Newark Star-Ledger – March 27, 1954
The long awaited clash between Antonino Rocca and Raphael Halpern tops a non-televised wrestling program at Newark Armory tonight. The bout is billed for one fall to a finish.
Halpern, native of Jerusalem and unbeaten in 162 matches, has been in this country for nearly two years, most of the time seeking a contest with Rocca. They were matched in Trenton a little more than a year ago but Rocca found a way out and was suspended.
Recently, Madison Square Garden promoters showed an inclination for the bout and when that happened, Newark promoters, recalling that they were the promoters when Rocca ran out in Trenton, put in a claim for the bout with State Athletic Commissioner Abe Greene. The boxing head followed up and Rocca was forced to honor the Jersey contract.
Halpern has never lost a fall. His top triumphs were over Lu Kim, Lord Carlton, the Zebra Kid, and Steve Stanlee.
A women’s go between Lillian Ellison and Darling Dagmar, one fall to a finish, is also on the program.
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