CHICAGO, May 28th – unleashing a terrific body attack, Champion Tony Zale, the man of steel from Gary, Ind, tonight floored Al Hosak of Seattle nine times in the second round of their scheduled 15 round bout for the National Boxing Associations middleweight championship in 2;32 of the second round.
 
Floored for a nine count in the first round as the former champion roared from his corner, Zale Cleared his head and fought cautiously throughout that round.

Punches Kidneys

Suddenly, at the start of the second, Zale switched to the tactics with which he won the title . from Hostak last summer- a terrific round house right to Hostak’s kidneys. With the first of these blows the crowd of  15,087 sweltering in the Chicago stadium Could sense the change and soon Hostak wilted before their eyes, He groaned audibly as the first right sank home, then as the second sank into his ribs Hostak folded in pain and took a count of nine.

From that moment on Hostak was a beaten fighter. As quickly as he hauled himself to his feet Zale was after him like a cat, one hand only swinging its deadly tattoo- the right.
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Pounds to Ribs

He drove it hard to Hostak's ribs three times in succession without a return blow and Al slipped to the floor ,but struggled up with no count. Thereafter Zale floored him for a count of two, no count, then for a long count of eight all achieved with that devastating blow to the ribs. As he collapsed for the eight count, Hostak's face was twisted in agony but up he came and made his one grand bid to win the championship for the third time in his brief career.

He came up swinging both fists and blasted Zale across the ring with a terrific assault of lefts and rights to the head. Tony moved in close, tied up Hostak and the flurry ended when Zale stepped back without warning, then buried another, long right roundhouse into Hostak's ribs. Tony's glove bit into the flesh ,seemingly up to the cuff and down bounced Hostak for a no count.

Sprawls In Pain

Twice more Al came off the Floor  with great effort. Then, after the ninth trip to the mat, he just couldn't, make it back to his feet. Holding his injured ribs, he sprawled there on the floor, made one effort to get up and just missed as the referee, Johnny Behr. reeled off the last of the 10-count.

It was Zale's second defense of the title he won a year ago by knocking out Hostak in the 13th round at Seattle. For the brutal punishment  he meted out in tonight's "grudge" match he receives 35 per cent of a gross gate of $48.475. Hostak received 20 per cent. It also was their third meeting.Zale won the first meeting, 10-round decision in a non-title fight in the stadium ring 15 months ago.