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LH Title Bouts

WBA: Maxie Rosenbloom began the year with the title, and he defended it successfully against three challengers: Charley Belanger (UD 15), Bob Olin (UD 15) and Tony Shucco (UD 15).

NABF: John Henry Lewis held this title coming into 1938 and defended it once, versus Gus Lesnevich (UD 12). Then, Tony Shucco dethroned Lewis (UD 12). Shucco, in turn, lost the title to Bob Olin (UD 12).

USBA: Tiger Jack Fox began the year with this belt, and he defended it twice, stopping Pal Silvers (TKO 3) and Jack Gibbons (also TKO 3).

CBU: No defenses by Charley Belanger, who continued to hold the title for another year.

GBU: Len Harvey retained the belt, making his first title defense in over three years, defeating challenger Ben Valentine (UD 12).

EBU: An active year with three title bouts. First, Heinz Lazek captured the belt, dethroning Gustave Roth (SD 12). Lazek then defended once, turning aside a challenge from Len Harvey (SD 12). Finally, Adolf Heuser captured the title by defeating Lazek (TKO 10).

OPBF, LABF: Inactive in this division.

LH Division Profile

Total: 110 RL: 63 TC: 47

RL by Career Stage:
End - 5
Post - 20
Prime - 21
Pre - 12
Beginning - 5 (2 New)

Rated: 49
800+: 14
500+: 29
200+ : 45

Jan 1939 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1938 in Parens):

Champ: Maxie Rosenbloom 46-12-6 (18) (1647) (NC)
1. Tiger Jack Fox 43-4 (31) (1385) (NC) (USBA)
2. Charley Belanger 41-18 (19) (1290) (+1) (CBU)
3. John Henry Lewis 23-5-2 (18) (1192) (-1)
4. Gus Lesnevich 24-2-1 (14) (1097) (+2)
5. Bob Olin 32-12-3 (10) (1076) (-1) (NABF)
6. Tony Shucco 29-12 (11) (1075) (+2)
7. Billy Conn 19-1-2 (11) (1040) (+8)
8. Pal Silvers 37-14-5 (15) (977) (+4)
9. Fred Lenhart 35-15 (26) (927) (+4)
10. Joe Knight 31-9-3 (17) (847) (-1)

Others: 19. Adolf Heuser 31-8-1 (16) (722) (+3) (EBU)
20. Len Harvey 48-21-3 (19) (715) (-6) (GBU)

Comments: Signs of an aging division, as Rosenbloom, Belanger, Lewis, Olin, Lenhart, Knight and Harvey will all be at Post-Prime at the start of 1939. “Slapsie Maxie” continued his reign as Champion, going 3-0 for the year, and he has now won 10 of his last 11, the one loss coming in a foray into the HW ranks when he lost to Schmeling. Tiger Jack Fox remains as #1 contender, also going 3-0 in the year, defeating Len Harvey (UD 10) in addition to the two USBA title bout wins. Canada’s Belanger moves up to #2, rebounding from a WBA title loss with three straight wins, via KO over Adamick and Heuser, plus a UD versus Ray Actis. Lewis had a relatively quiet year, going 1-1, both in title bouts. Lesnevich won two of three, both UD 10s over Bozo and Roth, but fell short in his one title bout effort. Olin went 2-2 for the year, defeating Adamick (UD 10) but dropping a UD to Conn, in addition to two title bouts. Tony Shucco went 2-2 for the year, scoring a TKO over Gibbons and going 1-2 in title bouts. Newcomer Billy Conn impressed with wins over Olin, Lou Scozza and Adamick, but suffered his first career loss to Bozo (UD). Silvers registered a pair of UD wins over Lenhart and Actis, but suffered a SD loss to Lazek. Lenhart reached the top 10 with a MD over Harvey, a TKO over Adamick after taking a SD from Young Firpo. Knight recovered from an early year TKO loss to Actis with a MD 10 over Gustave Roth to move into the top 10. Top 10 dropouts from last year include Roth, down four spots to #11, whose only 1938 success was a TKO over Bozo; recent losses to Lesnevich and Knight caused his drop in the ratings; Adamick, down 8 spots to #13 after a dismal 0-4 year; and Bozo, -4 to #14, with only one win (over Conn) in his last seven. Top newcomer to the list is Eddie Booker, debuting at #12, off to an excellent 18-0 (13) career start, featuring 1938 wins over Al Stillman TKO), Battling Bozo (MD) and Melio Bettina (UD). Heinz Lazek, who briefly held the EBU title belt, ends the year at #15, compiling a 28-5 (20) record thus far. Heuser won the EBU belt but slid backwards after a KO loss to Belanger. Veteran Len Harvey continued to struggle, now having lost his last three and eight of his last nine. Other top newcomers include Jimmy Webb, checking in at #23, off to a 17-2 (9) career start, including a TKO of Young Firpo but a recent UD loss to Danny Devlin for his second career loss, and Archie Moore, one spot lower at #24, with a 13-1-1 (12) career start, his record marred by a KO loss to Booker and a draw with Lloyd Marshall.

Prospects: Marshall, now 13-0-1 (13) remains a hot prospect, having battled Moore to a draw and blasted out Herbie Katz in four while also handling a dozen TC opponents thus far. Tommy Tucker, 12-0-1 (9), includes a win over British prospect Freddie Mills (KO 9) in addition to a UD 10 over Dutchman Jo DeGroot. Mills took a SD over DeGroot but slipped to 12-1 (10) after the one loss to Tucker. Still unbeaten are Nate Bolden, 12-0 (10); Jean Kreitz, 8-0 (6); and Harry Matthews, 7-0 (7).

Retirements: The LH ranks shrunk with a dozen retirements during the year.

Yale Okun (USA) 1923-38 28-23-3 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 37
Lou Scozza (USA) 1925-38 37-17-1 (28) NABF, USBA Champ Highest Rank: 1
Martin Perez (CUB) 1924-38 28-22-4 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 44
Benny Miller (USA) 1926-38 20-20-2 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 55
Sunny Jim Williams (USA) 1921-38 36-30-3 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 33
Roy Wallace (USA) 1921-38 28-29-5 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 49
Ray Tramblie (USA) 1929-28 20-14-2 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 41
Baxter Calmes (USA) 1929-38 20-13-5 (9) No Titles Highest Rank: 28
Billy Papke Jr. (USA) 1930-38 19-12-1 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 33
Wesley Ketchell (USA) 1923-1938 36-25-1 (19) No Titles Highest Rank: 27
Jimmy Slattery (USA) 1921-1938 40-23-3 (12) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 3
Rosy Rosales (MEX) 1927-1938 26-19-2 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 34

Looking Ahead: Obviously, with the Champion and several top contenders now past their prime, look for a major reshuffling in the rankings for 1939. Billy Conn appears to be well poised for a title shot, perhaps even the WBA title, although Tiger Jack Fox will remain as stiff competition. Expect to see Lesnevich remain a top contender, but also with guys like Booker, Bettina and Moore moving up to top 10 status in the future. Not much in the way of newcomers (only two “5” ranked guys) but there are plenty of talented prospects around to fill the void.

[JCWeb]

MW Title Bouts

WBA: Freddie Steele captured the title belt from Holman Williams (UD 15), then defended it twice, defeating Kid Tunero (UD 15) and a rematch with Williams (MD 15).

NABF: This belt became vacant once Steele moved up to claim the WBA crown. Tony Zale defeated Holman Williams for the vacant belt (TKO 6), then won two title defenses, downing Freddie Apostoli (TKO 9) and Johnny Romero (TKO 6).

USBA: Tait Littman began the year with this belt, but he lost it to Johnny Romero (TKO 3). Romero then made one successful defense, beating Young Terry (KO 8).

CBU: Only one title bout during the year, and it saw Jock McAvoy dethrone Lou Brouillard (UD 12) to capture the belt.

GBU: Dormant for over three years, Jock McAvoy made a mandatory defense, turning aside the challenge from Jack Casey (UD 12).

EBU: Three title bouts during the year. First, Eduoard Tenet turned aside a challenge from Jack Casey (SD 12). Then, Marcel Cerdan captured the belt from Tenet (MD 12). Cerdan went on to defend once, beating Hein Domgorgen (TKO 6)

OPBF; Ceferino Garcia captured the title from Ambrose Palmer (UD 12), then defended the belt twice, beating Ron Richards (TKO 7) and then Palmer, in a rematch (TKO 4).

LABF: The title changed hands as Kid Tunero defeated Antonio Fernandez (UD 12).

MW Division Profile

Total: 146 RL: 85 TC: 61

RL by Career Stage:
End - 12
Post - 17
Prime - 35
Pre - 10
Beginning - 11 (7 New)

Rated: 64
800+: 22
500+: 46
200+ : 59

Jan 1939 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1938 in Parens):

Champ: Freddie Steele 43-6-1 (28) (1546) (+1)
1. Tony Zale 23-2 (18) (1321) (+5) (NABF)
2. Holman Williams 26-5 (18) (1214) (-2)
3. Marcel Cerdan 22-0-2 (18) (1174) (+13) (EBU)
4. Ceferino Garcia 39-18-2 (24) (1138) (+25) (OPBF)
5. Lou Brouillard 30-10-2 (1117) (NC)
6. Ken Overlin 33-4-5 (12) (1095) (+1)
7. Johnny Romero 36-13 (23) (1067) (-3) (USBA)
8. Jock McAvoy 32-12-4 (21) (1026) (+4) (CBU, GBU)
9. Freddie Apostoli 21-3 (18) (1024) (+8)
10. Mickey Walker 60-12-2 (44) (1012) (-8)

Others: 17. Kid Tunero 28-8-5 (8) (887) (+2) (LABF)

Comments: Everyone listed still at Prime, except for Mickey Walker who is now at End career stage. After six years as NABF Champion and several unsuccessful attempts (three times versus Mickey Walker, once versus Ken Overlin) Steele finally broke through to capture the WBA title, going 3-0 for the year, extending his current win streak to six straight. Zale moved up to the #1 contender spot, winning all four of his 1938 encounters (three NABF title tilts afer an early season UD 10 win over Brouillard) to extend his winning streak to seven. Despite going 0-3 for the year, Williams remains highly ranked as his only recent losses have been to Steele (twice) and Zale (once). Cerdan, the “Casablanca Clouter,” made a huge move up the rankings, and he remains unbeaten despite being held to a draw by Overlin; a pair of KO wins over Yarosz and Romero added to his record in addition to the EBU title bout wins, making the Frenchman 4-0-1 in 1938. It was a resurgent Garcia who returned to the top 10, going 5-0 for the year, posting UD wins over McAvoy and Vince Dundee in addition to his OPBF title bout activity; the Filipino is riding a nine bout unbeaten streak (eight wins and one draw) that dates back to 1936. Brouillard bounced back from a pair of UD 10 losses to Zale and McAvoy, recording wins over Walker (UD 10) and Overlin (TKO 10). Overlin’s 1938 slate of two wins, one draw plus the loss to Brouillard was sufficient to retain a top 10 spot for the former Champ. “Bandit” Romero went 2-2 for the year, suffering the KO loss to Cerdan on top of his three title bouts. McAvoy moved up with a couple of title bout wins, despite suffering a UD loss to Garcia. Apostoli zoomed into the top group by virtue of wins over Young Terry (UD) and a KO over an aging Mickey Walker; a late season loss to Zale snapped a six-bout win streak for the “Boxing Bellhop.” Walker managed to retain a top 10 spot with a TKO over Solly Krieger, despite the two losses to Brouillard and Apostoli. Sliding down three spots to #11 was Teddy Yarosz, who suffered losses to Cerdan and Ron Richards that were not offset by wins over lower-ranked two lower-ranked guys (Antonio Fernandez and Gorilla Jones). Also down three spots (to #12) was Ron Richards, who suffered a KO loss to Domgorgen that offset two wins versus Yarosz and Dundee. Dropping either further (-23 to #26) was Ambrose Palmer, who lost all four of his 1938 outings; ditto for Jack McVey, who went 0-3 for the year and plummeted 19 spots to #29. LABF titleholder Tunero went 1-1 for the year, taking the belt from Fernandez but falling short in a WBA title try versus Steele. Notable progress was made by Allen Matthews, now #19, who has fashioned an eight bout unbeaten streak (six wins, two draws); his 1938 victims included Fred Henneberry (twice) and Jack “Cast Iron” Casey. Top newcomer to the list is 16-0 (14) Charley Burley, who debuts at #31 after some non-TC wins over Ralph DeJohn, Ben Jeby, and Cuban Relampago Saguero. Aaron Wade, winner of his first 20, slid back to 35^th spot with two successive losses to Overlin (UD) and Ben Brown (TKO). Coley Welch, whose only loss has been to Burley, debuts at #39 with a 14-1-1 (9) career start.

Prospects: DeJohn, who suffered his first career loss to Burley, wrapped up the year at 12-1-1 (7). Still unbeaten after feasting on TC opposition are Georgie Abrams, 10-0 (8): Dick Turpin, 10-0 (7); Steve Mamakos, 10-0 (5); Freddie Cabral, 8-0 (6); George Henry, 8-0 (3); Steve Belloise, 7-0 (5); Billy Soose, 7-0 (5).

Retirements: Only two retirements from the MW ranks in 1938.

Joey La Gray (USA) 1926-38 21-22-10 (9) No Titles Highest Rank: 49
Harry Ebbetts (USA) 1924-38 27-23-6 (14) NABF, USBA Champ Highest Rank: 5

Looking Ahead: Exciting times ahead for the division, with just about all top contenders at Prime. Tony Zale is clearly the top contender to challenge Steele for the WBA title, with unbeaten Marcel Cerdan not far behind. Williams and a rejuvenated Ceferino Garcia remain title threats. Looking ahead to the future, Charley Burley appears likely to develop into a top contender in a year or two. It’s a really international group of newcomers to the ranks for 1939, led by Puerto Rican Jose Basora, featuring fighters from Argentina (Raul Rodriguez), Holland (Luc Van Dam) and Ireland (Pat O’Connor).

[JCWeb]

WW Title Bouts

WBA: The title went back and forth in four title bouts during the year. Vittorio Venturi, who began the year with the belt, defended against Barney Ross (UD 15) but then lost the belt to Jimmy McLarnin (SD 15). McLarnin, in turn, was dethroned by Cocoa Kid (MD 15). In a rematch, McLarnin regained the title by defeating Kid (UD 15).

NABF: Barney Ross began 1938 with this belt, and was held to a draw by Eddie Dolan (D 12). Dolan took the title from Ross in a rematch (UD 12), and then defended once, stopping King Tut (TKO 8).

USBA: Henry Armstrong managed to retain the title, turning aside a challenge from Izzy Jannazzo (UD 12).

CBU: Jack Carroll began the year with the belt, but then lost it to Jack McNamee (TKO 8). Then, in his first defense, McNamee was defeated by Ernie Roderick (UD 12).

GBU: Making his first defense in almost three years, Ernie Rodercik turned aside a challenge from Jack Hood (UD 12).

EBU: The EBU title began the year as vacant, having previously been held by Venturi who had moved up to capture the WBA belt. In the match for the vacant title, Bep Van Klaveren prevailed over Gustav Eder (TKO 11), then prevailed over Eder in a rematch (UD 12).

OPBF: Irineo Flores retains the title, but made no defenses during the year.

LABF: Cocoa Kid began the year with this belt, but vacated it after winning the WBA title. Kid Azteca managed to defeat Battling Shaw (UD 12) to capture the vacant belt.

WW Division Profile

Total: 122 RL: 81 TC: 41

RL by Career Stage:
End - 8
Post - 18
Prime - 28
Pre - 20
Beginning - 7 (5 New)

Rated: 65
800+: 21
500+: 43
200+ : 61

Jan 1939 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1938 in Parens):

Champ: Jimmy McLarnin 52-9-1 (24) (1557) (+2)
1. Cocoa Kid 34-5-2 (11) (1523) (NC)
2. Henry Armstrong 29-3-2 (23) (1414) (+3) (USBA)
3. Young Corbett III 53-15-6 (12) (1284) (+3)
4. Eddie Dolan 27-5-4 (11) (1281) (+3) (NABF)
5. Barney Ross 32-9-3 (1220) (-2)
6. Jimmy Garrison 23-2-1 (2) (1142) (+17)
7. Vittorio Venturi 42-14-7 (11) (1128) (-7)
8. Fritzie Zivic 25-6-3 (14) (1086) (+8)
9. King Tut 33-15-4 (19) (1074) (+5)
10. Izzy Jannazzo 25-4 (13) (1071) (+5)

Others: 11. Irineo Flores 47-24-2 (24) (-2) (1066) (OPBF)
14. Ernie Roderick 21-8-3 (6) (971) (+7) (CBU, GBU)
15. Bep Van Klaveren 27-11-5 (11) (920) (+7) (EBU)
51. Kid Azteca 25-11-1 (13) (389) (NC) (LABF)

Comments: McLarnin, Corbett, Ross and Tut all at Post-Prime, Flores at End, others still at Prime heading into 1939. McLarnin had a resilent year, regaining the WBA title for a fourth and then a fifth time, following up on an early season UD win over Corbett with three title bout efforts. Kid took a SD from Roderick, a UD from Carroll and then had the two title bouts to end up 3-1 for the year. Armstrong took a UD from Jannazzo and scored KO wins over Flores and Van Klaveren, but fell short in his bid for the WBA LW title, so he remains ranked among the WWs. Corbett had a win over Flores (UD), a loss to McLarnin (also UD) and a draw with Garrison to retain a high ranking. Dolan recovered from an early season TKO loss to Wildcat O’Connor with three straight wins, two in NABF title bouts plus a TKO over ex-Champ Cleto Locatelli. Ross, at Post-Prime, struggled, with two losses and an early season draw with Dolan representing his best result. Garrison had an active year – six total bouts – winning four (two UD wins over Goldstein, plus a UD over Callahan and a MD versus Zivic), drawing with Corbett and dropping only one (a UD loss to King Tut) to rise dramatically in the rankings. Venturi lost the title and then a UD to Jannazzo to drop even further. Zivic, in five 1938 outings, went 3-1-1, drawing with Callahan (whom he defeated in a rematch) and winning over Jannazzo (UD) and O’Connor (KO); his only loss came at the hands of Garrison. King Tut moved into the top group after fashioning a four bout winning streak (1938 victims included Carroll, Vaccarelli and Garrison), but a recent TKO loss to Dolan for the NABF title prevented further progress. Jannazzo shot into the top 10 with three straight wins, over Vaccarelli (UD), Palermo (SD) and Venturi (UD), but then slid back with a UD loss to Zivic later in the year. Dropping out of the top group were Flores, who TKO’d Locatelli but then lost to Corbett and Armstrong. Ex-Champ Locatelli, down 4 spots to #12, slo struggled, a TKO victim to Flores and Dolan in his two 1938 outings. Falling even further (nine spots to #25) was another ex-Champ, Ruby Goldstein, who managed a KO over Jack Carroll but that was not enough to offset two losses. Finally, Carroll, who was 0-4 for the year and has now lost his last six, dropped all the way from #10 to #25 as a result. Roderick, who added the CBU title to his GBU one, suffered a SD loss to Cocoa Kid but managed three wins, two in title bouts plus a UD over O’Connor. New EBU Champ Van Klaveren went 2-1 for the year, winning two EBU title tilts but falling short when facing Armstrong (a TKO loss). Piling up an impressive 21-1-3 (11) record, good for #19 spot, is Cuban Joe Legon, who has gone unbeaten in his last nine (with eight wins and one draw); his 1938 victims include Baby Joe Gans (MD), Battling Shaw and Paul Junior (both by UD) and Tony Vaccarelli (via TKO). New LABF Champ Azteca could not even manage to feature in the top 50, having come out on the short end of a SD 10 to lowly-rated My Sullivan; despite the LABF triumph and a KO over Eddie Ran, he failed to advance in the rankings. Top newcomer to the list is unbeaten Canadian Sammy Luftspring, at #27 after an impressive 15-0 (12) career start, with 1938 wins over Ralph Zannelli (SD), Kenny LaSalle (TKO), plus Sten Suvio and Tippy Larkin (both UD). Larkin, listed at JWW, bounced back from the one loss with a UD over Tony Marteliano to end the year at 14-1 (9), good for 35^th spot. Finally, debuting at #40 is Aussie Alan Westbury, who had won seven in a row but lost his last two (UD losses to Indrisano and Georgie Crouch) to end the year at 15-3 (7).

Prospects: Flashy Sebastian, who struggled once beyond the relative comfort of TC opposition, suffered losses to Jesserun, Westbury and Suvio to end the year at 9-4 (3). Omar Kouidri topped Eddie Ran (UD) on top of a string of TC wins to check in at 12-0 (11). Jackie Wilson did likewise, adding Suvio to his TC scalps to end the year at 12-0 (5). Still unbeaten after feasting on TC opposition are Johnny Barbera, 10-0 (6); Vic Dellicurti, 8-0 (5); Vic Caltaux, 7-0 (5); Young Kid McCoy, 6-0 (3); Arthur Danaher, 5-0 (3); and Jimmy McDaniels, 5-0 (3).

Retirements: Three retirements from the WW ranks in 1938.

Bobby Tracey (USA) 1920-38 30-26-11 (8) No Titles Highest Rank: 39
Ted Morgan (NZL) 1929-38 26-10-5 (10 ) No Titles Highest Rank: 43
Jack Hood (UK) 1924-38 29-20-9 (10) CBU, GBU Champ Highest Rank: 6

Looking Ahead: Heroic effort by McLarnin to become a five-time Champion but, now approaching the end of his career, it looks like a new Champ – possibly “Homicide Hank” Armstrong – will emerge. (with both WW and LW Champs at Post-Prime, the door appears open for Armstrong to contend and likely add one or both belts to his FW title.) Other strong contenders include Kid, Dolan and Garrison, while Jannazzo, Legon and Luftspring appear to be on the verge of emerging as future top contenders. Looking ahead to 1939, Sammy Adragna tops the list of five newcomers to the WW ranks in the upcoming year.

[JCWeb]

LW Title Bouts

WBA: Tony Canzoneri continued to reign as WBA LW king, making three more successful title defenses during the year, beating Cecil Payne (UD 15), battling to a draw with Lou Ambers (D 15), and then edging Henry Armstrong (SD 15).

NABF: Frankie Klick began 1938 with this belt, and he made three more defenses, versus Dave Castilloux (D 12), Chino Alvarez (MD 12) and Cecil Payne (UD 12). Then, Wesley Ramey wrested the title from Klick (SD 12).

USBA: Henry Armstrong had vacated this title to campaign at WW, so Lou Ambers defeated Wesley Ramey (UD 12) for the vacant belt. Ambers went to record one successful defense, beating Lew Kirsch (UD 12).

CBU: Jack Kid Berg took the title from Laurie Stevens (UD 12), then defended once, defeating Harry Mizler (UD 12).

GBU: Lack of suitable opponents for Harry Mizler meant this title was idle during the year, with Mizler retaining the belt.

EBU: Once defense by Jack Kid Berg, who defeated challenger Aldo Spoldi (UD 12) for the third time in two years.

OPBF: Inactive for this division.

LABF: Tony Chavez began the year with this belt, and he made one defense against Stanislaus Loayza (UD 12). Then, Pedro Montanez successfully challenged Chavez (UD 12) to capture the belt.

LW Division Profile

Total: 142 RL: 88 TC: 54

RL by Career Stage:
End - 12
Post - 20
Prime - 29
Pre - 19
Beginning - 8 (4 New)

Rated: 65
800+: 23
500+: 39
200+ : 63

Jan 1939 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1938 in Parens):

Champ: Tony Canzoneri 47-4-4 (17) (2040) (NC)
1. Lou Ambers 27-1-1 (17) (1281) (+3) (USBA)
2. Sammy Fuller 44-13-1 (11) (1205) (+9)
3. Wesley Ramey 29-8-5 (10) (1169) (+5) (NABF)
4. Jack Kid Berg 38-14-3 (14) (1165) (+2) (CBU, EBU)
5. Frankie Klick 37-16-6 (13) (1147) (-3)
6. Benny Bass 50-23-5 (16) (1114) (+1)
7. Pedro Montanez 30-6 (16) (1111) (+13) (LABF)
8. Cecil Payne 40-12-4 (9) (1080) (-7)
9. Tony Chavez 25-7-1 (11) (1077) (-6)
10. Aldo Spoldi 31-7-4 (14) (1068) (-1)

Others: 33. Harry Mizler 17-8-4 (15) (576) (-4) (GBU)

Comments: All the above will be at Prime entering 1938 except for Canzoneri, Bass and Payne, who will be at Post. Canzoneri extended his reign for another year, having now made 25 straight title defenses and remaining unbeaten since early 1930 (now almost four years) although that streak includes four draws, including a recent one with new#1 contender, Lou Ambers. Ambers began the year with a UD 10 over Chavez, then added the USBA title wins, ending the year riding an 11-bout unbeaten streak (10 wins plus the one draw with Canzoneri). A resurgent Sammy Fuller returned to the top 10 with three wins (a KO of Portney, a UD over Roth and a MD over Berg). Ramey recovered from a USBA title loss to Ambers with a pair of UD wins over Tony Morgano and Payne, topped by the NABF title triumph. Berg had a three-bout winning streak – all in title bouts – snapped by the MD loss to Fuller. Klick had four 1938 outings, all in title bouts, recording two wins, a loss and a draw but nonetheless slid down the rankings behind more successful contenders. Bass recovered from an early year setback (a UD loss to Spoldi) with a pair of wins (UD over Glick and a SD over long-time contender Ray Miller). Montanez zoomed up the rankings on the back of an eight-bout win streak, five coming during the year, including a MD over Dave Castilloux, UD wins over Spoldi and Chino Alvarez, topped by the dethroning of Chavez as LABF Champion. Payne dropped after an unimpressive 2-2 season, his only wins coming versus lower ranked guys like Mizler (MD 10) and Tod Morgan (TKO 9). Similarly, Chavez took a tumble after losing his last two bouts. Spoldi barely managed to retain a top 10 spot with a recent KO 1 thrashing of Alvarez to offset earlier losses during the year to Berg and Montanez. Just missing the top 10 was Al Roth, winner of six of his last seven, all of wins coming against lower ranked guys like Baby Sal Sorio and Eddie Zivic, and the one loss coming to Fuller. Dropping out of the top group from last year were Miller, down three spots to #13, who had three losses and a draw in five 1938 outings (his only win coming against Portney), and Morgan, down nine sports to #14, after going 1-2 for the year with devastating KO losses to Payne and Laurie Stevens. Lew Jenkins, the “Sweetwater Swatter,” debuts at #19, having remained unbeaten with a narrow SD verdict over ex-LABF LW Champ Justo Suarez but having been held to a draw by GBU Champ Mizler, leaving him at 18-01 (11), one bout short of hitting Prime career stage. Mizler racked up two more losses to go with the draw with Jenkins to remained mired in the lower echelons of a division lacking in credible British fighters at the moment. Sammy “Clutch” Angott improved to 15-2-2 (8), good for 34^th spot, one below Mizler, after an excellent 1938 campaign consisting of three wins and one draw. Other newcomers to the list include Pete Lello, #42 with a 15-1 (13) record (Who registered a UD win over Wildcat Carter but suffered his first career loss to Bobby Pacho, and Luther White, #46, now 14-1-1 (7) after three wins and a draw during the year, including a UD over fellow prospect Billy Marquart and a draw with Bruce Flowers.

Prospects: Not smooth sailing for all the LW prospects looking to improve their standing while at Pre-Prime career stage. Marquart, for example, lost to White (UD 10) and struggled to a SD win over a TC, ending the year at 12-2 (6). George Latka was able to maintain a unblemished career mark, improving to 11-0 (8) with a TKO over Jimmy Tygh and a SD over Pete Nebo. Tygh’s initial career setback left him at 9-1-1 (8). Willie Joyce, 10-0 (8); Larry Cisneros, 9-0 (7); Julie Kogan and Maxie Shapiro, both now 7-0 (4); and Allie Stolz, 6-0 (5) fared better, while sticking to easier TC opposition. In one notable exception, Lenny Mancini outboxed fellow prospect Al Davis, taking a UD 8 en route to posting a 7-0-1 (4) career start, while Davis ended the year at 6-1 (5).

Retirements: Six retirements from the LW ranks in 1938, including Canzoneri’s predecessor as WBA LW Champion.

Ah Wing Lee (USA) 1927-38 25-13-4 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 21
Al Singer (USA) 1927-38 28-17-7 (15) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 9
Sammy Mandell (USA) 1920-38 43-28-1 (10) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 5
Billy Grime (AUS) 1920-38 31-29-4 (16) CBU Title Highest Rank: 7
Billy Petrolle (USA) 1922-38 47-15-5 (25) WBA Champion 1929-32
Joe Marcus (USA) 1924-38 31-22-8 (3) No Titles Highest Rank: 30

Should also note the retirement of long-time JWW fringe contender Mickey Cohen, whom I neglected to mention in the WW review. His career stats:

Mickey Cohen (USA) 1924-38 26-25-3 (10) USBA JWW Champ Highest Rank: 2 (JWW)

Looking Ahead: Having survived a couple of tough scrapes with Ambers and Armstrong, Canzoneri – now at Post-Prime – has got to be near the end of his long title reign (dating back to 1932). Ambers and Armstrong (currently ranked at WW) seem the most logical successors, but a resurgent Sammy Fuller, Brit Jack Kid Berg (the “Whitechapel Whirlwind”) and newly crowned LABF Champ Montanez have got to tbe considered as possible title aspirants. Further down the ranks, the “Sweetwater Swatter,” Lew Jenkins, remains unbeatend but is likely to face much stiffer competition once he hits Prime after his next bout. New talent is arriving in 1939, notably Beau Jack, Lulu Costantino and Canadian Harry Hurst who top the list of scheduled debutants.

[JCWeb]

FW Title Bouts

WBA: Baby Arizmendi began the year with the title, and he defended it twice, defeating Battling Battalino (UD 15) and Petey Sarron (SD 15). Then, Simon Chavez defeated Arizmendi (TKO 7) to capture the belt.

NABF: The title began the year as vacant, with Arizmendi, having won the WBA title, having relinquished the belt. Freddie Miller defeated Kid Chocolate (UD 12) to win the vacant belt, then made two defenses, defeating Jimmy Perrin (TKO 12) and Chalky Wright (SD 12).

USBA: Battling Battalino began 1938 with this title, and he made a successful defense, defeating Petey Sarron (UD 12). Later in the year, Chalky Wright beat Battalino (UD 12) to capture the belt.

CBU: Pete DeGrasse, who has held this belt since 1936, defended twice, both against Merv Blandon, winning both (UD 12 and TKO 11).

GBU: Dave Crowley made one defense, turning aside a challenge from Ginger Foran (UTD 8). Then, Frank Parkes defeated Crowley (UD 12) to become the new GBU Champion.

EBU: Frenchman Maurice Holtzer retained this belt, making one successful defense, defeating Dave Crowley (MD 12).

OPBF: Tsuneo Horiguchi, the first Japanese to hold a title in this Universe, defended this title, defeating Varias Milling (UD 12).

LABF: This title, like the NABF belt, began the year as vacant (previously held by Arizmendi). Filio Julian Echevarria captured the vacant title by defeating Simon Chavez (UD 12). The belt then changed hands after Enrique Chafferdet defeated Echevarria (UD 12).

FW Division Profile

Total: 110 RL: 66 TC: 44

RL by Career Stage:
End - 6
Post - 11
Prime - 32
Pre - 10
Beginning - 7 (4 New)

Rated: 51
800+: 16
500+: 31
200+ : 49

Jan 1939 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1938 in Parens):

Champ: Simon Chavez 25-8-2 (6) (1081) (+11)
1. Kid Chocolate 36-7-7 (16) (1131) (NC)
2. Baby Arizmendi 36-8-2 (10) (1086) (-2)
3. Maurice Holtzer 40-15-3 (14) (1075) (NC) (EBU)
4. Freddie Miller 35-10-1 (15) (1074) (+1) (NABF)
5. Chalky Wright 30-10-4 (14) (1023) (+2) (USBA)
6. Battling Battalino 39-12 (13) (1022) (-4)
7. Pete DeGrasse 36-14-3 (10) (1003) (-3) (CBU)
8. Frankie Covelli 28-10-8 (7) (936) (-2)
9. Enrique Chafferdet 34-15-7 (10) (901) (+6) (LABF)
10. Filio Julian Echevarria 31-12-4 (12) (900) (-2)

Others: 14. Tsuneo Horiguchi 22-5 (14) (825) (-1) (OPBF)
18. Frank Parkes 20-2 (14) (684) (+8) (GBU)

Comments: All the above at Prime except for Chocolate and Holtzer, who will be at Post in 1939. Simon Chavez is the new WBA Champion, despite starting the year off with a UD loss to DeGrasse plus an unsuccessful LABF title try; his only prior success during the year was a TKO over lowly ranked Tommy Paul, which was hardly a harbinger of a WBA title winning performance. Despite being at Post-Prime, Kid Chocolate continues in the top contender spot, despite a rather unimpressive series of 1938 outings (draws with DeGrasse and Covelli, an NABF title loss and just one win, a UD over Paul). Arizmendi slipped after the title loss to Chavez snapped a nine-bout winning streak compiled by the Mexican. EBU Champ Holtzer impressed with two defenses, but then dropped a SD to Horiguchi but finished the year with a pair of wins (a UD over Paul plus a TKO of Miller). Miller managed three NABF title wins but the loss to Holtzer prevented further progress and snapped a four-bout winning streak. Wright was 2-1 for the year, splitting two title bouts and taking a UD 10 over Brit Dave Crowley. “Bat” Battalino was 1-2, all in title bouts, and slipped in the rankings as a result. DeGrasse managed two wins, one draw and a loss in his 1938 campaign, besting Horiguchi (SD 10), drawing with Chocolate but losing to Chavez (UD 10). Covelli had a pair of draws with Chocolate and Rightmire, dropped a UD to Jimmy Perrin, and his only win during the year was a UD over aging ex-Champ Chick Suggs. Chafferdet moved into the top 10 by going 2-0 for the year, a UD 10 over Bus Breese setting up his successful try for the LABF title. Finally, Echevarria rounds out the top group, taking a UD over Horiguchi and going 1-1 in two LABF title tilts. Top 10 dropout Petey Sarron fell two spots to #11, losing two title bouts but taking a UD from Horiguchi. Jimmy Perrin dropped from #10 to #13, advancing with a UD win over Covelli but then faltering in a title try, and a late season draw with lower-ranked Mike Belloise did not help his cause. A busy Horiguchi went 2-3 for the year, his best result being a SD win over Holtzer. Top newcomer to the list, at #15, is Harold Hoshino, off to an impressive 19-0 (14) career start, taking UD wins over fellow prospects Petey Scalzo and Johnny Marcelline in addition to triumphs over veteran performers Petey Hayes and Nel Tarleton, for a total of six wins in six 1938 outings. Brit Frank Parkes continued his improvement, going 3-1 for the year, capturing the GBU belt in addition to a TKO win over Tarleton; he did falter, however, dropping a UD to Mike Belloise. Johnny Marcelline debuts at #39, dropping a UD 10 to Hoshino but registering four wins during the year – victims including Irving Eldredge (MD) and Harold “Snooks” Lacey – to check in with a 15-2 (6) mark.

Prospects: Top prospects with 10 to 15 bouts in thus far all have at least one loss on their respective ledgers. Petey Scalzo, now 13-1 (10), scored impressive KO wins over fellow prospects Eddie Miller and Jackie Callura, decisioned Harold Lacey, but lost to Hoshino. Miller, now 11-1 (7), took an impressive UD 10 win over aging vet Dom Volante, but was a Scalzo KO victim. Canadian Jackie Callura also was blasted out in two by Scalzo for his second career setback, leaving him at 10-2 (7). Still unbeaten after feasting on TC opposition are Albert Mancini, 9-0 (5); Sal Bartolo, 9-0 (4); Richie Lemos, 8-0 (4); National Kid, 7-0 (3); and Joe Marinelli, 6-0 (3).

Retirements: Eight FWs left the ranks during 1938.

Johnny Datto (PHI) 1920-38 35-28-4 (11) OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 23
Johnny Cuthbert (UK) 1920-38 35-34-2 (11) EBU, CBU, GBU Champ Highest Rank: 4
Johnny Farr (USA) 1922-38 33-24-5 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 15
Eddie Shea (USA) 1922-38 36-23-4 (16) NABF, USBA Champ Highest Rank: 13
Bobby Garcia (USA) 1920-38 34-26-6 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 9
Doc Snell (USA) 1922-38 31-26-8 (8) No Titles Highest Rank: 33
Seaman Tommy Watson (UK) 1925-38 32-19-4 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 19
Steve Smith (USA) 1922-38 32-24-13 (13) USBA Title Highest Rank: 16

Looking Ahead: The FW has to be the most volatile division right now, with a revolving door of WBA Champions continuing with Chavez and no end in sight, particular since Henry Armstrong decided to take his talent to higher weight classes. With Kid Chocolate and now Holtzer at Post, Mexican Baby Arizmendi is a favorite to regain the title. It remains to be seen if hot prospect Harold Hoshino can continue his march up the ranks once hitting Prime career stage and facing the inevitable competition from higher ranked opposition. Each of the four newcomers set to join the division ranks in 1939 is rated “5” or below.

[JCWeb]

BW Title Bouts

WBA: Johnny King began the year with the title, and he defended it twice, defeating Baltazar Sangchili (TKO 12) and Benny Sharkey (KO 3).

NABF: The title began the year with Canadian Horace Gwynne, who retained it when battling to a draw with Peter Sanstol (D 12). Later in the year, Panama Al Brown defeated Gwynne to capture the belt (UD 12).

USBA: This title changed hands twice in three 1938 title bouts. First, Georgie Pace captured the belt by defeating Lew Farber (UD 12). Then, K. O. Morgan defeated Farber (UD 12) to claim the belt. Finally, Morgan defended once, turning aside a challenge from Star Frisco (UD 12).

CBU: Horace Gwynne kept this belt for another year, making two successful defenses, defeating Tom Smith (TKO 5) and Mickey Miller (UD 12).

GBU: Having remained dormant for over a year (since Johnny King vacated the title after capturing the WBA belt), the matchup for the open title went to Tom Smith, victorious over Dick Corbett (UD 12).

EBU: Two successful defenses by Baltazar Sangchili, versus Kid Francis (UD 12) and Tom Smith (SD 12).

OPBF: Three title bouts during the year, and three successful defenses by Little Pancho, downing challengers Young Tommy (MD 12), Mickey Miller (MD 12) and Pablo Dano (TKO 9).

LABF: This title, held by Panama Al Brown, was up for grabs once, with Brown defeating challenger Raul Casanova (UD 12).

BW Division Profile

Total: 86 RL: 49 TC: 37

RL by Career Stage:
End - 3
Post - 8
Prime - 25
Pre - 7
Beginning - 6 (4 New)

Rated: 36
800+: 14
500+: 27
200+ : 36

Jan 1939 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1938 in Parens):

Champ: Johnny King 45-5-1 (18) (1557) (NC)
1. Panama Al Brown 58-10-1 (20) (1625) (NC) (NABF, LABF)
2. Pete Sanstol 36-10-4 (9) (1378) (NC)
3. Sixto Escobar 29-6-1 (10) (1267) (+1)
4. Little Pancho 33-7-5 (9) (1147) (+2) (OPBF)
5. Speedy Dado 35-16-2 (14) (1123) (-2)
6. Pablo Dano 33-11-5 (15) (1028) (-1)
7. Horace Gwynne 24-4-1 (14) (978) (+5) (CBU)
8. Raul Casanova 24-5-1 (14) (927) (+2)
9. Benny Sharkey 31-13-2 (18) (907) (+5)
10. K. O. Morgan 28-11-5 (16) (906) (-1) (USBA)

Others: 11. Baltazar Sangchili 33-10 (18) (885) (+1) (EBU)
25. Tom Smith 18-5-4 (10) (581) (-2) (GBU)

Comments: All the above at Prime except for Gwynne (at Post coming into 1939). King completed another year with the WBA title, extending his winning streak to five with two more successful defenses. Brown remained a solid #1 contender, adding UD wins over Dano and Morgan to two successful title bouts; he is now riding an 11-bout win streak and has won 16 of his last 17. Sanstol battled to a draw with Gwynne, adding a pair of wins over Farber and Pace, doing well enough to retain his status as #2 ranked contender. Escobar won all three of his bouts during 1938, recording a MD win over Dano and UD wins versus Casanova and Chris Pineda. Little Pancho is riding the crest of an 11-bout winning streak, with four wins in 1938: three OPBF title wins plus a UD over Dick Corbett. Dado had an inconsistent year, going 2-2, the losses coming to Escober and Dano; the wins versus Smith (MD 10) and Sangchili (SD 10). Dano’s UD win over Dado should have moved him up, but he slipped with losses to Brown and Little Pancho (in an OPBF title clash). Gwynne retained his top 10 status with a pair of CBU title wins but struggled with the top guys, losing to Brown (for the NABF belt) and managing just a draw with Sanstol. After an early season loss (for the LABF belt), Casanova managed a UD win over Farber and a late-season win over lower-ranked Joseph Decico after a loss to Escobar in mid-season. Sharkey moved into the top group with wins over Bobby Green (UD) and Morgan (TKO) but fells short in a title matchup with King. Morgan hangs on to the #10 spot despite the loss to Sharkey; the two USBA title wins helped. EBU Champ Sangchili just fell short of the top 10, dropping a split duke to Dado and going 1-1 in title bouts, 1-2 overall. Top 10 dropouts from last year were Lew Farber, down six spots to #14, recording just one win (a UD 10 over Kid Francis) in four 1938 outings, and Young Tommy, -8 spots to #15, dropping after a three-bout losing streak. New GBU Champ Tom Smith struggled with tougher opposition, suffering a MD 10 loss to Dado in addition to unsuccessful forays for other titles. Lurking just outside the top 10 is Lou Salica, who had won six in a row before a UD loss to Georgie Pace; Salica ends up the year at #12 with a 23-4 (9) record. Just one newcomer makes the rankings list, and it is Herman Remscheid, who checks in at #29 with a 13-3-1 (7) career mark thus far. His 1938 wins include a UD over Ernie Maurer and a KO of Tony Marino, but he also lost to fellow prospect Ritchie Tanner.

Prospects: Still unbeaten, at 14-0 (9), is Tommy Forte, whose 1938 results include UD wins over Tony Marino, Jo Teiken and Horace Mann. Right behind, checking in at 13-0 (12), is David Kui Kong Yang, a UD 10 winner over Teiken and a TKO winner over journeyman Huerta Evans. Tanner, a DQ loser earlier in his career, managed to keep his recent record unblemished, with a UD over Remscheid and a SD over Tony Olivera to end the year at 12-1 (8). Olivera, now 11-1 (11), piled up a series of TC wins but suffered the one loss to Tanner. Still perfect versus TC opposition are Benny Goldberg, 6-0 (6) and Manuel Ortiz, 5-0 (4). Theo Medina (1-0, 1) and Joe Cornelis (1-0, 0) made successful career debuts.

Retirements: Three retirements from the BW ranks in 1938.

Dynamite Murphy (USA) 1920-38 36-32-3 (18) No Titles Highest Rank: 17
Ernie Maurer (USA) 1932-38 18-12-2 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 29
Archie Bell (USA) 1923-38 38-18-8 (11) WBA Champion 1931, 1932 Highest Rank: 3

Looking Ahead: Two stand head-and-shoulders above the rest – WBA Champ Johnny King and ex-Champ and top contender Panama Al Brown – and so fight fans are hoping to see a title bout between these two some time in 1939. With most of the top contenders still at Prime, it means interesting time for the division, particularly some talented prospects such as Forte, Kui Kong Yang and Tanner poised to move into the rankings in the next year. Mexican Luis Castillo tops the four newcomers set to join the ranks in 1939.

[JCWeb]

FLY Title Bouts

WBA: After a year-long hiatus (testing the waters in the BW division), Midget Wolgast returned to the division with an active year, defending the belt four times: defeating Istvan Enekes (UD 15), Fidel LaBarba (UD 15), Frankie Genaro (UD 15) and Small Montana (UD 15).

NABF: Frankie Genaro began the year with this title, and defended it for the first time in over a year, beating Ruby Bradley (TKO 11).

USBA: Ruby Bradley retains this title for another year without making a title defense, as no suitable challengers emerged.

CBU: After a three year-plus hiatus, a flurry of activity with a trio of title bouts during the year. In the first of these, a new Champion was crowned as Tiny Bostock took the title from Jackie Brown (TKO 6). Then, Jimmy Gill defeated Bostock (UD 12) to capture the belt. Gill then defended successfully, beating Joe Curran (UD 12).

GBU: Three title bouts in 1938. Benny Lynch retained the belt with successful defenses versus Joe Curran (UD 12) and Jimmy Gill (UD 12). Then, Jackie Brown defeated Lynch (MD 12) to capture the title.

EBU: No fewer than four EBU title bouts were organized during the year. In the first of these, Istvan Enekes retained the title by edging Fortunato Ortega (SD 12). Then, Emile Pladner took the belt from Enekes (DQ 2). In a rematch, Enekes regained the title from Pladner (UD 12) and defended against Ortega (UD 12).

OPBF: No activity since 1935; Small Montana retains this belt.

LABF: Inactive in this division.

FLY Division Profile

Total: 62 RL: 36 TC: 26

RL by Career Stage:
End - 4
Post - 5
Prime - 17
Pre - 7
Beginning - 3 (1 New)

Rated: 5
800+: 15
500+: 27
200+ : 29

Jan 1939 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1938 in Parens):

Champ: Midget Wolgast 47-5-1 (18) (1524) (NC)
1. Frankie Genaro 50-18-6 (19) (941) (+2) (NABF)
2. Istvan Enekes 32-6-1 (10) (881) (-1) (EBU)
3. Jackie Brown 34-14-3 (12) (823) (-1) (GBU)
4. Benny Lynch 29-7 (16) (822) (NC)
5. Ernst Weiss 23-4-1 (8) (781) (+1)
6. Jimmy Gill 24-5-3 (10) (750) (+5) (CBU)
7. Ruby Bradley 35-18-7 (9) (741) (NC) (USBA)
8. Peter Kane 18-1 (10) (700) (+2)
9. Valentin Angelmann 31-17-1 (12) (689) (+3)
10. Small Montana 21-8-3 (8) (688) (-2) (OPBF)

Comments: All the above at Prime except for Genaro (at End career stage), Lynch and Bradley (both at Post) and Kane (one more bout at Pre before hitting Prime). Wolgast continued as Champion, racking up four more successful title defenses to run his number of successful defenses to 20. Genaro overcame the effects of aging and moved back to the #1 contender spot by going 3-1 during the year, 2-1 in title bouts plus a SD 10 over Frenchman Eugene Huat. Enekes was 3-2 during an active 1938, all in title bouts, but slipped a spot due to his upset loss to the lower-ranked Pladner who does not even make the top 10 this year. Brown rebounded from an upset loss to Bostock with a KO 1 over Young Perez, plus a win in the GBU title bout. Lynch went 3-1 for the year, 2-1 in title bouts in addition to adding a SD 10 over Angelmann. Weiss recovered from an early year MD loss to Gill with three straight wins, over Curran (via DQ), Ortega (via TKO) and Stein (UD). Gill had an active year, contesting five bouts, coming away with wins over Weiss (MD) and Montana (UD) in addition to going 2-1 in title tilts. Bradley snapped a five-bout winless streak with wins over Newsboy Brown (UD) and Pladner (TKO) that were enough to retain top 10 status that had been in danger of slipping away. Kane, last year’s top newcomer, continued to show progress, posting wins over Warnock (UD) and Jurich (UD) but also suffering his first career loss (a TKO to Huat). Angelmann was 4-1 during the year, moving into the top 10 by virtue of wins over Pladner (UD), McGuire and Whalley (SDs) and Urbinati (MD), only setback was a SD loss to the higher ranked Lynch. Rounding out the top group is Montana, who managed just one win (a UD over Bradley) while suffering losses to Gill and Wolgast in the WBA title bout. Top 10 dropouts from the prior year include Fidel LaBarba (who retired) and Fortunato Ortega, down eight spots to #12 after losing all three of his 1938 outings (Ortega is now winless since mid-1937). A good year for Tiny Bostock, who fashioned a three bout winning streak, holding the CBU belt for awhile but then falling ack after losses to LaBarba and Gill (for the belt) to end the year at #14 with a 19-9 (1) record. Top newcomer to the rankings list is Jackie Jurich, checking in at 14-2 (12), good for 16^th spot. Jurich suffered his first career losses to Rinty Monaghan (MD) and Kane (UD) but did manage a UD over aging vet Pinky Silverberg to justify his spot among the top 20, and he is still at Pre-Prime.

Prospects: Still unbeaten, at 14-0 (11), is Little Dado, who registered a UD over journeyman Frankie Anselm on top of a slew of TC wins. Raul DeGryse, now 10-0 (6), has also counted a list of TC victims but also holds a DQ win over fellow prospect Hans Schiffers; the German checks in at 6-1 (3). Italian Gavino Matta remains unbeaten, at 5-0 (2). Off to good starts are Teddy Gardner, 2-0 (1), and Jackie Paterson, 1-0 (1).

Retirements: Two fighters left the FLY ranks in 1938.

Fidel LaBarba (USA) 1924-38 44-14-1 (10) WBA Champion 1929 Highest Rank: 1
Harry Stein (GER) 1924-38 35-20-4 (20) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 4

Looking Ahead: Wolgast continues to dominate the division with no credible challenger in the immediate future, at least until the Midget hits Post-Prime which is due to happen in 1940. Genaro is due to follow his fellow American, LaBarba, into retirement, leaving a dearth of credible US-based contenders. Little Dado appears to be the best of the current crop of prospects, but he is at least a year away from making a serious run into the rankings. Look for Brit Peter Kane to challenge for titles in 1939. Only one newcomer to the ranks for 1939 (Algerian Mustapha Mustaphoui) who is only rated a “4.”

[JCWeb]

Wrapping up the year-end reports, here are the PFP (pound-for-pound) rankings as well as the year-end awards.

1939 PFP RANKINGS ( Perf Points and Changes from Last Year in Parens)

1. Tony Canzoneri, LW, WBA Champ (2040) (NC)
2. Maxie Rosenbloom, LH, WBA Champ (1647) (+2)
3. Panama Al Brown, BW, LABF and NABF Champ (1625) (+3)
4. Max Schmeling, HW, WBA Champ (1596) (-1)
5. Joe Louis, HW (1595) (-3)
6. Midget Wolgast, FLY, WBA Champ (1584) (+1)
7. Jimmy McLarnin, WW, WBA Champ (1557) (+3)
8. Johnny King, BW, WBA Champ (1557) (-3)
9. Freddie Steele, MW, WBA Champ (1546) (-1)
10. Cocoa Kid, WW (1523) (-1)

Dropouts from last year: None

Comments: A couple of interesting observations: First, no newcomers or departures from last year's list, just a reshuffling of some of the spots. Second, seven of the eight WBA Champions make the list -- only the FW Champ is missing -- something that hasn't happened before. For Canzoneri, it is his third straight year at the top, following in the footsteps of prior greats like Abe Attell, Benny Leonard, Mickey Walker and (surprisingly) Max Schmeling. Just missing the list at #11 is Henry Armstrong, who is likely to make the list next year. Senior member in terms of consecutive years -- seven -- is Canzoneri, but two others have been on the list for a decade now: Panama Al Brown (since 1928) and McLarnin (since 1929).

1938 YEAR-END AWARDS

Fighter of the Year: Midget Wolgast
Fight of the Year: Tony Canzoneri SD 15 Henry Armstrong (WBA LW)
Newcomer of the Year: Marcel Cerdan (MW)
Upset of the Year (tie): Max Schmeling UTD 9 Joe Louis (WBA HW)
Simon Chavez TKO 7 Baby Arizmendi (WBA FW)

Comments: With some dominant Champions, Fighter of the Year could also have gone to Canzoneri (again), Steele, Schmeling, Panama Al or even a resurgent Jimmy McLarnin. But, winning four title bouts with relative ease (as was done by Wolgast, the first Fly to capture this honor) is the deciding factor. Fight of the year was the razor-thin matchup between two all-time greats, Canzoneri and Armstrong. Newcomer of the year, could have been LH Billy Conn, but Cerdan did capture a lesser belt and kept his unbeaten record, so he takes that award. Upset of the year was too close to call, so two bouts feature. One, the shocking title loss by Louis mainly because of the manner of the loss (i.e. there was not that great of a gap in ability between the two men) whereas, in the case of Chavez versus Arizmendi, it was the talent gap that caused the nomination.

A couple of notes of longest unbeaten streaks:

Current streaks: Canzoneri (29), Cerdan (24)
Active fighters with streaks during their careers: LH Tiger Jack Fox (33), Canzoneri (29), Loughran (27), Walker (26), Louis, Eder and Wolgast (25)

[JCWeb]

JANUARY 1939
ROLL OF CHAMPIONS

(Date won title in parens) (No. of successful title defenses since then in second parens)

HW

WBA: Max Schmeling (Oct. 1938) (0)
NABF: Jimmy Mendes (Jan. 1938) (1)
USBA: Jersey Joe Walcott (Sep. 1938) (1)
CBU: Tommy Farr (Jan. 1937) (4)
GBU: Tommy Martin (Aug. 1937) (0)
EBU: Jack Peterson (Nov. 1938) (0)
OPBF: Vacant
LABF: Jimmy Mendes (Nov. 1937) (0)

LH

WBA: Maxie Rosenbloom (Jan. 1937) (5)
NABF: Bob Olin (Nov. 1938) (0)
USBA: Tiger Jack Fox (Apr. 1937) (4)
CBU: Charley Belanger (Aug. 1937) (0)
GBU: Len Harvey (Jun. 1934) (1)
EBU: Adolf Heuser (May 1938) (0)

MW

WBA: Freddie Steele (Feb. 1938) (2)
NABF: Tony Zale (May 1938) (2)
USBA: Johnny Romero (Jan. 1938) (1)
CBU: Jock McAvoy (Jul. 1938) (0)
GBU: Jock McAvoy (Oct. 1930) (8)
EBU: Marcel Cerdan (Aug. 1938) (1)
OPBF: Ceferino Garcia (Jan. 1938) (2)
LABF: Kid Tunero (Jan. 1938) (0)

WW

WBA: Jimmy McLarnin (Nov. 1938) (0)
NABF: Eddie Dolan (Oct. 1938) (1)
USBA: Henry Armstrong (Oct. 1937) (2)
CBU: Ernie Roderick (Dec. 1938) (0)
GBU: Ernie Roderick (May 1935) (0)
EBU: Bep Van Klaveren (Feb. 1938) (1)
OPBF: Irineo Flores (May 1937) (1)
LABF: Kid Azteca (Sep. 1938) (0)

LW

WBA: Tony Canzoneri (Mar. 1932) (24)
NABF: Wesley Ramey (Dec. 1938) (0)
USBA: Lou Ambers (Jan. 1938) (1)
CBU: Jack Kid Berg (Jun. 1938) (1)
GBU: Harry Mizler (Feb. 1937) (1)
EBU: Jack Kid Berg (Jan. 1937) (2)
LABF: Pedro Montanez (Dec. 1938) (0)

FW

WBA: Simon Chavez (Oct. 1938) (0)
NABF: Freddie Miller (Feb. 1938) (2)
USBA: Chalky Wright (Nov. 1938) (0)
CBU: Pete DeGrasse (Jul. 1936) (4)
GBU: Frank Parkes (Sep. 1938) (0)
EBU: Maurice Holtzer (May 1936) (4)
OPBF: Tsuneo Horiguchi (Jul. 1937) (1)
LABF: Enrique Chafferdet (Aug. 1938) (0)

BW

WBA: Johnny King (Jun. 1937) (3)
NABF: Panama Al Brown (Dec. 1938) (0)
USBA: K. O. Morgan (Apr. 1938) (0)
CBU: Horace Gwynne (Apr. 1936) (3)
GBU: Tom Smith (May 1938) (0)
EBU: Baltazar Sangchili (Jun. 1937) (3)
OPBF: Little Pancho (Apr. 1937) (4)
LABF: Panama Al Brown (Nov. 1936) (2)

FLY

WBA: Midget Wolgast (May 1931) (20)
NABF: Frankie Genaro (Dec. 1934) (3)
USBA: Ruby Bradley (Jul. 1935) (2)
CBU: Jimmy Gill (Oct. 1938) (1)
GBU: Jackie Brown (Dec. 1938) (0)
EBU: Istvan Enekes (Aug. 1938) (1)
OPBF: Small Montana (Jan. 1935) (1)

Comments: Again, the majority of titles (33 of 59) changed hands during the past year (1938). Longest serving WBA titleholder remains Midget Wolgast (close to eight years now) but Canzoneri has made the most successful title defenses (24). Longest serving titleholder of any kind is GBU MW king Jock McAvoy, whose reign goes back to the beginning of the decade (1930), but he has averaged less than one defense per year.

For myself, while I hope to remain active going into a new year in real life in addition to this Uni, I also want to get back to a project I started a few years back, running some all-time great tournaments, starting with the lower weight classes and using a different database, so look for some posts in this forum and maybe a bit fewer posts in this thread in the coming months. Hopefully I can keep both going at a reasonable clip this time, we'll see.

[JCWeb]

Pleased to announce that action from 1939 is underway, starting off with some relatively light cards (50 bouts total) from the first half of January 1939.

Jan. 6, 1939: First up is a Friday night card at Buffalo. No title bouts on the card, which is headlined by a HW matchup between #5 Joe Banovic and Roscoe Toles, a fringe contender on the verge of moving into the top 10. The bout remains close for the first half of the bout, then Toles develops some swelling under his left eye. Banovic takes advantage, pulling ahead on points as the bout heads into the later rounds. Toles tries to become more aggressive, but Banovic continues to land at will, and by round eight there is swelling under Toles’ other eye. More problems for Toles in the form of a cut over his right eye in round nine. Banovic eases up near the end and walks away with a MD 10 (96-94, 95-95, 97-93) to run his career record to 38-14-2 (11). Toles ends the bout at 27-6-3 (6).

Jan. 7, 1939: Action in the Far East, with a card at Manila’s Rizal Arena. No titles on the line, and the main event pits OPBF Fly Champ Small Montana against Spain’s Fortunato Ortega. Ortega holds a prior TKO win over Montana from 1934. Not much in the way of action until round five, when a big shot from Ortega forces the Filipino to cover up. Ortega pulls ahead, but Montana battles back, doing enough damage to cause some swelling to appear under the right eye of Ortega. In the end, Ortega does enough to take a MD 10 (98-94. 96-96, 98-94), with some hometown judging preventing a sweep of all three cards. Post-bout records: Ortega, 23-8-4 (12); Montana, 21-9-3 (8).

Jan. 7, 1939: Next card is at Miami. Again, no titles at stake, main event matches two top five BW contenders: Pete Sanstol and Sixto Escobar. Prior meeting, back in 1934, resulted in a TKO win for Escobar. This time around, after the two exchange blows on the inside in the early going, Sanstol pulls ahead, to a solid lead (50-46 on the unofficial card) by the bout’s midway point. Escobar responds by getting more aggressive in the later rounds, and he closes the gap with a huge round eight. In round nine, Sanstol connects with a big left, forcing Escobar to cover up. The bout goes the distance, and surprisingly, it winds up as a majority draw (96-96, 96-94 Escobar, 95-95), indicating that the unofficial scorer was off by a couple of points. The results leaves Sanstol, still the #2 ranked BW, at 36-10-5 (9); Escobar, still #3, at 29-6-2 (10).

Jan.13, 1939: Chicago’s Comiskey Park hosts a Friday night card. Big match here is the main event, pitting top 10 WW Izzy Jannazzo against Paul Junior. First meeting of the two. Jannazzo pulls ahead with a strong third round, landing some good shots and causing some initial swelling to appear around the right eye of Junior. The swelling worsens as the bout continues and, as a result, Jannazzo cruises to a fairly comfortable UD 10 (99-92, 97-94, 97-94) to run his record to an excellent 26-4 (13) – solid performance by Izzy to secure his top 10 status. Junior drops to 26-14-7 (14) with the loss.

Jan. 14, 1939: Cannes, France is the scene for the next fistic action, and it features a rematch between two top LHs – with John Henry Lewis crossing the Atlantic to take on Belgian Gustave Roth. Lewis took a TKO from Roth back in 1936, in London, but things may be different this time as Lewis has hit the dreaded Post-Prime career stage. Early rounds see a punches landed edge for Lewis. However, by the end of round four, Roth has succeeded in bloodying the American’s nose. From round six on, both men tired, while Lewis continues to ooze blood from the cut on his nose. Action picks up in the last two rounds, first in round nine, when a straight right from Lewis finds its target, forcing Roth to cover up. Then, in the final round, Roth connects with a wild overhand right, putting Lewis down for an eight-count. Lewis manages to last to the final bell, and the end result is a majority draw (96-94 for Roth, 95-95, 95-95). Post-bout career marks: Lewis, 23-5-3 (18); Roth, 37-14-3 (13).

Jan. 14, 1939: First big card of the year, at Havana’s Gran Stadium, with a WBA title clash topping the agenda, preceded by an LABF title contest. In the co-feature, LABF WW Champ Kid Azteca, the only titleholder not ranked in the top 50 of his respective division, looks to move up in the ranks as well as defend his title against a challenge from hometown favorite Joe Legon. First meeting of the two. The bout remains close through the opening rounds, with Legon holding a slim lead (58-57) at the midway point, according to the unofficial ringside observer. In round eight, Legon suffers a cut under his left eye. Azteca, trailing, goes on the offensive and rallies in rounds seven through 10. The Cuban challenger finds a second win and, midway through the final round, he hurts Azteca with a sharp combination that forces the Mexican to cover up. The bout goes to decision, and Legon is able to lift the belt via a narrow UD 12 (115-114, 116-113, 115-114), with his late surge in the final round making all the difference. Post-bout marks: Legon, 22-1-3 (11): Azteca, 25-12-1 (13). Then, in the main event, Simon Chavez puts the WBA FW title on the line, facing a former Champion, Chalky Wright. Wright, looking to regain the title he held briefly in 1936, is the aggressor in the early going, forging a 50-47 lead on the unofficial card. In the next five rounds, Chavez picks up the pace in an effort to retain the title. In the ninth round, however, he runs into a cross from the challenger and goes down, arising at the count of three. More problems for the Champ, as noticeable swelling begins to appear under his right eye by the end of round nine. Chavez, feeling the title slip away, becomes more aggressive in the later rounds, but Wright’s defense remains firm. The bout goes the distance, and Wright is able to retain the belt, taking a UD 15 (147-139, 146-139, 147-139), improving to 31-10-4 (14) overall. Chavez drops to 25-9-2 (6) after the title loss.

Anyway, will continue to intersperse action in this Uni with some ATG tournaments as we get further into the new year.

[JCWeb]

Three WBA title bouts are included in this report from the second half of January 1939, covering a total of 62 bouts.

Jan. 20, 1939: To the Montreal Forum from a relatively light card, but an important one, as WBA WW title holder Jimmy McLarnin puts that title on the line. For his challenger, he selects the veteran Jimmy Leto, mainly due to lack of other credible challengers as Leto has dropped out of the top 10. After a slow start, McLarnin takes charge after successful establishing control on the inside in round three. After five rounds, he pulls ahead (48-47) on the unofficial card. Leto picks up the pace and pushes harder for the next five rounds. McLarnin still up one (96-95) with five rounds remaining. By the end of round 12, there is swelling around the right eye of McLarnin, signs of a bruising battle. The bout remains close until the end, and McLarnin is lucky to keep the belt via a SD 15 (143-142, 139-146, 143-142) to run his career record to 53-9-7 (24). Leto ends the bout at 36-18-6 (11).

Jan. 21, 1939: Action in Sweden and Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium. Only one bout of note, which is the feature between newly-crowned EBU MW Champ Marcel Cerdan, the “Casablanca Clouter,” and Kid Tunero, his LABF counterpart. Cerdan carries an unbeaten record into the bout and wastes little time in establishing early control – in fact, Tunero is suffering from swelling under his right eye as early as round three. Cerdan, up three on the unofficial card by the midway point (49-46), has a momentary setback when he suffers a cut under his right eye in round seven. However, the cut does not become a factor and the French fighter seals the win when he drops Tunero with a combination in the final round of the bout. Solid UD 10 win for Cerdan (97-91. 98-90, 97-91) to retain an unbeaten slate. Post-bout records: Cerdan, 23-0-2 (18); Tunero, 28-9-5 (8).

Jan. 21, 1939: Back to the States for the next card, at New Orleans. Two LWs do battle as Lou Ambers makes his second defense of the USBA LW title, facing challenger Sammy Fuller. Early points edge to Ambers, whois the more active of the two. According to the unofficial ringside observer, Ambers is ahead by two (58-56) by the midway point. In the later rounds, Fuller simply lacks the firepower to mount a meaningful rally, and Ambers goes on to retain the belt via a UD 12 (116-112, 116-113, 116-112). With the win, Ambers improves to 28-1-1 (17), making him the leading contender for Tony Canzoneri’s WBA LW title. Fuller drops to 44-14-1 (11) after another disappointing title outing.

Jan. 27, 1939: To the West Coast for a Friday night card at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. No titles at stake, and the feature matches two FWs who battled to a draw in their last encounter: Frankie Covelli and Everett Rightmire. This time around, it is another close bout, almost a repeat of the first, with neither man unmarked as the bout goes the distance. Covelli, the higher ranked boxer, prevails, taking a SD 10 (96-94, 94-96, 97-93) to run his career record to 29-10-8 (7). Rightmire, who still appears to have a bright future, drops to 25-6-2 (12) with the loss.

Jan. 28, 1939: WBA title fight tops the card at the Earls Court in London, as Johnny King puts his WBA BW title on the line, facing OPBF Champion Little Pancho. While some accuse King of ducking the #1 contender, ex-Champ Panama Al Brown, Pancho – riding a 10-bout winning streak – certainly qualifies as a credible challenger. King starts well, dominating in round two and following up with another big round in round four. Some good toe-to-toe action in round five sees King shaking up Pancho with a huge left. At this point, King is well ahead (50-45) on the unofficial card. Then, with both men mixing it up on the inside in round eight, Little Pancho connects with as a vicious uppercut that puts King on the deck for a count of five. The Champ covers up, but Pancho is able to follow up with a cross for a second KD. King manages to arise at the count of eight, covering up to avoid further damage, but returns to his corner with a cut under his right eye in addition to having to shake off the effect of the two KDs. By the end of the next round, round nine, more wear and tear in the form of swelling under the right eye of King. After 10 rounds, however, King is still ahead (96-93) on the unofficial scorer’s card. King surges forward in round 12, landing a solid uppercut that forces Pancho to cover up. Another big round for the Champ in round 13, when he stuns the challenger again with a big uppercut. Then, in round 14, Pancho mounts a rally and King is cut under his other (left) eye. The bout goes the distance and, after a long wait, the cards are read and it is a MD 15 for King (144-138, 141-141, 144-138). Very exciting bout with King getting up off the deck after having been floored twice to retain the title; early candidate for Fight-of-the-Year. Post-bout career marks: King, 46-5-1 (18); Pancho, 33-8-5 (9).

Jan. 28, 1939: The month wraps with another WBA title fight, this one at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Long-time WBA Flyweight Champ Midget Wolgast puts the title up for grabs, facing Frenchman Valentin Angelmann. First up, on the undercard, is unbeaten MW prospect Charley Burley who takes a big step forward career-wise by taking on a former WBA MW Champ, Jack McVey, in what turns out to be the final outing of McVey’s long career. A pair of fifth round knockdowns followed by a third a round later result in a TKO 6 for Burley, running his career totals to 17-0 (15). McVey ends up his career with a 44-27-2 (21) slate. Then, Wolgast takes on Angelmann. It’s a rematch of a 1935 title bout in Cannes that went in favor of the American, who is making his 21^st consecutive title defense. Early edge to Wolgast, who is pitching a shutout (50-45 according to the unofficial ringside observer) after the first five rounds. More of the same in the second third of the bout, except the French challenger does have a good round in round eight, landing some blows and causing a trace of swelling to appear under the left eye of the Champ. But, the rest of the way, it is all Wolgast, who goes on to retain the title via another comfortable UD 15 win (145-140, 148-137, 145-140). Post-bout career marks: Wolgast, 48-5-1 (18); Angelmann, 31-18-1 (12).

[JCWeb]

Two WBA title bouts are included in this report from the first half of February 1939, covering a total of 51 bouts.

Feb. 3, 1939: The month commences with a Friday night card at Syracuse’s War Memorial Auditorium. No title bouts on the agenda, and the feature matches LHs Pal Silvers and Joe “Cairo Calamity” Knight. It is a rematch of a bout from six years earlier, also in Syracuse, that saw a KO win for Knight. This time around, Silvers boxes carefully and skillfully to compile an early edge in punches landed through the first half of the bout. Knight manages to land a few shots to keep it close, but by the end Knight shows some signs of swelling under his right eye. MD 10 win for Silvers (96-94, 95-95, 96-94) to push his career mark to 38-14-5 (15). Knight ends the bout at 31-10-3 (17). After the bout, Silvers joins Knight at Post-Prime career stage.

Feb. 4, 1939: Action at the Stadium in Liverpool, England. Again, no titles but current EBU HW Champ is paired with former CBU HW titleholder Don McCorkindale. Both men are past their career prime. The action heats up in round two when Peterson suffers a cut under his right eye. Then, in round three, Peterson decks McCorkindale for an eight count. The South African arises but is easy prey fro a second KD as Peterson connects with an uppercut to the head. Another uppercut leads to a third KD in the same round and an automatic stoppage. TKO 3 for Peterson, to the delight of the hometown crowd. Post-bout records: Peterson, 28-9 (18); McCorkindale, 30-15-1 (17).

Feb. 4, 1939: Back to the States for the next card, at Chicago. Long-time WBA LW Champion Tony Canzoneri is featured, but there are some interesting bouts on the undercard as well. In the first of these, LH Archie Moore faces Young Joe Louis in the first of two main support bouts; it is a rematch of a bout from October 193 that resulted in a UD win for Moore. This time around, Moore starts well, landing sufficient punches to cause a trace of swelling to appear under the left eye of Louis as early as round two. Then, in round four, a huge shot from Moore puts Louis down for a count of eight. With a large points lead, Moore appears to be in a position to coast through the later rounds, but his alert opponent is able to battle back, stealing the last two rounds to secure a draw (95-94 Moore, 95-95, 95-94 Louis). Post-bout career marks are 13-1-2 (12) for Moore; 14-4-1 (7) for Young Joe Louis. The second preliminary to the main event features two top 10 LWs, with Frankie Klick facing Tony Chavez. Both men are coming off title losses, with Klick having lost his NABF title and Chavez, the LABF belt. Klick had defeated Chavez in a SD 12 for the NABF title back in 1937 in their one prior meeting. Early edge to Klick, but things turn in Chavez’s favor in round five, when he decks Klick with a wild overhand right. Klick scrambles to his feet at the count of seven, but he is already suffering from a rapidly swelling right eye from the impact of Chavez’s punches. Later in the bout, Chavez begins to show the effects as his left eye begins to puff up; as a result, Chavez becomes even more aggressive, and he is rewarded with a second KD when a big hook finds its target. Chavez then has Klick down a third time near the end of round nine, and this time Klick is saved by the bell. The bout goes the distance and, based on the three knockdowns, Chavez is an easy UD 10 winner (96-91, 95-92, 95-92) to run his career totals to 26-7-1 (11) while Klick – now at Post-Prime for his next bout – falls to 37-17-6 (13). Then, in the main event, Tony Canzoneri – now at Post-Prime after a five-month layoff after his most recent outing, a SD win over Henry Armstrong – makes the 25^th defense of his WBA LW crown, facing the newly-crowned LABF LW Champion, Pedro Montanez, winner of his last eight. Montanez moves inside and assumes the mantle of aggressor in the early going. Canzoneri, working mainly outside, holds a narrow points lead (48-47) after the first five rounds. The middle rounds are crucial as Montanez’s inside attack proves ineffective against some stout defense and boxing ability from “the Roman Warrior.” Thus, Canzoneri’s points lead widens (to 98-94 after 10 rounds are in the books). Montanez rallies briefly with a strong showing in round 11, but Canzoneri quickly re-establishes control in round 12 and coasts to another successful title defense, taking a UD 15 (146-141, 148-139, 145-141) to retain the title he has held since 1932. Post-fight records: Canzoneri, 48-4-4 (17); Montanez, 30-7 (16).

Feb. 10, 1939: Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens is the scene for the next Friday night card. No titles at stake, but the twin main events involve two Canadian fighters who have held titles. In the first of these, FW Pete DeGrasse, the current CBU FW titleholder and a former WBA FW Champion, faces another former WBA FW Champion “Bat” Battalino in a 10-rounder. It is the third meeting of the duo, and each has won once, with DeGrasse prevailing in their most important encounter, back in 1933, when he captured the WBA crown from Battalino. This time, DeGrasse looks sharp early, showing greater aggressiveness through most of the early rounds. Then, in round nine, Battalino connects with a big hook, forcing DeGrasse to cover up. Battalino’s late surge enables him to secure a draw (95-95, 99-92 DeGrasse. 95-95) despite the fact that one judge had it for DeGrasse by a wide margin. Post-bout marks: DeGrasse, 36-14-1 (10); Battalino, 39-12-1 (13). Second co-feature has Canada’s Lou Brouillard facing ex-WBA MW Champion Holman Williams, who is attempting to rebound from losing the title. Two slick boxers, but early in round one Williams assumes control when he drops Brouillard briefly with a sharp uppercut – Brouillard being saved by the bell. Williams remains in charge the rest of the way, and he is rewarded with a UD 10 result (97-92, 98-91, 96-93) to run his career totals to an excellent 27-5 (18). Brouillard ends the bout at 30-11-2 (14).

Feb. 11, 1939: It is to Europe for a huge card at the Olympia Stadium in Berlin, as Max Schmeling faces Joe Louis for the third time, with the WBA HW title at stake – third meeting of the two, with the most recent meeting (in late 1938) going to Schmeling via a very controversial technical decision/cuts stoppage as Louis was starting to gain the upper hand. The WBA title bout is amply supported by a EBU WW title encounter, with Bep Van Klaveren defending versus ex-WBA Champ Vittorio Venturi. Not much in the way of action in this one until round five, when Venturi unleashes a big shot that forces Van Klaveren to cover up. The bout remains close the rest of the way, with Van Klaveren making a late surge to secure a draw (114-114 on all three cards) to retain the title. Post-bout records: Van Klaveren, 27-11-6 (11); Venturi, 42-14-8 (11). Then, in the bout everyone has been waiting for, Joe Louis takes on Max Schmeling for the WBA HW title for the third time, with this encounter taking place on Schmeling’s home turf. In the opening round, not much happens, but Schmeling pulls out a slight advantage. Round two, Louis quickly finds the range, dropping Schmeling with a cross for the bout’s first knockdown. Schmeling arises at the count of three, attempts to cover up, but he cannot prevent a huge round for Louis. The “Brown Bomber” continues on the attack in round three, but Schmeling is able to survive the onslaught, connecting with a big cross to win the round. Round four, Schmeling moves inside and holds a slight punches landed edge at this point. Then, in round five, with both men standing toe-to-toe on the inside, Louis finds the range, putting Schmeling on the deck for a second time with an overhand right. Schmeling bounces up at the count of three, but this time Louis is ready, following up with a big hook to put Schmeling down again, for the third time in the fight. Schmeling, arising slowly at the count of eight, is left defenseless, and the German referee (Waldemar Schmidt) has no hesitation in stopping the bout. TKO 5 for Louis to regain the WBA HW belt. Louis avenges the only blemish on his record, improving to 26-1 (24), while Schmeling is now 46-6-1 (31).

Feb. 11, 1939: Back in the States for a solid card in Miami. Headliner is a NABF title bout, but the main support matches two top five BWs, as Panama Al Brown, the #1 contender, faces Speedy Dado in a battle of two ex-Champions, both of whom are looking for a big win to position themselves for a shot at Johnny King’s WBA title. It is the third meeting of these two, and Brown has come out on top twice, most notably in a WBA title contest back in 1932. This time around, Dado does well to build an early edge in punches landed, but he is hampered by a cut over his left eye that was opened in the fourth round of the bout. Brown becomes more aggressive as the bout heads into the later rounds, and in round nine he puts Dado on the deck with a solid combination. While Dado arises and is able to continue, the one KD proves to be the difference as Brown manages to take a close but UD 10 (95-94, 95-93, 95-94) to retain his #1 contender status, running his record to 59-10-1 (20), while Dado slips to 35-17-2 (14). Brown issues a challenge to WBA kingpin Johnny King immediately after the bout; it remains to be seen if that bout will take place later in 1939. In the feature, Eddie Dolan puts his NABF WW belt on the line against a first-time title challenger, long-time fringe contender, Chuck “Vutci” Woods. Woods, who had to wait until hitting Post-Prime to attain his first title shot, does down near the opening round but is saved by the bell. Woods rebounds to take rounds three and four, but by round five, Dolan is back in control. In round seven, Dolan suffers a cut on the bridge of his nose that proves not to be an issue. Nothing much happens the rest of the way, with Dolan convincing the judges to take a solid UD 12 win (117-110, 117-110, 116-111) to successfully defend his title. Post-bout records: Dolan, 28-5-4 (11); Woods, 27-5-5 (12).

[JCWeb]

This report covers fistic action from the second half of February 1939, covering a total of 61 bouts. One WBA title bout is included in the six cards covered in this report.

Feb. 17, 1939: Friday night fights “Down Under” at Sydney, Australia, featuring an OPBF title bout, which sees Aussie Jack McNamee challenging veteran Filipino Irineo Flores for Flores’ OPBF WW title. Flores holds a prior win (via TKO) over McNamee for this same belt back in 1937, but since then Flores is on the downside (i.e. End stage) of his career, so McNamee is hoping to reverse the earlier result in front of a hometwon crowd. McNamee seizes the initiative in the early going and builds an early lead in terms of punches landed. By the midway point of the bout, the unofficial scorer has McNamee ahead, but only by one point (58-57). Then, in round eight, a clean hook for the Aussie challenge puts Flores on the deck for an eight-count. McNamee follows up with a second KD later in the round, but he cannot finish the rugged Flores. A right to the head from McNamee in round 10 leads to a third KD, and McNamee goes on to take a fairly lopsided UD 12 (118-108, 117-109, 118-108), pulling out a wide lead on the basis of the three knockdowns, despite suffering a cut on the forehead in round 11. McNamee therefore lifts the belt and improves to 22- 6(15). Flores, who may have just one or two bouts left before calling it a career, ends up at 47-25-2 (34).

Feb. 18, 1939: Next fistic action is back in Europe, at the Palais des Sports in Cannes, France. Two French fighters top the card, and there is an EBU title fight as the main event, amply supported by a non-title matchup of two MW contenders, former EBU MW Champion Eduoard Tenet, who hopes that some hometown crowd support can lift him over the visitor from across the Atlantic, American Teddy Yarosz. The early rounds see Yarosz pile up an early lead in terms of the punches landed stats. In fact, one unofficial ringside observer has the American dominating the Frenchman, leading 50-45 at the midway point. Tenet tries to become more aggressive, but he is bothered by trace of swelling under his right eye that becomes apparent from round six onwards. Yarosz takes a solid UD 10 (98-92, 99-91, 99-92) with Tenet offering little in the way of resistance. Post-bout records: Yarosz, 33-12-2 (11); Tenet, 39-21-7 (9). In the feature, veteran French FW Maurice Holtzer puts his EBU MW title on the line for the fifth time, facing challenger Ginger Foran from the UK. It is the first meeting of the two and – perhaps most significantly – it is Holtzer’s first outing since hitting Post-Prime career stage. Foran initiates most of the action in the early rounds, but Holtzer manages to hold a slight punches landed edge through the first half of the bout. Nonetheless, the unofficial ringside observer has Foran up by one (58-57) after six of the scheduled 12. Foran perseveres and gradually wears down Holtzer, taking a UD 12 (116-113, 115-114, 116-113) to end Holtzer’s three-year reign as EBU Champion. It is Foran’s first title bout win, lifting his career mark to 25-8-3 (11). Holtzer, now clearly on the downside of his career, ends the bout at 40-16-3 (14).

Feb. 18, 1939: Back to the States for a solid card at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. A USBA title bout headlines the agenda, and there is an interesting co-feature matching two top five Flyweights: veteran Frankie Genaro and Ernst Weiss from Austria. First meeting of the two, and it is a cautious start by both men. Genaro gradually builds a punches landed edge, forcing Weiss to become more aggressive. Then, in round eight, Weiss suffers a cut over his right eye. A round later, Genaro is also cut above his right eye. The bout goes the distance, and Genaro takes a UD 10 (97-94, 98-92, 98-92), thus retaining his status as the #1 Flyweight contender. Post-fight career marks: 51-18-6 (19) for Genaro; 23-5-1 (8) for Weiss. Then, on to the main event, for the USBA FW title recently vacated by Chalky Wright, who successfully challenged for the WBA belt. The two protagonists for the vacant title are Petey Sarron and Jimmy Perrin. Sarron prevailed in one prior meeting, back in November of 1937, via a UD 10. This time around, Perrin comes out swinging, dropping a shocked Sarron with a big shot in the opening round. Sarron arises at the count of eight and covers up to last the round, but the damage is done. Perrin continues as the aggressor and builds a solid points lead (58-55 according to the unofficial ringside observer) by the midway point. Sarron recovers to make the bout reasonably competitive, but Perrin exhibits superior stamina and goes on to record a well-earned UD 12 (117-110, 116-112, 116-113) to capture his first title bout. Perrin, who took charge from the outset and was rewarded in the end, improves to 21-4-2 (8) with the win. Sarron, who was at Post-Prime for the first time in this bout, accepts defeat gracefully, dropping his career totals to 33-18-6 (8).

Feb. 24, 1939: The Coliseum Arena in New Orleans is the scene for the next Friday night card. A pair of 10-round non-title bouts top the agenda. The first of these pits two former WBA WW Champions, Young Corbett III and Switzerland’s Cleto Locatelli. Corbett took a SD 10 in their one prior meeting, back in 1933, but the same result may not hold this time as Corbett has hit the Post-Prime career stage. Early edge to the Swiss fighter, who holds a 49-47 edge (according to the unofficial scorer) at the midway point. By the end of round eight, a haggard-looking Corbett is showing the effects, with a rapidly swelling left eye. Locatelli is content to stay on the outside, firing away at long range and doing enough to secure a UD 10 nod from the judges (96-94, 97-93, 97-93) to improve to 37-13-4 (11) overall; Corbett ends up at 53-16-6 (12). Good effort from two veterans of the ring wars. In the second co-feature, two HWs do battle as Max Baer faces Lee Ramage. Baer is coming off a win over Tommy Loughran, while Ramage is trying to bounce back from a narrow USBA title loss to Jersey Joe Walcott. Ramage builds an early lead as Baer is repeatedly misfiring in the early rounds of the bout. Baer moves inside in round three and is more successful. Ramage bounces back to take round four and holds a narrow lead (49-47 according to the unofficial scorer) at the midway point. In the second half, Baer gets more aggressive and manages to have more success, doubling up on the hook in round seven, forcing Ramage to cover up. Round eight, another big round for Max, who punishes Ramage with a sharp combination, forcing Ramage to cover up again. Ramage manages to last the distance, but Baer’s late surge was enough to turn things around, enabling Baer to take a UD 10 (96-95, 99-92, 96-95) to run his career totals to 28-12 (25). Ramage ends the bout at 32-9-1 (11).

Feb. 25, 1939: London’s Harringay Arena is the venue for the next fistic action, and the main event is a Commonwealth title fight. Co-feature is a LW bout with ex-EBU Champ Aldo Spoldi facing a hostile hometown crowd and reigning British LW Champ Harry Mizler. Mizler is seeking to move up the rankings and also avenge a prior UD loss to Spoldi in Rome back in 1937. Early edge in punches landed goes to the Italian fighter. In round five, Spoldi lands a big shot that results in Mizler taking a tumble to the deck, arising at the count of three but covering up to last the round. Unofficial scorer has Spoldi up by two (48-46) at the midway point, but Mizler has little to offer in the second half of the bout, falling to Spoldi who takes the UD 10 (98-90, 97-91, 97-91) with little resistance in a dismal performance from Mizler. Post-bout career marks: Spoldi, 32-7-4 (14); Mizler, 19-9-4 (5). Main event sees Ernie Roderick defend his Commonwealth WW title against a young. 15-0 upstart Canadian challenger, Sammy Luftspring, whom many observers suggest may be over his head in taking on a titleholder at this point in his fledgling, Pre-Prime career. Nonetheless, Luftspring gives a good accounting, keeping the bout close for the first three rounds before Roderick begins asserting himself in round four. Still, the unofficial ringside observer has it even (57-all) after the first six rounds. Then, cheered on by the hometown crowed, Roderick takes control, winning rounds seven through nine to pull ahead. In the final round, Luftspring is cut over his right eye but manages to last the distance in a creditable effort from the young challenger. Final judges’ cards have it as a comfortable UD 12 win for Roderick (117-112 on all three cards) to push his career totals to 22-8-3 (6), while Luftspring tastes defeat for the first time and is now 15-1 (12).

Feb. 25, 1939: Final card of the month is a big one, at New York’s Madison Square Garden, featuring a WBA title bout amply supported by a USBA title matchup. First, however, unbeaten LH prospect Eddie Booker, already ranked #12, faces veteran LH, Brit Len Harvey, in a non-title affair. Harvey still retains the lightly-contested GBU LH title but has slipped in the rankings as he is a shadow of his former self. A close set of opening rounds and the bout is even (48-all on the unofficial cards) at the midway point. Booker holds a slight edge in punches landed when Harvey comes to life with a big round in round seven. Then, in the final round, Booker swings the bout in his favor when he decks Harvey with a big cross. Harvey arises at the count of eight, but the damage is done. The 10-8 in the final round is enough to lift Booker to a UD 10 triumph (96-94 on all three cards) over the British veteran. The win leaves Booker at 19-0 (13), while another loss drops Harvey to 48-22-3 (19). Next is the co-feature, with Jersey Joe Walcott defending his USBA HW belt against Johnny Risko. In a prior stint as USBA Champ, Walcott defeated Risko via UD 12, back in 1936. Solid start for Jersey Joe, and by the end of round three there is a trace of swelling appearing under the right eye of Risko. In round three, Risko suffers a split lip. Then, in round six, Risko stages a minor rally, backing Walcott up and scoring with a big hook that forces Walcott to cover up. In round eight, Walcott regains control, stunning Risko with a hard hook and then putting “the Cleveland Rubber Man” down with a big uppercut. A shaken Risko resumes after taking an eight-count, covering up to last the round. Jersey Joe goes on to dominate the rest of the way, ending Risko’s title bid. A hard cross from Walcott stuns Risko in round 11, and in the final round the cut reopens, leading to a late stoppage. TKO 12 for Walcott, who runs his record to 36-5 (22) while Risko drops to 39-18-5 (7). Then, in the feature, a Post-Prime “Slapsie Maxie” Rosenbloom defends his WBA LH title for the sixth time, facing challenger Gus Lesnevich. First meeting of the two, and a very slow and cautious start from Rosenbloom through the opening rounds, with Lesnevich the more aggressive of the two. Nonetheless, Maxie’s superior ring generalship is enough to put him ahead (49-47), according to the unofficial scorer, after the first five rounds. By the end of round seven, Rosenbloom’s punches are beginning to have an effect, as there are signs of swelling around the left eye of the challenger. Lesnevich continues to try to pressure Rosenbloom by forcing the action on the inside, and in round 10 a hard hook from Lesnevich staggers the Champ. Still, Rosenbloom remains on top (97-95) after 10, again according to the unofficial ringside observer. In round 12, a great action round, both fighters land some effective blows, but neither gives in, either. In the later rounds, Lesnevich begins to tire and Rosenbloom’s defense dominates. Despite the effects of aging, Rosenbloom was able to secure a UD 15 verdict (145-140, 144-141, 144-142) from the judges. Post-bout career marks: Rosenbloom, 47-12-6 (8); Lesnevich, 24-3-1 (14).

[JCWeb]

Back to my regular Uni after spending some time with the ATG tournaments.

This report covers fistic action from the first half of March 1939, encompassing a total of 57 bouts. One WBA title bout is included in the six cards covered in this report.

Mar. 3, 1939: The month commences with a Friday night card at Jersey City’s Roosevelt Stadium. A rather light card with no titles at the stake, and the feature matches two top 20 MWs as Freddie Apostoli, the “Battling Bellhop,” faces Allen Matthews. Apostoli is looking for a credible win after suffering a title loss for the NABF belt to Tony Zale in his last outing. Meanwhile, Matthews has soared up the ratings after going unbeaten in his last nine bouts, going back to April 1935 (six wins and three draws). Tough start for Apostoli who suffers a cut over his right eye in the opening stanza. However, by round three Apostoli is firmly in control, as he causes a gash to appear over Matthews’ left eye, as well as swelling under the same eye. The cut continues to ooze blood in rounds four and five, enough for Apostoli to compile a solid points edge (49-46) by the midway point, according to the unofficial scorer. Apostoli continues to pressure Matthews, flooring his opponent with a combination in round nine. The cut over Matthews’ eye is reopened once again, leading to a late stoppage in the final round. TKO 10 for Apostoli, who was well ahead on points anyway. Post-bout career totals: Apostoli, 22-3 (19); Matthews, 29-9-2 (11).

Mar. 4, 1939: To Italy for the next card, which features an EBU title fight as the main event. It’s a rematch as reigning EBU LH Champion Adolf Heuser faces Heinz Lazek, the man he defeated for the EBU LH title in May 1938. Heuser gets off to a strong start, and – at the end of round five – he decks Lazek with a strong combination that puts Lazek on the deck, but Lazek is saved by the bell. Midway through the contest, it’s a large lead for Heuser, the defending Champ, according to the unofficial ringside observer (59-56). In round eight, Heuser continues attacking, nailing Lazek with an uppercut that forces the challenger to cover up. By the end of round nine, there is noticeable swelling under the left eye of Lazek. With three rounds left, Lazek goes on the offensive and manages to win a few rounds in a late surge that is simply too little, too late. UD 12 for Heuser (116-112, 116-113. 116-113) despite conceding some of the later rounds to the challenger. The win improves to Heuser to 32-8-1 (16) overall, while another loss (his third in his last four outings) drops Lazek to 28-6 (20), knocking him out of the top 20 in the LH rankings.

Mar. 4, 1939: Back to the States for a card at Boston Garden. Headliner is a NABF LH title bout, pitting Bob Olin against reigning CBU LH Champ Charley Belanger. Olin is seeking revenge for a KO loss in a prior meeting with Belanger, back in 1936. Belanger is coming into the bout on a three-bout winning streak, while for Olin it is his first defense in his second stint as NABF LH Champion. Olin is the early aggressor, moving inside in round three to apply pressure on his opponent. At the end of round six, Belanger nails Olin with a hard hook; however, the unofficial scorecard at this point has Olin up by two (58-56) at the midway point. In the second half of the bout, Belanger picks up the pace and gradually battles his way back into the bout. The bout goes the distance, with Belanger winning the final round from two of the three judges to lift the belt via a MD 12 (115-113, 114-114, 115-113). Post-fight career totals: 42-18 (19) for Belanger; 32-13-3 (10) for Olin. Belanger adds the NABF title to his CBU one.

Mar. 10, 1939: Friday night fight card in Pittsburgh. Topping the offering is a USBA LH title bout, matching ex-Champ Tiger Jack Fox with Fred Lenhart. For Lenhart, it is his third title try, and he enters the bout on a three-bout winning streak. Fox won their only prior meeting, back in 1931, during Fox’s first stint as USBA LH Champ prior to winning the WBA title. Near the end of the opening round, Lenhart surprises Fox when he connects with a big hook that forces Fox to cover up in order to last the round. Fox recovers quickly to dominate the action in rounds two through four. Then, midway through round five, Fox unleashes a combination that puts Lenhart on the deck; Lenhart arises after taking a four-count. By the midway point, Lenhart is suffering from the effects of a cut and swollen left eye. Solidly ahead, Fox then coasts to another successful title defense, taking a relatively one-sided UD 12 victory (116-111, 118-108, 117-109) to boost his career stats to 44-4 (31), solidifying his position as #1 LH contender. Lenhart falls to 35-16 (26).

Mar. 11, 1939: Next card is at the Stadium in Liverpool, UK. It’s a fairly light card, and only one bout of interest – the main event – which matches Jimmy Gill with 18-1 Peter Kane for Gill’s CBU Flyweight title. First meeting of the two; the second title defense for Gill; and for challenger Kane, it is his first ever title shot despite needing one more bout before hitting Prime career stage. Action is slow to develop, and the patient Gill is content to bide his time, gradually building a punces landed advantage that translates into a 59-57 points edge at the midway point, this according to the unofficial scorer at ringside. Gill continues to hold the edge, exhibiting superior stamina as well, wearing down Kane by the end of round nine. Gill goes on to dominate the second half of the bout, meanwhile Kane suffers a nick under his right eye in round 11. Final scorecards tell the tale: it’s a UD 12 for Gill (116-114, 116-114, 118-112) but credit to Kane to keep it reasonably close on at least two of the cards. The win boosts Gill’s career stats to 25-5-3 (10); the loss wraps up the pre-Prime stage of Kane’s career at 18-2 (10).

Mar. 11, 1939: There’s a WBA title bout on this next card, at Miami, and the support bout is a non-title affair featuring two top 10 HWs: Elmer Ray and long-time Canadian contender, Larry Gains, who is on the downside of his long career. The two have not met before but Ray, currently the #3-ranked HW contender, is carrying a three-bout winning streak into the bout, whereas Gains has lost his last two. The bout lasts barely five minutes when, in the middle of round two, Ray rains a combination of blows that result in Gains toppling to the canvas, remaining on the deck for the full count. KO 2 for Elmer Ray, lifting him to 44-8 (27) overall. The loss drops Gains to 44-16 (25), and his days as a top contender appear to be numbered. Then, in the main event, newly crowned WBA FW Champion Chalky Wright defends that belt against ex-Champ Kid Chocolate, the “Cuban Bon Bon.” Despite a prior win and two draws, the odds do not favor Chocolate who is at Post-Prime while Wright is still at the peak of his career. After a close opening round, both men are in for a competitive bout, skillfully mixing their inside and outside attacks. Near the end of round five, Kid Chocolate drops Wright with a big shot; Chalky is able to recover quickly, arising at the count of three. On the strength of the early KD, Chocolate is ahead on the unofficial card (49-46), after five. The bout remains close in terms of the punches landed stats and, from round nine onwards, Wright becomes more and more aggressive as he seeks to hold on to his title. In round 10, Wirght is cut over his right eye. Nonetheless, the unofficial card has Wright cutting the points deficit to two (97-95). Then, in round 11, Chocolate shows traces of swelling around his right eye as Wright’s punches are having an effect, wearing down the challenger. However, more trouble for the Champ as the cut over his eye is reopened in round 12 – forcing Wright to protect the cut at the same time he continues to toss leather at his tiring opponent. With Wright piling up points in the later rounds, Kid Chocolate goes on the offensive, going for the KO in the last two rounds. Wright survives (against both the cut and his opponent) to take a hard-fought SD 15 win (144-142, 142-144, 146-143) and keeps his title. Post-bout records: Wright, 32-10-4 (14); Chocolate, 36-8-7 (16).

[bob_bask]

Kid Chocolate gave a good account of himself there.

Big fan of both fighters.

[JCWeb]

Yeah, forgot to add that the Wright-Chocolate fight is a definite early contender for 1939 FOY.
Now, on to the next report, which covers fistic action from the second half of March 1939, encompassing a total of 50 bouts. One WBA title bout is included in the six cards covered in this report.

Mar. 17, 1939: Friday night card at Rizal Arena in Manila, Philippines, is next on the fistic schedule. Featured is an international battle matching two top 10 BWs: American Pete Sanstol and reigning OPBF BW Champ Little Pancho. First meeting of these two, and Pancho is coming off a WBA title loss to Johnny King. Punches landed stats favor Sanstol in the early going. The bout turns into a boxing exhibition for Sanstol, who goes on to build a solid points lead and does enough damage to cause swelling around the right eye of Pancho by round seven. Pancho lacks the energy or firepower to mount a rally, so Sanstol takes a solid UD 10 (99-91, 98-93, 98-94) to run his career totals to 37-10-5 (9). The loss leaves Little Pancho at 33-9-5 (9).

Mar. 18, 1939: More action, this time back in North America at the Forum in Montreal. The main event pairs two top 10 BWs, with ex-Champ Pablo Dano facing hometown favorite, CBU BW Champ Horace Gwynne. Early rounds favor the visiting Filipino fighter. Despite a big round four for Dano, the unofficial card has Gwynne on top after five by a 48-47 count. Beginning in round seven, Gwynne steps up the pace, gradually becoming more and more aggressive. However, Dano is unfazed, and wraps up a solid boxing exhibition with a UD 10 win (98-92, 97-93. 98-92), suggesting that the ringside observer may have been overly influenced by the pro-Gywnne Canadian crowd. Anyway, post-bout career marks are 35-11-5 (15) for Dano and 24-5-1 (14) for Gwynne, with Gwynne now at Post-Prime career stage.

Mar. 18, 1939: Next card is at Detroit’s Briggs Stadium. No titles at stake, and USBA WW Henry Armstrong is back for his first bout after suffering a close SD 15 loss in an effort to wrest the WBA LW title from long-time Champ Tony Canzoneri. His opponent is a former WBA WW Champ, Cocoa Kid. First meeting of these two top flight WW contenders. Armstrong assumes the role of aggressor, moving inside in round three. Kid remains calm, exhibiting some solid defensive skills to keep the bout close through the first four rounds. Round five is a big one for Armstrong, and this puts him away on the unofficial ringside observer’s card by 49-47 at the bout’s midway point. Kid stages a strong rally, winning rounds six and seven. Armstrong goes on the attack in round eight, but he is off target with many of his punches. Big round nine for Armstrong, and there is noticeable swelling under the right eye of Kid. The final round is inconclusive, and the bout is scored a draw (96-96, 97-94 Armstrong, 95-96 Kid). Post-fight career totals: Armstrong, 29-3-3 (23); Kid, 39-5-3 (11).

Mar. 24, 1939: Friday night fight card in Caracas, Venezuela. Main event is for the LABF FW title, and it is a rematch between holder Enrique Chafferdet, defending on home turf, and Cuban challenger Filio Julian Echevarria. This is the third meeting of the two, each having won once before, most recently it was Chafferdet taking the title on Echevarria’s home turf in Havana in 1938. In this meeting, the challenger is able to build a slight early lead, then continues to outbox Chafferdet, holding a two-point edge (59-57) at the midway point of the bout. Echevarria continues to impress, looking particularly strong in the eighth round. Chafferdet tries to be more aggressive, but it is to no avail. No cuts or knockdowns as the bout goes the full 12 with Echevarria regaining the belt, taking a UD 12 (117-112, 117-114, 119-111) to boost his career stats to 33-12-4 (12). Chafferdet falls to 34-16-7 (10).

Mar. 25, 1939: Next up is a solid card in Los Angeles, headlined by a WBA title clash. The main support matches two Continental titleholders – OPBF FW Champion Tsuneo Horiguchi and GBU FW Champ Frank Parkes – in a 10-round, non-title affair. Several sharps exchanges in the early rounds tend to favor the Japanese fighter, Horiguchi. By the middle rounds, Horiguchi holds on to a slim points lead (the unofficial scorer had it 49-47 after five). By round six, Parkes begins to find the range, and Horiguchi’s left eye begins to puff up as a result. The tables turn again in round seven, as Horiguchi connects with a big uppercut that sends Parkes to the canvas, taking a five-count before arising. Parkes tries to cover up, but near the end of the round a second KD occurs after a hard cross to the head from Horiguchi, and this time Parkes is saved by the bell. A hook to the head in the next round forces Parkes to cover up, but this time he manages to stay upright. The bout goes the distance, and the two KDs are sufficient for Horiguchi to register a UD 10 win (97-91, 97-91, 96-9) to push his career totals to 23-5 (14). For Parkes, it is only his third career loss, dropping him to 20-3 (14). Then, in the feature, Freddie Steele defends his WBA MW title against challenger Holman Williams, whom he has bested for the WBA belt twice before, once by UD and then by MD, all in the last two years. The early action seems to favor Williams, who is looking to avenge the two earlier defeats. Steele becomes more aggressive starting in round three, moving inside and applying pressure on his defense-minded opponent. In round four, Steele connects with a short, clean uppercut, sending Williams to the deck to take a count of five before arising. Steele continues to press the action on the inside in rounds six and seven, while Williams is content to remain on the outside. Round nine, Steele sustains a cut under his left eye but, as the bout progresses, the cut does not pose a problem. Heading into the later rounds, Williams begins to tire, making him more vulnerable to Steele’s power. A cross from Steele puts Williams down in round 12, and Steele is quick to follow up with another KD. Williams tries to cover up, but to no avail, as a third KD in the same round results in a TKO 12 win for Steele. Post-bout career marks: Steele, 44-6-1 (29); Williams, 27-6 (13).

Mar. 31, 1939: The month wraps with a rare Friday night card at London’s Harringay Arena. Two non-title bouts support the feature which is for the EBU Flyweight title. In the first of the main supports, USBA LW Champ Lou Ambers faces ex-CBU LW Champ, the South African, Laurie Stevens. Typical boxer vs slugger confrontation, with Ambers taking on the role of the boxer. Ambers gradually built an edge in the punches landed stats, although the bout remained close (48-all on the unofficial card) through the first half of the 10-rounder. Despite a rapidly swelling right eye, Ambers hangs on and does enough to take a MD 10 (96-94, 95-95, 97-94), reversing his only career setback (to Stevens) back in 1936. Post-bout records: Ambers, 29-1-1 ((17); Stevens, 22-5-1 (15). Next up, heavyweights are on display as GBU HW Champ Tommy “the British Brown Bomber,” faces hard-hitting Art Lasky, a former USBA HW Champ, still a dangerous opponent despite reaching the Post-Prime stage of his career. After several sharp exchanges, the unofficial ringside observer has the bout even (48-48) after five. At the outset of round seven, Martin lands a straight right that stuns Lasky. Both men tire badly heading into the later rounds. Then, in round nine, Lasky lands a big shot that puts Martin down. The British fighter is barely able to regain his footing after taking a nine-count. Lasky’s killer instinct kicks in, and he follows up with a hook to the head that leads to an eventual stoppage. TKO 9 for Lasky; all of Lasky’s wins have been inside the distance, and this one leaves him at 25-8-2 (25). Martin slips to 23-6-1 (14) after the loss. Then, in the main event, Istvan Enekes puts his EBU Flyweight title on the line, facing GBU Flyweight Champ Jackie Brown. These two are familiar foes, with Enekes having come out on top in two of three prior meetings. Enekes holds a slight edge as both men are content to box through the first three rounds. In round four, Enekes moves inside and decides to be more aggressive. Unofficial scorer has Enekes up by one (39-38) after the first four rounds. Then, in the fifth, Enekes puts Brown down with a big shot; the British challenger is able to resume after taking a five-count. Brown rebounds quickly, and in the very next round he hurts Enekes with a big left. Still, Enekes holds the lead (58-56, according to the unofficial card) at the midway point. Brown stages a big rally to take the next three rounds, forcing Enekes to dig deep in the final few rounds. Suffering from a rapidly swelling left eye, the Hungarian responds, scoring just enough in the last few rounds to escape with the title and a MD 12 victory (115-113, 114-114, 115-113) to the chagrin of the pro-Brown crowd in London. Post-bout records: Enekes, 32-7-1 (10); Brown, 35-14-3 (12). Both men are still at Prime with many good years still ahead.

[JCWeb]

Back to the regular Uni after a bit of a break for the ATG tournaments.
This covers fistic action from the first half of April 1939, encompassing a total of 53 bouts.

Apr. 1, 1939: April Fool’s Day card at Atlantic City. Only bout of note is a 10-round LH affair, matching ex-WBA Champ John Henry Lewis with up-and-comer Billy Conn. This will be the toughest competition Conn has faced to date, although his prospects are enhanced by the fact that Lewis has hit Post-Prime career stage while Conn is just hitting his Prime. The bout is close for the first few rounds, then Lewis starts hitting out in an effort to become more aggressive. This only results in Conn taking advantage, utilizing his superior boxing and defensive skills to build a lead in punches landed and also in points. Lewis does connect with a big hook near the end of round four, but after that the ex-Champ has little to show for his efforts. The bout goes the distance, and it is a UD 10 for Conn (98-92, 97-93, 98-92) by a fairly comfortable margin. The win enables Conn to improve to 20-1-2 (11) and move up to a top five position in the LH ranks, marking him as a likely future title contender. The loss leaves Lewis at 23-6-3 (18).

Apr. 7, 1939: Next up is a Friday night card at Mexico City. Again, the only bout of interest is the main event, a 10-round title affair matching home crowd favorite and ex-WBA Champ Baby Arizmendi with Jimmy Perrin, the newly crowned USBA FW Champion. Arizmendi looks sharp in the early rounds, bad news for Perrin as the Mexican builds a solid points lead (50-47, according to the unofficial ringside observer) by the midway point. Perrin develops some swelling under his left eye as a result of the accumulated effects of Arizmendi’s blows. Perrin tires badly in the later rounds, and he lacks the firepower to mount a serious rally. The UD 10 goes to Arizmendi (98-95 on all three cards). Post-fight career marks are 37-8-2 (10) for Arizmendi; 31-5-2 (8) for Perrin.

Apr. 8, 1939: Next card is at the Stadium in Liverpool, England. Main event is for the GBU BW title, and it pits Tom Smith against the higher ranked and more experienced Benny Sharkey. Smith is on target early, and by the end of the opening stanza, there is a trace of swelling under the right eye of the challenger, Sharkey. In round two, Sharkey gets on track and lands a hard shot that causes Smith to take a knee – however, this is not ruled as a knockdown and the bout continues. Then, in round four, another big shot from Sharkey and this time Smith does go down, arising at the count of four. By the end of round five, there is some swelling appearing under Smith’s right eye. The unofficial card has Smith leading (59-56) at the halfway point. Then, in round seven, Smith is cut over his right eye and a rally from Sharkey gives him rounds seven through nine, knotting the score with just three rounds left. Sharkey remains the aggressor in the last three rounds of the bout. In the final round, Sharkey hurts Smith with a big combination, forcing the Champ to cover up. However, in the end, to the surprise of many, the nod goes to Smith who retains the belt via a SD 12 (114-113 Smith, 112-115 Sharkey, 114-113 Smith). Post-fight career totals: Smith, 19-5-4 (10); Sharkey, 32-14-2 (19).

Apr. 8, 1939: Next up is a card at Chicago. Main event is for the USBA MW title, and the protagonists are belt holder Johnny Romero and challenger Tait Littman. One prior meeting in 1938 ended in an early TKO win for Romero. Littman moved back into the mix with a recent win, while Romero is looking to bounce back after losing an NABF title clash with top rated MW Tony Zale. After a cautious start by both men, Romero begins to find the range and, by the end of the third round, there is some swelling appearing under the right eye of Littman. A round later, more swelling, this time under the left eye of the challenger. Romero continues to dish out punishment, landing repeatedly until the ref calls a halt late in round six. TKO 6 for Romero, defending the belt and liftin his career record to 37-13 (24). Littman falls to 29-11-2 (19).

Apr. 14, 1939: Friday night card at a seldom used venue, Escobar Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. No title bouts, and the feature pairs hometown crowd favorite Sixto Escobar with EBU Champ Baltazar Sangchili in a BW matchup. Prior win in the books for Escobar, but it was way back in 1931 when both were at Pre-Prime career stage. After a close pair of opening rounds, Escobar opens up and moves inside to become the aggressor in round three. Another close round in round four, but Escobar goes on to take a 49-47 lead at the midway point, according to the unofficial ringside observer. Sangchili tries to be more aggressive in rounds six and seven, with mixed results. Escobar back in charge in round eight, landing some telling blows to cause some minor swelling around the left eye of Sangchili as the Spaniard begins to tire. More trouble for Sangchili in round nine, as he suffers a cut over his right eye. The bout goes to full 10, and the judges favor Escobar but by a narrow MD 10 margin (96-95, 95-95, 97-93) as at least two of the judges had the bout much closer than the ringside observer. Nonetheless, Escobar repeats his earlier triumph to remain a top flight BW title hope. Post-bout career marks: Escobar, 30-6-2 (10); Sangchili, 33-11 (18).

Apr. 15, 1939: More fistic action in Europe, this time at the Sports Palace in Rome. Former WBA and EBU WW Champion Cleto Locatelli is looking to regain the EBU WW title he held from 1930-37 from successor Bep Van Klaveren; the two battled to draws in two prior bouts back when Locatelli held the EBU belt in 1936 and 1937. Early edge seems to favor Locatelli, but Van Klaveren manages to take round two to even up the score. Locatelli on top in round three, and a trace of swelling begins to appear around the right eye of Van Klaveren. More trouble for the Dutchman in the fourth round as he sustains a cut over his left eye. Early lead (39-37) for Locatelli, according to the unofficial card. The situation remains unchanged for the next couple of rounds, with the scoring still favoring the Swiss ex-Champ at the midway point (58-56 on the unofficial card). Van Klaveren manages to keep the bout close and even reduce the deficit heading into the final few rounds. Locatelli appears to have held on and done enough to win the bout, but the judges – in a minor surprise –- come down in favor of Van Klaveren, who keeps the title via a narrow MD 12 (115-113, 115-115, 115-113) to end up the bout at 28-11-6 (11). The loss drops Locatelli to 37-14-4 (11).

[JCWeb]

This report covers fistic action from the second half of April 1939, encompassing a total of 61 bouts. One WBA title bout is on the agenda.

Apr. 15, 1939: To Los Angeles for the next card, which includes an exciting HW clash as the main supporting bout for the headliner which sees an NABF title up for grabs. In the HW matchup, long-time contender Elmer Ray faces Jack Trammell. It doesn’t take long for Ray to find the range, landing a big hook that forces Trammell to cover up in order to last the opening round. More of the same in round two, with Ray landing one big shot after another until the ref steps in. Ray is declared the winner via a TKO 2, lifting his career totals to 42-8 (28). Trammell drops to 25-8 (11). In the feature, new NABF LW Champ Wesley Ramey faces Tony Chavez, a former LABF LW titleholder making his second bid for the NABF crown. After a few close opening rounds, in round four Chavez connects with a cross that shakes up Ramey, who covers up. The score remains close, even on the unofficial card (57-all) at the midway point. In the second half of the bout, Ramey has to deal with a split lip but exhibits superior stamina. Chavez rallies to take rounds 10 and 11 and appears on the verge of victory, but Ramey battles back to win the final round, escaping with a draw (113-115 Chavez, 114-114, 115-113 Ramey) to keep the title. Post-fight career marks: Ramey, 29-8-6 (10); Chavez, 26-7-2 (11).

Apr. 21, 1939: Next up is a Friday night card “Down Under” at Melbourne, Australia. Only one bout of note, the main event, and it features former WBA WW Champ Vittorio Venturi facing Aussie fan favorite Jack McNamee, the newly crowned OPBF WW titleholder. First meeting of the two, and it matches a consummate boxer (Venturi) versus an aggressive slugger (McNamee). Slight edge in the early action for the hometown favorite, McNamee. Unofficial scorecard has it even (48-all) at the midway point. Venturi puts up some tough defense, while the Aussie exhibits superior stamina. Both men reach the end of the bout unmarked with no cuts or knockdowns, and McNamee manages to take most of the later rounds to emerge as a UD 10 winner (97-95 on all three cards). Post-fight career marks are 23-6 (15) for McNamee; 42-15-8 (11) for the well-traveled Venturi, who tumbles out of the top 10 with this loss.

Apr. 22, 1939: Fistic action on the French Riviera at the Palais des Sports in Cannes. Featured is unbeaten MW Marcel Cerdan, making his second defense of his EBU MW title, facing challenger Jock McAvoy, the current CBU and GBU titleholder. First meeting of the two as McAvoy, a former EBU MW titlelist, attempts to regain that belt. Cerdan starts well, dominating the opening round and causing a welt to form under McAvoy’s left eye. More punches on target for the Frenchman in round two; Cerdan follows up by moving inside and becoming more aggressive in round three. Undaunted, McAvoy battles back and does well in round four, and – by the end of round six – he has landed sufficient blows to cause a trace of swelling under the right eye of the “Casablanca Clouter.” Scores are knotted (57-all) at the midway points, with Cerdan taking the first three rounds while McAvoy captured the next three. Round seven, it is Cerdan back in control, and a few rounds later, Cerdan lands a big shot that puts McAvoy on the deck, arising at the count of seven. A second KD comes from a Cerdan cross in round 11, thus enabling the Frenchman to pull away to a solid UD 12 win (116-110, 117-109, 116-110) to retain the EBU MW belt and solidify his position as a likely challenger for the WBA title. The win pushes Cerdan’s career record to a near-perfect 24-0-2 (18). McAvoy is now 32-13-4 (21) after the loss.

Apr. 22, 1939: Next card is in Vancouver, and it features Jimmy McLarnin defending his WBA WW title. The main support has two top 20 HWs, with Lee Ramage facing Harry Thomas. This is the third meeting of the two; two prior wins for Ramage, but both close decisions (MD and SD) in 1936 and 1937. Thomas was won his last three to set up the rematch; both men are at Post-Prime career stage. This time, the bout remains reasonably close for the first few rounds, but Ramage gradually pulls ahead and goes on to take a UD 10 (98-94, 98-94, 97-94) to move to 33-9-1 (11). Thomas slips to 28-9-1 (20). In the feature, the WBA WW title is on the line as McLarnin – in his fifth run as WBA Champion – defends the title for the second time in 1939, facing NABF WW titleholder Eddie “Irish” Dolan. The two have not met before, and Dolan has compiled an impressive four-bout winning streak to set up the title shot. After a cautious start by both, Dolan takes charge by aggressively forcing his way inside in round three. Slight edge for Dolan in the early rounds, and the unofficial ringside observer has Dolan well ahead (49-45) after five. McLarnin finally comes to life in round seven, decking Dolan with a big shot that puts the challenger on the deck, but only briefly, as Dolan arises at the count of two. Dolan battles back to take round eight. The action is heating up when McLarnin gets called for a blatant low blow in round nine. This results in an immediate DQ, a controversial result that hands the belt to Dolan via a DQ-9. The pro-McLarnin backers are stunned. Post-fight career marks: Dolan, 29-5-4 (11); McLarnin, 53-10-1 (24).

Apr. 28, 1939: Polo Grounds in New York City is the scene of the next big card, featuring a big NANF title bout with a couple of strong main supports. In the first of the twin co-features, LH prospect Archie Moore faces Dave Clark. For Clark, it is his first bout at Prime career stage while Moore is still at Pre-Prime. Exciting bout that heats up after Moore is cut over his right eye in round four. Clark takes advantage to land a big shot, sending Archie to the deck for a count of three. Moore covers up, then bounces back quickly in the very next round, decking Clark with a barrage of blows. Beginning in round six, Moore must battle both the cut and some swelling under the injured right eye. The bout remains close until the ninth round, when Moore puts Clark down a second time with a big uppercut, and now it is Clark who battles a rapidly swelling right eye. The bout goes the full 100 and0 it goes down as a UD 10 for Moore (96-91, 95-92, 95-92), scores much lower due to the knockdowns resulting in several 10-8 rounds. Post-fight, Moore improves to 14-1-2 (12) overall; Clark ends the bout at 15-6 (9). Second main support has veteran Benny Bass facing Al Roth in a battle of two top 10 LW contenders. Not a lot of heavy blows landed, as Bass seems to have the better of it in the early going, holding a slight points edge (48-47) at the midway point, according to the unofficial ringside observer. Roth does better in the second half, despite suffering a cut over his left eye, and the UD 10 goes to Roth (98-94, 97-93, 97-93) as Bass, at Post-Prime, tires badly in the final few rounds. Post-fight career marks: Roth, 31-6-1 (11); Bass, 50-24-5 (16). Finally, it is time for the main event, with popular MW Tony Zale making his third defense of his NABF MW title belt, facing fading vet Mickey Walker in what would turn out to be Walker’s final outing of a 21-year career. Zale shows little respect for the aging veteran, going on the attack right away and decking “the Toy Bulldog” with a big hook. Walker takes a nine count but remains shaken, a shadow of his former self. Two more KDs follow, from a Zale overhand right and a combination, before the ref calls a halt to the bout and Walker’s career. The TKO 1 runs Zale’s career totals to 24-2 (19), topped by four straight KO wins. Walker ends up at 61-13-2 (44), including a decade of dominance of the MW division from the mid-20s to the mid-30s.

Apr. 29, 1939: Final card of the month takes place at Earls Court in London. Two title bouts top the arena, first for the CBU HW title as Tommy Farr defends against Jack Peterson, who upset Farr for the GBU belt back in 1936 after Farr had won a MD when the two hooked up for the first time, for the EBU title, in 1935. Thus, it is the third meeting of the two for a third, different title. Farr, the consummate boxer, starts well and builds an early points lead. Then, in round four, Farr drops an over-aggressive Peterson who takes an eight count before resuming. Later in the round, Farr slices open a gash over Peterson’s right eye. Farr continues to pile up a huge points lead then adopts a defensive posture in the later rounds. Will Farr well ahead, the cut is reopened and leads to a late stoppage. It goes down as a TKO 11 for Farr, who retains the CBU belt and improves to 43-13-2 (16). The loss leaves Peterson at 28-10 (18), and he moves from Post-Prime to End career stage for his next outing. Then, in the second co-feature, the “Whitechapel Whirlwind,” Jack Kid Berg, takes to the ring for defend his EBU LW title against a familiar foe, Italian Aldo Spoldi. It is the fourth meeting of the two, all for the same title belt, all resulting in UD 12 wins for Berg, two in Rome, and this will be their second meeting in London. A confident Berg pleases a hometown crowd, building an early points lead (40-37 on the unofficial card), with Spoldi showing signs of swelling around his right eye as a result. Then, a big round six for the Italian challenger slices the lead to one (58-57) at the midway point. Berg responds, going on the offensive and landing an overhand right to floor Spoldi for the bout’s only KD in round eight. Berg goes on to take a UD 12 (116-112, 117-113, 115-113) to keep the belt with his fourth career win over Spoldi. Post-bout marks: Berg, 39-14-5 (14); Spoldi, 32-8-4 (14) – half of Spoldi’s career losses have been at the hands of Berg.

[JCWeb]

Back to action in the regular Uni after making some progress in the ATG tourneys ...

This report covers fistic action from the first half of May 1939, encompassing a total of 45 bouts. One WBA title bout is included.

May 5, 1939: The month kicks off with a Friday night card at Jersey City’s Roosevelt Stadium. Only bout of note is the main event, with matches hot young LH prospect Eddie Booker, who has won his first 19, facing Jimmy Adamick, a former LH prospect who had won his first 17 and reached the top 10 but is now at Post-Prime career stage. Early edge to Booker, who moves inside in round three, fighting effectively. By the midway point, the unofficial card has Booker winning all the rounds (a 50-45 points lead). Near the end of round seven, Adamick finally comes to life, landing a straight right hand that staggers Booker, who covers up. Booker retreats into a defensive shell for the final two rounds, sitting on his huge points lead. Adamick suffers from a swollen right eye through the later rounds, and the bout goes the full 10 with the UD 10 going to Booker (97-93, 97-93, 97-94) in a bout that was much more one-sided that the scores might indicate. Post-fight, Booker improves to 20-0 (13) and will be at Prime for his next outing. The loss drops Adamick to 23-8-1 (21).

May 6, 1939: Next up is an abbreviated card at Havana, with the feature for the LABF MW title. Defending this belt is Cuban fan favorite Kid Tunero, and the challenger – in his first title bout of any kind – is Puerto Rico’s Angel Cliville. Tunero puts forth an excellent boxing exhibition, and in round five, he lands a sharp blow that bloodies Cliville’s nose. The unofficial card, however, has the bout even (57-all) at the midway point. Tunero mounts a rally to win most of the next rounds, and in round nine he backs Cliville up, landing a big hook that causes the challenger to cover up. However, Tunero is called for a low blow, and a point is subtracted from his total. After round nine, there is noticeable swelling under the right eye of Tunero. The bout appears to be headed to go the distance, with Tunero well ahead, when the cut on Cliville’s nose is re-opened and bleeds profusely, leading to a late stoppage. Thus, Tunero retains the belt via a TKO 12 on the cuts stoppage. Post-fight career marks are 29-9-5 (9) for Tunero; 33-19-2 (18) for Cliville.

May 6, 1939: Fistic action at Boston Garden. Again, an abbreviated card and the only bout of interest is the main event, which matches Jimmy Mendes defending the NABF HW title against once-beaten challenger Abe Simon, who is in his first title bout of any kind (Mendes will retain his LABF HW crown regardless of the outcome of this bout). It is the first meeting of the two, and Mendes’ second defense of the NABF title. Two sluggers square off but the first half of the bout is rather uneventful, with the challenger, Simon, emerging with a very slight points edge (58-57, according to the unofficial card) at the midway point. Action picks up near the end of round nine, when Simon gets in a short, clean hook that puts Mendes on the deck. Mendes, however, is saved by the bell which sounds as the count reaches one. Then, in round 10, Simon connects with a hard shot off the top of the head that forces Mendes to cover up. Sensing the title slipping away, Mendes goes all out in the final two rounds, weakening his defenses. This leaves him vulnearable to a big shot from Simon in the final round. Mendes goes down again, takes a five-count, but is unable to fend off a barrage of blows from Simon, who earns a TKO 12 victory as the ref does not allow the bout to go the distance. With the win, Simon improves to 22-1-1 (17). For Mendes, it is his first loss in over three years, dropping his career totals to 34-10-4 (27).

May 12, 1939: Next card is a Friday night affair at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. A Commonwealth title bout headlines the agenda, preceded by a co-feature matching the #1 and #2 ranked LHs in a non-title bout as ex-Champ Tiger Jack Fox takes on current NABF and CBU titleholder Charley Belanger, hometown crowd favorite who is now at Post-Prime career stage. Fox is looking to avenge a 1936 loss to Belanger (one of only four career setbacks for Fox) via DQ. After a solid start, Fox is called for a foul and deducted a point in round three – indicating the need to be careful to avoid a repeat of the early DQ loss. More problems for Fox in round four when he suffers a split lip. Undeterred, Fox traps a hapless Belanger against the ropes and drops him with a hard cross right before the bell sounds to end round four. Fox is well ahead at the midway point (49-45, according to the unofficial ringside observer). Then, in round seven, a second KD occurs as Belanger walks into a Fox uppercut; he takes a seven-count before arising to resume the action. By the end of round seven, Belanger is showing signs of fatigue as well as some swelling under his left eye. A Fox combination finds its target, and Belanger drops to the canvas for a third time. This time, he is unable to beat the count. KO 9 for Tiger Jack Fox, running his record to 45-4 (32). Belanger, who has clearly seen better days, is now 42-19 (19). In the feature, the CBU FW title is up for grabs as Canadian titleholder Pete DeGrasse defends that belt against Dave Crowley, a former GBU FW titleholder. The two have met once before, back in 1932, with DeGrasse coming away a MD 10 winner. Not much in the way of action through most of the early going, with Crowley sustaining a cut under his left eye in round four. Building on a slight points edge at the midway point (58-57, according to the unofficial scorer), DeGrasse gradually pulls away in the second half of the fight, overcoming a late rally from Crowley to take a UD 12 (114-113, 116-111, 117-110) to retain the CBU title. Post-fight career marks: DeGrasse, 37-14-4 (10); Crowley, 26-20-1 (13).

May 13, 1939: To Europe and the Amor Bahn in Munich for the next card, featuring former NABF LH titleholder Bob Olin matched with Germany’s EBU LH Champ, Adolf Heuser, in a non-title affair. Olin, now at Post-Prime, is still ranked among the top 10 LHs, so Heuser’s supporters are viewing this as an opportunity to move up in the LH rankings. Olin seems to have the edge in punches landed through the first three rounds, but round four sees Heuser turn the tables with a big round. As a result, Olin returns to his corner with a trace of swelling under his right eye as a visual sign of the effectiveness of Heuser’s punches. Then, in round five, a straight right from Heuser stuns Olin, forcing the latter fighter to cover up. Despite holding a nominal points lead a the midway point (48-47, according to the unofficial card), Olin is on the losing end, with his other eye beginning to puff up as Heuser continues to dominate the action through the middle rounds. Olin is unable to mount a comeback, and Heuser goes on to record a UD 10 (98-93, 96-94, 96-95), although Olin did well to keep the scores reasonably close on at least two of the judges’ cards. Post-fight career marks: Heuser, 33-8-1 (16); Olin, 32-14-3 (10). With the win, Heuser secures a spot among the top 10 LHs.

May 13, 1939: Back to the States for a big card at San Francisco, with a WBA title bout as the main attraction. The main support has two top 10 WW contenders meeting in a non-title affair, as Young Corbett III faces Izzy Jannazzo. First meeting of the two, and long-time top WW contender Corbett is now at the Post-Prime stage of his career. Jannazzo has won four of his last five since dropping a USBA title fight to Henry Armstrong, and he is hoping for a big win to boost him into contention for another title shot. Action is slow to develop, but in round five Jannazzo begins to dominate, having built a solid points edge (49-46 on the unofficial card). After a big round six, Jannazzo becomes more aggressive in round seven but can’t finish or put Corbett in difficulty. No cuts or swelling, and Corbett is able to close the gap in the later rounds. Jannazzo goes on to take a UD 10 (96-94 on all three cards) but the margin was not as impressive as indicated by the midway check on the unofficial card. Post-bout, Jannazzo improves to 27-4 (13); Corbett slips to 53-17-6 (12). In the main event, Midget Wolgast makes his 22^nd defense of the WBA Flyweight title he won back in 1931, and his opponent is a familiar foe, long-time top contender Frankie Genaro, still the #1 ranked contender having registered wins in his last two outings despite reaching End career stage. It is the fourth meeting for these two, with Wolgast having won two and drawn a third in their prior meetings. Wolgast is content to stay on the outside, content to let Genaro attempt to force the action. The bout remains close through the opening rounds, with Wolgast holding a slim lead (48-47 on the unofficial card) after five rounds. Then, in round seven, Genaro is called for repeated low blows, and the fouls are ruled to be blatant and lead to an immediate disqualification. The DQ-7 result moves Wolgast to 49-5-1 (18), while Genaro ends the bout at 51-19-6 (19). A peek at the scorecards after the first six rounds reveal that all three judges had the bout even (57-all) so it was a harsh result for Genaro.

[JCWeb]

This covers fistic action from the second half of May 1939, encompassing a total of 49 bouts. Two WBA title bouts are included in this report.

May 19, 1939: Friday night fight card at Rizal Arena in Manila, Philippines. A couple of bouts of note. In the co-feature, current OPBF BW Champ Little Pancho takes on his CBU counterpart, Canadian Horace Gwynne, in a non-title affair. Not much in the way of action in the early rounds, which see the hometown favorite, Little Pancho, gradually build a punches landed edge that translates into a slight points lead (48-47, according to the unofficial scorecard) at the midway point. A tired Gwynne, now at Post-Prime career stage, tries to get more aggressive in the later rounds but is no match for his fresher Filipino opponent. UD 10 for Little Pancho (98-92 on all three cards). Post-bout career marks: Little Pancho, 34-9-5 (9); Gwynne, 24-6-1 (14). The main event is for the OPBF FW title, and it matches defending Champ Tsuneo Horiguchi with challenger Merv “Darky” Blandon, the man he defeated for the title back in 1937, scoring a late round TKO victory. Horiguchi wastes little time, dropping Blandon with a hook to the head in the opening round that puts the Aussie veteran down for a count of three. In round two, Horiguchi sustains a cut over his right eye. Undeterred, Horiguchi puts Blandon down a second time in round three. The cut continues to become an issue for Horiguchi’s corner, having been re-opened in round six, again in round eight and for a third time in round10. However, Horiguchi remains undeterred and manages to punish Blandon, landing blow after blow until the ref calls a halt late in round 11. TKO 11 for Horiguchi, improving his career totals to 29-5 (15). For Blandon, this bout signals the end of a relatively short career, dating back to 1931, his career totals ending up at 22-14 (15).

May 20, 1939: Next is an important card at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, featuring a highly anticipated WBA HW title bout. First up is the main support also featuring two HWs, Joe Banovic and veteran and long-time LH Champ Tommy Loughran. Banovic holds two prior wins (both by UD) over the aging vet, and this time around Loughran appears to be a shell of his former self. Banovic builds an early points lead (49-47 at the midway point), but then gets careless and allows Loughran back into the bout. The bout goes the full 10 and, while one judge sides for Loughran, the other two go with Banovic, who holds the punches landed edge and does enough to escape with a SD 10 verdict (97-94, 96-97, 97-95) to run his career record to 39-14-2 (11). Loughran falls to 61-13-4 (20). Then, in the main event, the WBA HW title is on the line as Joe Louis defends against the hard-hitting Max Baer. It is the first meeting of the two, and Baer’s first WBA title shot. Louis does not take long to commence the action, connecting with a combination that causes Baer to sink to the canvas. Max arises at the count of eight and tries to cover up, only to subject himself to more punishing blows from Louis, whose killer instinct has kicked in. A short, clean combination from Joe puts Baer on the deck for a second time and, while a groggy challenger is able to scramble to his feet and beat the count, the ref has seen enough and calls a halt. TKO 1 for Louis. Post-bout career marks are 27-1 (25) for Louis; 28-13 (25) for Baer.

May 20, 1939: Fistic action at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Two WW bouts top the card. In the first co-feature, fan favorite Barney Ross (now at Post-Prime career stage) faces another top 20 WW in Andy Callahan, in a non-title clash. Early punches landed advantage to Callahan, who leads at the midway point (49-47 on the unofficial card) while Ross struggles with his timing. Callahan is forced to battle a cut under his left eye from round five onwards. Exhausted, Ross goes all out for the KO in the final two rounds but cannot make much of an impression on Callahan, who hangs on to take a MD 10 (97-94, 95-95, 97-94) to run his career totals to 31-11-6 (10). Ross ends the bout at 32-11-3 (11). Then, in the main event, the NABF WW title, recently vacated by Eddie Dolan who moved up to become the WBA WW Champion, is on the line as Cocoa Kid faces the “Croat Comet,” Fritzie Zivic, for the vacated belt. Kid holds a prior UD 10 win from 1937. Kid, who is coming off a WBA title loss, works from the outside and is successful for the opening few rounds of the bout. By round three, there is noticeable swelling under the right eye of Zivic, who appears to be getting the worst of it. Zivic bounces back to take round four, but round five goes to Kid who builds a solid lead at the midway point (59-55, according to the unofficial ringside observer). Zivic, bothered by the swelling and Kid’s accurate punching, is unable to mount a comeback. Solid UD 12 win for Cocoa Kid (118-111, 117-112, 118-110). Post-bout career marks: Kid, 35-5-3 (11); Zivic, 25-7-3 (14). The win solidifies Kid as the top WW contender for a shot at the WBA title now held by Eddie Dolan.

May 26, 1939: Next is a Friday night card at Mexico City. This card is low on quantity but high on quality as two of the four bouts are noteworthy. Both involve fighters in the FW division. In the co-feature, ex-WBA Champ Simon Chavez faces fellow Venezuelan and another top 20 FW, Enrique Chafferdet, in a non-title contest. Both are coming off losses in title fights, Chavez having lost his WBA title while Chafferdet fell short in an LABF title bout. Prior UD win for Chavez, back in 1936. Not much in the way of action until round four, when Chavez is cut over his left eye. Chavez is able to pull out a slight points lead at the midway point (48-47, according to the unofficial scorer) although the punches landed stats favor Chafferdet – a close bout that could go either way. The cut is reopened once, in round seven, but otherwise is not a major factor. The bout remains close the rest of the way, and Chafferdet manages to take a SD 10 (97-95, 95-97, 97-95) to reverse the earlier loss. Post-bout records: Chafferdet, 35-16-7 (10); Chavez, 25-10-2 (6). In the feature, the NABF FW title is up for grabs with Freddie Miller defending against crowd favorite Baby Arizmendi. Arizmendi holds a prior win (back in 1937, for this same belt) as is favored to repeat. Turns into a rather mundane boxing exhibition, no heavy blows landed, which appears to favor Arizmendi. However, Miller succeeds in making the bout a close one, and Arizmendi leads by a small margin (58-56, according to the unofficial ringside observer) by the midway point. Miller appears winded the second half of the bout, but he still manages to keep the bout close into the final rounds. Arizmendi manages to the lift the title via a MD 12 (116-112, 114-114, 116-112). Post-fight career marks: Arizmendi, 38-8-2 (10); Miller, 35-11-1 (15).

May 27, 1939: To London for the next fight card, headlined by a non-title bout featuring two LWs, former Commonwealth LH Champ Laurie Stevens, from South Africa, versus home-grown Harry Mizler, the current GBU LW Champ. Stevens holds a prior win over Mizler, via a UD, but that was back in 1934, when both were in the formative stages of their respective careers. Mizler, the underdog in this bout, starts well and manages to hold his own for the first half of the bout, which is even (48-all) according to the unofficial ringside observer. Near the end of round six, however, Stevens captures the British Champ with an uppercut that forces Mizler to cover up to avert further damage. Then, in round seven, Stevens puts Mizler down with a barrage of punches; after taking a counf of eight, Mizler arises and attempts to shake off the effects of the knockdown. The bout goes the distance, with both men showing the effects – Mizler, with a swollen right eye, while Stevens shows signs of swelling around his right eye. The one KD proved decisive in allowing Stevens to claim a UD 10 triumph (96-94, 96-94, 98-92) to run his career totals to 23-5-1 (15). Mizler sinks to 19-10-14 (5) with the loss.

May 27, 1939: Final card of the month is a big one, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit. It is headlined by a WBA title bout, amply supported by a couple of co-features. In the first of these, unbeaten young MW prospect Charley Burley seeks to continue his rise up the ranks, facing veteran Al Trulmans. Burley goes right to work in the opening round, doubling up on a hook to hurt Trulmans, who covers up to last the round. Early in round three, a hard cross from Burley does even more damage, sending Trulmans reeling against the ropes. More of the same from Burley, and Trulmans is already showing signs of swelling around his right eye early in round four. Then, in a shocking turn of events, Trulmans connects with an uppercut that sends Burley to the canvas. Quite a shock for the highly touted Burley, who scrambles back to his feet after taking a seven-count, having tasted the canvas for the first time in his career. The bout proceeds into round nine, when Burley finally unleashes another barrage to put Trulmans down, then finally the ref calls a halt. TKO 9 for Burley, who runs his career mark to an impressive 18-0 (16). Trulmans is now 28-13-3 (14). Then, in the second co-feature, USBA Champ Lou Ambers faces newly-crowned LABF LW titleholder Pedro Montanez in a 10-round, non-title affair. Action is slow to develop, but Montanez lands enough leather to cause a mouse to form around Ambers’ left eye by the end of the third round. By the midway point of the bout, Montanez clearly has the upper hand; he leads by three (49-46) on the unofficial card. Ambers becomes gradually more aggressive and wins rounds six and seven to close the gap. Montanez responds with a big round in rounds eight and nine. The bout goes the distance, and Montanez takes a close MD 10 (97-93, 96-96, 97-93). Post-bout records: Montanez, 31-7 (16); Ambers, 29-2-1 (17). Montanez moves up the LW ranks while Ambers suffers only his second career loss. In the feature, it is a rematch of 1938’s best fight of the year, with Tony Canzoneri facing Henry Armstrong for Canzoneri’s WBA LW title. Their 1938 battle was a classic, coming out as a split duke win for the “Roman Warrior.” However, a year later and a year older (Canzoneri hit Pre-Prime in 1939), the odds shift in favor of the challenger, “Homicide Hank” Armstrong. At any rate, it is the 26^th title defense by Canzoneri, who has not lost in over nine years. After a huge round two, the challenger (Armstrong) appears to be in control. Canzoneri bounces back with a strong round three. Round four goes to Armstrong, as Canzoneri appears to be arm-weary. Punches landed stats favor Armstrong, and the challenger carves out a slight lead (48-47 on the unofficial scorer’s card) after five. Round six, Armstrong pierces Canzoneri’s defenses to score well. Inside exchanges in round seven favor Armstrong, who is warned for use of the elbows. In round eight, both men land their share of punches, each getting in some good shots. A late surge gives round nine to Armstrong. Then, in round 10, an overhand right from Armstrong puts Canzoneri on the deck. The Champ takes a six-count then covers up, with Armstrong landing a flurry of punches, scoring well but no further damage. Big edge for Armstrong (98-92 on the unofficial card) with five rounds remaining. Round 12, the bout turns into a brawl, with both men landing some big hooks. Canzoneri, tired and arm-weary, is vulnerable to an Armstrong hook that puts the Champ on the canvas for a second time in round 14. This time, Armstrong follows up with another pair of KDs before the ref steps in, halting the bout under the three-knockdown rule. TKO 14 for Armstrong, who finally has captured his second WBA title. Post-fight, Armstrong improves to 30-3-3 (23). Canzoneri dips to 48-5-4 (17). Could this matchup be the Fight of the Year for a second year in a row? And could there be another rematch? Hard to tell, as Armstrong seems focused on moving up to WW to add a third WBA title, while Canzoneri’s days as a serious title contender may be over.