey Boxers Go Through Paces in Charity Show
NO DECISIONS RENDERED
By FRANK KOPESKY
They turned back the sporting page, month after month, year after year. And out of the staring type and fading newsprint stepped the shadows of all the names you’ve been reading about these past weeks.
With nearly 4,000 in attendance, the United Democratic Clubs of Camden sponsored a charity boxing show at Convention Hall last night that turned into a sentimental journey through the years for most of the fans.
Braddock Gets Big Hand
The feature attraction and a man who received a thunderous reception from the gallery was popular James J. Braddock, former heavyweight champion of the world, who refereed the final two bouts.
Roxie Allen, of Camden, and Jackie Hindle, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight, but who retired two years ago, were paired on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in a scheduled eight-rounder.
However, Walcott held a 25-pound pull in the weights, scaling around 165, while Frankie weighed around 160. Walcott eventually knocked out Allen, Roxie had the satisfaction of flooring Jersey Joe in the first two and a felt hook to the jaw sending the Negro down for a count of two.
Blairs Box Each Other
Allen quit fighting about this bout, but still is in good physical shape as Frankie Blair, one of Camden’s well-known heavyweights showed three fast rounds against Walcott.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who spent their greatest days in out-of-town fights, and are slated to box each other. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest bouts in New York City about two years, while Mickey was one of the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War.
Tommy Ricco and Young O’Connor, another South Camden featherweight, and Johnny Duca, both of Paulsboro, are the other three boys who will be active in the card of events, while Johnny Duca squares off against Al White, also of Paulsboro.
The veteran of the card is Battling Mack, one of the finest characters ever to enter the fight game among South Camden featherweights in the East, shortly after the World War. George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Pete Herman were some of the boys Battling Mack met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local residents, are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the welterweights of local weights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus Maguire, Charlie Mack, White, Lew Jackson, and Johnny Attell were included among the men which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Charley Mack meets Young O’Connor, Jackson in short four-round bouts. Spearing battles Frankie Rapp, downtown southpaw who fought four of the best featherweights in the East in short time. Pee Wee Ross and Attell clashes with Billy Marino.
Firpo is a lightweight, packed a great left hook and has, in recent years been known to all South Jersey fight addicts.
Life Hereabouts
Camden Courier-Post —
BY CHARLEY HUMES
DOWN MEMORY LANE with that Old Gang of Yours … in a few of the years when Our Town was as good a sport town as any in the land … from the time that Taylor and Gunnis promoted fights through the years to Roxey Allen … Mickey Blair … Eddie Chaney … Shamus Maguire … Pee Wee Ross … Jackie Hindle … Watson Finch … Georgie Abner … Nick Nicholas … Dixie Allen …
The days when Camden was the Mecca for Philly fight fans … with champions like Mike O’Dowd … Benny Leonard … Pete Herman … Jimmy Wilde … Gene Tunney … fighting in the Armory on Haddon avenue … for One, Two and Three … tax included … the days of John Smith … whose son, Lee, became one of our great friends … the days when Philly came to Camden to see the best fighters in the land …
AND THEN DOWN through the years with Lou McFarland … Higgins and Kaplan … Tommy James … the man named Doyle who always gave us a smile when we called him “Mister” because he was so kind … When Sergeant Ray Smith became a referee … “Pose” Robinson … the days of Willie Davis … Harry Smith … Jim Kelly …
Fights in the ball park at Twelfth and Federal streets … at the Fairview Ball Park … in the Temple Theatre … the Star Theatre … Newt Blanchard, the only promoter who gave us MORE money than we asked for … The Broadway Theatre … the early days of Convention Hall …
THE TIME they opened the Plaza Hotel Gym and all the fine lads on the program … with the late Mayor Stewart in the audience … and many other dignitaries … and being “dared” into a match with Ray Smith, because his opponent failed to show … the same guy who fought Tunney … Mike Brennan … Gibbons … Martin … Dempsey … Loughran … and seeing the Sergeant’s body covered with blood in the second round … our very own blood …
THE YEARS when Gloucester city was the fightenest town in the nation …
The days of K. O. Joey O’Donnell … who fought them all. … Of Frankie Conway … who never took a backward step … and still has the same courage today. … Of Willie Spencer … who headlined show after show. … Charlie Daggert … now a referee in Philly. … Jimmy Rafferty … Eddie (Kid) Wagner … Young Sherlock … Abe Wustbond, later an instructor of boxing at Herman’s gym in Philly … Eddie Forrest … and his brother, who fought Battling Nelson … the crowd-pleasing Willie Fuller … Joey O’Connor.
Back when Chick Hunt fought under the name of Eddie Melson … and later, in professional ranks, the night he fought Joe “Kid” Fisher at the Apollo theatre in Gloucester. … Chick is our friend today … but we don’t believe he ever will forgive us for that night when we yelled at Joe to … well, we yelled at Joe … The days of Harry “Dick” Donohue, trainer and manager of Nick Nichols.
AND THE BEST, learning the business under the incomparable Eddie Prince … who knows how to condition fighters … then and now … with the best in the nation. … The days when they called Mister Georgano “Lemons” … but affectionately … not because he was ever sour.
When Johnny Sapio … who only days ago was honored at a banquet at Weber’s Hof Brau by so many people the walls bulged … fought under the name of Young Joe Grim.
HOW MANY will remember when our own Eddie Garrity, now the sedate deputy director of public safety in Our Town, was a boxer … with plenty on the ball? … When George Murphy boxed around here … and the Tighe brothers, Eddie and Jimmy … Remember Richie Hoehner? … Jimmie Jordan? … Eddie Douglas? … Bobby Graham, then a soldier stationed in Gloucester? … Steve Jackson? … Frankie McLaughlin (whose brother Neil WAS on Retreat with us, Mrs. McLaughlin, and gave us much of this information)?
Recall Johnny “Homo” Bryan? … Duncan Carswell, Jimmy and Jack Dean, referees, all three? … Theo Ellick, the matchmaker. … And who could forget Joe Spearing, afraid of nobody then and now … he fought our boy Fisher three times to our knowledge … once in Atlantic City … another at one of the ball parks here and the third (the windup, no less) in Gloucester. … Who won … who cares?
THE DAYS when a Cook was a promoter … and a Politician(?) got the gravy. … The time “Red” Haines fought Roxey Allen over top the old Standard movies at Second and Vine streets … amateur against a near-champ … and what a battle … when Everett Joslin and Johnny Taylor were on the First district wagon and backed it up to the door leading to the second floor, and all the people gathering around because they thought it was a raid … and all they came to see was a round or two of the fights.
Back when Joey Powell had an iron fist … and Soldier Freedman an iron jaw. … When Mayor Victor King was always in the front row at the bouts … when Augie Oswald “worked” the river in his boat for shad and other fish … when a dollar was a dollar and not 27 cents … when the downtown fight gym was operated by Charley Mack … whose brother Battling Mack was a great drawing card and a great fighter … and Charley was no softie, either.
THE SUMMER BOUTS in the ball park when you could get a swell bleacher seat for half a buck—and be closer to the bouts than $50 seats at some of the big clubs now … and see better fights, too.
When Camden had growing pains … and its people started moving to the suburbs … when a guy who made 40 slugs a week was a “big executive.” … When copy boys on the papers got $4 a week … and had enough left over from their salary to lend money to reporters who made the tremendous sum of $25 a week. … Great days, say you … great days, say us. … Nostalgia.
Ring 6 Committee Meets Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
The committee on arrangements for the third annual picnic and field day to be held by Ring No. 6, VBA, will hold a meeting tonight, at 220 Cooper Street, starting at 8 o’clock.
Lew Skymer and Joe Spearing co-chairmen, request the presence of all members of the committee, which includes Vic Righter, Ed Adams, Frankie Youker, Larry Hildebrand, Frank DiSalvio, A. Gartland, Bob Kavanaugh, Tom Reitzes, Patsy Carlo, Pee Wee Ross, Al Ambrosino.
Also W. DiPaolo, K.O. Riley, John Knowles, Tommie Saul, Eddie Chaney, Bobby Zimmer, Tony Tilman, Tommy Carr, George Ealer, and William Jeffries.
Name Spearing For VBA Prexy
Camden Courier-Post —
Joe Spearing, former lightweight, last night was nominated to become president of Ring No. 6, Veteran Boxers Association.
Other nominations were: Lew Skymer, vice president; Frankie Rapp, treasurer; Joe Vitarelli, financial secretary; Lou Pelle, recording secretary and Pee Wee Ross and Frank Valenti, sergeants at arms.
‘Fiddler’ Heads Ring Of Former Boxers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fists Lost Violin Touch
A former “fiddling” boxer, now an Inquirer pressman, will be installed as president of the Veteran Boxers Association, Ring 6, in Camden on Monday.
Joe Spearing, 60, of 1660 Tinsman ave., Pennsauken, was one of the most promising young boxers to come out of the Camden area during the 1920s.
REAL LOVE WAS VIOLIN
Spearing boxed to earn enough money to pursue his prime ambition — studying the violin.
He was known as the “fiddling fighter” because of his habit of playing the violin for 20 minutes in his dressing room before each fight to soothe his nerves.
The tactic apparently worked — newspaper records show he piled up an impressive string of victories over highly regarded local and State middleweights.
In 1929, at the age of 25, Spearing hung up his gloves to take a job at the New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden.
STUDIES, ADVANCES
He started as a sweeper and became a drafting layout man after taking night classes at the Camden County Vocational School.
Spearing says the battering his hands took in the ring later made it impossible for him to pursue his violin studies. “It was a pity, because I wanted to play the violin more than anything else,” he said.
The boxers’ association is devoted to combating juvenile delinquency and to raising the status of boxing.
Spearing Installed VBA Ring 6 Prexy
Camden Courier-Post —
A former lightweight, now a newspaper pressman, was installed as president of Veteran Boxers Association, Ring 6, last night.
Joe Spearing, 60, of 1660 Tinsman ave., Pennsauken, was sworn in by Thomas F. McGuire, attorney and member of the Pennsauken Township Committee.
Rep. Cahill, an honorary member, telegramed his best wishes for a happy tenure. A congratulatory telegram was received from former heavyweight champion Joe Louis. Both Spearing and Louis were trained by Jack Blackburn.
Eddie Prince, who operated Battling Mack’s gym at 3d and Walnut sts., Camden, during the 1920’s, was the guest of honor.
Spearing Heads Ring 6 Again
Camden Courier-Post —
Joe Spearing will be installed for the second time as Ring 6, Veterans Boxers Association, president, Saturday night.
Thomas Maguire, Pennsauken mayor, will be the installing officer as the new officials are seated in the association’s clubhouse, 868 Mt. Ephraim Avenue. Andy McMahon will be master of ceremonies.
Other officers, all “swept into office” for the second year, include Lew Skymer, vice president; Frankie Rapp, treasurer; Lou Pelle, recording secretary; Joe Vitarelli, financial secretary and Pee Wee Ross, sgt. at arms. Jack Kelly succeeds Frank Valante as Ross’ “assistant.”
Ryan Honored At Special Fete
Camden Courier-Post —
More than a score sportsmen from the Camden area attended a surprise 75th birthday party to Tom Ryan, retired sports editor of the Courier-Post, in Kenney’s Camden last night.
Sheriff Martin Segal, Sergeant Ray Smith, former AEF heavyweight champion, and a number of other former boxers who have known Ryan for 40 years attended.
Other guests included: Stephen O’Keefe, chief copy editor of the Courier-Post; Joe (Kid) Murphy, former Camden Ring 6 president; Joe Spearing, Ring 6 president; Roxie Allen, Tom Kenney Sr., Battling Mack and Eddie Prince. Anthony Georgette was toastmaster and Lew Skymer chairman. All paid tribute to Ryan.
Thomas J. Spearing, boxer and pressman
Camden Courier-Post —
PENNSAUKEN — Funeral services for Thomas Joseph Spearing, 77, former boxer, shipyard layout man and journeyman pressman, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Inglesby and Sons Funeral Home, Cove and Wyndom roads, Pennsauken.
Mr. Spearing died Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden.
Born Nov. 13, 1904, in Philadelphia, Mr. Spearing attended parochial schools and Central High School there and began his boxing career in the late 1920s. He fought under the name Joe Spearing until the early 1930s. He then left boxing to attend Camden County Vocational School where he learned to read blueprints.
Over the next 10 years he used that skill as a layout man in area shipyards. He worked at the New York Shipyard, the Philadelphia Naval Yard and for the Du Pont Co.
In 1944, he went to work for Walter Annenberg’s Triangle Publications in Philadelphia as an apprentice pressman. He worked his way through the trade to become a journeyman pressman at the Philadelphia Inquirer, which at that time also was owned by Annenberg.
Mr. Spearing retired from the Inquirer in 1974.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, who was a proofreader at the Inquirer until her retirement in 1972.
Mr. Spearing also is survived by a brother, Leonard F., of Upper Darby, Pa., and several nieces and nephews.
No viewing will be held, but friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to services. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery in Pennsauken.