Scranton, Pa.
March 11, 1940

Billy Speary, Nanticoke's brilliant little Bantam and former amateur bantamweight champion of the world is down for his hardest test in a local ring since he turned pro... Paul Jackson, who hails from Reading and who mingles with Speary tonight in a special six-rounder, lost a close decision to Speary at Allentown last Monday night... they have already met twice in their amateur days.

Scranton, Pa.
March 12, 1940

Real Test For Speary

Bill Speary, of Nanticoke, the former national A. A. U. featherweight champ, for the first time since making his pro debut locally, showed some of his championship potentialities by lacing Paul Jackson, a tough Cuban from Reading, in a six-rounder.

Rivals during their amateur careers, Speary and Jackson went at each other in hammer and tong style from the opening bell. Speary's better science gave him the edge in five of the six heats.

Jackson stood up nicely under the pasting Speary dished out. In fact, it was the best exhibition this writer has ever seen Speary display. He outboxed the Cuban and tossed plenty of rights and lefts to the face and body for the first five rounds. Jackson, a tough nut to dispose of, in a final bid, landed a terrific overhand right to Speary's jaw just before the last bell sounded. Speary, however, managed to stay vertical. The former champ came in at 125, a pound and a half less than Jackson.

Last night's meeting between Speary and Jackson was the ninth between the pair, and their second as professionals. The Reading youngster has yet to beat the former Nanticoke Simon-pure champion. Billy scored his last win over Jackson in Allentown last week.