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Before we get to the main event, there are a couple new faces this year, one on each side of the pond. American John C Heenan and a second Irish combatant, Joe Coburn, are added to the roster. There are now eight active fighters in North America, five in Europe(though none have enough fights yet to be ranked). Both of the newcomers won't debut until the middle of the year however.
#1 John Morrisey(10-2-3, 1 KO) vs. #2 Tom Hyer(34-6-6, 4 KO).
March 18, 1853
This has nearly everything you could ask for from the first title bout in our universe. The United States and North American heavyweight title belts are on the line, both inaugurated here today. Morrisey comes in as the up-and-coming star, having won eight straight including a unanimous decision against Hyer back in February of '51 in their only meeting. Hyer has won 13 of 14, the only blemish this decade being that defeat almost two years ago. Unquestionably these two are the dominant forces in the sport today, none of their challengers able to touch them recently. Age vs. experience.
First Round
A great start by Hyer had Morrisey reeling a bit, but a nice combination late seemed to settle him into the fight.
Second Round
This one was all Morrisey, Hyer was unable to find a way through his guard, and it appears the youngster has rallied well from the poor start.
Third Round
Morrisey's defense continues to stymie the storied veteran.
Fourth Round
More holding than fighting, the pace definitely seemed to have slowed. Hyer might have edged that round.
Fifth Round
Lots of missing until a monstrous body shot by Morrisey staggers Hyer in the latter stages, and the last 45 seconds feature impressive flurries by both men. Good recovery by Tom Hyer, but he still probably lost that round.
Great ringside reaction as the end of that round was fantastic stuff from both competitors.
Sixth Round
Some quick and powerful body shots give Hyer control, though Morrisey gets in a decent hook late in the round to make it respectable.
Seventh Round
This time Morrisey is by far the aggressor, controlling from opening to closing bell.
Eighth Round
Hyer connects with a cross and then seconds later a hook about a minute in, and Morrisey spent the rest of the round just trying to survive. It didn't look like he would for a while, but he stays on his feet.
Ninth Round
Hyer looks exhausted, and doesn't get much in. He expended a lot of energy going for the knockout and didn't get it.
Tenth Round
Still looks an even fight heading to the final stanza. An uppercut about a minute in swung momentum Hyer's way ... was it enough to get him revenge and the title?
The ringside opinion is that this should be a draw. Both fighters had their moments. Young John Morrisey was more accurate and a bit more active, Tom Hyer moved better and there was more power behind his punches.
The three scorecards are 95-95, 97-93 for Hyer ... and 96-95 for Morrisey! By the narrowest of margins we have a draw! They'll have to do it again in the spring, both titles remain vacant for now. It was a heck of a fight, but ultimately nothing was decided. Meanwhile, Chris Lilly won a split decision over Tom McCoy to move up to the #3 spot, and is now best-positioned to take advantage of whatever happens in the rematch if he can back up that win.
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