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NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
1923-1925
In this section are rare newspaper articles about Harry Greb. Just click on the years you want.
1913-1919
1920-1922 ...1923-1925 ...1926
1927-1999 ...2000-present
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Jan 31, 1923
Greb Retains Title In Bout At Garden; American Lightheavyweight Champion Defeats Loughran in 15-Round Match.
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: New York Times Date Printed: Jan 31, 1923 Page: 16
Harry Greb of Pittsburgh retained his American light-heavyweight championship title against Tommy Loughran. Philadelphia contender, last night in Madison Square Garden. After fifteen rounds of boxing, which fluctuated from the satisfactory to the mediocre as the bout progressed.
Story Of The Fight Told Round By Round
Loughran Sets Fast Pace In Early Sessions, but Greb Makes Strong Rally.
(click here for a round by round description of the Greb-Loughran fight)
Feb 24, 1923
FIGHT BY ROUNDS
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Washington Post Date Printed: Feb 24, 1923 Page: 14
(click here for a round by round description of the second Greb -Tunney fight)
Feb 25, 1923
Muldoon Says Greb Outpointed Tunney
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: New York Times Date Printed: Feb 25, 1923 Page: 20
Mulddon Says Greb Outpointed Tunney; Declares that Pittsburgh boxer should have recieved decision after title bout. CALLS THE VERDICT UNJUST. Head of Athletic Commision States that contest is closed incident, however. Greb seeks return match and expresses confidence in ability to regain Light-Heavyweight crown if given chance.
Feb 27, 1923
Greb Clamoring For a Return Match
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Washington Post Date Printed: Feb 27, 1923 Page: 19
Greb clamoring for a return match; challenges Gene Tunney, through the new york boxing body for another bout. Says title was stolen. Will keep after conquerer until given chance to redeem himself.
Harry Greb, the deposed light-heavyweight champion, left for his home in Pittsburgh this afternoon, but before he left he paid a visit to the office of the New York State athletic commision and deposited there a challenge for a return match with Gene Tunney, to whom he surrendered his title on a questionable decision in Madison Square Garden last friday night.
Mar 8, 1923
Greb-Gibbons Bout Off
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Chicago Tribune Date Printed: March 8, 1923 Page: 15
New York, March 7.- Tom Gibbons and Harry Greb will not fight at Madison Square Garden on March 19. Matchmaker Frank Flournoy had the consent of Gibbons for the match last night, but today Greb turned down the offer. His wife is ill and is not expected to live many days.
March 19, 1923
Harry Greb's Wife Is Dead
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Chicago tribune Date Printed: March 18, 1923 Page: 27
Pittsburgh, Pa., March 18,- Mrs. Mildred Riley Greb, wife of Harry Greb, ex-light heavyweight champion of America, died here today in her home after a lingering illness of two years. During the last year and a half she had been living at Saranac Lake, but came to her home here shortly before the recent Tunney bout.
May 9, 1923
Harry Greb Recovering
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: New York Times Date Printed: May 9, 1923 Page: 17
Surgeons Say Operation on Bober's Arm Is A Sucess
Pittsburgh, Pa., May 8.- Harry Greb, former light heavyweight boxing champion of America, was operated on at Mercy Hospital here today for an infected arm, which developed from a boil. The first intimation that the boxer was ill came late yesterday, when the Motor Square Boxing Club physician said Greb's arm was in such shape that he could not go through with a bout last night. Greb's manager immediately canceled a number of other bouts and the former champion was taken to the hospital.
Surgeons said the operation was a success, and that, barring complications, Greb would recover rapidly. The boxer said he was "feeling pretty good." and hoped to be out of the hospital within a few days.
June 30, 1923
Greb Will Fight Wilson For Middleweight Title
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Washington Post Date Printed: June 30, 1923 Page: 20
Tom O'Rourke matchmaker of the Polo Grounds A.C., announced today that he had sighned Harry Greb, of Pittsburgh, and Johnny Wilson of Boston, world's middleweight champion, for a fifteen-round decision title match.
July 4, 1923
Boil Forces Greb to Halt Battle With Jeff Smith
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Washington Post Date Printed: July 4, 1923 Page: 8
Pittsburgh. July 3.- Upon the advice of his physician, Harry Greb announced tonight that he would not be able to meet Jeff Smith at Atlanta July 13, and had wired the Atlanta promoters for a ten days postponement of the bout.
A boil on Greb's right arm became infected, his physician declared, adding that he had advised against Greb's entering training for the Atlanta fight.
July 7, 1923
Greb Worsted By Connellsville Cops
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Washington Post Date Printed: July 7, 1923 Page: 11
Connellsville, Pa., July 6.- Harry Greb yesterday ran afoul the cops in this city and as a result was placed in a cell until mayor Mitchell could give him a hearing.
Harry with his 3-year old daughter and sister, Mrs. Edwards, her husband and Miss Helen Austin, in his car, was stopped by Connelsville's giant policeman, Andy Thomas, for violating a traffic rule. He was taken to jail, and according to Harry's story, was beaten by Thomas and another copper when they forced him into a cell. Their blows, according to greb, opened the wound left by an operation performed for an infected arm several weeks ago.
When Harry was released, he made a rush at Thomas and with a smash on the jaw dazed the officer. They were then seperated.
August 31, 1923
"Pittsburgh Windmill" reigns slight favorite over champion; Both in tip top condition
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Bridgeport Telegram Date Printed: August 31, 1923 Author: unknown Article Supplied by: Rob Snell
-Click here for a Round by Round description of the Greb-Wilson Middleweight Championship fight-
New York, Aug 30 -- Championship Boxing will return to the limelight tomorrow night at the Polo Grounds where Harry Greb the Pittsburgh "Windmill" will attempt to remove the world's middleweight crown from Johnny Wilson of Boston, in a fifteen round match.It will be the first of three title matches scheduled here within two weeks as Johnny Dundee and Benny leonard battle for the lightweight championship next wednesday while Jack Dempsey and Luis Firpo clash for the heavyweight laurels the following week.
BOTH IN SHAPE
Both greb and Wilson were pronounced in excellent condition today after going through light workouts. Both declared they would be well under the limit of 160 pounds when they weigh in tomorrow afternoon.
Greb, one of the most rugged men in the ring, and former American Light Heavyweight Champion, has the backing of numerous ring experts to capture Wilson's title but the Boston boxer has restored confidence among his followers by the excellent form he has shown in training.
Wilson has risked his title but a few times since he won it from Mike O'Dowd in 1920. For a good hare of the time he was under official ban in several states as a result of his refusal to accept a challenge Greb filed with the New York State Athletic Commision. He was reinstated here recently when the match with the Pittsburgher was arranged.
The following comparison of Wilson's and Greb's measurements shows how closely they are matched physically:
GREB
Age, 29
Height - 5 ft. 8 and 1/2in.
Chest Expanded - 41"
Chest Normal - 36"
Neck - 15"
Waist - 32"
Reach - 71 and 1/2"
Biceps - 14 and 1/2"
Forearm - 11 and 1/2"
Wrist - 7 and 1/2"
Thigh - 24 and 1/2"
Calf - 13 and 1/2"
Ankle - 8 and 1/2"
WILSON
Age, 30
Height - 5 ft. 9in.
Chest Expanded - 42"
Chest Normal - 39"
Neck - 14"
Waist - 31"
Reach - 72"
Biceps - 12
Forearm - 10 and 3/4"
Wrist - 7"
Thigh - 23
Calf - 14"
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Sept 6, 1923
Promoter Files Suit Against Harry Greb
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Washington Post Date Printed: Sept 6, 1923 Page: 12
Hiro I., Provano, sports promoter, today strated suit in the supreme court against Harry Greb, charging that the pugilist failed to appear on July 13 last to keep a contract appointment to fight Jeff Smith in a fifteen-round bout in Atlanta, Ga.
Dec 11, 1923
Gene Tunney Retains His Light-Heavyweight Title
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Washington Post Date Printed: Dec 11, 1923 Page: 22
Greenwich Village Idol is awarded decision over Harry Greb. Clinches Mar Fight.
Gene Tunney retained his light-heavyweight championship by beating Harry Greb, of Pittsburgh middleweight champion, in a 15-round bout in Madison Square Garden tonight.
Dec 13, 1923
Downey to Retire From Fight Game
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Washington Post Date Printed: Dec 13, 1923 Page: 17
Bryan Downey, Cleveland middleweight boxer, today announced his retirement from the ring. His recent setback at the hands of Harry Greb decided Downey to quit the ring. The death of his infant daughter a short time ago was a great blow.
Dec 26, 1923
Harry Greb Wins Judges Decision Over Loughran
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Washington Post Date Printed: Dec 26, 1923 Page: 15
Harry Greb, middleweight champion of the world, won the judges decision in a 10-round bout with Tommy Loughran, of Philadelphia, at Motor Square Garden this afternoon. It was a typical Greb fight and the Pittsburgher had little trouble in winning.
1924
March 21, 1924
Greb is Injured in Auto Accident
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Beloit Daily News Date Printed: March 21, 1924 Author: unknown
Boston, Mass., March 31 -- The bout between Harry Greb, middleweight champion, and Kid Norfolk, negro light heavyweight, scheduled to take place here next Friday night, has been indefinitely postponed, it was stated by the promoters Sunday.
According to information recieved from Greb's manager, the champion recieved a bad cut over one eye in a motor accident Saturday. The injury, requiring four stitches, would make it impossible for Greb to box here Friday, the promoters were informed.
***EDITORS NOTE: Was this a real car accident, or something else? Here is an exerpt from an interview with Greb's manager, Red Mason, taken from the Nov 21, 1926 Chicago Tribune article:
About a year ago Greb's automobile was found on a country road with the windshield smasshed and a couple of fenders banged up. Harry popped up in a hospital. Slightly injured, they said.
"That was bunk," Red Mason admitted afterward. "Greb was daffy over the dolls, and he thought he'd do better if he had his face fixed the way Dempsey did. He had a sort of horn over each eye from being cut and sewed up time after time; sort of a lump, like an awning over each eye, you know. Then he wanted his nose straightened. But he was afraid the mob would would kid him for going to a beauty doctor, so he faked the smash-up and went in as a casualty.
"And the joke of it was," Mason laughed,"that when they got through operating on him them horns were worse than ever."
April 14, 1924
Norfolk-Greb To Meet Saturday
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Beloit Daily News Date Printed: April 14, 1924 Author: unknown
Boston, April 14 -- After having been postponed several times, the 10-round bout between Harry Greb, middleweight champion, and "Kid" Norfolk, negro light heavyweight, will be staged here saturday night.
April 19, 1924
DISQUALIFIES GREB IN SIXTH
REFEREE ACTS AFTER GIVING REPEATED WARNINGS----WILD BATTLING, CROWD IN STATE OF EXCITEMENT
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: unknown Date Printed: April 19,1924 Author: Lawrence J. Sweeney
Harry Greb, world's middleweight champion, was disqualified last night in the sixthe round of his scheduled 10 round bout with Kid Norfolk,claimant of the world's colored light-heaveyweight championship. The bout was staged in Mechanic's Building, under the auspices of the Feneull A.C. So abrupt was the termination of the affair that the crowd was in a niate of great excitement and it was difficult to keep some of the spectators in order.
Referee Jack Sheehan, after repeated warnings to Greb, disqualified him. He and Norfolk had exchanged blows after the bell sounded for the end of the sixth round.
Throughout the fight, Greb displayed a tendency to wrestle, holding his opponent's head in chancery while he himself inflicted unfair punishment. The colored boxer stole the fighting away from the champion in the first round by rushing to close quarters and hammering with his right hand to the ribs.
Greb attempted to fight back by holding his rivals neck with his left hand. The colored man would not be denied, however. On every break he would jab the champions head back with stiff punches to the face.
Early in the second round it became apparent that the referee would have his troubles, for Greb insisted upon getting in close and holding his opponent's free elbows.
Greb and Norfolk each weighed 172.5 poiunds.
For the first five rounds Greb was outclassed. At the opening of the sixth he complained of being hit low, but it was rather an error upon the part of Norfolk than intentionally fouling. It occured during a curious mixup which did end when the bell sounded.
As Gene Durgin clanged the gong for the end of the sixth round, Norfolk, who was boxing head to head and toe to toe with Greb, drove a blow for his body. Instantly the Pittsburger became enraged and fought back as he had in the earlier rounds.
He commited a foul by striking Norfolk four times, according to the referee, before the two fighters could be separated.
While it was one of the fantent and most curious combats ever in a Boston ring, the sudden ending caused much comment upon the part of the spectators. So sudden was the disqualification, indeed, that half of the 9000 present were unaware of the action of the veteran referee.
In the preliminary bouts, Frankie Murray of Somerville beat Frankie Kelly of Dorchester in three rounds. Johnnie Andrews of East Boston defeated Willie Rose of the West End in five rounds, and Frankie Mersa of South Boston won a close decision over Bert Jones of Revers in eight.
Article By Lawrence J. Sweeney
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April 28, 1924
Boxers Suspended For Too Much Action
Greb and Norfolk Handed a Hoist for Battling After the Final Bell
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Toronto Daily Star Date Printed: April 28, 1924 Author: unknown Article Supplied by: Rob Snell
By Fair Play - Special to The Star.
New York, April 28.- In deciding that greb and Norfolk would be sufficiently punished by their suspension for six months in Massachusetts the MassachusettsBoxing Commision showed itself wise and just and thoughtful.
The action relieves the New York commision of the knotty problem of deciding about Greb's appearance in the Milk Fund bouts, where he is to be the principal attraction.
It will be recalled that the suspension of harry and Kid Norfolk was due to a slugging match in which the two indulged after the bell had rung. This is a fault that might have been much worse. At least the two men showed a willingness to fight -- a very unusual proceeding.
Nine times out of ten the kick that boxing commisioners and fans have relates to the unwillingness of the fighters to give the fans their money's worth. So all in all it is right that Greb and Norfolk should not be punished too severly for their bellicosity.
-This article was supplied by Rob Snell
May 8, 1924
Random Notes on Current Sports
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Toronto Daily Star Date Printed: May 8, 1924 Author: unknown Article Supplied by: Rob Snell
That Harry Greb-Kid Norfolk fight at Boston recently must have been a rare sight. One paragraph in the official report on the bout recieved by the New York Boxing Commision says that in one of the clinches Greb sunk his teeth into the black man's shoulder. It was such playful pranks as this that caused the referee to put an end to the bout.
August 22, 1924
Middleweight King Has Little Trouble In Beating Flowers
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Oklahoman Date Printed: Aug 22, 1924 Page 12
HARRY GREB USES WHIRLWIND ATTACK TO CAPTURE EIGHT OF TEN ROUNDS
Fremont, Ohio, Aug 21.- Harry Greb, champion middleweight of the world, Thursday night retained his title, getting the newspaper decision in a ten-round no-decision bout here with Tiger Flowers of Atlanta. Greb easily outpointed his negro opponent in eight of the ten rounds.
Greb staged one of his characteristic slam-bang fights, doing practically all of the leading and forcing the battle at practically all stages. He landed his blows from any and all angles.
In the first round Flowers' southpaw boxing seemed to puzzle the champion, but after that he gauged this style correctly and was the leader in all but two rounds.
Greb drew blood from his opponent early in the contest. His hitting was cleaner and harder than Flowers' throughout the bout.
Dec 20, 1924
No Title
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Chicago Tribune Date Printed: Dec 20, 1924
Harry Greb, the middleweight champion, returned to his home in Pittsburgh yesterday minus his prospective bride, who is appearing at one of the loop theatres. Greb will return to Chicago after his ten round decision bout with Jeff Smith in the Smokey City New Years Day. He will do his training here for his bout with Bob Sage at Detroit Jan 9.
Dec 23, 1924
Harry Greb To Wed Miss Walton After Big Bloomer Here
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Chicago Tribune Date Printed: Dec 23, 1924
Boston, Mass., Dec. 22.- Miss Loise Walton of Cambridge is to wed Harry Greb, middleweight boxing champion, it was announced today. The ceremony will be in Greb's native city of Pittsburgh. Miss Walton is extremely attractive, and while filling an engagement in Pittsburgh met her husband-to-be. She is a graduate of the Russell School of Larch Road, Cambridge, and the Sacred Heart academy of Watertown. Greb and his bride will make their home in Pittsburgh.
1925
Jan 1, 1925
Harry Greb Coming Here To Be Married
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Chicago Tribune Date Printed: Jan 1, 1925
Pittsburgh, Pa., Dec 31.- Harry Greb, middleweight boxing champion, announced tonight that he will leave for Chicago Saturday night, where he will be married on Monday, to Miss Louise Walton, a musical comedy actress. He met Miss Walton when she was playing in a local theater this season. A marriage license was taken out two weeks ago in Chicago.
Jan 5, 1925
Harry Greb Denied Wedding
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Beloit Daily News Date Printed: Jan 5, 1925 Author: unknown
Chicago -- Harry Greb, middleweight boxing champion, who was scheduled to be married to Miss Louise Walton, actress, was again balked last night. Neither bride nor groom had recieved permission for the marriage from their diocesan authorities and Father Malloy refused to perform the ceremony.
This is the second time the wedding has been halted, the bride experiencing a change of heart in the first instance.
Greb To Referee Bouts
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Chicago Tribune Date Printed: Jan 5, 1925
Chicago -- Harry Greb, world's middleweight champion, will referee the amateur bouts tomorrow night at the Arcade gym.
Jan 7, 1925
Harry Greb Toils as Ref. at Arcade Amateur Bouts
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Chicago Tribune Date Printed: Jan 7, 1925
Chicago - World's Champion Harry Greb refereed the amateur bouts at the arcade gym last night. The show drew a capacity crowd.
Jan 8, 1925
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Kansas City Star Date Printed: Jan 8,1925 Page: 14
Dayton, O., Jan 8.- The proposed fight between Harry Greb and Johnny Klesch, the latter of Cleveland, for championship honors here January 12, was called off on reciept of word that Klesch is ill in bed with the grippe.
June 4, 1925
Pinched
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Chicago Tribune Date Printed: June 4,1925 Page: 22
Pittsburgh, Pa., June 3 - Harry Greb, middleweight boxing champion, was arrested today on a disorderly conduct charge after an automobile chase over several blocks on a north side street. As a policeman approached an automobile on a street to investigate a woman's scream, he said, Greb stepped into a taxicab and drove away, halting after the officer fired several shots. Five other occupants of the automobile, including ywo women, were also arrested. All posted a $30 forfeit. They failed to appear for a hearing.
July 2, 1925
Victory Certain, Harry Greb Says
Written By Harry Greb
(Written Exclusively for The Gazette Times)
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Gazette Times Date Printed: July 2, 1925 Author: Harry Greb himself
I never was so confident of victory in an important bout as I am on the eve of defending my middleweight championship against Mickey Walker. I realize Walker is a great fighter, but I am sure my speed will dazzle him and that I will walk in with the decision at the finish.
I do not plan to try for a knockout. Better punchers than I profess to be have fought Walker and have not come anywhere near stopping him. I expect him to be in great shape, but I believe that after the early rounds I will have the bout well under control.
In other words, I intend to take the lead at the start and to maintain it, and to set such a hot pace that Mickey will not be able to keep up with me. Speed will win this fight, and I know I am faster than Walker, although he is a lighter man than I am.
Making the middleweight limit of 160 pounds has been easy for me, I have not had to go through the torture of drying out. The weight came off naturally-and I have all my strength and am full of pep and rarin' to go.
Harry Scales 158 1/2 Pounds; Is Confident
Champion Confounds the Critics by Ease in Making Crown Limit.
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Gazette Times Date Printed: July 2, 1925 Author: Harry Keck
note**printed the morning before the fight
Walker Is Worried
Odds on Harry Greb to retain his world's middleweight championship in his bout against Mickey Walker, the world's welterweight titleholder, featuring the mammoth boxing show for the benifit of the Italian Hospital fund at the Polo Grounds here tommorrow night, took a decided jump after the Pittsburgher weighed in following his final workout late this afternoon. The weighing was a public affair and was superintended by Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, in whose gymnasium, at Fifty-second street and Broadway, Greb has been putting the finishing touches on his conditioning.
As has been the case several times before in important matches here, Greb confounded the critics of his training system who have scouted the idea that he could make 160 pounds, the middleweight limit, and remain strong. As Harry stepped on the scales after his rubdown , following a session of handball and punching the heavy bag, a gasp went through the crowd which gathered around and saw the arrow on the dial stop at 158 1/2 pounds.
Watches Diet Carefully
A broad grin spread over the features of the Pittsburgher. He had come through a rigorous training spell with his full strength intact and weighing a pound and a half less than what all but his close followers thought was an impossible weight for him. He drank a pint of malted milk with an egg in it and later had dinner, consisting of two chops and salad with mayonaise dressing as ordered by O'Brien, who has been watching his diet as well as his training since he came here from Atlantic City last Sunday. Before going to bed, Greb had a glass of Ale; last night he had two glasses, and he said he awoke feeling great this morning. He weighed an even 160 pounds at the end of yesterday's workout.
Greb plans to take a walk in the morning and then rest until weighing-in time at 2 o'clock. It is not at all unlikely that he will scale in officially even lighter than he did today, probably at 157 or 157 1/2 pounds, and then build up to about 163 or 164 at ring time. Walker is expected to weigh about 153 pounds both at 2 o'clock and at ring time.
Bad Effect On Mickey
The low weight flashed by Greb is cetain to have anything but a good effect on the morale of Walker, for Mickey is said to have been one of the skeptics to have thought Greb no longer could peel down to the middleweight limit and be strong, and the ease with which Greb has accomplished the feat hardly is calculated to help Mickey's peace of mind.
Greb was all confidence and smiles as he dressed to return to the Claridge Hotel, where he is making his headquarters while here. "I'll win in a walk," he said. " I look for it to be a one-sided fight after the early rounds. I don't think Mickey can keep up with me in speed. I am sure he cannot knock me out and I am not going to try and knock him out. I will be satisfied to win by an undisputible margin on points."
Harry's Pals With Him
With Greb at the gymnasium,besides O'Brien, who took almost a fatherly interest in him, were James Mason, Greb's manager; Tom Dolan and a number of Pittsburgh friends, Greb said that eddie Deasy, one of his particular pals, planned to come by airplane, and that he did not expect him until tommorrow.
The generally quoted odds on the Greb-Walker bout today were 8 to 5 on Greb, but the news of his low weight and remarkable vitality in the gymnasium spread around town like wildfire and tonight his backers were offering 9 to 5 and were ready to place even 2 to 1 for Greb all the Walker money in sight.
The Greb-Walker fight will be the wind-up of the all-star bill, despite alot of stuff in the papers recently to the effect that Harry Wills, the negro heavyweight championship contender, was demanding that position for his setto with Charley Weinert.It was announced tonight that the matter would not be definetly decided until 2 o'clock tommorrow, when the boxers meet to weigh in and that the New York State Athletic Commission would make a ruling then. However, it is no secret that the quarrel is of a purely publicity nature and that there never has been any other understanding than that the two world's champions will top the card.
-Click here for a Round by Round description of the Greb-Walker Middleweight Championship fight-
July 3, 1925
GREB RETAINS TITLE IN SENSATIONAL FIGHT
WALKER JUST ESCAPES K.O. IN 14TH ROUND OF WILD BOUT
Unanimous Decision Given Pittsburgher-Welter Champion Helpless In Next To Last Stanza, but Finishing Punch Lacking.
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Gazette Times Date Printed: July 3, 1925 Date written: July 2, 1925 Author: Harry Keck
note**printed the morning after the fight, but Harry Keck telegraphed this to the newspaper immediately after the fight, the night of July 2nd. While it was fresh in his mind.
NEW YORK, July 2 - In a 15 round fight, which will go down in the annals of time, and which was one of the hardest contests of his long and colorful career, Harry Greb of Pittsburgh successfully defended his world's middleweight championship against the ferocious assault of mickey Walker of Elizabeth, N. J., the world's welterweight champion, in the 15 round wind-up of a great all-star boxing card at the Polo Grounds here tonight.
Greb was awarded the unanimous decision of the judges at the finish of the gruelling struggle and no one in the capacity crowd raised a voice against the verdict, for it was well deserved.
The show was not only an artistic success, but also went over with a bang financially. The crowd totalled 50,000 and the recepts were aproximately $375,000, assuring huge net proceeds for the charity in whose name it was staged.
Greb came within a punch or two of upsetting the dope by scoring a knockout in the 14th round, when he sent Mickey reeling helplessly into his own corner, but he did not have sufficient steam left in his punches to finish the job.
Walker Sets Pace
Greb fought a very careful and cagey battle to score his victory over the greatest welterweight the world has seen since Joe Wolcott. He let his younger opponent-younger by seven years-set the pace in the early rounds, and was far in arrears when the scrap was one-third completed.
Then he gradually speeded up in his work and took the lead away from Walker, to win hands down at the finish. With an exeption of a rally by Walker in the twelfth round, Greb simply overwhelmed him the last third of the journey, and Mickey was indeed lucky to last the limit.
For sheer punishment handed out by both men, the bout has had few parallels among top-notchers. Walker's face was badly puffed and he was bleeding from his mouth, nose and right eye when the final gong clanged. He was bleeding from the nose and mouth during most of the battle and the eye was cut in the last session, making him a bloody smear.
Greb Takes Punishment
As for Greb, he had to withstand a terrific bombardment of the body punches throughout the first half dozen rounds and at spasmodic intervals thereafter. Mickey apparently had taken a leaf out of the book of Gene Tunney and had made up his mind that Greb could be beaten through the medium of a never-ceasing volley of solid lefts to the stomach.
The crowd feared for greb as he took these smashes in the early rounds and winced, but kept in the running.
In the fifth round Walker suddenly shifted his attack to the head and a solid left smash to the mouth caused Greb to spit out teeth. Harry instinctively put up his hand to his mouth and hesitated momentarily, but he quickly caught himself, and beginning with the next round he cut loose and began to whittle away Mickey's early lead.
Harry Cuts Loose
Of the initial five rounds Walker carried the first three. Greb had a slight shade in the fourth and the fifth was even. Greb won the sixth, seventh and eigth, and Walker held his own in the ninth.
In the tenth, Greb gave the spectators their first glimpse at his speed, and made Walker break ground for the first time in the fight, through the furiousness of his attack. In the eleventh round Greb began to adopt smothering tactics, forcing Walker repeatedly to the ropes and pinioning him there by pressing his weight against him and flailing away vigorously with both fists to the head and body.
He had Walker all at sea until late in the round when Mickey suddenly straightened up and sent a powerful left to the jaw which caught Harry as he came bounding in and badly dazed the Pittsburgher and brought the crowd up cheering for Mickey.
Greb In Danger
Greb was in grave danger, but his ring generalship asserted itself and pulled him out of the hole. He grabbed a clinch until his head cleared and then proceeded to smother mickey against the ropes again until the bell ended the round.
Walker made a good recovery in the twelfth round . He started off swinging punch for punch with greb and kept it up throughout the session, with Walker driving home his blows with greater force than Harry.
In the thirteenth round Greb began another of his furious drives and battered Walker around the ring throughout, keeping him against the ropes most of the time, Mickey was very tired and flustered when the bell rang.
He was still confused when he came up for the fourteenth round and Harry resumed where he had left off. He rushed Walker against the ropes several times and fairly mobbed him with punches until mickey was weak and staggering.
Mickey Reels to Corner
Suddenly Harry shot a right to the jaw and mickey reeled across the ring into his own corner. He seemed to be helpless and Greb rushed in to finish him. However, Mickey had sufficient presence of mind to sway with the punches and Greb tired himself out swinging at him. Just before the round ended Mickey got out of the corner and fought off Greb with a left to the body. The welterweight champion never escaped a knockout by a narrower margin.
Ends With Rally
Walker's wonderful condition showed itself in the fine recovery he made during the minutes rest before the final round. He came up fairly strong and made a great rally, fighting the tired and also weakened Greb on almost even terms. Harry, however, seemed to be playing it safe in this last round, knowing that he was sure of the decision.
Greb weighed in at 159 pounds and Walker at 152 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Walker seemed to be the stronger of the two when they started, but he exhausted much of his sturdiness in the early rounds, and Greb robbed him of some more by constantly using his weight advantage against him in the clinches and on the ropes.
July 4, 1925
Between Rounds
News, Comment and Gossip of the Ring.
By Harry Keck
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Gazette Times Date Printed: July 4, 1925 Author: Harry Keck
July 4 - Some afterthoughts on the Italian Hospital Fund fights at the Polo Grounds Thursday night:
Harry Greb has lost considerable of the speed in his legs. He was not as fast in moving about as he once was; yet he was considrably faster than the lighter Mickey Walker.
There also was something lacking about Mickey in the battle. It was his million-dollar smile. Mickey wasn't smiling when he entered the ring, and he didn't get a chance to during or after the bout. The only time the grin spread over his features was when he was introduced and acknowledged the cheers of the crowd, and then only for a moment.
Greb fought the smartest fight this writer ever has seen him put up. He had the battle doped out just right in advance. He knew Mickey would be strong at the outset and he left the Jersey man fight himself out in the first half dozen rounds, smiling grimly as Mickey belabored his body with terrific left-hand smashes. Then, when harry set out to take the lead, he completely smothered Walker, keeping him against the ropes most of the time by leaning his weight on him and at the same time messing him up with both fists.
Harry made only one mistake in judgement during the fight, and that robbed him of a chance to score a knockout in the fourteenth round. He had weakened Mickey almost to the point of exhaustion with his constant mauling against the ropes and frequent right crosses to the chin from a distance, and Mickey left himself wide open as he got out of one of the awkward situations on the ropes. Greb seized the opportunity to nail him flush on the chin with an overhand right, and Mickey went reeling backward from midring into the angle of the ropes in his own corner. The ropes alone saved him from going down for the only knockdown of his career.
It was at this point that Harry erred. Instead of getting Mickey away from the supporting ropes, he closed in on him and battered away with both hands. Mickey took it all and remained upright because he couldn't possibly fall in the corner. Greb continued the assault until he , too, was almost entirely spent, and this gave Walker a chance to pull himself together and get out in the open, where he scored with a desperate and solid left to the body before the bell rang. Mickey's excellent condition enabled him to recover sufficiently during the minutes rest before the last round to make a strong finish.
Greb came in for great gobs of praise from the New York critics after the battle. To a man they voted him the physical marvel of the present fistic era. They can't understand how he manages to keep going year in and year out, beating the best men in the game without seemingly paying much attention to his conditioning. The secret is that Greb trains very seriously when he has to, and this was one instance. He got himself into wonderful condition for the battle, and he had to be right, for it was one of the toughest of his career.
This is an advertisement for the showing of the Greb/Walker fight in a film theatre. The fight was filmed although no copies exist.
July 24, 1925
Greb Chosen As Dempsey's Next Opponent
Chicago, July 24 - A seed that may blossom into a meeting of Jack Dempsey, world's heavyweight champion, and Harry Greb, world's middleweight titliest, in 10 rounds at Michigan City in September, has been sown.
Chicago sports writers, meeting with promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons last night, decided Greb was the best available opponent for the heavyweight champion, who has said he could not be ready for Gene Tunney or Harry Wills this year.
Assurances came from principals that they would fight as soon as the promoters and their managers made an arrangement. The promoter has posted $50,000 guarenteeing to stage the contest. Dempsey would post $25,000 and Greb $10,000 if the negotiations were completed.
Greb and his manager, Reddy Mason, will come here Monday to confer with Fitzsimmons. Dempsey said he would return to Chicago within two weeks to sart training for the bout if it was arranged. The bout would be staged either Sept 19 or 25 at Michigan City.
Aug 21, 1925
Down For Count
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Chicago Tribune Date Printed: Aug 21, 1925
Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug 20-- Harry Greb, middleweight boxing champion, was seriously injured early this evening when his automobile overturned a few miles from this city.
He was brought to the West Penn hospital, where physicians said he sustained two fractured ribs and cuts and bruises on his back and chest. The extent of internal injuries he may have suffered will not be known until x-ray photographs have been made, it was said. The champion's condition was declared to be serious, but not necessarily dangerous.
Greb and two other men had started in the boxer's car for Erie, Pa., where the former was to fight Jimmy Darragh tomorrow night. As they descended a hill, which was slippery from a light rain, Greb threw on the brakes, and his car, the wheels locked, skidded off the road and turned over.
Harry Greb Is Hurt In Smash
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The Oklahoman Date Printed: Aug 21, 1925 Page 15
Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug 20-- Harry Greb, world's middleweight boxing champion, was seriously injured in an automobile accident near here early thursday night.
He was rushed to the hospital where a first examination revealed that he sufferd two broken ribs, several bruises and possibly internal injuries.
Greb and two other men had set out in the fighter's automobile for Erie, Pa., where Greb was to meet Jimmy Darragh in an American Legion boxing match Friday night. Twelve miles from here on descending a hill, the fighter's car met two others. Slamming on the brakes, the wheels locked and the Greb car slided and overturned. Passing autoists rushed Greb to this city. His companions were not seriously hurt.
Harry Greb Injured
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Beloit Daily News Date Printed: Aug 21, 1925 Author: unknown
Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug 21-- Harry Greb, world's middleweight boxing champion, is in a hospital here suffering from one broken rib, minor cuts and bruises, resulting from an automobile accident. Greb, driving his car to Erie, where he was scheduled for a bout with Jimmy Darragh at the American Legion convention, was injured after it skidded and overturned near Bakerstown. The car was demolished.
Aug 22, 1925
Greb Must Stay In Hospital At Least 2 Weeks
Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: Chicago Tribune Date Printed: Aug 22, 1925
Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug 21-- Harry Greb, world's middleweight boxing champion, will not be able to leave the hospital, where he was taken last night following an automobile accident near here in which he sustained a fractured rib and other injuries, for two or three weeks, his manager, James Mason, said tonight.
This means, Mason asserted, that Greb will have to forget a fight with Jimmy Slattery of Buffalo, set for Sept. 13. This bout was to have been the feature of a benefit show for the Jewish maternity hospital, and was to have been staged at the Polo grounds, New York.
www.harrygreb.com