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| Ticket stub from the fight currently on eBay |
Although the fight did not draw as many fans as expected, it was a big hit in Lorain.
As the article above from the July 27, 1928 Lorain Times-Herald notes, “more than 1,000 wildly excited fans milling around in Fifth-st with ears strained to catch every word broadcast of the thrilling encounter for the world’s heavyweight championship.”
“Shortly after seven o’clock the crowd began to gather.
“They were entertained with popular music furnished by the Wickens Furniture company until the preliminaries were started.
“Shortly before the main bout started, police were forced to stop traffic between Broadway and Reid-av in Fifth-st when the huge crowd completely blocked the street.”
The photo accompanying the Times article features heavyweight boxer Johnny Risko of Sheffield Lake congratulating Tunney. The caption notes, “It’s a pretty good bet and the smile on Johnny’s face indicates it too – that the Risk will get a crack at the title ere long.”
But Johnny would not get another crack at Tunney, who announced his retirement five days after defeating Heeney. (Click here to read a great account of the bout written by author Paul Beston.)
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Click here to read my past posts on Johnny Risko.
Exciting times! Heading up to the local furniture store to listen to some crackling elevator music in the middle of the road followed by the heavyweight boxing match in its 1928 AM radio clarity. I can picture all 1000 men trying to be dead silent so they could hear what was happening. I would say our entertainment options have expanded incredibly over the last 100 years.
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