Mandell v. McLarnin

With a harp on his back, James McLarnin, 135-lb. Irishman from Los Angeles, stepped through the ropes of a ring at the Polo Grounds, Manhattan, and smiled genially at Lightweight Champion Samuel Mandell. A great shout went up. As is usual in Manhattan, the shout was for the wearer of the harp. Champion Mandell had been too long in retirement to win favor. He came out of his corner to win it now. On the cherubic face of Harp-wearer McLarnin he dropped jabs that soon closed an eye, caused bumps to rise and blood to trickle. Nervy to the last gong, Harp-wearer McLarnin chased Champion Mandell, who beat him backing up, retained the title. This fight had been postponed twice because of rain, and Champion Mandell had to do some last-minute sweating to make the weight when the sky and Promoter Tex Rickard finally agreed.