Baltimore Star
February 8, 1958
Carter Stops DeJohn in Nine
By Warren Earles
In a classic matchup between a boxer and a slugger, Harold (Hal) Carter scored an impressive ninth round TKO win over power puncher
Mike DeJohn. Carter sent his opponent to the canvas four times before the match was finally halted by referee Tommy O'Sullivan.
Carter came out strong at the opening bell and dropped DeJohn with a hard right cross counter following a miss by the Syracuse native two minutes into the round.
For the next two rounds, Carter was able to move away from DeJohn's attacks and used a steady jab to keep his opponent off balance. In the third, DeJohn, who came into the ring in less than peak condition, seemed to get untracked.
Using his twenty-five pound weight advantage, DeJohn forced his way inside and began to take the fight to Carter. In the fourth round, he unleashed a wild hook that hit Carter flush. Carter looked like he was ready to fall but managed to survive.
DeJohn continued to pressure Carter in the fifth and worked him over with blows to the body and rocking uppercuts to the jaw. Unfortunately, this was to be DeJohn's last stand.
As he came out for round six, DeJohn appeared to be spent and started to slow down. Carter had a second wind and floored DeJohn for the second time in the match with a hard overhand right to the jaw with thirty seconds remaning in the heat.
Although he was able to make it to the end of the round, DeJohn was very slow coming off his stool for round seven. A somewhat cautious Carter picked him apart with effective jabs, and DeJohn's right eye was swollen as the round closed.
In the eighth round, Carter began to bust up DeJohn who was having obvious vision problems. A hard cross opened up a nasty cut over DeJohn's left eyes and another seconds later sent him to the mat.
When DeJohn struggled to his feet at the two minute mark, O'Sulivan escorted him to the ringside doctor who examined the wound and after some discussion allowed the match to continue.
Between rounds, there was a heated debate in DeJohn's corner, and it seemed that his handlers were ready to call it a night. DeJohn made an unwise decision and came out for round nine. Within thirty seconds he was sent to the mat by a Carter hook for the fourth and final time as O'Sullivan stopped the slaughter immediately.
The bout was a crossroads fight for both men. DeJohn gained considerable attention last year when he knocked out highly regarded Willie Pastrano in three rounds. Following that success he lost to Archie Moore, Eddie Machen, and Bob Baker.
Last night's loss to Carter is his fourth in a row. Recognized as a dangerous puncher, DeJohn's problem has been a poor work ethic in the gym. The beating he took from Carter could spell the end of his career.
For Carter, the win represented an important rebound for a career that was heading in the wrong direction. Early last year he scored a major upset over Eddie Machen which resulted in a number one world ranking and a title shot against then-champion Floyd Patterson.
His performance against Patterson was far from impressive, and he was knocked out in four rounds. After some inactivity, Carter returned to the ring this past October and lost to Argentina's Alex Miteff.
There has been talk that Carter will meet Archie McBride for the New Jersey heavyweight crown sometime this spring. McBride who holds the Garden State title successfully defended his belt with a unanimous twelve round decision over Don McAteer earlier this week.