John Sawyer

=• Personal History •=

Early Life
John Sawyer was born on 22 February 1899, third son to Jack and Mary Sawyer. His father a dockworker and mother a seamstress, John’s family and early life was relatively unremarkable. The notable change in fortune coming to the family early in 1914 when John accompanied his two elder brothers to “Smokey’s Gym and Boys Club”, where the young Sawyer lad pulled on a pair of boxing gloves for the first time. Owner and trainer of the gym, Charlie “Smoke” Dawson, had himself been a boxer of minor repute and quickly recognised the lads potential, once remarking to a fellow trainer “That boy could dodge raindrops in a hurricane”.

John’s speed in the ring quickly established him as a crowd favourite, unloading devastating bombs upon his opponents whilst deftly dodging anything thrown back. Many a wager would involve not just the outcome of John’s fights but whether he would actually get hit. With such skill and the crowds behind him it was only a relatively short time before John Sawyer was ranked number 1 contender for the Middleweight division

The Fight that Changed Everything
August 12, 1925. John Sawyer vs Karl Graer for the World Middleweight Championship.

Three rounds in and Sawyer was significantly on top of his opponent. It was not a one sided contest, the German champion was no mug, but Sawyer’s speed was blinding as ever and was finding gaps in the champs guard with increasing regularity. A ferocious right hook from Sawyer sends Graer staggering back against the ropes. Sawyer steps in to finish it but a ring of the bell saves the champ who is led back to his corner by his trainer.

A swig of water, encouraging words from his corner and “ding”, Sawyer was back on his feet. The German Champion moved sluggishly towards him his fists held defensively, clearly not fully recovered from John’s last shot. John glided forward with purpose, this would all be over in a moment. But then he saw them. Shadows. Shadows moving amongst the crowd. Hovering over them. Staring at them. Touching them. John blinked and wiped the sweat from his eyes. No, they were still there.

Sawyer shifted his eyes back to his opponent. Graer had lowered his defence just slightly, he himself confused by the wide eyed stare on the young Americans face. The stare of confusion became one of terror as Sawyer saw it. There but not there all at the same time. A figure dressed all in black, a cowl hiding its face. He could feel the chill of death and it stood over the German. Graer saw his opening, he didn’t have time to consider why, he just knew this was his chance. The blow crashed against John’s chin and he fell into darkness.

Cat 3
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