From the S&S archives:
U.S. butcher chops down Russian in boxing semifinals

TOKYO — Heavyweight Joe Frazier, a 20-year-old Philadelphia butcher, scored a second-round TKO over Russia's Vadim Yemelyanov Wednesday night and virtually assured the United States of a boxing gold medal.

Frazier, who came to Tokyo when 300-pound Buster Mathis broke a knuckle, battered the taller and heavier Russian unmercifully in the second round until referee Reg Gittins of Great Britain called a halt at 1:59. The 22-year-old Leningrad soldier's handlers tossed a towel into the ring as a signal of defeat just as Gittins intervened.

Frazier caught Yemelyanov with a terrific left hook seconds after the opening bell, but the Russian fought back gamely and almost dropped Frazier with a solid right to the jaw. But in the second round it was a different story.

Frazier knocked the Russian down with another blistering left hook to the jaw and although he arose, referee Gittins gave him a mandatory eight-count. Frazier then battered the dazed Russian from corner to corner until Gittins stepped in and gave Yemelyanov a standing eight count.

The U.S. boxer was on him like a tiger and sent him reeling drunkenly into his own corner. But before he could slump to the canvas the Russians threw in the towel.

When the bout ended, most of the capacity 5,000 audience — who had seen seven Russians advance to the finals with victories in Wednesday's afternoon and evening sessions — let go with a deafening roar. Frazier was mobbed by friends and spectators as he made his way out of the ring.

His victory was the lone U.S. win in the semifinal rounds. Three other U.S. fighters, assured of bronze medals, were eliminated on close decisions Wednesday.

They were flyweight Bob Carmody, featherweight Charles Brown and lightweight Ron Harris.

Carmody. an Army sergeant from Paterson, N.J.. lost a split decision to Italy's Fernando Atzori. Brown, a Marine sergeant from Cincinnati, was beaten by Anthony Villanueva of the Philippines. Harris, a 17-year-old Detroit schoolboy, lost a decision to Jozef Grudzein of Poland.

Frazier will meet 30-year-old German Hans Huber in Friday night's final match. Huber, an ex-wrestler, was unimpressive in his two victories here.

In his dressing room after Wednesday night's contest, Frazier was almost delirious in his exuberance.

"I'm just so happy I don't know what to say. He didn't hurt me, but he was hitting me in the first round. All I wanted to do was win and I did. Isn't that great?"

Although no official weights are announced before Olympic boxing matches, Frazier said he weighed 186 pounds. According to the Russians' Olympic handbook Yemelyanov weighs about 215 pounds. He was a good three inches taller than Frazier.

Frazier was beaten in the final olympic trials last spring in New York City by Mathis. In a second bout between the two in California last month, Mathis again got the decision but broke his right thumb and Frazier replaced him on the U.S. squad.