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This report covers a total of 67 bouts taking place during the second half of August 1941. Two WBA title bouts aret included in this report.

Aug. 16, 1941: Next card is at St. Louis’ Kiel Auditorium. Featured is an NABF LW title contest, with the “Herkimer Hurricane,” Lou Ambers, making his fourth defense, facing Sammy Fuller, a veteran LW contender. The two have met once before, back in 1939, when Ambers bested Fuller for the lesser USBA LW belt. This time around, with both men at Post-Prime, Ambers is hoping for a repeat win. The bout remains close through the first four rounds, and then Fuller, to the surprise of many, asserts control in round five, winning most of the inside exchanges as the two battle in toe-to-toe action. At the midway point, the unofficial scorer has a slight edge (59-58) for the challenger, Fuller. Urge on by his corner, Ambers presses forward, forcing the action as the bout heads into the later rounds. Fuller’s defense remains solid, and it is Ambers who begins to tire in the last three rounds. Ambers remains the aggressor to the very end, but he cannot make much of an impression on Fuller who, in a minor upset, lifts the title belt, via a MD 12 (116-115, 115-115, 117-112), thereby improving his career stats to 49-18-1 (11). The loss drops Ambers to 34-5-1 (18).

Aug. 22, 1941: Next is a Friday night card at Manila’s Rizal Arena. Co-main events, including an OPBF title tilt, top the card. In the first co-feature, a non-title affair, OPBF FW Champ Tsuneo Horiguchi takes on Brit Frank Parkes, a former EBU, GBU and Commonwealth FW titleholder. Horguchi won their one previous encounter, via a UD 10, back in 1939 in Los Angeles. Early edge for the Japanese fighter, who puts Parkes down in the opening round with a strong shot. Solid points lead for Horiguchi on the unofficial card (50-45) at the halfway point. A sluggish-looking Parkes is unable to mount a rally, so the bout ends in a routine UD 10 win for Horiguchi (97-94, 97-94, 97-93). Post-bout records: Horiguchi, 29-8-1 (16); Parkes, 24-9-1 (14). In the finale, the OPBF Flyweight title is on the line, with Small Montana defending against another Japanese fighter, Yoichiro Hanada. Two prior bouts, both close ones, one a draw, and the other, a win for Montana (via MD). This time, the bout remains close through the opening rounds and, by the end of round four, there is a mouse under the right eye of Montana, the defending Champ. At the midway point, the unofficial scorer at ringside has the bout even (58-58). The bout remains close into the later rounds, with the stamina edge to the challenger, Hanada. Big round 10 for the Japanese challenger, and Montana is forced into a more aggressive posture in an effort to keep the belt. The bout goes the distance and, in the end, Hanada’s strong second half is enough to take the title via a UD 12 (116-114, 117-113, 116-114). The win improves Hanada’s career totals to 28-9-2 (8). The loss leaves Montana at 26-13-4 (9).

Aug. 23, 1941: Next fistic action takes place at the Olympia, in London. It’s a packed card headlined by a GBU title bout preceded by a pair of co-features. In the first of these, former Commonwealth and British Flyweight Champ Benny Lynch takes on a up-and-coming prospect, unbeaten British Flyweight Jackie Paterson. First meeting of the two. Lynch, now at End career stage, is coming off two recent losses, the most recent a UD 12 loss to Joe Curran that cost him the Commonwealth title belt. Paterson, the younger man, takes charge early as Lynch struggles with his timing. A cut over Paterson’s right eye in round two slows his progress in the bout. Then, late in round five, the bout comes to a sudden end as Lynch uncorks an overhand right that puts Paterson down and out. KO 5 for Lynch, who improves to 34-12 (18) with the win. The loss – Paterson’s first – leaves him at 15-1-1 (13). In the next supporting bout, two HWs take to the ring, with long-time top contender Tommy “the Tonypandy Terror” facing a U. S. heavyweight in the form of Junior “Indian” Munsell. Munsell has risen in the HW ranks from journeyman status after registering eight KO wins in his last eight bouts. Farr, who has held the GBU, EBU and Commonwealth HW titles but is now nearing the end of his long career, appears to have the upper hand in the early going. However, at the halfway point, the unofficial scorer has the bout even (47-47). Munsell remains the aggressor headed into the later rounds, with Farr relying on his excellent boxing and defensive skills. The bout goes the distance, and Farr manages to win a close but UD 10 (97-93, 97-93, 96-94). Post-bout career marks: Farr, 49-16-3 (16); Munsell, 22-6 (18). The final bout of the evening is for the GBU MW title, held for the past decade by Jock McAvoy. It is McAvoy’s 11th defense of the belt he first won back in October of 1930. The challenger is Arthur “Ginger” Sadd. One prior meeting, for this same belt back in February of 1940, resulted in a TKO 11 win for McAvoy. Slow start for McAvoy, who struggles with his timing in the early rounds. McAvoy bounces back with a big round three, putting Sadd under pressure. Then, midway through round five, a huge left from Sadd rocks McAvoy, forcing the defending Champ to cover up. At the midway point, it’s anyone’s bout, as indicated by the unofficial card which has it even (57-all). In round nine, Sadd rips open a cut over McAvoy’s left eye. Then, in round 10, a cut appears on the forehead of the challenger. Good cutwork from both corners, and the bout goes the distance, with McAvoy eking out a close but UD 12 (116-112, 115-113, 115-113) to retain the belt. Post-bout career marks: McAvoy, 36-16-5 (24); Sadd, 31-16 (18).

Aug. 23, 1941: Back in the States for a huge card at New York’s Yankee Stadium. Two WBA title bouts top the agenda, amply supported by a pair of lesser title tilts. On the undercard is hot FW prospect Willie Pep, who runs his record to 8-0 (7) with a third-round TKO demolition of a TC opponent. Then, in the first of four big title bouts, Chalky Wright, a former WBA FW Champion, puts his USBA FW title on the line, facing challenger Leo Rodak. Rodak, whose last loss was to Jackie Wilson a year ago in a 10-round, non-title affair, has won four in a row since to earn his first crack at a title. It’s a solid start for Wright, who is looking to bounce back from a TKO loss to ex-Champ Simon Chavez in his most recent outing. At the midway point, Wright holds a slight points edge (58-56, according to the unofficial card). Rodak assumes the role of aggressor as the bout heads into the later rounds, seeking to turn the bout around in his favor. However, he runs low on stamina, and a workman-like performance by Wright secures the title defense and a solid UD 12 win (119-109, 116-112, 119-110) to run his record to 37-12-4 (15); the loss drops Rodak to 26-10 (7). Next up is a bout for the NABF WW title, with Jackie Wilson making his first defense against the “Croat Comet,” Fritzie Zivic. It is the first meeting of the two, and it is Zivic’s sixth try to win a title belt after five unsuccessful attempts (with one draw and four losses in those efforts). With some clever boxing, Wilson gradually builds a lead in punches landed, although the unofficial scorer at ringside has the bout even (58-all) at the halfway point. Zivic moves inside and tries to apply more pressure as the bout wears on. Wilson’s defense remains firm, but Zivic’s aggressive pays off, as he is rewarded with a UD 12 (116-113, 116-114, 116-113) to lift the title, also handling Wilson his first career loss. Post-bout results: Zivic, 29-10-4 (15); Wilson, 22-1-2 (15). Then, next is the first of two WBA title contests, Tiger Jack Fox faces former recently crowned USBA LH Champion Tony Shucco for Fox's WBA LH title. In one prior meeting, four years earlier, Fox took a UD 12 for the USBA LH title. In this rematch, Fox traps Shucco in a neutral corner late in the opening round, dropping him with a combination. A groggy Shucco arises at the count of eight, but the bell sounds before Fox can do more damage. Shucco steadies himself with a strong round two, and early in round three, he manages to rip open a cut over the right eye of Fox. In round four, Fox’s right eye begins to puff up as Shucco continues to find the range with his punches. More action in round five, as the Champ bounces back, dropping Shucco once again, and a mouse formed under the right eye of the challenger. After five rounds, the unofficial scorer at ringside has Fox ahead (by a count of 48-46). Another good round for Fox in round six, but the cut is re-opened. Shucco opens up a lead in punches landed, and then, in round 10, the bout comes to a sudden end after the cut over Fox’s eye is re-opened a second time. It goes in the books as a TKO 10 for Shucco, who becomes the new LH Champion, improving his career record to 37-14-1 (13). Fox ends the bout at 51-7-1 (36). Then, in the finale, popular WBA HW Champ Joe Louis takes to the ring, making his 11th defense of the WBA HW title facing, for the second time, Jersey Joe Walcott, whom he defeated for the belt back in 1939. Walcott has won four in a row since then, winning the NABF HW belt to set up the rematch with Louis. After a couple of close opening rounds, Louis assumes the initiative in round three, landing some telling blows to win the round. More action in round four, also favoring the Champ. After five, the unofficial scorer has Louis with a slight points lead (48-47), although this might be generous to Walcott, the challenger. Some solid boxing from Louis through the middle rounds, gradually wearing down his opponent, who begins to show signs of fatigue before the two-thirds mark. After 10 rounds, the unofficial card has Louis on top by two (96-94). After a strong round from Louis in round 11, Walcott returns to his corner sporting a cut under his right eye and a swollen left eye. A desperate looking Walcott goes on the offensive in the final few rounds, but he is unable to make much impression on Louis, who finally breaks through in the final round, dropping Walcott with a barrage of blows, then follows up with a combination for a second KD. Walcott is counted out with just 10 seconds remaining in the bout. KO 15 for Louis. Post-bout records: Louis, 36-1 (34); Walcott, 41-7 (25).

Aug. 29, 1941: To Havana’s Gran Stadium for a Friday night card and, in the feature, two veteran FWs, both at Post-Prime career stage, do battle. It is the “Cuban Bon Bon,” the popular Kid Chocolate, facing Canadian Pete DeGrasse, who still reigns as Commonwealth FW Champion. Third meeting of the two, with Chocolate registering a win and a draw in the previous encounters. Buoyed by an adoring hometown crowd, Chocolate gets off to a strong start, punishing DeGrasse with some solid body shots. Late in round three, he sends DeGrasse to the canvas with a combination of blows. DeGrasse bounces back to his feet quickly, and there is not enough time remaining in the round for Chocolate to take full advantage. At the halfway point, the unofficial scorer at ringside is showing a fairly substantial points lead (49-45) for Chocolate. In the second half of the bout, Chocolate eases up, adopting a more defensive posture, and DeGrasse simply lacks the firepower and the stamina to launch a rally. Chocolate goes on to take an impressive UD 10 win (97-92, 97-92, 99-90). Post-bout career marks: Chocolate, 31-10-7 (17); DeGrasse, 39-21-4 (10).

Aug. 30, 1941: The month wraps with a card at Washington, D. C ‘s Uline Arena. In the feature, the recently vacated USBA MW title is on the line, with Allen Matthews and Billy Soose being paired together for the belt vacated by Charlie Burley, who moved up to win the NABF MW title. It is the first meeting of the two, and the first title bout for Soose, the second for Matthews (loser to now WBA MW Champ Tony Zale in a NABF title encounter in early 1940). Action is slow to develop as there is a long feeling out process that takes several rounds to sort out. Soose, who demonstrates an ability to switch between boxer and slugger, gradually gains the upper hand. In round five, Soose rips open a cut over the right eye of Matthews. Nonetheless, at the midway point, the unofficial card has Matthews ahead on points (59-56), even though the punches landed stat favors Soose. These counts all become irrelevant as the cut over Matthews’ eye is reopened in round seven, and it becomes too serious to allow the bout to continue; so the belt goes to Soose via a TKO 7 (cuts stoppage). The title win lifts Soose to 18-4-1 (12) overall, while the loss leaves Matthews at 31-12-3 (12).