[Rocco Del Sesto]

01/09/67 Monday
Billy Marsh – LHW (28-20-7) vs. Filifili Alaiasa – LHW (1-1-0)

This is Marsh’s 2nd fight here in 1967. Previously back on Jan. 3rd, Marsh won a UD over welterweight Johnny Brooks. (Note here that I’ll be accumulating fighters records by what they do in the replay to see how things shape up later on for the possible heavyweight tournament.) For Alaiasa, it’s his 3rd career fight, having fought twice in 1966 to begin his professional career.

Filifili Alaiasa - USA Rating 1
Light Heavyweight 1966-76

11 wins / 8 losses / 0 draw / 6 KO

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Birthplace: Hawaii

Rating by: Rocco Del Sesto

BoxRec lists Alaisa as a heavyweight, based I suppose again that his last two fights were against fighters also listed as HW's, Koroseta Kid(13-7-0) and John Baca(13-4-1). Alaiasa is rated here though as a lightheavy since a majority of his opponents were lightheavys and even middleweights.

His career started out 2-5-0. Most noteable fights were all losses to Billy Marsh, MW-Ralph Palladin(30-7-2) and LHW-Ron Wilson(69-36-7). He then ran up a streak of 9 consecutive wins including 5 KO's. The combined career records of those 9 opponents was only 18-54-5 and two guys, Scott Wissoper(7-14-0) and Johnny Wise(6-25-3) had the majority of those decisions. AFter the 9th win in Feb. of 1970 he then drew a chance to go into the ring with Mike QAuarry who was undefeated at the time at 20-0-0. That fight was in March 1970. Alaiasa managed to go the full scheduled 8 rounds with Quarry but, Mike got the decision. It was over 2 years before Filifili fought again, loosing to Koroseta Kid. He then was out of the ring almost 4 more years before loosing his last career fight to Baca.

The fight.....

Back in 1967 Marsh won a 6 round decision over Alaiasa. Our replay started out fast for Marsh but Filifili fought back to make it close over the next couple rounds. After Alaiasa lands a beautiful hook that dazes Marsh for a moment, Billy comes back to land a quick jab and a thundering shot to the body to floors Alaiasa for a quick 4 count. Filifili manages to recover and lands some decent punches to get through the round. Round 2 is a close, not much action round. Round 3 again was a close round with Marsh maybe carrying a bit more of the advantage. Both judges scored Marsh the advantage in round 2 but one actually scored it even in round 3, so Filifili was by no means out of this fight yet. The first 2 to 2-1/2 minutes of the 4th round was more of the 2nd and 3rd, a lot of maneuvering without a lot punches being landed by either fighter. Marsh again was carrying maybe the slight edge when lightening struck suddenly at the 2:18 mark. Marsh lands a perfect jab that sends Filifili to the canvas. He never gets up as Filifili is counted out at the 2:30 mark of the 4th round! KO win for Billy Marsh as he improves his record to 28-20-8 while Alaiasa drops to 1-2-0.