Camden Courier-Post – August 11, 1930
Young O’Connor Wants to Stage Comeback in Police and Firemen Show
“In this corner, Young O’Connor, of Camden. He weighs 145 pounds!”
It has been many a day since South Jersey fistic followers heard that announcement within the ring. But it won’t be long now before it will be shouted from roped arenas in Camden, Vineland and other cities where fights are held.
O’Connor, one of the pioneers in fisticuffs reincarnation in this section, is planning a comeback. This is welcome news to the thousands of South Jersey fans who have seen the North Camden Adonis perform in bouts which a few years ago were making history here.
O’Connor, whose real cognomen is Caesar Campana, first began ‘playing’ leather eight years ago, at the ripe old age of seventeen years. He represented the Philadelphia district in the 1924 Olympic tryouts in Boston.
Since that time, Caesar has engaged in 41 bouts against some of the leading lightweights and welterweights hereabouts, without ever once hearing a referee toll the fatal ten seconds. By far, most of his engagements resulted in clean-cut victories, with quite a few k.o.’s scattered among the w’s.
News of O’Connor’s comeback will be welcome to fans here. Caesar has always been one of the most popular boxers performing in Camden. His handsome features, clean-cut physique and gentlemanly conduct, combined with his ability and willingness to fight at all times, made him an idol.
A few of the better-known fighters whom O’Connor met are Roxie Allen, Tip Gorman, Sammy Fulton, Freddy Washington, Al Geffner and Frankie Nelson. Two weeks after he decisively whipped Nelson, the latter fought a twelve-round engagement with Sammy Mandell in Chicago, losing on points.
O’Connor seems like an old-timer to local fans, because he began pushing mittens professionally when only nineteen, and because he took part in the resurrection of boxing here, along with Al White, Watson Finch and others.
But Caesar is only 25 now, not too old, by any manner of means, to make a living in the squared circle. He has been working out for six months with his young heavyweight hope, James J. Priesly, in whom he sees a future Tommy Loughran. Convincing himself that he has lost none of his old-time speed and skill, he decided to reenter the ring.
Financial difficulties are another reason for the move. Caesar, a married man with a family, conducts a cigar store in his native North Camden, but present business conditions caused him to seek ‘other means of livelihood.’
O’Connor wants to launch his comeback campaign in the Police and Firemen’s Fund show next month. He is willing to take on any welterweight, or else will box an exhibition with his young heavyweight, gratis, to introduce the boy to local fandom.
Join the discussion!