(Wilmington DE) Feb. 1938
Amateur boxing, forced off the sports program by the Golden gloves tournament in Philadelphia the past two weeks, returns to Wilmington tonight with champions and near champions studding the card of the T. & C. A. A. at the Auditorium. Backing them will be some just and fancy all-for-glory glovemen, all willing and eager to carry on warfare with their fists. It looks like a big evening for the devotees of the amateur brand of biff.
Matchmaker Ralph Tribuani stepped out to make the reintroductory a gala glove affair by booking two champions for the top
number, Bill Speary of Nanticoke, Pa., wearer of the 118-pound national crown, and Johnny Forte, Pen-Mar, Philadelphia, winner of the Golden gloves 112-pound championship.
Forte Welcomes "Break"
Forte made weight for the Golden gloves but he will be at his natural poundage when he squares off against Speary tonight. His weight should be equal to or better than that of his opponent who moved up from the 112 pound division this year.
Speary, who punches with ferocity and effect from every angle, and shows that he likes to fight, although he is a champion, will be intent upon redeeming himself for his defeat here a short time back. It was an "accident," a cut eye, which led to his technical knockout by Frankie Donato, but the little battler of the hard-coal region took it is a personal black mark and is anxious to wipe it off. He'd rather have Donato in there with him but Frankie has a previous engagement at the Mason Club in Philadelphia. Donato is ready and willing to meet Speary again.
Forte has been waiting for this chance with Speary for some time, fought for it on several occasions, but was denied the opportunity until now. He welcomes the "break".
