My Universe

[JCWeb]

Division Profile as of Jan 1914:

Total: 152 Real Life: 78 TCs: 74

RL by Career Stage:
End- 0
Post-11
Prime-26
Pre-33
Beginner-8 (5 New)

Rated: 50
800+: 5
500+: 14
200+: 42

Jan 1914 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1913 in Parens)

Champ: Sam Langford 44-5-1 (33) (1655) (NC)
1. Joe Jeannette 37-4 (25) (1355) (+3)
2. Tommy Burns 42-8-3 (31) (1230) (NC)
3. Jack Johnson 66-9-4 (50) (1121) (-2)
4. Sam McVey 35-10-2 (23) (1050) (NC)
5. Charley Miller 20-4-2 (11) (895) (NC)
6. Jeff Clarke 22-5-1 (18) (784) (+1)
7. Frank Moran 22-7 (12) (756) (+2)
8. Harry Wills 16-0 (15) (709) (new)
9. Otto Flint 16-0-1 (13) (647) ( new)
10. Denver Ed Martin 30-21-3 (632) (-2)

Comments: All the above at Prime except for the two newcomers, Wills and Flint, still at Pre, and Johnson and Martin, at Post. Langford' string of wins means he is closing in on Abe Attell's mark for the highest ever pp total in history; Sam and Abe are the only two fighters thus far to crack the 1600 pp threshold. Jeannette went 4-0 for the year to take over the #1 contender spot, but he lost both to Langford and #2 Tommy Burns the last time they were matched together. Burns defended both belts (CBU and NABF) in 1913 to maintain his high ranking. Johnson slipped to #3 after his worst year as a pro: he went 0-2-1, losing twice to Jeannette but also being held to a draw by Aussie Colin Bell. McVey also had a bad year, going 0-2 but because he lost to higher ranked guys and had a bit of a cushion he didn't yield too much in terms of his ranking. Charley Miller continued to impress, going 4-0 for the year against the likes of Schreck, Ross, Fireman Jim Flynn and vet Joe Grim (the latter avenging a prior loss). "Joplin Ghost" Jeff Clarke is still up there despite a loss to Frank Moran, scoring an impressive KO of previously unbeaten prospect Jim Coffey. Moran at #7 was 3-1 for the year, slipping a bit after losing his one title try to Langford but ringing up KOs of two top-tenners, Clarke and Martin. Unbeaten Harry Wills moved up from prospect to contender, going 4-0 in 1913 with KOs versus Marty Cutler and Tom McMahon. Also remaining undefeated was German Otto Flint, who annexed the EBU title after being held to a draw by Brit Tom Cowler. Denver Ed Martin, who rounds out the Top 10, was 1-2 in 1913, his one win coming on a split decision over Mike Schreck but suffering KO losses to Burns and Moran.

Other Notables: Dropping out of the Top 10 were James Jeffries (#6 last year), who retired, and Gunboat Smith, who fell from #10 to #12 after losing to Jeff Clarke (but bouncing back with wins over Andy Morris and Fireman Jim Flynn). Unbeaten Al Palzer, at 15-0-2 (11) just missed the top 10, being held to draws by lesser names like Dick Rice and Soldier Kearns. GBU champ William Hague is ranked #17, with a 17-10 (11) mark, 374 pp; he had a four-bout win streak snapped when he was KO'd by Ireland's Jim Coffey. Coffey is ranked #13, with a 15-1-1 (12) mark, held to a draw with Jim Barry after winning his first 13-- he recovered to beat Curran and Hague before suffering that first loss to Jeff Clarke. Colin Bell, who achieved notoreity when he held ex-Champ Jack Johnson to a draw, is #14 with a 17-4-3 (9) mark. Carl Morris is 15-2 (8) after suffering two tough losses, one via a foul, the other a split decision. Two vets, Joe Grim at 27-17-4 (6) and Al Kaufmann at 27-12-1 (18) round out the top 20 at #19 and #20, respectively.

Prospects: Jess Willard is probably the top prospect, adding six more KO wins to his resume in 1913, building an overall 14-0 (12) record. His victims this year included Al Benedict and Dan Daily in addition to more TCs. John Lester Johnson is 12-0 (9), including KOs over Joe Cox and Sailor Jack Carroll. At 12-0 (6) is Ireland's Bartley Madden, his most recent wins all via UD versus Daily, Tom Kennedy and Jewey Smith. Bill Tate and Kiwi Bert Lowe are both 10-0-1, Lowe scoring 10 wins in a row after drawing his first time out. Newark Adonis Charley Weinert has been impressive, going 8-0 (7), all versus TC opponents. Likewise for Billy Miske, who is 6-0 (5) and Brit Charley Penwill at 6-0 (4). Also making successful debuts in 1913 were Bill "KO" Brennan, at 5-0 (5), Al Reich at 5-0 (3) and Fred Fulton at 4-0 (3).

Retirements: Former WBA champ James Jeffries heads the list of retirees.
Their career marks were as follows:

John Ferguson (CAN) 1898-1913 30-26-2 (22) CBU Champ Highest Rank: 5
James Jeffries (USA) 1896-1913 53-12-3 (46) WBA Champ 1902-1905
Marvin Hart (USA) 1899-1913 33-24-2 (20) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 7

Hart, who briefly held the World HW title in real life, never really lived up to expectations, probably because guys like Jeffries, Burns and Jack Johnson dominated the HW ranks during most of the time he was at his peak.

Looking Ahead: Wills is likely to be brought along slowly until reaching his Prime, but look for a bout or two testing him against another Top 10 guy in 1914. Irishman Jim Coffey is likely to challenge Flint for the EBU belt. Look for guys like Flint and Charley Miller to be tested against top contenders. Moran and Gunboat Smith should rebound from their 1913 losses, and Jess Willard should emerge as a future threat for the title belt. Joe Jeannette is likely to seek a rematch with either Langford or Burns as he attempts to avenge earlier losses. Five newcomers will be added to the ranks, including all-time great Jack Dempsey, the one and only "Manassa Mauler."

[JCWeb]

1913 LH Title Fights

WBA

Jack Dillon CH (22-1-2) vs Bob McAllister #2 (19-3)

Both men enter the bout having won their last five in a row. Only prior match (in 1910) resulted in a TKO win for Dillon.

Early rounds saw the usual feeling-out process. McAllister stays mainly only the outside, content to let Dillon dictate things from the inside. Dillon scores well in round 6, landing a big hook near the end of the round and there's swelling outside the left eye of the challenger. Round 9, McAllister returns the favor, getting more aggressive, and leaving Dillon with some swelling about his left eye. Round 10, another strong one for the Champ. In round 13, Dillon opnes a cut above McAllister's right eye while the swelling about the left eye worsens. McAllister pours it on in the last few rounds, securing a draw which is enough for Dillon to keep the title. Split draw (142-143 McAllister, 143-142 Dillon, 143-143 even).

Jack Dillon CH (22-1-3) vs Dave Smith #5 (19-2)

Dillon takes on the CBU champ, Aussie Dave Smith, who suffered two recent losses to Carpentier and McAllister. Dillon is heavily favored.

Jack "the Giant Killer" Dillon dominates the early rounds, firing away from the outside. Smith's right eye starts to swell as early as round 3, showing the accumulated effect of Dillon's punches. Smith has a good round 7, and Dillon exhibits some swellin under the left eye in round 8. Both connect well in the 8th, a good action round. Dillon continues to pile on the pressure and Smith has no response. Dillon by UD 15 (147-139 on all three cards).

Jack Dillon CH (23-1-3) vs Leo Houck #7 (29-11-4)

Previous meeting, for the NABF belt in 1911, resulted in a draw. Since then Houck has struggled, losing two of his last three, but he was the only legitimate top LH contender available, so he fights Dillon for the belt.

Dillon starts well, landing crisp punches to take the opening rounds. Dillon continues to pile up a lead into the middle rounds, outboxing an increasingly desperate Houck. No knockdowns as Dillon dominates the bout from start to finish. Dillon by UD 15 (144-141, 145-140, 146-139).

Jack Dillon CH (24-1-3) vs Jack "Twin" Sullivan #1 (40-20)

Dillon now faces the top-ranked contender, NABF champ Sullivan, who gets his second shot at Dillon's WBA belt, having lost by TKO a year earlier.

Dillon once again looks sharp in the early going. Sullivan tries being more aggressive but Dillon's defense is solid. Sullivan's right eye starts to swell midway through the bout. Sullivan tires early, and Dillon coasts to another UD win. Dillon by UD 15 (144-140, 145-140, 143-141). No KDs, bout didn't seem as close as scores would indicate.

NABF: "Twin" Sullivan defended twice, first against perennial contender John Wille, who suffered a severe cut above the right eye which led to a premature stoppage. Since it was ruled an accidental butt, they went to the scorecards and it was a UTD win for Sullivan in the 10th. Next up was Bob McAllister, who appeared to be having the better of it until a severe cut above his right eye led to a stoppage. Sullivan by TKO 9 (cut) -- McAllister is looking for a rematch.

USBA: Charlie Haghey entered the year with the belt, but he faced Battling Levinsky, a man who defeated him in a non-title bout a year earlier. Haghey was cut above the right eye and Levinsky outboxed him for a lopsided UD win to take the belt. Levinsky defended against washed-up veteran Fred Cooley, whom he dispatched via KO in 5. Then it was a match with ATG, ex-Champ, Phila Jack O'Brien, and the aging vet had enough left in the tank to take the title from the younger man, dominating the last three rounds for a UD 12 win. Then O'Brien capped the year off by taking on Howard Morro, whom he dominated early but then Morrow rallied as the older man ran out of gas. O'Brien barely hung on for a SD 12 win (115-113, 113-114, 115-114).

CBU: Aussie Dave Smith defended the title he won last year in a rematch with British TC Chruck Carrick, and it was a one-sided affair resulting in a TKO 2 for Smith.

GBU: TC Carrick still holds the belt, despite no defense since 1911.

EBU: Long-awaited title shot for Frenchman Georges Carpentier, who dethronred the defending veteran George Gardner, in what proved to be the final bout for Gardner. Carpentier opened a severe cut above the left eye of Gardner in the 4th and eventually the cut was reopened, resulting in a 7th round TKO for Carpentier. Passing of the torch to the younger man in this one.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1914 Division Profile

Total Boxers: 55 Real Life: 25 TCs: 30

RL by Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 4
Prime - 7
Pre - 9
Beginner - 4 (4 New)

Rated: 16
800+: 3
500+: 8
200+: 11

Jan 1914 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1913 in Parens):

Champ: Jack Dillon 25-1-3 (15) (1032) (NC)
1. Jack Sullivan 40-21 (19) (827) (+1)
2. Georges Carpentier 21-1 (18) (800) (+2)
3. Bob McAllister 20-4-1 (14) (702) (+2)
4. Phila. Jack O'Brien 58-9-3 (27) (694) (+5)
5. Battling Levinsky 22-3 (13) (664) (+1)
6. Leo Houck 29-12-4 (10) (573) (-3)
7. Dave Smith 20-4 (17) (570) (+1)
8. Charlie Haghey 33-24-2 (24) (433) (-1)
9. Howard Morrow 15-6-1 (11) (264) (+4)
10. John Wille 35-17-4 (23) (253) (+1)

Comments: Four of the above (Sullivan, O'Brien, Haghey and Wille) at Post, rest still in Prime career stage. Dillon has not lost since 1909, on a cut to a TC (Hank Newhart) -- he has since gone 20 in a row without defeat (including three draws) to emerge as a dominant fighter in this division. Jack "Twin" Sullivan went 2-1 in 1913, hung onto his NABF belt, but now that Sullivan has reached Post-Prime it's more likely that bigger future threat to Dillon's reign will come from Frenchman Georges Carpentier, who took the EBU belt from the aging vet, Gardner and registered wins over Morrow and Wille -- the only one blemish on the Frenchman's record is a 1912 loss to O'Brien. McAllister had a KO win over Haghey, a UD over Houck, but lost to Sullivan via TKO after a well-fought draw with Dillon. O'Brien went 4-0 for the year but aging effects make it unlikely he will regain the WBA crown. Levinsky suffered a big career setback when he lost to O'Brien after having won 7 in a row. He did manage a win over British prospect Harry Reeve, however. Houck went 0-3 for 1913, dropping decisions to McAllister, Dave Smith, and Dillon. Aussie Smith retained his CBU title but a loss to prospect Larry Williams has stalled his progress. Haghey was 0-3 for the year, losing to Levinsky, O'Brien and McAllister. Morrow KO'd veteran TC Carrick but lost a split decision to O'Brien and was held to a draw by Wille, who checks in at #10 despite three losses during the year.

Other Notables: George Gardner, who was #1 going into the year, retired after losing the EBU belt to Carpentier. Fred Cooley fell out of the Top 10, dropping five spots to #15. TC Carrick remains the only TC with a title belt, holding onto the GBU crown for perhaps the last year; he is ranked #11 with a 26-26-1 (7) career mark and 175 pp.

Prospects: Here is where the future strength of this division lies. Tommy Gibbons has compiled a 13-0-1 (9) mark, dowming Bob Sweeney and two TCs to go 3-0 in 1913. Brit Harry Reeve is now 12-2 (9), suffering setbacks in last two bouts to Levinsky and Sweeney (a KO loss). Larry Williams moved to 11-2 (9) with an upset win over Dave Smith in a year when he went 5-0. Sweeney, at 11-1 (8), has only lost to Gibbons and turned in wins over Reeve and Turner in 1913. Frank Farmer had gone unbeaten in his first 10 before dropping a MD 10 to Williams, so he is now 10-1 (5). Aussie Albert Lloyd is 10-2 (6), suffering losses to New Zealand HW Bert Lowe and Charles Grande but downing vet journeyman Fred Cooley. Battling Siki is probably thesecond best prospect after Gibbons, as he remains unbeaten at 9-0 (7), turning in a UD 10 win over fellow prospect Clay Turner. Grande is 8-1 (4) and Turner checks in at 8-2, no KOs.

Retirements: Only one -- George Gardner, an ex-Champ. His stats:

George Gardner (IRL) 1898-1913 50-15-2 (32) WBA Champ 1904, 1908-10

Looking Ahead: Dillon likely to face a stern challenge for his title in 1914, perhaps from Carpentier, perhaps a rematch with McAllister. Older guys like Sullivan and O'Brien now have their best years behind them, but Leo Houck could once again become a top contender. Look for Harry Reeve to successfully remove the last TC champion, Chuck Carrick, when he contends for the GBU belt. Prospects like Tommy Gibbons and Battling Siki will continue their progress, and one or both could be rated at year's end. Some needed new blood arrives in 1914 in the form of Mike McTigue, who held the World title IRL, along with the highly regarded Kid Norfolk. The LH division is still fairly thin at the top, but it shows signs of beefing up in the next few years.

[Lee]

Carpenter and Dillon could be a good one, love the Job you are doing JC, especially the more detailed writeups and years end.

[JCWeb]

Thanks. Lee, the write-ups add a bit of time to running the Universe but it's a good way to keep track. Now on to the MW Division, where the WBA title changed hands twice during 1913:

WBA Title Bouts

Cyclone Johnny Thompson CH (33-10) vs Frank Mantell #9 (23-5-3)

No prior meetings. EBU Champ Mantell came in winning his last four, and it is his first try for the WBA title. Thompson has won his last five bouts, so something is bound to give ...

Mantell opens a cut on Thompson's forehead midway through round 2. Thompson recovers to dominate the third. The cut is reopened in the fourth and, despite Thompson's protest, the bout is stopped. Frank Mantell is the new WBA champ via a TKO 4 (cuts stoppage).

Frank Mantell CH (24-5-3) vs Billy Papke #1 (26-3-1)

Mantell takes on a tough challenger in the ex-Champ, Papke, who is the heavy favorite, based on his two wins in their prior meetings back in 1911.

Round one, good start for both, even round. Round 2, Mantell stays on the outside, another close round. Round 3, the Illinois Thunderbolt decides to be more aggressive, landing combinations and generally taking the fight to the German. Round 4, Mantell has no response to Papke's relentless attack on the inside. Round 5, a good action round as the Champ gets in a few shots before Papke takes charge, dominating the action late in the round -- swelling is noticeable now around Mantell's left eye. Mantell changes tactics, switching to the inside in round 6 but it only means more punishment as he's forced to cover up near the end of the round. Papke follows up with an all-out assault in round 7 but the German gamely hangs on, but it's Papke's round for sure. Round 8, a big hook scores for Papke near the end of the round. Round 9, Papke breaks through, flooring Mantell twice, first with a combination and again near the end of the round. No KDs in round 10 but a fearful beating administered by Papke. Papke steps off the gas a bit in the later rounds, but still manages two more KDs in the 14th en route to a decisive UD victory. Papke by UD 15 (148-134, 150-134, 149-133).

Billy Papke CH (27-3-1) vs George "KO" Brown #3 (19-3-1)

First meeting of the two. Brown has won his last three, including the USBA title clash with ex-Champ Thompson. (I go with his real first name, George, to distinguish him from a LW by the same nickname, Knockout Brown.) Papke, once again the heavy favorite, has won six in a row.

Round one, Papke takes charge right from the start, moving inside to establish control. Round 2, Brown is lured to the inside, and Papke bombs away from the outside, repeatedly getting off first. A series of big blows staggers Brown, and the ref quickly steps in to stop it. Papke by TKO 2.

NABF: Aging vet Stanley Ketchel starts the year with this belt and he defends against George Chip. Chip starts well, but Ketchel quickly takes control in round 2, ending with a KO. Next up is Jeff Smith, a top young contender who compiled a 17-1 mark coming into the bout with Ketchel. Ketchel lands a big hook to stagger Smith in round one, who covers up but manages to stay on his feet. But a cut opens above Ketchel's right eye early in the 2nd, and by round four it is too severe to continue. Smith takes the crown via TKO 4 -- bad break for Ketchel. Smith then defends the belt versus "Buffalo Iron Man" Al Rogers, who came into the bout with an impressive win over former NABF champ Frank Klaus. Smith staggers Rogers in round 4 and puts him on the canvas in the 8th. Rogers lands some good shots in the 9th but Smith hangs on for a UD 12 win. (115-110, 114-111, 115-110)

USBA: Billy Papke defended the belt versus Al McCoy, catching his opponent early and winning via a TKO in the third to set up the WBA title shot. The belt was then vacated and Cyclone Johnny Thompson and George (KO) Brown meet for the vacant title. Brown presses the attack to build an early lead, then thwarts a comeback bid by Thompson in an action-packed 9th round. Brown wins it by UD 12 (117-112, 117-112, 116-113)

CBU: Aussie Les Darcy takes the belt from TC Quinton Wade, ending it with a big uppercut for a KO 4 win. He then defended against Jake "Brooklyn Dancing Master" Ahearn, the GBU titleholder, scoring two knockdowns en route to a surprisingly close UD verdict for Darcy (114-112, 115-111, 114-112) to keep the Maitland Wonder's unbeaten mark intact.

GBU: Ahearn defended the belt he won in 1912 agains the only viable contender, TC Quinton Wade, who is little more than a punching bag for the real-life contenders now. Ahearn catches Wade early for a 4th round KO.

EBU: Mantell vacated the belt after winning the WBA title, and it was two veteran former EBU champs, Paddy Levin of Ireland and Kid Locke of Italy, who battled it out for the vacant belt. Levin builds up an early lead and a late rally by Locke falls short. Levin by UD 12 (118-113, 115-114, 116-113). Then Jake Ahearn of the UK challenges for the title, and the result is a close bout, no knockdowns. Levin tires early and Ahearn winds up as the new EBU champ via a SD 12 (117-112, 113-115, 116-113).

[JCWeb]

Jan 1914 Division Profile

Total: 122 RL: 61 TCs: M 61

RL Boxers by Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 5
Prime - 21
Pre-29
Beginner-5 (3 New)

Rated: 41
800+: 5
500+: 22
200+: 39

Jan 1914 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1913 in Parens)
Champ: Billy Papke 28-3-1 (21) (1087) (+1)
1. Jeff Smith 19-1 (11) (914) (new)
2. Stanley Ketchel 38-6-2 (33) (875) (NC)
3. Mike Gibbons 19-3-1 (9) (831) (+2)
4. Frank Mantell 24-6-4 (14) (809) (+4)
5. Al McCoy 18-4-1 (12) (793) (-1)
6. Joe Thomas 21-9-1 (11) (764) (NC)
7. George Brown 19-4-1 (11) (761) (NC)
8. Cyclone Johnny Thompson 33-123 (22) (748) (-8)
9. Joe Borrell 14-1-1 (10) (678) (new)
10. Albert Crouse 16-3 (13) (668) (new)

Comments: All the above at Prime except for Ketchel (now at End), Cyclone Johnny (hitting Post as 1914 was his last year) and newcomers Borrell and Crouse (still at Pre). A very volatile division with the title changing hands 8 times since early 1910 among six different fighters; Papke now has the belt for the third time. It's also a very talent laden division, just look at the fact that one very strong fighter (George Chip) doesn't even crack the top 30 of this year's ratings list! Papke regained the belt and has rung up seven wins in a row to rule the roost. Newcomer Jeff Smith upset Ketchel to capture the NABF belt and emerge as the #1 contender; his only loss coming to George "KO" Brown. Ketchel appears to be a shot fighter and it's unlikely he can regain the WBA title he has held twice before. Mike Gibbons is another guy on the way up--he demolished Walter Coffey with a one-round KO and decisioned ex-champ Thompson in his two outings in 1913. Mantell won the WBA belt, lost it and then drew with CBU Champ Les Darcy in his only bouts in 1913. Al McCoy lost the USBA belt but recovered with a TKO win over Al Grayber to maintain his spot in the top group. Another ex-Champ, Joe Thomas, fought just twice, drawing with "Buffalo Iron Man" Rogers and stopping Buck Crouse. George KO Brown annexed the USBA title and went 2-1 for the year, losing to Papke but beating Jeff Smith earlier in the year. Thompson, who was 0-3 for the year, may have his best days behind him now that the aging process takes effect. Borrell and Crouse represent the future for the division; Borrell has won his last four, including KO wins against Gavigan, Joe Eagan and Wenzel. Crouse compiled KO wins over veterans Frank Fields and Frank Krause, but it was balanced by TKO losses to Smith and Thomas.

Other Notables: The second ten in the division is almost as strong as the top group. Eddie McGoorty went 2-0 in 1913, scoring TKO wins over Les Darcy and Walter Coffey, yet dropped one spot in the rankings from #10 to #11. CBU champ Darcy had rung up 16 wins in a row before being stopped by McGoorty and then drawing with ex-champ Mantell; he checks in at #12 with a 16-1-1 (14) record and 607 pp. Jack McCarron, winner of four in a row, is next at #13 with a 17-4-2 (11) record. Jackie Clark debuts at #14 with a 11-2-2 (5) mark, besting the likes of George Ashe (via SD), Eddie Revoire and Jimmy O'Hagan. Jake Ahearn, who holds both the EBU and GBU belts, is only ranked #15 with a 18-2 (12) mark and 574 pp. Veteran Frank Klaus, former NABF champ, tumbled 13 spots in the rankings to #16 after going 0-3 in the year. Falling even further was former champ Hugo Kelly, who dropped all the way from #9 to #24 after going 0-3-1 for the year. Several top prospects debuting in this year's rankings include George Ashe, 15-1-1 (11) at #18, Eddie Palmer, 11-3-3 (7) at #20, Al Grayber, 13-3-1 (7) at #22. George Robinson has faced some stiff competition in his 15 bouts so far, winding up #29 at 9-2-4 (3). Oh, yes, the aforementioned George Chip occupies the #36 slot with a very spotty 16-7-1 (11) record, a pretty disappointing career so far for the RL champ when you consider that the rankings only go down to #40.

Prospects: Quite a few, but no one that really stands out at this point. Johnny Wilson has only lost to O'Hagan in compiling a 11-1 (8) mark, including wins versus Revoire and Robinson. Australian Mick King was sailing along at 10-0 until meeting his first RL opponent, Joe Eagan, and he lost to go 10-1 (6). Eagan, at 10-2 (2) was KO'd by top 10 candidate Borrell. O'Hagan had losses to Clark and Robinson en route to compiling his 11-2 (8) record. Fighting Billy Murry had a good year, going 2-0-1 with a win over Italian Joe Gans and a draw with Whitey Wenzel; his overall mark is now 10-2-1 (9). Gans suffered two TKO losses to Murray and Revoire and checks in at 10-3 (9). Revoire won four in a row but dropped to 9-4 (3) after losses to Wilson and Clark. Still unbeaten is Johnny Howard at 8-0 (5), the first seven versus TCs followed up by a UD8 over Zulu Kid. All five guys who debuted in 1913 (Harry Greb. Silent Martin, Chic Nelson, Mike O'Dowd, and Len Rowlands) remain unbeaten, but all have only faced TC opposition to date. O'Dowd at 5-0 (3) has the best record of the bunch thus far.

Retirements: None

Looking Ahead: Papke (who is not due to hit Post-Prime until 1919) is poised for a possible long title run, but the recent history of the division argues against it. Jeff Smith and Mike Gibbons are the most likely immediate challengers. McCoy, Thomas, and Brown are still in Prime career stage and could contend as well. Mantell is likely to try to regain the EBU belt from current titleholder Jake Ahearn. It will be interesting to see if guys like Borrell and Crouse can continue to maintain their spots in the Top 10 with guys like Darcy and McGoorty not far behind. Look for Darcy, McGoorty, perhaps others, to break through to the top ranks. Names that have been at or near the top like Ketchel, Thompson, Klaus, Levin, and Kelly form an "over-the-hill" gang likely to appear again only on the future retirements listing. The best of the young prospects, Harry Greb, is at least a year away from having an impact. Bryan Downey and Panama Joe Gans pace the newcomers to the division in 1914.

[JCWeb]

1913 WW Title Bouts

WBA

Jack Britton CH (28-4-1) vs Mike Sullivan #2 (33-12-4)

First meeting of the two. Sullivan (the USBA Champ) comes into the bout on a four-bout win streak (unbeaten in 1912), and Britton has won his last three (also unbeaten in 1912).

Britton ("The Boxing Marvel") looks sharp in the early exchanges and gains the upper hand. Round 3, Sullivan tries to work his way inside and although Sullivan stuns the champ with a straight right, it's Britton's round. Round four it's Britton working the inside, Sullivan outside, making for an entertaining, close round. Sullivan tries to bull his way inside again in the 5th, but Britton calmly stays outside to build his points lead. Round six is the challenger's best round, pinning Britton in the corner and landing some good shots. Sullivan stalks Britton again in round 7, but Britton dances away, still Sullivan lands more punches to take the round. Sullivan continues to apply the pressure in the 8th, landing a sharp combination near the end of the round that staggers the champ. Britton switches to the inside, seeking to re-establish control of the bout, dominating rounds 9 and 10 as a result. Round 11 Sullivan is back on the inside, trying to mount a rally when a severe cut opens above his left eye late in the round. Sullivan's corner is unable to close the cut as Sullivan strives gamely to put Britton on the canvas. As it turns out the cut worsens and leads to a late round stoppage in a memorable title bout. Britton by TKO 14 (cut).

Jack Britton CH (29-4-1) vs Dixie Kid #4 (42-12-2)

Third meeting of the two, the prior two were split, one win apiece. Each man comes into the bout having won four in a row.

Close opening stanza followed by the "Boxing Marvel" working from the outside to take round 2. Kid pushes the pace in the third, but Britton continues to control things with a strong jab. Britton is warned for a low blow in the fourth, but he continues to control things from the outside. Relentless punching accuracy by Britton continually keeps Kid off balance throughout the middle rounds, and a furious attack by Kid in the later rounds falls short. Britton by UD 15 (147-142, 145-142, 146-140).

Jack Britton CH (30-4-1) vs Packey McFarland #1 (26-0-2)

Finally, the long-awaited matchup of the Champ, Britton, in his fifth title defense against the unbeaten Packey McFarland, the NABF champ and #1 challenger.

McFarland looks sharp early, peppering the Champ with blows from every direction to take the opening stanza. Britton recovers with a strong round 2, and then holds off the challenger who tries to get more aggressive in the 3rd-- late in the round McFarland lands a big hook, but Britton just shrugs it off. Round four sees both men on the inside, with Britton winning most of the exchanges. Both work outside in the 5th, and McFarland scores well with Britton coming on at the end of the round. McFarland is the aggressor in rounds 6 and 7, but by now Britton has his jab working and is scoring the more telling blows. Britton's defense continues to dominate throughout the middle rounds, and McFarland becomes increasingly desperate to try to land a key blow. Later rounds, McFarland tires early, and Britton hangs on to preserve his lead for a huge win against a very tough opponent. Britton by UD 15 (145-142, 147-140, 145-142).

Jack Britton CH (31-4-1) vs Johnny Summers #11 (34-15-3)

A busy champ, Britton makes his fourth defense of the year against Summers, who is the reigning EBU and CBU titleholder. Britton won their prior encounter (UD 15 for the WBA belt) back in 1910 and is favored to repeat three years later.

Britton looks sharp, landing cleaner and more often than the challenger to take the first few rounds. Summers tries his luck on the inside, having some success by round 4. Round 5 the action heats up, both men scoring well, and Summers catches the champ with a big left late in the round. Britton methodically works both inside and outside to pile up a points lead in the next few rounds as Summers can make no further impression on the Champ. No KDs, and Summers tires early, his left eye swelling up in the later rounds. Britton by UD 15 (146-140, 144-141, 146-139).

NABF: McFarland makes one defense, early in the year against the veteran Willie Lewis. McFarland has trouble early, suffering a split lip in round one, swelling about the right eye in round two, and a cut over the left eye in round three. Yet Lewis is uynalbe to take advantage, and McFarland holds on, rallying to take the final three rounds to secure a draw and keep his belt, enabling him to retain his status as the #1 challenger to Britton.

USBA: Mike "Twin" Sullivan defends versus Kyle Whitney, whom he edged out in a SD12 when first claiming the belt back in 1911. The rematch saw Whitney start well, pressuring Sullivan and nearly knocking him down with a sweet uppercut in round 5. He then sealed the win by putting "Twin" down in the 11th, and taking the last two rounds made all the difference, as all the judges had it even after 10. Whitney by UD 12 (115-112 on all three cards) to claim the title.

CBU: Johnny Summers defended against fellow Brit, Young Joseph, against whom he had dominated, 5-0 in prior encounters. Summers sustained a cut above the right eye but didn't let that prevent him from making it six in a row, winning a UD 12 verdict that really wasn't very close.

GBU: Matt Wells began 1913 with the belt, defending versus Johnny Basham in an action-packed bout where Wells suffered a bloody nose but hung on for a UD 12 decision. In the rematch seven months later, Basham turned the tables and gradually became more aggressive in the later rounds to secure a SD 12 verdict (115-114, 114-115, 116-113). Then Young Joseph entered the picture, taking on Basham late in the year in another hard-fought encounter where Joseph took the early lead and held on in a bout that was closer than the cards would indicate. Joseph by UD 12 (116-112, 116-112, 118-110).

EBU: Joseph began the year with the belt, defending against Ireland's Jimmy Gardner, who held the title from 1908-10. Joseph was ahead on two of the cards, the third one even, when he was called for a blatant low blow in the 9th, giving the bout to Gardner on the foul. A rematch two months later saw Gardner dominate early and hold off Joseph in the late rounds for a close UD 12 win to secure the title. Then Gardner defended versus Summers, the CBU titleholder, in their fifth meeting (2 wins, 2 draws for Gardner going in) and this time Summers pulled ahead in the middle rounds, hammering a tired Gardner in the 9th before ending it with a huge uppercut in round 10. Summers by KO 10 to take the belt.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1914 Division Profile

Total: 91 RL Boxers: 45 TCs: 46

RL Boxers by Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 6
Prime - 24
Pre- 10
Beginner - 4 (3 New)

Ranked: 33
800+: 3
500+: 18
200+: 33

Jan 1914 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1913 in Parens)

Champ: Jack Britton 32-4-1 (14) (1351) (NC)
1. Packey McFarland 26-1-2 (17) (1176) (NC)
2. Willie Lewis 35-16-1 (19) (988) (+1)
3. Jimmy Gardner 34-11-3 (15) (784) (+3)
4. Ted Kid Lewis 17-1-3 (9) (776) (+4)
5. Mike Glover 29-6-2 (8) (776) (+2)
6. Dixie Kid 43-14-2 (19) (775) (-1)
7. Kyle Whitney 24-7-2 (13) (735) (+5)
8. Mike Sullivan 33-15-4 (17) (734) (-6)
9. Waldemar Holberg 21-6 (10) (722) (+7)
10. Johnny Summers 34-16-3 (17) (715) (+3)

Comments: Everyone listed above at Prime except for Mike "Twin" Sullivan who enters Post-Prime starting next bout. A very tight group from #3 all the way down to #11 in the rankings, separated by about a 75 pp spread. Britton is rapidly becoming one of the dominant fighters of this era, having won his last 7, having beaten his most highly regarded foe in McFarland, and he's nowhere near retirement (his last year in the ring was 1930). McFarland also has a long career ahead, but he struggled against Willie Lewis (only a draw) but is still the top contender despite losing to Britton. Willie Lewis is right now the third best guy, but this will be his last year at Prime and he needs to make the most of it. After drawing with McFarland, he defeated Shevlin (MD10) and Glover (SD10), not dominating wins, but enough to put him in line for a title bout. Gardner lost his EBU belt but still ended the year on an upnote with a SD10 win over up-and-comer Willie Schaeffer. Ted Kid Lewis is the UK's best hope, starting the year with a loss to veteran Young Peter Jackson but finishing strong with wins over Honey Mellody and Dixie Kid (the latter via SD) after being held to a draw with Dick Nelson. Glover had wins over the two Danes, Nelson and Holberg, but lost the split duke to Lewis. Dixie Kid was 2-2 in 1913 (SD wins over Summers and Fryer), and perhaps the large number of bouts is taking its toll. Kyle Whitney may be on the verge of a breakthrough, as he TKO'd Young Peter Jackson and won the USBA belt in the midst of a four-bout, two-year unbeaten run. Sullivan was 0-3 for the year and will likely slide further as the aging kicks in next year. Holberg was 3-1 to stay in the top 10, with two wins over Honey Mellody and a SD verdict over Johnny Basham despite a UD loss to Glover. Summers sneaks into the top 10 by going 2-2, KOing Gardner for the EBU belt while retaining his CBU title, and it seems he should be ranked a bit higher as a result.

Other Notables: Denmark's Dick Nelson slipped one spot to #11 but finished the year well, with a TKO of Frenchman Albert Badoud. Honey Mellody dropped 10 spots to #14, losing twice to Holberg and once to Kid Lewis. Veteran Young Peter Jackson also showed signs of aging, losing to Whitney and Shevlin while managing a win over Ted Kid Lewis; he fell six spots to #15. Newcomers Badoud and Schaeffer check in at #16 and #17, respectively, Badoud compiling a 15-3 (13) mark and Schaeffer just behind him at 15-3-1 (11). GBU Champ Young Joseph, who had an up and down year, winds up at #19, with a 34-19-2 (13) mark and 457 pp, but he, too, hits Post-Prime in 1914.

Prospects: Irishman Tom McCormick (a creation of yours truly) remains unbeaten at 11-0 (5), sporting a recent win over Marty Cross to go with 10 prior ones versus TCs. Art Magirl won three this past year to go 11-1 (9), avenging his prior loss to a TC and topping Sid Burns and Soldier Bartfield. It was Bartfield's first loss; his record stands at 10-1 (6). Marty Cross has suffered two loss, one to McCormick and another via foul to a TC, making his record 8-2-1 (4). Canadian Frank Barrieau vanquished all TC opposition and is unbeaten at 8-0 (4). Not so for Aussie Tommy Uren, who stumbled, losing via a cut to one TC opponent in reaching the 6-1 (3) mark. American Phinney Boyle, at 2-0, is just getting started.

Retirements: None

Looking Ahead: Who will be the next to challenge Britton? Willie Lewis and Jimmy Gardner may be angling toward title shots. Dick Nelson may be angling for a EBU title bout, after his win over Badoud. Glover and Whitney may be ready to step up and perhaps challenge Britton or McFarland. Sullivan, Mellody, Jackson, and Joseph are on the downslope of their careers. Badoud and Schaeffer may be knocking at the door once they reach Prime career stage. Ted Kid Lewis looks like he will be around for awhile in the top group; he and Summers may be destined to meet for the GBU belt somewhere down the road. McCormick, Magirl and Bartfield appear to be the top prospects, and in 1914 they will be joined by newcomers Fred Kay from Australia, and Willie Loughlin and Tommy Robson of the US.

[JCWeb]

1913 LW Title Bouts

WBA

Freddie Welsh CH (26-5-1) vs Willie Ritchie #4 (23-6-1)

Ritchie, the USBA champ, earns a shot at Welsh's WBA title. First meeting of the two, Ritchie has won his last four and Welsh has won his last five.

Both are tentative in the opening rounds, Ritchie follows a strong round two by taking the initiative and working the inside. Welsh rebounds with a strong round 4, and Ritchie clinches to keep the Welsh Wizard from punching. Welsh scores with a big uppercut in round 5. The bout remains close until Welsh is cut above the right eye in round 9, and Ritchie targets the eye for further damage. After the cut is reopened in round 10, blood gushes out everywhere, necessitating a stoppage. Ritchie wins the title with a TKO 10 (cut).

Willie Ritchie CH (24-6-1) vs Jack Blackburn #1 (46-6-1)

Ritchie's first defense will be a tough challenge, in against former champ Jack Blackburn. First meeting of the two. Blackburn has won four in a row since losing the WBA belt to Welsh last year.

Ritchie is sharp early. He works inside while Blackburn prefers the outside. Blackburn steps it up in round 2, causing some puffiness around the right eye of the Champ. Solid defense combined with more accurate punching enable Blackburn to build a solid points cushion. Hard fought in the middle rounds, as Ritchie repeatedly launches assault after assault, but Blackburn's defense holds. Eventually, Ritchie wears out, and Blackburn has the WBA belt for the third time. Blackburn by UD 15 (144-141, 147-139, 144-142).

Jack Blackburn CH (47-6-1) vs Fighting Dick Hyland #8 (30-15-3)

Sixth meeting, all five previous bouts going the way of Blackburn. Hyland, the NABF champ, has won three in a row and lost his only other WBA title shot back in 1907 to guess who ... Jack Blackburn.

Both men start on the outside, and the first few rounds are relatively uneventful. Blackburn gradually ratchets up the pressure as the bout enters the middle rounds, working the inside and getting off first. Hyland begins to wear down, showing signs of fatigue as early as round 8. Blackburn is able to coast to an easy points win after a solid boxing performance. Blackburn by UD 15 (147-138, 149-136, 146-139).

NABF: Blackburn vacates the belt and Lockport Jimmy Duffy meets Canada's Fighting Dick Hyland for the title. Duffy starts well but then runs into a big shot from Hyland -- KO 2 for the Canadian. Hyland defends against veteran Young Otto, who defeated him two months earlier. Hyland rips open a cut over the left eye of Otto that leads to a late stoppage. Hyland keeps the belt via TKO in the 10th due to the cut.

USBA: Ritchie begins the year as champion and defends once, versus Lockport Jimmy Duffy. Ritchie gradually gains the upper hand and bangs out a decisive UD 12 win, reversing the result in a 1911 bout with Duffy. After Ritchie wins the WBA crown, Knockout Brown and Eddie Wallace meet for the vacant title. Brown overcomes some swelling about the right eye when he lands a stunning blow that breaks Wallace's nose, necessitating an early stoppage -- Brown by TKO 5. Brown then defends versus Ray Bronson, who defeated him in an earlier bout. Bronson manages to open a cut above Brown's right eye, but in round 5 Brown decks Bronson with a hook to the head. Bronson is able to reopen the cut in round 7, and a late rally by Brown falls just short. Bronson by SD 12 (114-113, 113-115, 116-111) to take the belt. He defends against Harlem Tommy Murphy, who is fresh off a bruising battle with FW king Abe Attell. It's another close fight, going the distance with Bronson dropping Murphy in the fith but needing to take the last round for another SD 12 win. Late in the year he defends versus former champ Willie Ritchie-- another bruising affair, with Bronson cut over the right eye in round 6. Bronson recovers to put Ritchie on the canvas in the 10th. Bronson scores a second KD in a bout that is tough to score as Ritchie landed the greater volume of punches. The judges score it a draw (114-113 Ritchie, 113 even, 113-114 Bronson) which enables Bronson to keep the belt. After two split decisions and a draw, Bronson is still USBA champ.

CBU: Former champ Jem Driscoll defends his CBU belt versus Aussie Herb McCoy, who was cut in round 4 but gamely carried on while Driscoll pounded out a lopsided UD 12 win. Then he took only fellow Brit, Freddie Welsh, scoring a KD with a short hook in the 4th en route to a UD 12 win. Finally, it was another Aussie, Alf Goodwin, who proved to be overmatched in a cakewalk for the veteran Driscoll -- another UD 12 win.

GBU: Phil Bloom defended the belt he won last year, facing the former champ, Freddie Welsh. Bloom was totally outclassed in this one, and Welsh regains the GBU title by UD 12.

EBU: Battling Nelson took on the GBU titleholder, Phil Bloom, and the plucky young Brit proved to be a stiff test for the veteran Dane. Nelson pulled ahead but Bloom pulled out all the stops with a late rally in the 11th and 12th to steal the belt. Bloom by SD 12 (115-114, 114-116, 116-114). A huge upset.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1914 LW Division Profile

Total: 112 RL: 59 TCs: 53

RL by Career Stage:
End - 3
Post- 8
Prime - 28
Pre - 13
Beginner - 7 (3 New)

Rated: 44
800+: 8
500+: 23
200+: 39

Jan 1914 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1913 in Parens):

Champ: Jack Blackburn 48-6-1 (18) (1384) (+1)
1. Jem Driscoll 48-7 (29) (1296) (+1)
2. Freddie Welsh 27-7-1 (17) (1098) (-2)
3. Willie Ritchie 24-8-2 (10) (1032) (+2)
4. Ray Bronson 25-6-5 (8) (944) (+8)
5. Harlem Tommy Murphy 27-15-1 (10) (935) (+3)
6. Young Erne 39-17-3 (14) (826) (NC)
7. Fighting Dick Hyland 30-16-3 (19) (803) (+3)
8. Matty Baldwin 31-14-2 (20) (699) (+1)
9. Lockport Jimmy Duffy 22-5 (12) (698) (-5)
10. Young Otto 30-13-2 (13) (672) (+10)

Comments: Everyone listed above at Prime, no exceptions. Blackburn has regained the WBA belt but is likely to be pushed to keep it given the highly competitive nature of this division. Ritchie, Bronson, and Murphy seem to have bridged the gap to the top group, while Battling Nelson has dropped off the radar. Blackburn is riding a 6-bout win streak. Driscoll has won 9 in a row, unbeaten since losing the WBA belt in 1911. Welsh stumbled with two losses in 1913 to Driscoll and Ritchie but still maintains a top spot in the rankings. Ritchie had a busy year, starting well but then lost a MD to Driscoll after losing the WBA belt, then was held to a draw by Bronson. Bronson posted four wins and a draw to make a big move up the list, but three of his wins were narrow SD verdicts, including one over Young Erne in addition to the US title bouts chronicled in the above post. Harlem Tommy Murphy won only one bout but it was a big one -- a SD over long-time FW champ Abe Attell that ended the latter's seven-year unbeaten streak. The fact that Murphy lost a split duke to Kid Black and was TKO'd by Charley White was wiped out by the huge points gain from besting Attell, who had compiled a record pp total. Veteran Young Erne may have accumulated enough retirement points to be kicked into Post-Prime soon, but he came back with consecutive wins over Wallace, Wolgast and Donahue after the early season loss to Bronson. Hyland remains an ever-present contender, taking the NABF belt in an active year in which he fought six times, going 4-2, beating Wolgast and Black but losing to Otto in addition to the title contests. Baldwin had a rough start in 1913, losing on a TKO to Phil Cross, but scored bounce-back wins over Koehler and a TKO over Lockport Jimmy Duffy. Duffy slid down the charts after a dismal 1-3 year. Young Otto rounds out the Top 10, capping off a 4-5 year with an impressive 5th round TKO of Battling Nelson, a former WBA Champ.

Other Notables: Hot prospect Benny Leonard just missed the Top 10, having been held to a surprising draw his 14th time out by Special Delivery Hirsch. He posted a 15-0-1 (11) overall mark, continuing to dominate TCs but also scoring wins over fellow prospects Sam Robideau (KO 6) and Gilbert Gallant (UD 10). Ad Wolgast, a fighter who can't seem to get his career on track, rallied after two early season losses with KO wins over William Parker and Young Tommy Coleman to wind up the year a respectable #12 with a 21-9-2 (12) career mark. Aussie Herb McCoy is #13 after taking a SD 10 from fading veteran Jewey Cooke, whose best days are definitely behind him. Kid Black dropped seven spots to #14, going 1-2 with losses to Hyland and Knockout Brown after an impressive SD win over Harlem Tommy Murphy. Brown wound up #17, derailed by a TKO loss to Phil Cross after holding the US belt and a Top 10 spot for most of the year. The Durable Dane, Battling Nelson, dropped 15 (!) spots to #18 after losing the EBU belt to Phil Bloom in addition to the TKO loss to Young Otto. Bloom, the EBU champ, is one spot lower at #19, with a 16-4 (7) mark and 558 pp. Mexican Joe Rivers is another debutant, checking in at #21 with a 16-2 (8) mark, finding the going a bit tough with losses to Robideau and Koehler offsetting gains from wins over White and Curley. Robideau is another newcomer to the list, at #28, with a 12-5-1 (6) record.

Prospects: Joe Welling has gone 11-2 (8) so far, suffering losses to Waugh and German Rudy Unholz after a 10-0 start. Frenchman Louis de Ponthieu is a perfect 10-0 (4), albeit all versus TC competition. Rocky Kansas blasted out his first 8 opponents but lost his ninth on a foul; he stands at 8-1 (8) and is ready for tougher opposition soon. Bobby Waugh bounced back from a loss to Terry Brooks with wins over Welling and vet Kid Farmer in compiling a 10-2-1 (5) mark. Richie Mitchell is still unbeaten at 8-0 (5), again feasting on TCs. Newcomers Ever Hammer at 5-0 (3), Johnny Drummie, Johnny Ray, Willie Jackson, and Lew Tendler remain unbeaten as well.

Retirement:

Jimmy Britt (USA) 1902-1913 31-19-1 (12) No Titles Highest rank: 18

Like HW Marvin Hart, Jimmy Britt was a RL champ who didn't fare too well when matched up against the best that a deep division had to offer while he was at his peak. In fact, he never even reached the point where he was a serious contender for a title shot.

Looking Ahead: Driscoll is angling for a shot at Blackburn and is the logical #1 contender. Ritchie, Bronson and Murphy are also angling for a title shot or at least a bout against one of the top guys. Wolgast is hoping to follow up on his late season success to try to make a run at the top 10. Benny Leonard will continue to be brought along very slowly. Top new addition to the division in 1914 figures to be Llew Edwards of the UK.

[JCWeb]

1913 FW Title Bouts

WBA

Abe Attell CH (53-2-1) vs Johnny Kilbane #2 (21-4-2)

Kilbane's third try to wrest the title from Attell, and the fact that the last time it was a narrow MD loss gives him some reason for optimism. Abe is gunning for his 22nd win a row, Kilbane has won two NABF bouts since his last loss to Attell.

After a good start in round one, Kilbane moves inside for round two but Attell quickly establishes his rhythm, landing more blows and causing swelling outside the right eye of the challenger. Round three, Kilbane retreats to the outside and two exchange blows from long range, an even round. Attell tries to pressure Kilbane in the fourth, scoring with a short uppercut that puts Kilbane on the canvas briefly. Not much action in round five as Kilbane stays away, putting defense first and trying to clear his head. The Lil' Champ continues to move inside and out, building a points lead in the middle rounds. Kilbane lands a good hook to the head of Attell in the 9th, but late in the round it is Attell who scores his second KD of the fight. Kilbane is down again late in the fight, and in the end Attell dominates the bout against the man thought to be his toughest competition in the division. Attell by UD 15 (145-137, 146-136, 147-136).

Abe Attell CH (54-2-1) vs Leo Johnson #6 (16-2)

Attell takes on one of the division's promising youngsters, Leo Johnson, for the first time. Johnson beat ex-Champ Young Corbett by a SD his last time out, but he is thought to be too inexperienced to give Attell much of a challenge.

Attell starts on the outside but switches to an inside attack in round 3 to put on the pressure. Johnson simply is unable to put any punches together, and Abe dominates the early action. Johnson has a few good moments in round 6, but Attell responds with a strong barrage in the 7th, staggering his younger foe. Round 8, some swelling appears around the right eye of the Champ, giving Johnson some hope as he registers another good round. Johnson tries to get more aggressive, but he tires badly in the later rounds. Attell by UD 15 (148-137, 147-138, 148-137).

Abe Attell CH (55-3-1) vs Johnny Dundee #3 (18-2)

Lack of top-flight challengers caused Attell to try his luck in the LW division, where he was handed his first defeat in seven years, a SD 10 loss to Harlem Tommy Murphy. Dundee, still an unproven talent, has solid wins over Grover Hayes, Steve Sullivan, and Brooklyn Tommy Sullivan to set up the title clash with Attell.

Attell again starts on the outside, gradually working his way inside to apply more pressure. A sharp combination by Abe at the end of round 2 stuns Dundee and by the end of the fourth, the right eye of the challenger is starting to swell up. Attell once again has the points lead, but Dundee rallies in the middle rounds to keep it close. He backs up the Champ with a strong hook in the 9th, but is unable to follow up. In the pivotal round 10, Attell comes back, catching Dundee with a big cross that forces him to cover up, then another strong shot has the challenger on the canvas for a 9-count. A series of Attell combinations leads to a second KD in round 11, but Abe can't put a game Dundee away. Attell by UD 15 (147-137, 147-137, 147-138).

NABF: Kilbane has the belt and defends versus Jimmy Walsh, the newly-crowned USBA champ. Kilbane is sharp early, mixing inside and outside attacks but his corner has to deal with a nasty cut above the right eye opened in round 5. Fortunately for Kilbane, the cut is ruled to be due to an accidental butt so when the bout is stopped it goes to the cards and is a technical draw (86-85 Kilbane, 85-85 Walsh, 86-86 even). Rather than granting a rematch, Kilbane takes on Eddie O'Keefe. He staggers O'Keefe in round 3 and wins a bout with a strong defensive bent. Kilbane by UD 12 (115-113, 116-112, 115-114) to keep the belt for another year.

USBA: Aging vet Brooklyn Tommy Sullivan starts the year with the belt, but runs into trouble when he takes on rugged Jimmy Walsh. Walsh takes the initiative early, opening a cut over Sullivan's right eye that is reopened twice and leads to a 10-round TKO. Walsh, the new US champ, defends versus Ty Cobb, and, in a bout that is surprisingly close, Walsh escapes with a SD 12 verdict (118-111, 114-115, 116-113).

CBU: Canada's Percy Cove had held the CBU belt since 1909, but this time he ran into a determined opponent in Brit Owen Moran, who slipped punches well and landed enough to take a UD 12 decision (116-113, 117-112, 116-113).

GBU: Moran did not defend his GBU title, as he was too busy chasing after the CBU crown in addition to defending his EBU belt.

EBU: Owen Moran started the year with the title, which he defended versus Kid Julian of Italy. It was Julian's first title shot of any kind, and he made the most of it, putting the favored Moran on his back with a big hook in the sixth and piecing together a SD 12 win (113-114, 115-112, 114-113) to become the third EBU FW champ in four bouts. Later in the year he defended against Billy Elliott, the only other EBU titleholder, landing a big uppercut in the third and following it up with a serious attack in the 5th that left Elliott with a gushing cut above the right eyebrow that led to an immediate stoppage. Julian by TKO 5 (cut).

[mh2365]

interesting that Kilbane can't beat Attell .. may never meet in my uni as Attell is campaigning at LW now and is much further along in his career. Kilbane may still be pre-prime for me.

[JCWeb]

Mh, what do you do when you move a guy up ? -- in my game at least, Attell is rated only at the lower weight class (FW) so when I moved him up to meet Harlem Tommy, I had him still at FW (using those ratings) but with the "adjust for weight class" box checked which probably contributed to Murphy's success against him.

On to the Jan 1914 FW Division Profile

Total Boxers: 68 RL: 31 TCs: 37

RL By Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 4
Prime - 17
Pre - 7
Beginner - 2 (2 New)

Rated: 24
800+: 3
500+: 15
200+: 24

Jan 1914 Rankings (Perf Pts and changes from 1913 in Parens)

Champ: Abe Attell 56-3-1 (22) (1157) (NC)
1. Johnny Kilbane 23-5-3 (10) (961) (+1)
2. Jimmy Walsh 28-11-3 (8) (857) (+4)
3. Patsy Brannigan 17-3-1 (7) (791) (NC)
4. Kid Julian 18-3-4 (6) (786) (+5)
5. Leo Johnson 18-3 (9) (780) (+5)
6. Johnny Dundee 18-3 (9) (760) (+2)
7. Owen Moran 36-15-1 (15) (694) (-1)
8. Grover Hayes 33-11-2 (22) (679) (-1)
9. Brooklyn Tommy Sullivan 41-18-5 (24) (678) (-8)
10. Young Corbett 42-21-4 (23) (660) (+2)

Comments: All at Prime except for the last two-- Brooklyn Tommy is at Post and Young Corbett is at End. Attell lost about 500 perf pts for losing that one bout against Harlem Tommy Murphy, but he still leads the FW group by a healthy margin. The loss to Murphy snapped a 23 bout win streak and a 28 bout unbeaten streak that stretched from Jan. 1906 to July 1913 -- over 7 1/2 years!! Attell still has a great streak going -- 21 straight successful defenses of the WBA FW title. Kilbane, despite his lack of success versus Attell, managed to hold onto his NABF belt and defeated Aussie Joe Russell, a fringe fighter, at the end of 1913. Walsh, who will reach Post-Prime in 1915, captured the USBA belt and managed a draw versus Kilbane; he was unbeaten in 1913, posting two wins and two draws (the other draw coming against EBU titleholder, Kid Julian). Brannigan was 2-1 for the year, all close decisions: a SD win over Dundee, a SD loss to O'Keefe, and MD over Grover "Battler" Hayes. Kid Julian, the EBU champ, zoomed up the ranks with three wins and one draw, scoring a UD 10 win over BW vet Frankie Neil in addition to a draw with Walsh. Leo Johnson held his spot with a 3-1 year, losing to Attell but following up with wins over Elliott and Cove after taking a SD from Corbett earlier in the year. Dundee impressed with wins over Hayes and Brooklyn Tommy. Moran won the CBU belt and also beat George "KO" Chaney, but was held to a draw by France's Eugene Criqui. Hayes slipped a bit, dropping decisions to Dundee and Brannigan and posting only one win, over BT Sullivan. Brooklyn Tommy appeared to be fading fast, going 0-3 in 1913 with no wins since Feb. 1912. Corbett seemed rejuvenated, by contrast, blasting out wins over Kline and KO Chaney.

Other Notables: Eugene Criqui debuts at #11; he has compiled a 15-1-2 (9) mark and boasts wins over Chaney (KO 7) and Snailham and Dastillon (both UDs). Ex-CBU champ Percy Cove tumbled from #4 to #12, losing to O'Keefe and Leo Johnson; he's now winless in his last four. Eddie O'Keefe dropped 9 spots to #14, losing one bout on a controversial foul. KO Chaney found the going tougher than expected, winning only 2 of 5 bouts, being felled by Criqui and losing to Moran and Corbett. Other first-timers in the list include Tommy Dixon at #19 with a 11-4-3 (6) mark (Dixon defeated Crowe in 1913 but lost to Love) and Lee Johnson at #22 with a 11-3-1 (4) record, who lost to Steve Sullivan and Joe Russell.

Prospects: Steve Sullivan, who has built a solid 12-2 (4) record, is the top prospect, losing a MD to Dundee and then an unfortunate TKO loss to Patsy Kline; he registered wins over Billy Elliott and Lee Johnson, two rated boxers. KO Mars is 10-0 (3), all versus TCs, however. Frankie Ellis of New Zealand took his first loss to Australia's Jimmy Hill, so his mark is now 10-1 (2). Battling Reddy lost to Sullivan and Kline but took a split decision from Snailham to go 9-2-1 (2).

Retirement:

Harry Decker (USA) 1900-1913 24-22-7 (10) No Titles Highest Rank: 12

Looking Ahead: Not sure Kilbane is eager for another confrontation with Attell, and Walsh would relish a rematch with Johnny after that technical draw in 1913. Kid Julian would probably be the next logical contender for Abe's belt, given his recent strong outings. Brannigan, Leo Johnson and Dundee need to step up and prove themselves now that all have reached Prime career stage. Criqui is angling for a shot at the EBU title. Steve Sullivan will probably be testing the waters a bit more in 1914. Two new faces, Ansell Bell of Panama and Willie Ames of the USA, are set to enter the fray in 1914.

[mh2365]

When I have a fighter fight above his weight class just for a fight there is a 25% chance on the weight adjust box being marked. At the end of each year a few guys who have accomplished enough or have failed because of other fighters blocking their way have a % chance of moving up.

Then I use the chart on cornerwork.com. I think it calls for CF b&s -1, HP -1, and KD-1. I add a twist. I give each one a 50/50 chance of happening. I've licked the results. I do now make sure I make a new rating record at the new weight. I didn't do so on Attell but he is still an 11 overall and his CF is 11/13, kd 3 and hp 3. He has struggled at LW with a record of 6-4-2 at LW. Loses have been to Lyons, Blackburn, McAuliffe and Young Griffo.

Griffo was on of two lucky ones I have had so far who moved up with no penalty at all. Herrera was the other.

[mh2365]

Also Kilbane is now prime and is 20-2-1 and holds the WBC FW title. I'd say if he holds the title for a year maybe at the end of 1912 he might have a chance to move up. Attell has 49 fights and will have a chance at the end of both years of randomly going to post prime. (no chance of going automatically since he has had only 6-9 fights since the conversion).

So there is a slim chance they will meet.

[JCWeb]

1913 BW Title Bouts

WBA

Johnny Coulon CH (30-3-1) vs Kid Williams #2 (16-0)

First meeting. Coulon is unbeaten since 1910 (5 wins and a draw in his last 6) and Williams is the new USBA champ. Critics say Williams maybe in over his head, that his manager rushed him into a World title fight before he hit his prime.

It's the usual feeling out process for the first few rounds. Williams holds his own in the early going, but slips behind as Coulon's superior boxing skills and experience take effect. Williams gets more aggressive as the bout goes on, and is able to keep the bout fairly close into the late rounds. Coulon has a big round 10 as the young challenger starts to tire. Williams makes a late rally, and Coulon is cut above the right eye in a bad spot, while Coulon has a split lip. Coulon gives some ground by being too defensive in the later rounds. Coulon by MD 15 (143-142, 143-143, 147-138) in a bout that was much closer than many expected.

Johnny Coulon CH (31-3-1) vs Digger Stanley #14 (27-21-2)

Other highed rated guys unavailable, so Coulon takes on Stanley, long-time a fringe contender now in the twilight of his career. Stanley has won his last two versus lesser opposition (Beebe and Biderberg), and this is his third WBA title shot (he lost to Harris in 1907 and Mackey in 1908). No prior meetings of the two.

Coulon is sharp early, peppering Stanley from all angles in round one, scoring with a hard shot to the head. Stanley moves inside in the second, surprising Coulon with his aggressiveness to take the round. Round three, more of the same, Stanley frustrating Coulon with his ring movement. Coulon tries to press on the inside in round 4, but again the British challenger has the better of it. Fifth round is close and Stanley has a slight overall points lead at this point. Coulon hammers away on the inside to take the 6th. Stanley tries to be the aggressor in round 7, but Coulon nails him with a good combination. A big uppercut works for Coulon to break open a close round 8. Stanley gets a second wind, doing well in round 9 but Coulon comes on near the end making it a tough round to score. Stanley is on the attack in round 10, backing up the champ but doing little damage. It's 96-94 for Stanley on the unofficial card going into the final five rounds ... Both men aggressive in the 11th, and a mouse forms under Coulon's right eye. Coulon steps up the pace and goes on the offensive in round 12--good, solid round for the Champ. Round 13, great effort by both men, another even round. Both exhausted in final two rounds, but Coulon is a bit more active, doing just enough to barely keep the belt. Result: majority draw and Coulon keeps the title (143-143, 144-143 Coulon, 143-143). Great effort by Stanley in a bout few expected him to win or even come close.

Johnny Coulon CH (32-3-1) vs Charles Ledoux #1 (23-1)

Another stern test for Coulon against the EBU champ, whose hopes are high given Coulon's difficulty in the recent bout with Stanley. No prior meetings. Ledoux has won his last eight and topped the likes of Monte Attell, Joe Bowker, Flyweight king Sid Smith, as well as Stanley.

First round: not much action, slight edge to Coulon. Rounds 2 and 3, the Chicago Spider stays outside, Ledoux presses on the inside, landing a big cross but Coulon neutralizes him by the end of the third. Coulon dominates an action packed round 4 which has both men swinging freely. Both work outside in round 5, which is a huge round for Coulon. The Little Apache is out to apply more pressure and round 6 and he succeeds, catching Coulon with a nice uppercut. Coulon bounces back with a strong round 7. In round 8, the more aggressive Ledoux takes the round. Coulon dances around, landing enough to take the 9th and 10th. Ledoux tires heading into the late rounds, a bad sign. Coulon takes advantage in the 12th, sending the Little Apache to the canvas for the bout's only knockdown. Ledoux's troubles only get worse as his left eye starts to swell in round 13. The final result is not in doubt, a decisive UD 15 win for Coulon (146-138, 146-138, 147-138), surprising given the trouble he had with two lesser ranked opponents earlier in the year.

NABF: Philadelphia Pal Moore defends versus rugged Frankie Conley. It's close after 6 but Conley sustains a cut over the left eye that gets worse and finally leads to a 10th round stoppage, TKO win for Moore. Next up is Al Delmont, who is also cut above the eye but soldiers on and makes the bout real close with a late rally. Moore by SD 12 (114-115, 115-113, 115-114). Moore then takes on Kid Murphy, who is itching to regain the belt he held briefly in 1909. Murphy looks sharp from the outset and this time it is Moore who sustains the early cut. Murphy's aggressive is rewarded in the end with a narrow SD verdict (113-114, 114-113, 114-113). Late in the year, Murphy's first defense is against an aging Tommy Feltz, who is 0-5 in prior title bout tries. Murphy hammers Feltz from the outset, ripping open a cut and scoring a KD in round 2. The cut reopens after another barrage and it's a TKO 5 win for Kid Murphy.

USBA: Kid Williams takes on Al Delmont in his first defense of this belt. A big round 6 for Williams puts him on top in what is otherwise a close bout, and he goes on to take a SD 12 (115-113, 113-115, 117-112). Then he is challenged by Frankie Burns, a former WBA champion looking to get back to the top. Burns has Williams on the defensive early but sustains a cut above his right eye in round 6. Williams nails Burns with a good shot to put him down for a 9-count in the 10th. Despite the 10-8 round for Williams, Burns is able to recover to take the 11th and the 12th to claim the belt. Burns by UD 12 (115-112, 114-113, 114-112).

CBU, GBU: Joe Bowker holds both these belts but did not defend them in 1913 (mainly because of lack of quality challengers, other than Digger Stanley, whom he has met on numerous previous occasions).

EBU: Ledoux takes on Bowker in his first defense of the belt won a year earlier against Stanley. Bowker is riding a 4-bout win streak, Ledoux had won his last six. Ledoux grabs the early lead and keeps up the pressure into the middle and late rounds. Bowker is able to come back, causing swelling about the left eye of Ledoux. Ledoux keeps the title in another really close decision. Ledoux by SD 12 (113=114, 114-113, 114-113).

Overall, a year with quite a few really close bouts, I count five split or majority decisions plus one draw in like 10 title fights in the BW division in 1913.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1914 BW Division Profile

Total Boxers: 64 RL: 29 TCs: 35

RL by Career Stage:
End - 3
Post - 4
Prime - 15
Pre- 5
Beginner - 2 (1 New)

Rated: 22
800+: 2
500+: 12
200+: 22

Jan 1914 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1913 in Parens)

Champ: Johnny Coulon 32-3-2 (15) (1096) (NC)
1. Charles Ledoux 23-2 (19) (804) (+1)
2. Frankie Burns 19-6-1 (7) (791) (+3)
3. Eddie Campi 19-2 (13) (787) (+8)
4. Kid Murphy 30-13-1 (20) (776) (+3)
5. Kid Williams 18-2 (12) (741) (-4)
6. Phila Pal Moore 23-4-2 (10) (729) (-2)
7. Al Delmont 35-14-2 (16) (645) (+2)
8. Harry Harris 51-12-2 (32) (619) (-5)
9. Digger Stanley 27-21-3 (8) (533) (+8)
10. Joe Bowker 34-19-4 (18) (528) (NC)

Comments: Ex-champ Harris is at End career stage but everyone else is still at Prime going into 1914. Coulon remained unbeaten (his last loss was in 1910) but his recent tough times with Stanley and Williams indicate he may be a bit vulnerable. The division -- thinner than most -- is closely packed near the top with no dominant challenger. Ledoux, the EBU champ, appeared overmatched versus Coulon but looked good in beating Flyweight champ Sid Smith and Monte Attell; his only loss other than to Coulon was a MD defeat at the hands of Phil McGovern when still at Pre-Prime. Burns has secured the USBA belt and won all three fights in 1913 (versus Neil, Oliver and Williams) and seems poised for another shot at the WBA title soon. Campi has made an impressive rise up the rankings, winning his last 7, 5 in 1913 with UD wins versus Mackey and Murphy, a SD over Conley, and KOs of Harris and Goldman. Kid Murphy, the NABF champ, has won four of his last 5 (only losing to Campi) with wins over Stanley and Monte Attell in addition to the two title bout wins. Kid Williams tasted defeat for the first time (twice) in 1913, but he scored a TKO over Young Oliver and a SD win versus Delmont and will be entering Prime career stage this year. Philly Pal Moore had a four-bout win streak snapped when he lost to Kid Murphy, but a TKO win over Conley plus wins over Bowker and Delmont means he is still a serious contender as well. Delmont bounced back from some losses with wins over Hugh McGovern and Harris in his last two to maintain his status as a perennial contender. Harris turns 41 and, while he did manage to defeat Mackey in 1913, he suffered losses to Campi and Delmont and will likely yield his Top 10 spot to someone much younger. Stanley is on a hot streak with two wins and his surprising draw with Coulon. Bowker had an up-and-down 1913, going 2-2 which featured a TKO win over Sid Smith but he is clearly struggling when matched against the top BW contenders.

Other Notables: Frankie Conley just missed the Top 10 by 3 pp, posting more spotty results in 1913 (MD win over Feltz and UD over P McGovern balanced by looses to Campi and Phi Pal Moore). Monte Attell dropped six spots to #12 after KO losses to Kid Murphy and Ledoux in his only two outings. Biz Mackey also dropped out of the top 10, down 5 to #13 after losses to Campi and Harris (his only win was versus a TC).

Prospects: Jack (Kid) Wolfe kept his unbeaten status in 1913, defeating his first ranked opponent (aging vet Frankie Neil) while pounding out UD wins over fellow prospects Joe Fox and Robert Dastillon; his record is now an impressive 13-0 (6). Fox is now 10-1-1 (5), suffering his first loss to Wolfe along with an earlier draw with the Frenchman. Dastillon has lost to both Wolfe and countryman, FW Eugene Criqui, so his record is now 8-2-1 (6). Pete Herman, with 7 KOs in 7 fights, and Memphis Pal Moore, 5 KOs in 5 fights, are still perfect in bouts versus TC opponents, but Johnny "Kewpie" Ertle managed to be DQ'ed for a flagrant foul in his third bout so his record is only 2-1, no KDs.

Retirement: One in 1913. Career stats:

Harry Forbes (USA) 1897-1913 35-27-4 (15) WBA Champ (1908) Highest Rank: 2

Note: Highest rank refers to highest year-end rank, thus this statistic would not be reported for someone who held the WBA belt at the end of a year since they would be listed at the top of the division.

Looking Ahead: Burns is itching for another try at the WBA title, and (if the close results from 1913 title bouts are any indication), he probably has a good chance to unseat Coulon. Campi needs to be tested against a top flight contender and is a logical choice to try for the USBA or NABF belt in 1914. Stanley is gunning for a rematch with Ledoux, but his retirement points are such that he is likely to hit Post-Prime career stage before much longer; a bout for Bowker's CBU or GBU belt might be a more manageable objective. Kid Williams may be a tougher opponent now that he has reached Prime career stage. Phila Pal Moore and Al Delmont are still dangerous opponents, but aging vets like Harris, Feltz, Neil and the two McGoverns are probably done for. Be interesting to see if Jack "Kid" Wolfe will have an immediate impact. Fox, of course, is being groomed for a shot at the long dormant GBU title (still held by Bowker). With one retirement in 1913 and others imminent, there is not alot of fresh new blood coming into the ranks; only one fighter (Little Jack Sharkey) is set to debut in 1914.

[JCWeb]

1913 FLY Title Bouts

WBA:

Frankie Mason CH (12-4) vs Sid Smith #2 (19-5)

Smith holds two prior wins over Mason and is a slight favorite as the bout will be before a hospitable crowd in London, UK. Both ironically come into the fight off a loss -- Mason to BW Philly McGovern and Smith to up and comer Jimmy Wilde.

At the end of round one, Mason staggers Smith with a solid hook. Round two, it's Mason on the inside, Smith on the outside and the action favors the challenger, Smith. Smith moves smoothly to the inside in round 3, building on his lead. Round four, both men work inside, Smith connects with a stunning uppercut just before the bell. Mason is much more aggressive in round five, getting in some good licks but nothing to trouble Smith. A strong hook lands for Mason in round 6, but Smith bounces back with a strong round 7. Mason, trailing, is the aggressor in the later round, but tires badly and Smith holds him off, for a decisive UD win to take the belt. No knockdowns in this one. Smith by UD 15 (148-138, 147-138, 146-140).

CBU: Ladbury defends in Australian versus Craig Mann, the hometown TC. A cut opens up over the right eye of Mann in the fourth and Ladbury targets it the rest of the way, and a stoppage on cuts is the result. Ladbury by TKO 8 (cut).

GBU: Early in the year, Ladbury defends versus veteran UK TC, Joe Wilson. Wilson takes a real beating but does not go down, and finally Ladbury wins it when a cut above the right eye is re-opened. Ladbury by TKO 12 (cut). Ladbury vacates the GBU belt to give two younger guys (Jimmy Wilde and Percy Jones) a chance. Wilde starts off well, causing swelling around the left eye of the challenger by the end of the 2nd round. A cut also develops below Jones' left eye--more damage caused by Wilde's punches. A strong hook by Wilde puts Jones on his back in the 10th and the bout is halted a round later after a 2d knockdown. Wilde by TKO 11.

Jan 1914 Division Profile:

Total: 26 RL: 9 TCs: 17

RL by Career Stage:
Prime - 2
Pre- 7
Beginner - 0 (0 New)

Rated: 5
800+: 0
500+: 1
200+: 5

Jan 1914 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1913 in Parens):

Champ: Sid Smith 20-7 (10) (361) (+2)
1. Jimmy Wilde 17-1 (16) (679) (new)
2. Percy Jones 10-4-1 (7) (470) (new)
3. Bill Ladbury 26-5-1 (13) (457) (-2)
4. Frankie Mason 12-7 (9) (229) (-4)

Comments: Obviously, Smith and Ladbury all the only two guys at Prime but Wilde and Mason will join them there shortly, which should make the division a bit more competitive. Smith regained the WBA belt but his two unsuccessful forays into the BW ranks (losing to Ledoux and Bowker) cost him some rating points. He has won only one of his last four -- not very impressive for someone holding a WBA belt. Wilde is obviously the hot property in the division right now, winning four in succession as he nears his Prime. His only loss has been to Percy Jones, which he avenged with a UD 10 win in 1913; he also KO'd BW vet Hugh McGovern. Jones unfortunately is set to hit Post-Prime in 1915, thus maybe lucky to get even one bout in while in Prime condition. He suffered through two defeats to Wilde in 1913 but scored a SD 10 win over Tancy Lee and a TKO 7 of ex-WBA champ Frankie Mason. Ladbury was 3-1 for the year, the one loss by TKO to BW Frankie Neil. He dispatched Mason with a UD 10 win and is obviously campaigning to regain the WBA belt from his long-time rival, Smith. Mason had a huge downslide, going 0-3 in 1913, suffering a TKO loss to Jones and UD losses to Ladbury and Smith. Perhaps his results will improve once he hits Prime.

Prospects: Joe Symonds is ready to move up after a 10-2-2 (6) start to his career, suffering his first two losses to Tancy Lee (a SD) and BW vet Kid Beebe (a UD) in 1913. Lee remains a hot prospect despite a SD loss to Jones; his record stands at 11-2 (7) after going 4-1 in 1913 (he looked impressive in downing Symonds and veteran TC, Joe Wilson). American Earl Puryear is 10-1 (2), all ten wins versus TCs, the one loss a TKO 1 at the hands of Wilde. Young Zulu Kid has KO'd all five TCs he has faced thus far.

Retirements: None, and none expected for some time

Looking Ahead: Ladbury and Wilde are likely contenders for Smith's WBA belt in 1914. Wilde is likely to dominate the division for awhile once he hits Prime career stage. Mason needs to get on track and end his losing streak. Jones' career is likely to be short-lived, and Symonds and Lee are probably a year or more away from becoming serious title threats. No newcomers in 1914, meaning the current crop will have to keep building up experience, occasionally facing a BW when no FLY competition is available.

[JCWeb]

Finally to the very exciting pound-for-pound ratings which compares the Perf Pts across divisions:

1913 Pound-For-Pound Ratings (changes from last year in Parens)

1. Sam Langford, WBA HW Champ 1655 (+1)
2. Jack Blackburn, WBA LW Champ 1384 (+2)
3. Joe Jeannette, USBA HW Champ 1355 (new)
4. Jack Britton, WBA WW Champ 1351 (+4)
5. Jem Driscoll, CBU LW Champ 1296 (+5)
6. Tommy Burns, NABF and CBU HW Champ 1230 (+1)
7. Packey McFarland, NABF WW Champ 1176 (-1)
8. Abe Attell, WBA FW Champ 1157 (-7)
9. Jack Johnson, HW 1121 (-4)
10. Freddie Welsh, GBU LW Champ 1098 (-7)

Dropped Out: Sam McVey (#9 last year). Jeannette was in the list from 1909-1911 and returns after a one-year hiatus.

Comments: Everyone but Johnson is still at Prime and, obviously, he's the only one listed not holding a current title of any kind. I count 15 boxers with pp totals of 1000 or above, up one from last year. Attell obviously took a big tumble after that loss to Harlem Tommy Murphy; it ends a reign of five straight years atop the rankings. This will mark the seventh year for the pound-for-pound list, and so far only two men (Attell and Jack Johnson) have been on the list every year. Langford and Blackburn, the two top guys now, have made the list in 6 of the 7 years, Langford missing out in 1908 (the second year) and Blackburn dropping off in 1909 (the third year). Interesting to see it is the deeper divisions (HW and LW) with multiple representatives, but the WW ranks have two guys compared to none for the talent-laden MW field. Wonder if this will change in upcoming years.

One thing I did notice is that, except for the fledging Flyweight division, this year all the WBA champs have pp totals in excess of 1000 (think that is the first time that has happened). Also, again with the exception of the FLY guys, the champ has the highest PP total of anyone in the division ranks.

Each "year" in the Uni takes longer and longer it seems, this one took about twice as long as I expected. One year a month seems to be a realistic goal now without pushing it, but with more and more fighters being added it may be tough to keep it up. We'll see how it progresses without any firm deadlines or predictions on this front.

I am tinkering with the idea of sprinkling in a few short posts during the "year," specifically to track one fighter's progress through the ranks. Looking at the 1914 newcomers, I can see none better to try this with than the ATG, Jack Dempsey, so look for an occasional post here and there before the 1914 year-end report.

[JCWeb]

Breaking a bit with the tradition of waiting until the year-end updates, having just concluded a highly significant and interesting WBA Title Bout in the FW Division. Here's the report:

Abe Attell CH (56-3-1) vs Jimmy Walsh #2 (28-11-3)

Walsh, the USBA Champ, gets his first shot at Attell's WBA belt. He lost their only previous encounter, way back in 1906, for the NABF title. Attell once again enters as a heavy favorite, but Walsh has his supporters, too.

After an uneventful round one, both men settle in to trade blows on the outside in round two, which sees Walsh doing well but Attell manages to sneak in a straight right just before the bell. Walsh moves inside in the third to get more leverage on his punches, slight edge to the challenger. Round four, the Lil Champ moves inside, Walsh is on the outside but there is not much action. Both move inside in an action-packed fifth round which sees Attell get his jab working but Walsh lands a strong barrage near the end of the round which gets Abe's attention (also causing a cut to open just below the Champ's right eye). Could be an upset in the making, as Walsh is ahead on the unofficial cards after five. Walsh targets the cut in round six, and maintains his early edge with a strong round. Attell moves inside to apply the pressure in round seven, a close round, slight edge to Attell. Round eight, both work inside and Walsh gets through with a solid hook that puts Attell on the canvas for an 8-count! Huge round for the challenger, but Walsh can't finish him. The cut is re-opened and there is swelling around the right eye of the Lil Champ. Round nine, Walsh gets his second wind as Attell assumes a defensive posture to prevent a second knockdown. Attell comes on strong to dominate rounds 10 and 11. Both move inside for the 12th, an even round. Walsh continues to target the right eye of the Champ in round 13. Attell continues to press the attack in the last two rounds, desperate to keep his title. Was Attell's rally in the late rounds enough? The scorecards come back with the answer, 144-143, 143-142 and 143-141, it's a close but unanimous decision in favor of the NEW WBA Featherweight Champ, Jimmy Walsh! Attell's string of successive title defenses ends at 21, and the belt he has held since October of 1907 now slips from his grasp.

NOTE: Attell's string of successive title defenses was only the third longest in the history of the WBA. Both NP Jack Dempsey and Jack McAuliffe had longer streaks in the pre-1900 era.