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Gans stops McAuliffe to retain lightweight title
Making third defense of title, Gans stops challenger by TKO in 14th
March 18, 2013 -- Joe Gans continues to impress.
The LSUBF lightweight champion made a successful third defense of his title, stopping an overmatched Jack McAuliffe in the 14th round of a dominating effort.
McAuliffe, ranked No. 8 in the world, was never knocked down, but also never had Gans in any semblance of trouble, landing only 16% of his punches compared with an almost unfathomable 65% landed by the champion.
Gans (21-3, 12 KO) was in complete control from the opening bell, too fast and too accurate for McAuliffe to answer. By the time McAuliffe (25-5, 22 KO) did anything meaningful, six rounds were in the books. And in that seventh, easily McAuliffe's best round of the fight when he had Gans dazed after a wicked combination midway through, the round was punctuated by a closing flurry from Gans that halted any momentum McAuliffe may have had.
The loser of the initial LSUBF tournament for the lightweight title to Benny Leonard, McAuliffe was aware this shot might have been his last crack at the title.
"Gans is a terrific champion and was the better man tonight," McAuliffe said afterward. "I'll work my way back and hope I can earn another opportunity."
"I hit him with everything," Gans said of McAuliffe. "He has my respect."
Gans has until November to face the #1 contender. New rankings will be out April 1st, and if Leonard maintains the #1 ranking, Gans can fight the #2 and satisfy the mandatory #1 requirement at any point until November, which would be one year since Leonard lost his rematch for the title.
Though Gans has beat Leonard twice, smart money is he won't want to try his luck a third time. That could mean a title shot for one of a pair of highly touted youngsters who have surged up the rankings to No. 2 and No. 3 as of the last rankings: Unbeaten No. 2 Jimmy Carter (10-0-1, 4 KO) or No. 3 Tony Canzoneri (11-3-2, 4 KO). Both are talented but green, which would make whichever of them holds No. 2 when the new rankings come out a smart bet for Gans.
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