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JCWeb · 03-10-2020, 02:14 PM

This report covers fistic action from the first half of May 1943 – including one WBA title bout.

May 1, 1943: The month opens with a card at a little used venue, the Nueva Circus in Caracas, Venezuela. Topping the action is an LABF FW title bout, with Venezuelan Filio Julian Echevarria, now at End career stage, facing a challenge from Cuban National Kid. First meeting of the two, second title defense by Echevarria, and first title bout of any kind for Kid. In round three, Kid turns aggressor, moving inside and ripping open a gash over Echevarria’s left eye. The cut appears to have been caused, not by a punch, but by an accidental clash of heads. Some feverish cornerwork by Echevarria’s seconds closes the cut but, when it is reopened in round five, it leads to an immediate stoppage. The scorecards after the first four are consulted, and the bout is ajudged to be a technical draw (39-38 Kid, 38-38, 39-37 Echevarria), so the end result is that Echevarria keeps his title. A rematch later in the year is a distinct possibility. Post-bout career marks: Echevarria, 41-18-6 (12); Kid, 22-2-2 (10).

May 7, 1943: To South Africa and the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg for the next fistic action, a Friday night card with a featured bout for the Commonwealth LW title recently vacated by Dave Castilloux after he stepped up to win the WBA LW crown. Contesting the vacant belt is a former two-time CBU titleholder, South African Laurie Stevens, along with his opponent, long-time GBU LW Champ Harry Mizler. This will be the third meeting of the two, with both prior bouts won by Stevens, but this is the first encounter with a title at stake. Stevens starts strongly, stunning Mizler with a straight right late in the opening stanza. By the end of the second, there is noticeable puffiness around the left eye of the challenger, evidence that Stevens’ accurate punching has had an effect. More punishment is dished out by Stevens in round three, and a three-punch combo sends Mizler reeling, forcing the British fighter to cover up. Then, in round four, there is swelling under Mizler’s right eye, all while the condition of the left eye continues to worsen. By the midway point, the unofficial card has Stevens with a wide lead (60-55). With Stevens fully in control, it is more of the same in the second half of the bout, and, late in the ninth round, the first KD occurs, as Stevens drops Mizler with an uppercut, but Mizler is saved by the bell, so the bout continues. The bout goes the rest of the way without incident, and Stevens takes a lopsided UD 12 (119-109, 118-110,120-108) to lift the CBU belt for the third time. Post-bout career marks: Stevens, 33-9-1 (20); Mizler, 25-17-6 (6).

May 8, 1943: Twin co-main events, both in the BW division, top the next card at Havana’s Gran Stadium, as cross-regional rivalries are likely to be ignited. First up, on the undercard, unbeaten HW prospect Nino Valdes, a homegrown product, keeps his perfect record alive with a fifth round KO of a previously, unbeaten HW, Joe Muscato. The win lifts Valdes to 12-0, all by KO; Muscato’s first career loss leaves him at 11-1 (7). In the first co-feature, NABF BW Champ David Kui Kong Young squares off against Johnny King, a former WBA BW Champ who currently holds three titles (EBU, GBU and CBU), none of which are on the line in this encounter. It is the second meeting of these two, who battled to a draw last year in Johannesburg. Slight early edge for Kui Kong Young, who begins the bout as the aggressor, but is warned a couple of times by the ref for excessive fouling in round three. The bout remains extremely close to the midway point, and this is reflected in the unofficial card kept at ringside, which has the bout even (48-48), after a strong showing in the fifth round by King. Into the later rounds, and this time it is King who begins the pressing the action on the inside. Instead, all he accomplishes is a nasty welt under his right eye, appearing midway through round seven as the result of being on the target end of some sharp Kui Kong Young punches. The action slows noticeably in the final few rounds as both men appear to tire badly. King bounces back to win rounds eight and nine and, once again, the two last the distance and, once again, the bout ends in a draw (96-96, 96-95 King, 96-95 Kui Kong Young). Could a third meeting possibly be in the offing? Post-bout records: Kui Kong Young, 28-1-3 (16); King, 56-9-3 (22). In the second co-feature, another former WBA BW Champ, Panama Al Brown, takes to the ring to face Little Pancho, the well regarded Filipino fighter who held the OPBF BW title for a three-year period, from 1937 to 1940. These two have met twice before, with Brown chalking up a UD win while the other bout ended in a draw. Both of these ring warriors, who have around 130 bouts combined, are past their respective primes but still capable of putting on a good effort for fight fans here in Havana. Trouble for Little Pancho as he sustains a cut over his left eye early in the opening round. Not much to choose between the two through the opening rounds, but Brown seems to have an edge in both aggressiveness and punches landed that is impressing the judges. The cut over Pancho’s eye is reopened in round four, and it continues to ooze blood in the fifth round as well. By the midway point, the unofficial card has Brown in front (49-46). Pancho, who is not an aggressive fighter by nature, is left with the difficult choice of simply protecting the cut, or swinging away, risking further punishment and possible further damage to the injured eye. Late in round seven, Brown connects with a big hook, forcing Pancho to retreat and cover up, while the cut is reopened once again. The action slows noticeably in the final few rounds as Brown, with a comfortable points lead, focuses on defense, and Pancho, swinging wildly, is unable to land a telling blow to alter the outcome. The bout goes the distance, and Brown takes a lopsided UD 10 (99-91 on all cards) to run his career record to an impressive 69-15-2 (25). The loss leaves Pancho at 45-12-7 (10).

May 8, 1943: Twin bill feature bouts top the next card, at St. Louis’ Kiel Auditorium. In first of the co-main events, top 10 HW Nathan Mann faces up-and-comer Pat Comiskey. First meeting of the two, and Comiskey carries an 11-bout winning streak into this non-title bout. Mann wastes little time, flooring the 21-1 Comiskey in the opening round. Comiskey recovers quickly, scrambling to his feet, and covers up to last the round. By the end of round three, Mann’s punches have done enough damage to cause some initial swelling to appear around the left eye of Comiskey. Comiskey gradually works his way into the bout but, at the halfway mark, the unofficial scorer has Mann in front (by a count of 48-46). Into the second half of the bout, and Comiskey assumes the role of aggressor, but he finds it difficult to make progress against some solid defense from Mann. By round nine, Comiskey has abandoned all caution and is going for the KO, and he lands some telling blows that put Mann on the defensive. A powerful hook followed by a strong cross do sufficient damage and, to the surprise of many, Comiskey is able to inflict enough punishment to enforce an immediate stoppage, as Mann is literally out on his feet. TKO 9 for Comiskey, improving his record to 22-1 (15). Mann, who was ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage, drops to 27-9-3 (22). In the second co-feature, ex-WBA MW Champ Tony Zale, the “Man of Steel,” takes to the ring, facing Ben “the Belter” Brown, in another non-title bout. These two have met three times previously, with Zale winning twice and Brown, once. In round five, Zale breaks through, dropping Brown with a short, clean hook. After taking a count of three, Brown regains his footing and covers up, managing to last the round. The unofficial card after five shows the 10-8 round putting Zale in front (48-46). Into the second half of the bout, and it is Brown who attempts to press the action, pushing the pace. Zale manages to hold off Brown the rest of the way, going on to take a UD 10 (98-92, 97-93, 98-92). Post-bout career marks: Zale, 34-4-1 (20); Brown, 29-8-2 (18). With this solid win, Zale has re-established his credentials as a top-flight MW contender.

May 14, 1943: Next up is a relatively thin card (only six total bouts) at Melbourne, another “Friday Night” fights down under. The only notable bout is the main event, featuring two homegrown fighters battling for the OPBF WW title, with Jack McNamee defending against this younger countryman, Alan Westbury. The two have not met before; for McNamee, it is his fourth defense of the title he won in 1939 and, for Westbury, it is his first title try, having done little to move up the ranks other than eking out a MD in his most recent outing against a former LABF WW Champion, Cuba’s Joe Legon. A minute into the bout, Westbury announces his serious intent by dropping McNamee with a big hook. After taking an eight-count, McNamee regains his footing and attempts to cover up; while he manages to survive the round, he is sporting a puffy right eye as a result of the cumulative impact of Westbury’s blows. McNamee gets through the second round without further troubles, but in round three a wicked right-left combination from the challenger forces him to cover up once again. Then, late in round four, things begin to turn around as Westbury sustains a cut over his left eye. According to the unofficial card, at the midway point, McNamee has steadied himself, winning a couple of rounds (rounds five and six), but the challenger, Westbury, holds a two-point lead (58-56). Into the second half of the bout, and McNamee manages to reopen the cut over Westbury’s eye and, to the dismay of Westbury and his corner, the cut is deemed severe enough for the ref to step in and call an immediate halt. McNamee manages to retain the belt via a TKO 7 due to the cuts stoppage. Post-bout career records: McNamee, 32-10-1 (19); Westbury, 26-8-1 (14). Tough loss for Westbury, who was leading on all three cards at the time of the stoppage.

May 15, 1943: A huge crowd is on hand at the Forum in Montreal to see Canadian LW Dave Castilloux make his first defense of his WBA LW title in the featured bout. First up is a supporting bout, matching veteran HW contender Elmer “Kid Violent” Ray with LABF HW titleholder, Argentinian Alberto Santiago Lovell. First meeting of the two, and both fighters are coming off recent losses, and Ray is trying to get his career back on track after having failed to win a bout in over a year, although being at End career stage could be an issue. Not much in the way of action until near the end of round four, when Lovell rocks Ray with a crushing cross. Another big cross early in the fifth round, and Ray is forced to cover up to prevent further damage. As a result, Lovell has a nice points lead (48-46 on the unofficial scorecard) after five rounds are in the books. Ray battles back with an aggressive approach to the second half of the bout, but in the final round, he falls victim to a Lovell uppercut, taking a six count before resuming. As a result of the final round KD, Lovell appears to have secured an upset victory – but wait, two of the three judges hand Ray a controversial SD 10 win (92-95 Lovell, 94-93 Ray, 94-93 Ray). Post-bout records: Ray, 48-16-1 (32) ; Lovell, 29-13-1 (23) . After this, it is time for the WBA LW title bout, with hometown favorite Dave Castilloux facing #1 challenger, NABF and LABF Champ Baby Arizmendi, who is seeking to add a WBA LW title to his resume which already includes a WBA FW title belt. First meeting of the two, and both men enter the bout with win streaks; Castilloux having won his last two, Arizmendi, his last three. After a close opening round, Arizmendi is on target with his punches and wins the second round convincingly as a result. Punches landed stats favor the challenger, but Castilloux – urged on by the hometown fight fans – dominates the inside exchanges in an entertaining round five. After five, the unofficial scorer at ringside has Arizmendi up by one (49-48). The bout remains close into the middle rounds, and, beginning in round eight, Castilloux works his way inside, taking a more aggressive approach. After 10 rounds, it is the challenger’s boxing skills that have enabled him to extend his lead on the unofficial card (97-95) after 10. Into the final third of the bout, and the stamina factor works in favor of the Mexican challenger. The issue remains in doubt right up until the final round, and Arizmendi has appeared to have done enough to lift the belt. Indeed, when the cards are read, Arizmendi takes a solid UD 15 verdict (147-139, 145-141, 144-143), although Castilloux did well to keep the score close on two of the three cards. Arizmendi, who adds the WBA LW title to his WBA FW belt, improves to 48-9-4 (10) with the win. Castilloux slips to 31-11-3 (9) with the loss.

03-10-2020, 02:14 PM	#1370
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	May 1943 - Part 1 of 2 This report covers fistic action from the first half of May 1943 – including one WBA title bout. May 1, 1943: The month opens with a card at a little used venue, the Nueva Circus in Caracas, Venezuela. Topping the action is an LABF FW title bout, with Venezuelan Filio Julian Echevarria, now at End career stage, facing a challenge from Cuban National Kid. First meeting of the two, second title defense by Echevarria, and first title bout of any kind for Kid. In round three, Kid turns aggressor, moving inside and ripping open a gash over Echevarria’s left eye. The cut appears to have been caused, not by a punch, but by an accidental clash of heads. Some feverish cornerwork by Echevarria’s seconds closes the cut but, when it is reopened in round five, it leads to an immediate stoppage. The scorecards after the first four are consulted, and the bout is ajudged to be a technical draw (39-38 Kid, 38-38, 39-37 Echevarria), so the end result is that Echevarria keeps his title. A rematch later in the year is a distinct possibility. Post-bout career marks: Echevarria, 41-18-6 (12); Kid, 22-2-2 (10). May 7, 1943: To South Africa and the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg for the next fistic action, a Friday night card with a featured bout for the Commonwealth LW title recently vacated by Dave Castilloux after he stepped up to win the WBA LW crown. Contesting the vacant belt is a former two-time CBU titleholder, South African Laurie Stevens, along with his opponent, long-time GBU LW Champ Harry Mizler. This will be the third meeting of the two, with both prior bouts won by Stevens, but this is the first encounter with a title at stake. Stevens starts strongly, stunning Mizler with a straight right late in the opening stanza. By the end of the second, there is noticeable puffiness around the left eye of the challenger, evidence that Stevens’ accurate punching has had an effect. More punishment is dished out by Stevens in round three, and a three-punch combo sends Mizler reeling, forcing the British fighter to cover up. Then, in round four, there is swelling under Mizler’s right eye, all while the condition of the left eye continues to worsen. By the midway point, the unofficial card has Stevens with a wide lead (60-55). With Stevens fully in control, it is more of the same in the second half of the bout, and, late in the ninth round, the first KD occurs, as Stevens drops Mizler with an uppercut, but Mizler is saved by the bell, so the bout continues. The bout goes the rest of the way without incident, and Stevens takes a lopsided UD 12 (119-109, 118-110,120-108) to lift the CBU belt for the third time. Post-bout career marks: Stevens, 33-9-1 (20); Mizler, 25-17-6 (6). May 8, 1943: Twin co-main events, both in the BW division, top the next card at Havana’s Gran Stadium, as cross-regional rivalries are likely to be ignited. First up, on the undercard, unbeaten HW prospect Nino Valdes, a homegrown product, keeps his perfect record alive with a fifth round KO of a previously, unbeaten HW, Joe Muscato. The win lifts Valdes to 12-0, all by KO; Muscato’s first career loss leaves him at 11-1 (7). In the first co-feature, NABF BW Champ David Kui Kong Young squares off against Johnny King, a former WBA BW Champ who currently holds three titles (EBU, GBU and CBU), none of which are on the line in this encounter. It is the second meeting of these two, who battled to a draw last year in Johannesburg. Slight early edge for Kui Kong Young, who begins the bout as the aggressor, but is warned a couple of times by the ref for excessive fouling in round three. The bout remains extremely close to the midway point, and this is reflected in the unofficial card kept at ringside, which has the bout even (48-48), after a strong showing in the fifth round by King. Into the later rounds, and this time it is King who begins the pressing the action on the inside. Instead, all he accomplishes is a nasty welt under his right eye, appearing midway through round seven as the result of being on the target end of some sharp Kui Kong Young punches. The action slows noticeably in the final few rounds as both men appear to tire badly. King bounces back to win rounds eight and nine and, once again, the two last the distance and, once again, the bout ends in a draw (96-96, 96-95 King, 96-95 Kui Kong Young). Could a third meeting possibly be in the offing? Post-bout records: Kui Kong Young, 28-1-3 (16); King, 56-9-3 (22). In the second co-feature, another former WBA BW Champ, Panama Al Brown, takes to the ring to face Little Pancho, the well regarded Filipino fighter who held the OPBF BW title for a three-year period, from 1937 to 1940. These two have met twice before, with Brown chalking up a UD win while the other bout ended in a draw. Both of these ring warriors, who have around 130 bouts combined, are past their respective primes but still capable of putting on a good effort for fight fans here in Havana. Trouble for Little Pancho as he sustains a cut over his left eye early in the opening round. Not much to choose between the two through the opening rounds, but Brown seems to have an edge in both aggressiveness and punches landed that is impressing the judges. The cut over Pancho’s eye is reopened in round four, and it continues to ooze blood in the fifth round as well. By the midway point, the unofficial card has Brown in front (49-46). Pancho, who is not an aggressive fighter by nature, is left with the difficult choice of simply protecting the cut, or swinging away, risking further punishment and possible further damage to the injured eye. Late in round seven, Brown connects with a big hook, forcing Pancho to retreat and cover up, while the cut is reopened once again. The action slows noticeably in the final few rounds as Brown, with a comfortable points lead, focuses on defense, and Pancho, swinging wildly, is unable to land a telling blow to alter the outcome. The bout goes the distance, and Brown takes a lopsided UD 10 (99-91 on all cards) to run his career record to an impressive 69-15-2 (25). The loss leaves Pancho at 45-12-7 (10). May 8, 1943: Twin bill feature bouts top the next card, at St. Louis’ Kiel Auditorium. In first of the co-main events, top 10 HW Nathan Mann faces up-and-comer Pat Comiskey. First meeting of the two, and Comiskey carries an 11-bout winning streak into this non-title bout. Mann wastes little time, flooring the 21-1 Comiskey in the opening round. Comiskey recovers quickly, scrambling to his feet, and covers up to last the round. By the end of round three, Mann’s punches have done enough damage to cause some initial swelling to appear around the left eye of Comiskey. Comiskey gradually works his way into the bout but, at the halfway mark, the unofficial scorer has Mann in front (by a count of 48-46). Into the second half of the bout, and Comiskey assumes the role of aggressor, but he finds it difficult to make progress against some solid defense from Mann. By round nine, Comiskey has abandoned all caution and is going for the KO, and he lands some telling blows that put Mann on the defensive. A powerful hook followed by a strong cross do sufficient damage and, to the surprise of many, Comiskey is able to inflict enough punishment to enforce an immediate stoppage, as Mann is literally out on his feet. TKO 9 for Comiskey, improving his record to 22-1 (15). Mann, who was ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage, drops to 27-9-3 (22). In the second co-feature, ex-WBA MW Champ Tony Zale, the “Man of Steel,” takes to the ring, facing Ben “the Belter” Brown, in another non-title bout. These two have met three times previously, with Zale winning twice and Brown, once. In round five, Zale breaks through, dropping Brown with a short, clean hook. After taking a count of three, Brown regains his footing and covers up, managing to last the round. The unofficial card after five shows the 10-8 round putting Zale in front (48-46). Into the second half of the bout, and it is Brown who attempts to press the action, pushing the pace. Zale manages to hold off Brown the rest of the way, going on to take a UD 10 (98-92, 97-93, 98-92). Post-bout career marks: Zale, 34-4-1 (20); Brown, 29-8-2 (18). With this solid win, Zale has re-established his credentials as a top-flight MW contender. May 14, 1943: Next up is a relatively thin card (only six total bouts) at Melbourne, another “Friday Night” fights down under. The only notable bout is the main event, featuring two homegrown fighters battling for the OPBF WW title, with Jack McNamee defending against this younger countryman, Alan Westbury. The two have not met before; for McNamee, it is his fourth defense of the title he won in 1939 and, for Westbury, it is his first title try, having done little to move up the ranks other than eking out a MD in his most recent outing against a former LABF WW Champion, Cuba’s Joe Legon. A minute into the bout, Westbury announces his serious intent by dropping McNamee with a big hook. After taking an eight-count, McNamee regains his footing and attempts to cover up; while he manages to survive the round, he is sporting a puffy right eye as a result of the cumulative impact of Westbury’s blows. McNamee gets through the second round without further troubles, but in round three a wicked right-left combination from the challenger forces him to cover up once again. Then, late in round four, things begin to turn around as Westbury sustains a cut over his left eye. According to the unofficial card, at the midway point, McNamee has steadied himself, winning a couple of rounds (rounds five and six), but the challenger, Westbury, holds a two-point lead (58-56). Into the second half of the bout, and McNamee manages to reopen the cut over Westbury’s eye and, to the dismay of Westbury and his corner, the cut is deemed severe enough for the ref to step in and call an immediate halt. McNamee manages to retain the belt via a TKO 7 due to the cuts stoppage. Post-bout career records: McNamee, 32-10-1 (19); Westbury, 26-8-1 (14). Tough loss for Westbury, who was leading on all three cards at the time of the stoppage. May 15, 1943: A huge crowd is on hand at the Forum in Montreal to see Canadian LW Dave Castilloux make his first defense of his WBA LW title in the featured bout. First up is a supporting bout, matching veteran HW contender Elmer “Kid Violent” Ray with LABF HW titleholder, Argentinian Alberto Santiago Lovell. First meeting of the two, and both fighters are coming off recent losses, and Ray is trying to get his career back on track after having failed to win a bout in over a year, although being at End career stage could be an issue. Not much in the way of action until near the end of round four, when Lovell rocks Ray with a crushing cross. Another big cross early in the fifth round, and Ray is forced to cover up to prevent further damage. As a result, Lovell has a nice points lead (48-46 on the unofficial scorecard) after five rounds are in the books. Ray battles back with an aggressive approach to the second half of the bout, but in the final round, he falls victim to a Lovell uppercut, taking a six count before resuming. As a result of the final round KD, Lovell appears to have secured an upset victory – but wait, two of the three judges hand Ray a controversial SD 10 win (92-95 Lovell, 94-93 Ray, 94-93 Ray). Post-bout records: Ray, 48-16-1 (32) ; Lovell, 29-13-1 (23) . After this, it is time for the WBA LW title bout, with hometown favorite Dave Castilloux facing #1 challenger, NABF and LABF Champ Baby Arizmendi, who is seeking to add a WBA LW title to his resume which already includes a WBA FW title belt. First meeting of the two, and both men enter the bout with win streaks; Castilloux having won his last two, Arizmendi, his last three. After a close opening round, Arizmendi is on target with his punches and wins the second round convincingly as a result. Punches landed stats favor the challenger, but Castilloux – urged on by the hometown fight fans – dominates the inside exchanges in an entertaining round five. After five, the unofficial scorer at ringside has Arizmendi up by one (49-48). The bout remains close into the middle rounds, and, beginning in round eight, Castilloux works his way inside, taking a more aggressive approach. After 10 rounds, it is the challenger’s boxing skills that have enabled him to extend his lead on the unofficial card (97-95) after 10. Into the final third of the bout, and the stamina factor works in favor of the Mexican challenger. The issue remains in doubt right up until the final round, and Arizmendi has appeared to have done enough to lift the belt. Indeed, when the cards are read, Arizmendi takes a solid UD 15 verdict (147-139, 145-141, 144-143), although Castilloux did well to keep the score close on two of the three cards. Arizmendi, who adds the WBA LW title to his WBA FW belt, improves to 48-9-4 (10) with the win. Castilloux slips to 31-11-3 (9) with the loss.