Camden Courier Post – July 13, 1936
Newark Lightweight May End Local’s Streak Here in Semi-final Tomorrow
Walcott vs Ketchell in 10-Round Windup
A keen two-fisted scrap, which should rival the “Jersey Joe” Walcott-Billy Ketchell featured match, has been arranged for the eight- round semi-final of the Atlas Boxing Club’s show tomorrow night at the Pennsauken open-air arena.
The principals in this encounter will be Joey Allen, pride of South Camden, and the clever Johnny Toomey, of Newark, who holds a number of verdicts over outstanding lightweight fighters. Allen was originally scheduled to face Ernie Ratner, of Jersey City, but according to Promoter Marty Garaguso and Matchmaker Anthony Georgette he failed to pass the state physical examination.
Georgette stated that after having signed Ratner to a contract he had heard rumors of Ratner’s physical condition with the result that the Jersey City youth was forced to pass an examination by physicians of the State Boxing Board, who turned him down.
The local matchmaker immediately burned the wires in order to find a most suitable opponent for Allen and was fortunate in having obtained the services of Toomey, who is consider- ed one of the outstanding light- weights in the Hast. In fact from all appearances the present match is looked upon by experts as far better than the original with Allen meeting an opponent who may cause the South Camdenite to lose his first match since appearing in this city.
Toomey Fought Here as Amateur Toomey is already matched to meet Al Roth, of New York, one of the classiest lightweights in the metropolitan area. These two are slated to come together in Newark on July 17.
Incidentally, Toomey is a former Camden resident, who fought in the amateurs here some years ago. Since then he has had a metioric rise in the boxing game and has earned decisions over such fighters as Lou Lombardi, Maxie Fisher, Allie Rowan, “Red” Cochrane, Joey Coste and Harry Carlton. In a bout a few months ago Toomey dropped a close decision to Lew Feldman, one of the cleverest, and hardest hitting lightweights in the game today.
Allen is a regular crowd-pleaser, ready to mix it with anyone with whom he is matched and is also rated as a fine boxer. In his last appearance here – last fall – Allen appeared in an eight-round windup against Norman Rahn and gained the verdict, He is unbeaten in this city, but he will have to step mightly [sic] lively in order to keep this record intact when he comes to grips with Toomey tomorrow night.
This tussle should whet the appetite of the fans for the following bout, which finds Walcott, the “Bomber” from Merchantville, tang- ling with Ketchell, of Millville in 10 rounds, The fur is sure to fly in this scrap, for both are known for packing plenty of T.N.T. behind their punches.
Walcott, Ketchell May Score Kayoe
Walcott and Ketchell are about two of the best heavyweights in this section of the state and it could be classed in some respects as a match to determine the South Jersey heavy-weight championship, is looked for in this battle.
Supporting these two exceptionally fine matched tussles, are three other bouts which should keep the fans on the edge throughout the evening. In the main-prelimanry [sic], Joe Duca, of Paulsboro, is slated to go eight- rounds with Freddy Lewis, of Maple Shade. These two youngsters are expected to set a merry pace for it marks the third and “rubber” match between them.
In the second tussle of the night, Joey Straiges, popular Camden light- weight, mingles with Billy Mariner, of Philadelphia, while in the open- ing fuss Jimmy Russell, of Beverly, takes on Tommy Ricco, of South Camden, in a featherweight tilt.A knockout}. Both bouts are slated for six rounds.
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