Famous fights:
1902—Hired as a varitety artist, Sven, 150 lbs, entered the ring against a black bear, 550 lbs, the latter muzzled and wearing mittens. The bear, however, ripped off its mittens and injured Sven severly, almost tearing him to death. Sven was saved when the bear’s trainer attacked the bear with an iron bar.
1914—In a scheduled 20-rounder, Sven was disqualified against Carl Pedersen in the 6th stanza due to low blows. While the referee left the ring, Sven went berserk and called out for the Dane to continue. Pedersen agreed. The fight lasted until police with drawn sables intervened.
Excited eyewitnesses said that afterwards the arena resembled a slaughterhouse.
Marchegiano