Sport: Chocolate Dropped

Although no title was at stake, Eiigio Sardinias y Montalvo (“Kid Chocolate”) took his fight with Tony Canzoneri last week so seriously that he actually trained properly instead of indulging in what his manager calls “bad things.” He was anxious to graduate from the featherweight class, of which he is champion, because he has trouble keeping his weight down, because there is not enough money in it. To get a match with the lightweight champion, Chicago’s shifty Barney Ross he had first to whip savage little Canzoneri, the onetime champion whom Ross deposed last June.

From the opening gong in Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden, Chocolate, his thickly greased hair shining almost grey above his ebony skin, hammered Canzoneri with his customary cruel grace. Canzoneri’s flat, froglike face showed neither distress nor surprise. In the opening of the second round Canzoneri sent Chocolate reeling with a right to the temple. Chocolate, astonished, fought his way clear. A minute later Canzoneri doubled him over with a jab to the midriff, smashed a pile-driver right to his polished black jaw. Chocolate flopped flat on his face, his legs twitching. Gamely he dragged himself to one knee, tumbled back at the count of “ten.” Revived in his corner. Kid Chocolate hung on the rones and sobbed miserably over his first knockout in 211 fights.