Found these two articles interesting. (Part 1 of 2) “Walcott at His Best for Bout with Lazer,” Courier-Post, June 13, 1938 South Jersey boxing devotees will see Jersey Joe Walcott, Merchantville slugger, at his best here at the Fairview Arena tomorrow night, when he faces Roy Lazer, clever Paterson heavyweight, in the final event of Promoter Clem Cipparone’s first open-air show. They are scheduled to appear in the last-half of a double-windup. Johnny Lucas, South Camden welterweight, meeting Young Gene Buffalo of Philadelphia in the first-half of the bargain bill. Both bouts are listed for eight rounds. In his last fight in Camden, Walcott was decisioned by Tiger Jack Fox, Spokane Negro who today is rated No. 1 heavyweight challenger by the most able boxing experts. Fox won a clear-cut decision in a 10-rounder and Walcott has profited by the setback. Jersey Joe appeared to be on his way to the high roads of boxing before he met Fox. He had knocked out both Lorenzo Pack and Art Sykes, and it was thought that he might take Fox in his stride. However, the Spokane Negro turned in a masterful piece of fighting to carve out a clear-cut verdict and thereby halt Walcott’s threatened rush to fame. Fox Defeat Helped Walcott But, instead of the defeat disheartening Walcott, who is only 23 years old, it strengthened his desire to battle his way to the top. In fact, Joe says he learned more through his defeat by Fox than he had in all his previous bouts, and he believes he could turn the tables if they ever meet again. Joe frankly admits Fox’ unorthodox style has him all asea, but that it taught him the lesson of never planning a fight in advance but to just go in there and throw punches whether he wins, loses or draws. He is trained to the minute for the Lazer fight and is as mean as a hungry wildcat. He’s champing at the bit to get at Lazer to prove to South Jersey boxing fans that he still is on the upward trend despite his loss to Fox. Lazer is a clever boxer who has been fighting five years, yet is only 26 years old. He recently returned from a European tour during which he met Ben Foord of South Africa, Eddie Weinstock, Canadian heavyweight champion, Eddie Steele of Scotland, and Norman Baines of England. Lazer Beats Masselli Fat Tony Galento is the only heavyweight who has knocked out Lazer and it took him eight rounds to do the trick. Joe Louis, heavyweight incumbent, scored a technical knockout over Lazer in three rounds, a cut eye giving the champion the verdict. Lazer, according to Hughey Garland, his manager, expects to outsmart Walcott all the way. Roy gave George Masselli of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., a neat going over last Monday night at Newark, winning every round of an eight-round bout, but if Walcott bangs him on the whiskers, Mr. Lazer will be tucked away for the night and in the mood Walcott is in at the present time, it may happen early.
From "Lazer Outpoints Walcott in Tame Heavyweight Fight," Courier Post, June 15, 1938: "The bout took the edge off the Lazer-Walcott fight, which was far from exciting. Lazer, a cutie who has boxed the best heavyweights in the world, including Champion Joe Louis and Fat Tony Galento, was too smart to be hit on a vital spot by the hard-hitting Merchantville clubber. He bobbed, ducked and fought enough inside to win four rounds, while Walcott won three, with one even. Lazer won the first, fourth, fifth and sixth, and Walcott won the second, seventh and eight, with the third being even. Lazer never was in danger of being spilled and made Walcott miss early and often. Jersey Joe might have won hands down if he had punched at close quarters, but everytime they clinched Joe held instead of punching. Lazer weighed 197 and Walcott, 188.
