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This report covers fistic action from the first half of November 1944. No WBA title bouts are included in this report.

Nov. 3, 1944: The month kicks off with a relatively thin Friday night card at San Juan Puerto Rico’s Escobar Stadium. In the main event, two regional titleholders square off but in a 10-round, non-title affair. Meeting for the first time are EBU LW Champ Aldo Spoldi and Commonwealth LW titleholder Lefty Satan Flynn, aka as “his Satanic Majesty.” Action is slow to develop in this one as there is a lot of feinting, probing and jockeying for position through the opening rounds. Spoldi begins to assert himself with a strong fourth round but Flynn bounces back with a big round in the fifth. At the midway point, the unofficial scorecard has the bout as even (48-48). In the second half of the bout, with both the punches landed and stamina factors favoring his Italian opponent, Flynn switches tactics and tries to become more aggressive. However, late in round seven, a Spoldi hook manges to rip open a cut under Flynn’s right eye. Although the cut is reopened in round nine, it does not prove to be a factor in the outcome. The bout goes the distance, and the end result – a majority draw (95-95, 96-94 Flynn, 95-95) -- leaves both sides going home unhappy. Post-bout career marks: Spoldi, 45-12-6 (17); Flynn, 32-13- (17). Spoldi is due to hit Post-Prime career stage with his next outing.

Nov. 4, 1944: Next card is at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. No titles at stake, but featured is a matchup of two top HW contenders, as NABF HW Champ Jersey Joe Walcott faces ex-Champ Max Schmeling for the second time. In their first meeting, back in 1938, Walcott took a controversial SD 10 in front of a hostile crowd in Berlin. This time around, at a more neutral site, and an added factor favoring Walcott is the fact that Schmeling has recently hit Post-Prime career stage. After a couple of uneventful opening rounds, Jersey Joe gets going with a huge round three, moving inside to do some damage, causing some initial puffiness to appear under the left eye of Schmeling. By the midway point, Schmeling has begun to settle into the bout, but the unofficial card has Walcott with a sizable points advantage (49-46). The second half of the bout sees more of the same, with Schmeling beginning to flail away in desperation as fatigue begins to set in. The bout lasts the full 10 rounds, without any cuts or knockdowns, and Walcott takes a MD 10 (98-93, 95-95, 98-92), winning fairly comfortably on two of the judges’ cards. The points win lifts Walcott to 50-8 (29); the loss drops Schmeling to 68-8-1 (45). Post-bout, these two remain the top two HW contenders in the rankings for Joe Louis’ WBA HW crown.

Nov. 4, 1944: The scene shifts to Miami, where the card is topped by a USBA LH title bout featuring Archie Moore making his fourth defense of that title, facing challenger Danny Devlin. First meeting of the two and, with Devlin already at Post-Prime, Moore is a heavy favorite to retain the belt. Late in the opening round, Moore decks Devlin with a combination, but there is not enough time left in the round for Moore to follow up after Devlin bounces back to regain his footing quickly. In round five, Devlin goes down again, this time from an overhand right from Moore; again, Devlin gathers himself, regaining his footing at the count of six. However, despite a futile attempt by the challenger to cover up, Moore continues hammering away, forcing an early stoppage. TKO 5 for Moore, who retains the belt. Post-bout career records: Moore, 31-3-4 (22); Devlin, 39-19-7 (16). As winner of his last seven, as well as being a former Champion and #1 ranked LH contender, Moore hopes for a WBA title shot some time in 1945.

Nov. 10, 1944: Next is a Friday night card at Havana’s Gran Stadium. Featured in the main event is veteran Cuban WW Joe Legon, who faces another veteran of the ring wars, Italian Michele Palermo, in a non-title contest scheduled to go 10. First meeting of these two, with Legon having held the LABF WW title on two previous occasions, while Palermo has been a three-time unsuccessful challenger for the EBU WW crown. Not much happens for the first four rounds, with Legon holding an edge in terms of the punches landed stats. In round five, however, a solid combination from Palermo drops to Cuban fighter; Legon struggles but regains his footing in time to beat the count, and he wisely covers up to last the round. At the midway point, the unofficial card has the bout as even (47-47), after awarding the standard 10-8 round in the fifth for Palermo. Into the second half of the bout, and Legon has to deal with some noticeable swelling under both eyes. Meanwhile, the stamina factor weighs heavily in Palermo’s favor. Neither fighter seems to be able to gain a decisive advantage, although Legon continues to press forward, taking a more aggressive posture from the seventh round onward. The bout goes the distance and, in the end, the one knockdown plays a prominent role in the UD 10 going the way of Palermo (96-93 on all three cards). Post-bout career marks: Palermo, 36-13-9 (10); Legon, 28-13-6 (12). Tough loss for Legon, who was hoping to use this bout as a springboard to another title shot, either for the LABF or NABF WW belt.

Nov. 11, 1944: To Europe for the next card, at Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium. Twin feature title bouts top the agenda; the first of these matches two Flyweights. Former WBA Champ Jackie Paterson and former EBU Champ Istvan Enekes. First meeting of the two, and the action is slow to develop as neither man wants to risk much in the opening few rounds. By the fifth round, Paterson had the upper hand, and Enekes was suffering from a rapidly swelling right eye. The unofficial card at the halfway point had Paterson ahead (by a count of 49-46). Enekes rallies with a couple of strong rounds in the sixth and seventh, keeping the pressure on Paterson. Paterson recovers, and the bout remains close to the end, with Enekes squeaking out a SD 10 (94-95, 95-94, 95-94) to win the match and push his overall record to 44-14-2 (13) compared to Paterson’s post-bout mark of 22-5-1 (15). In the second co-feature, WWs take to the ring, with current GBU and CBU titleholder Ernie Roderick, who faces American George Costner in a 10-round, non-title bout. First meeting of the two so, again, it’s understandable that the action takes awhile to develop. In round four, a cut appears over Costner’s right eye, slowing his progress. At the midway point, the unofficial scorecard has Roderick with a slim lead (48-47) in a very close contest. In round six, the cut over Costner’s eye is reopened; this continues to be a problem for his cornermen to deal with. Battling back, Costner is finally able to score with a big hook early in round nine; this forces Roderick to cover up to avoid further damage. In the final round, an aggressive Costner goes all-out for the knockout, but Roderick’s defense remains solid, and he goes on to take a close but UD 10 (95-94, 95-94, 96-93). Post-bout career marks: Roderick, 32-16-4 (7); Costner, 18-3-1 (12).

Nov. 11, 1944: Next, it’s back to the States for a card in Philadelphia. The main event pairs together two top FW contenders, with Leo Rodak squaring off against Mike “the Bronx Spider” Belloise. The two met once before, for the for the USBA FW title, and Belloise took a UD 10 verdict. More recent loses to Willie Pep and Pedro Hernandez have caused Belloise to take a bit of a tumble in the rankings, so Rodak is currently the higher ranked of the two, at #7, while Belloise is struggling to regain his top 10 status (he ended the year at #3 in 1942 and even briefly held the WBA FW title during 1940). In this rematch, there is not much to choose between the two and, frankly, very little in the way of action until a cut appears over the left eye of Belloise midway through round five. After five, the unofficial scorer at ringside has Rodak with a narrow lead (48-47). In the second half of the bout, Rodak appears to be comfortably in control, as Belloise’s eye begins to swell up even though the cut has been closed. Belloise battles back, however, winning the last two rounds to secure a SD 10 victory (96-94, 94-96, 96-94) as Rodak appeared to ease up and become too passive in the final few rounds. The win lifts Belloise to 34-16-7 (11); the loss leaves Rodak at 31-15-1 (7).

[JCWeb]

This report covers fistic action from the second half of November 1944. Two WBA title bouts are included in this report.

Nov. 17, 1944: This is one of the more interesting Friday night fights “Down Under” cards in recent memory, as it is topped by two Commonwealth title bouts, preceded by a supporting bout matching two regional titleholders, USBA LW Champ Willie Joyce and Australia’s own OPBF LW Champ, Vic Patrick. First meeting of the two, and Patrick comes out of the gate firing away; by the end of the second round, there is a trace of swelling under the left eye of Joyce. However, the American fighter steadies himself and, demonstrating some sound boxing technique, he manages to pull in front (49-47 on the unofficial card) by the midway point of the bout. In the second half of the bout Patrick, trailing in the punches landed count, picks up the pace and becomes more aggressive. Midway through round eight, Patrick lands a sharp uppercut that sends Joyce reeling; Joyce remains upright, however, and covers up to survive the round. By this point, Patrick has pulled ahead on the unofficial card and even in terms of the punches landed stats. A big hook from Patrick near the outset of round nine lands flush, and Joyce is suddenly on the defensive. With the crowd roaring its support, Patrick cuts off the ring and decks Joyce with a solid shot. Joyce barely manages to beat the count and survives the round, but the damage has been done. A strong second half has propelled Patrick to a UD 10 triumph (97-92, 97-91, 97-91) to run his career record to an excellent 20-2 (15); Joyce ends the contest at 26-7-3 (14). Next, in the first of the two co-features, Jack A. Johnson defends the Commonweath LH title against the man he defeated in his last title defense, Brit Freddie Mills. In this rematch (Johnson won their initial encounter with a last round KO), the bout seems close but Mills seems to be landing more effective punches, judged by some initial puffiness after the first three rounds around both of Johnson’s eyes. At the outset of round five, Johnson drops a right hand flush on the cheek that causes Mills’ knees to buckle, but he remains upright and covers up to avert further damage. By the end of the round, however, Mills is sporting a bloody nose, requiring some immediate attention from his corner. At the halfway point, the unofficial scorecard has the bout as even (57-57), and the pro-Johnson Aussie crowd is fully engaged. In round seven, Johnson begins to dominate the action, and Mills is suffering the effects with a rapidly swelling left eye. Late in the round, the cut on his nose is reopened and, in a somewhat controversial call, the ref steps in and calls a halt; Johnson is declared a TKO 7 winner on the cuts stoppage. Post-bout records: Johnson, 21-7 (17); Mills, 25-11-1 (14). Despite still being in the Prime of his career, Mills has taken a definite nosedive, losing seven of his last eight fights in a three-year period. On the other hand, the win snaps a four-bout losing streak for Johnson, who most recent win prior to this was his last successful defense in early 1943, also with Mills as the opponent. In the finale, the Commonwealth MW title is on the line as Jock McAvoy faces an up-and-coming young Aussie challenger, Dave Sands. Sands, still only 18, is coming off an upset win over former WBA MW Champ Marcel Cerdan and sports a perfect 21-0 career mark coming into this, his first title bout. With McAvoy now past his prime, Aussie fight fans are hopeful that Sands can capture the belt. Sands is the aggressor in the early going, taking the fight to McAvoy, who suffers an early setback with a cut appears on his forehead in the third round. However, late in round four, the savvy veteran, McAvoy, lands a nice uppercut that forces Sands to cover up. The bout comes to a sudden end the next round, when the cut on McAvoy’s forehead is reopened and becomes too serious to allow the fight to continue. With a TKO 5 win, Sands captures the belt, improving to 22-0 (15), and making it three-for-three for Aussie figthers in the featured bouts on the card. Post-fight, McAvoy, his third straight loss which puts him at End career stage with his next outing, sees his career totals dip to 40-21-6 (26).

Nov. 18, 1944: To Detroit for some WBA title bout action, preceded by a matchup of two top 10 LHs, as Eddie Booker faces Melio Bettina. Booker had won in both prior meetings, but had since slipped into Post-Prime career stage, so Bettina entered the ring with high hopes of reversing that trend, and he stunned Booker by landing a hard hook flush near the end of the opening stanza. Otherwise, there was not much action through the early rounds, with Bettina holding a slight edge in the punches landed stats. By the midway point, the unofficial scorer at ringside had Bettina up by one (48-47). Into the second half of the bout, and Booker began to tire as the effects of the post-Prime aging began to kick in. The remainder of the bout turned out to be a rather dreary affair, with Bettina going on to take a MD 10 (96-94, 98-93, 95-95) to run his record to 33-8-6 (13) compared to a post-fight mark of 28-7-2 (15) for Booker. Then, in the main event, the “Boxing Bellhop,” Freddie Apostoli takes to the ring to defend the WBA MW title against “the Savage Slav,” challenger Al Hostak. Two prior meetings, both in 1942, resulted in a pair of split decision wins for Hostak, and Apostoli is hoping to avenge those defeats. However, Hostak seizes the initiative in the opening round, and he decks Apostoli with a hard shot that puts Apostoli down and out. Shocking KO 1 for Hostak who lifts the WBA MW title belt. Post-bout records: 40-9-2 (30) for Hostak; 34-12-2 (24) for Apostoli.

Nov. 18, 1944: The scene shifts to Lost Angeles and the West Coast, with twin bill title bout action, both in the BW division, highlighting the card at the Olympic Auditorium. First of the co-features sees former WBA Flyweight Champ Jackie Jurich stepping up in weight to challenge Tommy Forte for Forte’s NABF BW title. The action begins to heat up in round four, when Jurich sustains a cut over his right eye. Jurich’s corner has trouble bringing the cut under control and, when it worsens in round six, it leads to an early stoppage. Thus, Forte retains the title with a TKO 6 via the cuts stoppage, improving to 32-5-2 (12) overall. Jurich, now 29-7-1 (18), must rethink his move up to BW and is likely to return to compete as a Fly again in 1945, after the cut has had time to heal. In the other title contest, it is the USBA BW title on the line, with David Kui Kong Young defending that belt (his second title defense) against challenger Tony Olivera, who has risen rapidly up the ranks after successive wins over veteran BWs Henry Hook, Pete Sanstol and, most recently, Lou Salica, all leading to this, his first title shot of any kind. Good solid start from Olivera, who focuses on outboxing Kui Kong Young, while the Champ tries to penetrate on the inside. Late in round four, Kui Kong Young drives a hook to the body that causes the challenger to wince; Olivera covers up to avert further damage; as Olivera returns to his corner, some initial swelling is visible under his right eye. By the end of round six, Kui Kong Young has recovered from his slow start, and the unofficial scorecard has the bout even (57-57). Then, in the seventh round, Kui Kong Young, working behind a piston-like jab, manages to force Olivera to retreat and then delivers some punishing blows, forcing an early stoppage. It goes in the books as a TKO 7 for Kui Kong Young, despite the protests from Olivera’s corner that the stoppage was too early. Post-bout career records: Kui Kong Young, 32-3-4 (17); Olivera, 26-7-1 (17).

Nov. 24, 1944: Next is a Friday night card at Buenos Aires’ Luna Park. Topping the card is an intriguing matchup between top 10 HW Tommy Farr, holder of the GBU and CBU HW titles, and a resurgent Arturo Godoy, who recently captured the LABF HW title. The bout is scheduled for 10, as no titles are on the line, and it represents the first meeting of these two. Despite a much higher rating, Farr is at End career stage, so Godoy (who is still at Prime) is hoping to spring the upset over the experienced Welshman. Not much happens in the first four rounds, and the bout remains extremely close, with neither fighter able to land a telling blow. By the midway point, Godoy is up (by a count of 49-46) on the unofficial card. Despite trailing on the unofficial card, Farr is able to rally with a more aggressive approach in rounds seven and eight, and Godoy is in full retreat after suffering a cut over his right eye which is also beginning to puff up. In round nine, Godoy connects with a hard hook to the head, dropping an overly aggressive Farr for a four count. Despite having the cut over his eye reopened, Godoy holds on in the final round, and he goes on to defeat Farr via a SD 10 (94-95, 95-94, 95-94); Farr won the final round on all three cards to make the final result close. Post-bout career marks: Godoy, 35-17 (14); Farr, 53-21-4 (16). As a result, Godoy makes a big move up the HW ranks, into the top 20 for the first time, while Farr is just a few bouts away from retirement.

Nov. 25, 1944: To London for the next card, to be held at Harringay Arena. Topping the card is a WBA WW title contest, amply supported by a GBU FW title bout, matching veteran Dave Crowley with an up-and-coming challenger, the “Aldgate Tiger,” Al Phillips. Phillips enters the bout with a great deal of confidence, having won his last three and also taking a UD 10 win back in 1940, when Phillips was at Pre-Prime career stage. In this rematch, Crowley, after a couple of indifferent opening rounds, moves inside in round three and is effective in cutting off the ring and doing some damage. Then, in round four, Phillips is warned for hitting low and, with the fouling ruled to be repeated and blatant, the ref steps in and, in a controversial move, awards Crowley the bout via a DQ-4. The end result is that Crowley retains the belt, improving his career stats to 39-27-1 (15) as a result. The loss drops Phillips to 23-5-1 (11). Because of the controversy in the way the bout ended, there is a high probability that a rematch will take place in early 1945. After things have settled down, Henry “Homicide Hank” Armstrong enters the ring to make his first defense of the WBA WW title in over a year; having dabbled in another abortive move up to MW, Armstrong returns to the WW division he has ruled for the past five years, facing “the Dutch windmill,” EBU WW Champ Bep Van Klaveren. Second meeting of the two, with Armstrong having prevailed via a fourth round TKO over the Dutchman in Gothenburg back in 1938. Armstrong looks sharp and is on the offensive from the opening bell, dominating most of the action in the early rounds. By the end of the fifth round, Van Klaveren is suffering from a rapidly swelling right eye, and Armstrong has a nice points lead (49-46) on the unofficial card. In the middle rounds, Armstrong continues to hammer away, keeping Van Klaveren on the defensive. Late in round nine, Armstrong catches Van Klaveren with a big hook, and the Dutchman falls to the canvas, barely beating the count. After 10 rounds are in the books, the unofficial card reflects the one-sided nature of the bout, with Armstrong comfortably ahead (99-90). Late in round 12, the bout comes to an end as Armstrong unleashes a combination of blows to the head and body that put Van Klaveren down and out. KO 12 for Armstrong, marking his 11th successful defense of the WBA WW crowd. Post-bout career marks: Armstrong, 44-7-3 (37); Van Klaveren, 40-18-10 (12). It should be noted that the Dutchman was at Post-Prime for this bout, and Armstrong will be at Post-Prime starting in 1945, his real-life retirement year.

Nov. 25, 1944: The month wraps with a nice card at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. A solid undercard is topped by a MW bout match unbeaten prospect Jake LaMotta, the “Bronx Bull,” versus 17-2 Artie Levine in what is LaMotta’s toughest test to date. After a couple of nondescript opening rounds, LaMotta (pardon the pun) takes the bull by the horns, so to speak, moving inside to blunt Levine’s power. The tactic pays off, as LaMotta’s jab is able to rip open a cut over Levine’s right eye. The cut poses problems for Levine’s corner, but Levine himself is unperturbed; in fact, at the halfway point, the unofficial scorer has him with a slight points lead (49-47). However, the punches landed stats favor LaMotta, plus the cut over Levine’s eye is reopened a second time in round six and, again, in round eight. LaMotta continues to target the cut, which gets worse, leading to a stoppage with plenty of time left in the eighth round. The TKO 8 runs LaMotta’s record to a perfect 19-0 (17); for Levine, it is the first time he has been stopped, and he ends up at 17-3 (12) post-fight. At the time of the stoppage, LaMotta was ahead on two of the three judges’ cards and even on the third. With all the preliminaries out of the way, it is time for the main event, which is a rematch of a 1943 encounter for the USBA FW title, with Chalky Wright once again defending against Willie Pep. Their prior encounter, some 14 months earlier, ended in a controversial DQ win for Wright. This was Pep’s first career loss; since then, he has lost a second time, also by DQ, to Diego Sosa, while Wright has slipped to Post-Prime career stage and lost both his 1944 outings in unsuccessful challenges for the NABF and WBA FW belts, but he still retains the USBA title which is on the line in this rematch. Pep starts well, working in and outside behind a highly effective stinging jab. By the end of the fifth round, there is noticeable puffiness around the right eye of Wright; at the midway point, the unofficial card has Pep well in front (by a count of 60-55). In addition, blood is now flowing from a cut over Wright’s left eye. The cut continues to ooze blood for the next round, hampering Wright’s ability to work his way into the fight. In round nine, Pep is warned for fouling, but the ref takes no further action. Early in round 10, another sharp blow landed by Pep causes the cut to be reopened. With a wide lead, Pep eases up and retreats into a defensive posture for the final few rounds, prepared to go the distance without further fouling. However, the cut is reopened a couple of more times, leading to a late stoppage, so Pep takes a TKO 12 to win his first title. Post-bout records: Pep, 23-2 (14); Wright, 42-17-4 (15).

[JCWeb]

This report covers fistic action from the first half of December 1944. No WBA title bouts are included in this report.

Dec. 1, 1944: The month kicks off with a Friday night card at Manila’s Rizal Arena. Plenty of bouts, but the headliner is for the OPBF BW title with veteran Filipino Speedy Dado defending that belt against Aussie challenger Mickey Miller. Second meeting of these two, with Miller prevailing via a 6th round TKO stoppage in their one prior meeting, in a non-title bout back in 1939. With Dado at End career stage, Miller is hoping to regain the OPBF title belt he held once before, in the 1941-43 time period. Miller takes charge in the opening round, using his jab to set up a powerful uppercut that staggers Dado; the “Brown Doll,” hurt by the punch, retreats and covers up to last the round without further damage. The Filipino fighter appears to have stabilized the situation over the next few rounds when, midway through round five, another strong punch (this time it’s a straight right hand) by Miller causes Dado to cover up once again. At the midway point, despite landing some strong shots, Miller is only up by one (58-57) on the unofficial scorer’s card. The second half of the bout sees Miller firmly in control, gradually wearing down his older opponent, with Dado showing signs of fatigue as early as round seven. By the eighth round, there is noticeable swelling under the left eye of Dado; and, a round later, the other eye begins to puff up as well. The Filipino fighter soldiers on, but he is unable to do much to stem the tide and keep the belt. The bout goes the rest of the way without incident, and an exhausted Dado is dropped by a flurry of blows from Miller in the final round, but he regains his footing to make it to the final bell. Thus, Miller takes a fairly routine UD 12 (116-111, 116-111, 118-110) to regain the belt. Post-bout career records: Miller, 34-14-2 (19); Dado, 42-27-7 (17). Good effort from Miller, who had lost three of his last four, all for OPBF or Commonwealth titles; for Dado, one more bout in 1945 and he is expected to hang up his gloves after a 19-year career.

Dec. 2, 1944: To New Orleans for the next fight card, no titles at stake, and two top 10 LWs face each other in a 10-round main event: Lulu Costantino and Beau Jack, both of whom have moved up smartly after hitting their respective Prime career status in recent years. First meeting of the two, and Jack wastes little time, decking Costantino less than a minute into the bout with an overhand right. After taking an eight count, Costantino arises and covers up, enabling him to last the round. More action in round three, when Jack puts Costantino down a second time (this time from an uppercut), with Costantino barely beating the count, but not before Costantino manages to rip open a cut over Jack’s right eye. By the midway point, the unofficial scorer at ringside had Jack way ahead on points (50-45). By this time, there is some initial swelling around Costantino’s right eye; meanwhile, the cut over Jack’s eye seems to be under control. In round seven, Jack opens a cut under Costantino’s right eye. After landing a couple of hard blows to take round eight, Jack eases up in the final couple of rounds and coasts to a lopsided UD 10 triumph (99-89, 97-91, 97-91) to run his career record to 25-2 (17) compared to a post-fight mark of 22-4-2 (10) for Costantino.

Dec. 8, 1944: Next to Havana for a Friday night card, and the main event has been upgraded to a LABF title bout, for the LABF LW title belt held by Baby Arizmendi, who recently stepped up to win the WBA LW title. Contesting the vacant belt are Cuban Humberto Sierra and Ralph Hurtado, representing Panama. First meeting of the two and, as expected, with so much on the line, it’s a long feeling out process with little in the way of action in the opening few rounds. In round four, it is Sierra who draws first blood – literally – as Hurtado suffers a split lip. Close bout, and Hurtado has a slim lead on points (58-57) on the unofficial card, according to the unofficial scorecard. Into the second half of the bout, and the stamina factor favors Hurtado, who is still dealing with the cut on his lip which is re-opened in round seven. Urged on by the Cuban crowd, Sierra is the aggressor in the later rounds, but Hurtado’s defense remains solid. The bout goes the distance, and the judges can’t agree on a winner, so it ends in a split draw (115-113 Hurtado, 114-115 Sierra, 115-115), with Sierra winning the final round on all three cards to secure the draw. Thus, the title remains vacant. Post-bout career records: Sierra, 16-1-2 (7); Hurtado, 31-17-4 (9).

Dec. 9, 1944: To Chicago where hot young LH prospect Ezzard Charles, who has just reached Prime career stage, is featured in the main event, facing his toughest opponent yet, veteran LH Harry Matthews, who is currently ranked as the #5 contender. First meeting of the two and, since it’s a non-title matchup, the bout is scheduled for 10. Surprisingly final few seconds of the opening stanza see Matthews get lucky and land an overhand right that sends Charles tumbling to the canvas. After taking an eight count, Charles recovers quickly and covers up to last the remaining seconds of the round. After the rough start, Charles works his way into the bout, taking charge by forcing the action on the inside in round three. Then, in round five, Charles is in total control, landing freely until a defenseless Matthews is helpless against the ropes and, with less than 30 seconds remaining, the ref calls a halt. Charles is declared a TKO 5 winner, upping his unbeaten record to an impressive 21-0 (18). The loss leaves Matthews at 24-4 (17). There is already discussion of Charles moving into the HW division, and a decision on this is expected sometime early in 1945, before his next outing; for now, Charles will remain ranked among the top 10 LHs.

Dec. 15, 1944: To Phoenix for a Friday night affair at the Dodge Theatre. Featured in the main event are two top 10 LWs, with veteran contender Tony Chavez facing Chester Rico, with Rico coming off an unsuccessful try for the WBA LW title. No titles on the line in this one, which is the first meeting of these two. Rico starts well, but Chavez gradually works his way into the bout, moving inside in round four and dishing out some punishment. At the midway point, the unofficial card has Chavez up by one (48-47). Late in round seven, Chavez lands a sharp blow that drops Rico to the canvas; Rico is saved by the bell just after the count has begun. Chavez eases up the final few rounds and coasts to a comfortable UD 10 win (97-93, 97-93, 98-92). Post-bout career marks: Chavez, 39-13-4 (15); Rico, 23-8-4 (10).

Dec. 16, 1944: The scene shifts to Toronto for the next fight card. In the main event, former WBA BW Champ K. O. Morgan, now at the Post-Prime stage of his career, faces the reigning GBU BW Champ, Ritchie Tanner, in a non-title match. First meeting of the two, and, after a couple of uninspired opening two rounds, Morgan moves inside in round three, and he dominates the action, but then Tanner comes back with a strong fourth round. At the halfway point of the 10-rounder, Morgan has the edge (48-47), according to the unofficial scorecard. The bout remains close, with both fighters swinging away, Both fighter are low on energy headed into the final two rounds, with Tanner ahead on the punches landed count and Morgan continuing as the aggressor, looking to land a telling blow. However, Morgan is on the receiving end as well, and his left eye begins to puff up. No cuts or knockdowns, and the bout goes to decision, and the closeness of the bout is reflected in the result, as Tanner prevails via a SD 10 (96-94, 95-96, 96-94), moving up in the BW rankings as a result. Post-bout records: Tanner, 24-8-2 (11); Morgan, 40-17-8 (19).

[JCWeb]

Woohoo! Another year in the books ...

This report covers fistic action from the second half of December 1944. One WBA title bout is included in this report.

Dec. 16, 1944: To the West Coast and the Cow Palace in San Francisco for the next fight card. In the main event, Everett Rightmire makes his fourth defense of the NABF FW title, facing challenger Jackie Wilson. Third meeting of the two, with Rightmire having prevailed in both prior encounters. This time around, Wilson looks sharp, particularly after moving inside in round three, when he rips open a cut on Rightmire’s mouth. As the midway point of the bout approaches, the cut on Rightmire’s lip is reopened, and Wilson has a nice lead in the punches landed stat. The unofficial card after six has Wilson up by two (58-56), but there is a mouse forming under the right eye of the challenger. Into the second half of the bout, and RIghtmire goes on the attack, pressuring his opponent and putting Wilson on the defensive. However, late in round eight, Wilson manages to reopen the cut and lands some effective counterpunches. Then, midway through round 10, a Rightmire combination drops Wilson for the count. KO 10 for Rightmire, who improves to 39-13-3 (16) with the win. The loss drops Wilson to 40-21-5 (11). A peek at the scorecards after nine showed Wilson leading on one, with the bout even on the other two. For Rightmire, a big win as he hits Post-Prime starting in 1945, his retirement year.

Dec. 22, 1944: To Sweden for the next card, featuring a EBU LH title bout at Gothenburg, with Heinz Lazek defending that belt versus Belgian challenger Pol Goffaux. The two met once before, back in 1941, with Lazek taking a UD 10. Lazek moves inside in round three and soon gains the upper hand, decking Goffaux with a hard cross near the end of the round, but there is not enough time to do further damage after Goffaux arises at the count of two. Lazek continues to dominate most of the early action, and he has a solid lead (59-54) on the unofficial card by the midway point, plus Goffaux is suffering from a cut over his left eye and a rapidly swelling right eye. The cut is reopened in round nine, and Goffaux manages to last the distance but offers little resistance the rest of the way, so Lazek takes a UD 12 (117-110, 118-109, 117-110) to run his career record to 44-12-1 (25) compared to a post-fight mark of 21-7 (10) for Goffaux, who appeared to be overmatched in his first title bout of any kind.

Dec. 23, 1944: Next card takes place at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The headliner is an NABF title bout, with a pair of HWs taking to the ring in the main supporting action, with Lou Nova facing Gus Dorazio. The two met once before, and Nova prevailed via a UD 10. In this rematch, Nova once again seems to have the upper hand through the early going. At the halfway point, the unofficial scorer at ringside has Nova well ahead on points (50-45). Dorazio attempts to pick up the pace by taking a more active approach in the second half of the bout, but in round seven, an overly aggressive Dorazio falls victim to a Nova cross. Dorazio scrambles back to his feet after the count reaches six, and he covers up to last the round. Into the final few rounds, and Dorazio must battle a rapidly swelling left eye in addition to a very determine opponent in Nova. Dorazio goes down a second time, with just seconds remaining in the final round, and he barely beats the count. However, the result is no longer in doubt, as Nova repeats his earlier result, taking a lopsided UD 10 (100-88, 99-89, 100-89), upping his career record to 31-12-1 (24), with Dorazio dropping to 26-11-5 (7) post-bout. Bittersweet win for the veteran Nova, who will hit Post-Prime with his next outing, in early 1945. Finally, it’s time for the main event, with hot young WW “Sugar” Ray Robinson defending his NABF WW title versus a tough customer in former WBA WW Champ Eddie Dolan, the reigning USBA WW titleholder. First meeting of the two but, with Dolan now at Post-Prime, he is unlikely to pose a serious challenge to Robinson. “Sugar” Ray manages to dominate the action from the opening bell, and he decks Dolan with a lightning quick combination near the end of the round. Dolan arises quickly, and there is not enough time left in the round for Robinson to finish matters. Dolan recovers between rounds and is able to gradually work his way into the bout. Late in round four, Robinson corners Dolan and drops him with a strong shot; this time the count reaches nine but the bell sounds, saving Dolan. Then, third time is a charm in round five, as Robinson lands another strong shot, this time with plenty of time remaining in the round, and Dolan is unable to beat the count. Impressive KO 9 for Robinson who remains one of the top young fighters in any weight division at this point in time. Post-bout career records: Robinson, 24-1-1 (17); Dolan, 40-14-5 (14).

Dec. 26, 1944: Next up is the traditional Boxing Day card, at the Olympia in London. The main event is a WBA title bout, amply supported by a co-feature matching two top five Flyweights, with Brit Jackie Paterson, former WBA Fly Champ, taking on NABF Flyweight Champ Dado Marino. First meeting of these two, and Paterson is looking to get his career back on track after a loss to Istvan Enekes in his most recent outing. Not much happens in the first few rounds, but Paterson has the edge in the punches landed stats. At the midway point of the bout, Paterson has a nice lead (49-46, according to the unofficial card). Marino comes out more aggressively in the second part of the bout, and in round seven, he is able to open a cut under the right eye of Paterson. However, the cut is patched up in the corner between rounds, and Paterson bounces back with a strong round eight; by this time, Marino’s left eye is beginning to swell. The bout goes the rest of the way without incident, and Paterson goes on to take a UD 10 (98-93, 98-93, 98-92); with the win, Paterson improves to 23-5-1 (15), while the loss leaves Marino at 22-3 (13). With all the preliminaries out of the way, it is time for the main event, with Johnny King defending the WBA BW title against a countryman, challenger Norman Lewis, who has risen rapidly up the BW ranks after winning the EBU and Commonwealth BW titles. Unfortunately for the large crowd of fight fans, the bout comes to a sudden end after just a round and a half, as a cut appears over King’s left eye – obviously the result of an accidental butt – and this leads to an immediate stoppage. With less than three rounds in the books, the bout is waved off as a technical draw. King, who will be at Post-Prime with his next outing, ends up the bout at 60-9-4 (25). For Lewis, it is his first draw, leaving him at 21-4-1 (14). It is unclear whether a rematch in 1945 will be in the offing.

Dec. 29, 1944: To South Africa for a Friday night card at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg. In the feature, EBU HW Champ Walter “der Blonde” Neusel is matched with Argentina’s Albert Santiago Lovell, who until recently held the LABF title belt. Neusel won their one prior meeting via a first round KO in 1942, but he has just hit Post-Prime career stage, so Lovell has hopes of reversing the earlier result. This time around, Lovell survives the opening round, and he does well enough to take round two. Lovell move inside and applies pressure to Neusel in round three, but the German rebounds with a strong fourth round. At the halfway point, the unofficial scorecard has Lovell with a narrow one-point lead (48-47). The bout remains close into the second half, with both fighters aggressively looking for an opening. Early in round seven, Lovell tags Neusel with a sharp combination; the EBU Champ is able to quickly regain his composure, covering up to last the round. Despite being low on energy, Neusel steadies himself and recovers with a strong round in round eight. The bout goes down to the wire, and Lovell is able to avenge the earlier defeat, taking a MD 10 (96-94, 95-95, 97-93). Post-bout career marks: Lovell, 33-16-1 (26); Neusel, 35-17-3 (23). This win, over a much higher rated opponent, will mean a nice run up the HW rankings for Lovell.

Dec. 30, 1944: The month and the year wraps with a final card at Pittsburgh, featuring homegrown boxing hero, Billy Conn, the “Pittsburgh Kid,” in the main event. Rather than defend his WBA LH title, Conn instead continues his foray into the HW ranks, defending the NABF HW title he won in his most recent outing, with Roscoe Toles as the challenger. First meeting of the two, and with two boxers, there is a long feeling out process, with both men probing for an advantage. Toles has the better of it in the early going, although neither fighter has the firepower to serious trouble, leading to a tactical battle. At the midway point of the bout, the unofficial card has Toles up by two (58-56). Despite trailing, Conn remains calm and confident, not taking any extreme risks while relying on his boxing skills to outsmart the veteran Toles. Toles, for his part, is content to remain on the outside, parrying any offensive thrusts from Conn. With neither man breaking through, the bout goes the full 12, and Toles takes a SD 12 (113-116, 115-114, 116-113), a decision that is roundly booed by the pro-Conn crowd. Post-bout career records: Toles, 38-14-6 (6); Conn, 34-7-3 (14). With Toles now taking the NABF HW belt, Conn is at a crossroads in his career: does he continue as a HW or return to LH and defend his WBA LH title?

[JCWeb]

Roll call, time for the year-end reports.

HW

Division Profile

Total: 166 RL: 87 TC: 79

RL by Career Stage:
End - 8
Post - 13
Prime - 37
Pre - 20
Beginning - 9 (5 New)

Rated: 65
800+: 18
500+: 36
200+ : 58

Jan 1945 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1944 in Parens):

WBA Champ: Joe Louis 49-1-1 (47) (2140) (NC)
1. Jersey Joe Walcott 50-8 (29) (1691) (+1)
2. Max Schmeling 68-8-1 (45) (1537) (-1)
3. Roscoe Toles 38-14-6 (6) (1478) (+5) (NABF)
4. Lou Nova 31-12-1 (24) (1107) (+8)
5. Tommy Gomez 25-3-1 (23) (1038) (+13)
6. Albert Santiago Lovell 33-16-1 (26) (1024) (+16)
7. Walter Neusel 35-17-3 (23) (1023) (-3) (EBU)
8. Pat Comiskey 23-4 (15) (1010) (-2)
9. Abe Simon 31-10-2 (22) (964) (+4)
10. Nathan Mann 30-11-3 (22) (942) (NC)

Other Notables: 11. Jack Trammell 35-16-1 (17) (910) (USBA)
12. Bob Pastor 29-9-3 (12) (907)
15. Arturo Godoy 35-17 (14) (824) (LABF)
16. Tommy Farr 53-21-4 (16) (823) (CBU, GBU)

Top Prospects: Reg Andrews 11-2-1 (4)
Freddie Beshore 13-0 (2)
Billy Gilliam 11-0 (2)
Freddie Schott 10-0 (5)
Enrico Bertola 8-0 (6)

Retirements:

Ben Foord (SAF) 1932-1944 27-16-2 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 52
Johnny Paychek (USA) 1933-1944 26-21-1 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 32
Clarence Burman (USA) 1930-1944 32-17-2 (18) No Titles Highest Rank: 19
Max Baer (USA) 1929-1944 39-20 (32) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 3
Maurice Strickland (NZL) 1933-1944 25-16 (14) No Titles Highest Rank: 47
Al McCoy (USA) 1928-1944 40-25-3 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 23
Natie Brown (USA) 1928-1944 34-26-7 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 19

Outlook for 1945: Joe Louis continues to reign and is one of the most dominant Champions in any division. By contrast, 1944 saw a musical chairs among top contenders, as Schmeling lost to Neusel, Walcott lost to Conn (Conn, who is only ranked at LH, would have been ranked at #4 based on his perf point numbers), Conn and Neusel lost to Toles, Neusel lost to Lovell, Toles lost to Nova, and Novell lost to Godoy. Tommy Gomez moved quickly up the ranks, riding a seven-bout unbeaten streak that included wins over two top 10 contenders in Comiskey and Mann. Still a fluid situation, with Walcott emerging as the #1 contender as Schemling fades into the twilight of his career, along with Tommy Farr and Max Baer (who retired in 1944). Brit Bruce Woodcock (now 16-1) and Cuban Nino Valdes (now 15-2-1) are probably the most interesting of the young fighters attempting to rise in the HW rankings. Jack Trammell, the USBA Champ, is the forgotten man in this division – so forgotten I have failed to arrange any title bouts for him since 1941; this will change with a mandatory defense in early 1945. There is the possibility that guys like Archie Moore and Ezzard Charles will move up from LH to add some competition for Louis but, otherwise, it’s a multi-year wait until Rocky Marciano makes his debut in 1947, as none of the five newcomers slated to join the division in 1945 is rated above a “5.”

[JCWeb]

LH Division Profile

Total: 103 RL: 56 TC: 47

RL by Career Stage:
End - 2
Post - 6
Prime - 27
Pre - 14
Beginning - 7 (7 New)

Rated: 44
800+: 16
500+: 28
200+ : 41

Jan 1945 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1944 in Parens):

WBA Champ: Billy Conn 34-7-3 (14) (1477) (NC)
1. Archie Moore 31-3-4 (22) (1612) (NC) (USBA)
2. Lloyd Marshall 26-5-3 (23) (1390) (+1) (NABF)
3. Gus Lesnevich 36-11-3 (16) (1189) (+6)
4. Tiger Jack Fox 58-11-1 (42) (1188) (-2)
5. Ezzard Charles 21-0 (18) (1100) (+5)
6. Harry Matthews 24-4 (17) (1079) (NC)
7. Melio Bettina 33-8-6 (13) (1057) (-2)
8. Eddie Booker 28-7-2 (15) (1016) (-4)
9. Danny Devlin 39-19-7 (16) (1009) (+1)
10. Young Joe Louis 28-10-1 (14) (946) (+9)

Other Notables: 11. Heinz Lazek 44-12-1 (25) (920) (EBU)
12. Anton Christoforidis 28-12-3 (13) (851)
15. Jack A. Johnson 21-7 (17) (805) (CBU)
18. Freddie Mills 25-11-6 (14) (767)
19. Bert Gilroy 28-11-3 (16) (653) (GBU)
23. Jimmy Bivins 20-2-2 (16) (588)

Top Prospects: Henry Hall 10-2-1 (2)
Alex Buxton 9-1-1 (4)
Billy Fox 8-0 (6)
Prentiss Hall 6-0 (3)

Retirements:

Maxie Rosenbloom (USA) 1923-1944 55-20-6 (18) WBA Champion 1934-35, 1937-39
Pietro Georgi (ITA) 1930-1944 27-24-3 (10) No Titles Highest Rank: 38
Gustave Roth (BEL) 1927-1944 45-25-5 (14) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 5
Bob Godwin (USA) 1928-1944 33-24-5 (8) No Titles Highest Rank: 26
John Anderson (SWE) 1931-1944 28-27-1 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 38

Outlook for 1945: Despite Conn’s ability to retain the WBA title for another year, the division is in a state of flux, with Conn’s flirtation with the HW division (capturing then losing the NABF HW title), plus top contenders such as Archie Moore and Ezzard Charles are possibly contemplating a move to HW as well. Plus, with the retirement of all-time great “Slapsie” Maxie Rosenbloom, there is room at the top for new blood. A couple of guys (notably Christoforidis and Mills) have underperformed thus far, and Jimmy Bivins, another potential top contender, has been a disappointment as well. Ditto for Joey Maxim, who was on the short end of three straight split decisions that went the other way. Hopefully, the cream will rise to the top in the coming post-War era. Top new additions to the division are Bob Amos and Bob Murphy, each of whom is rated a “7.”

[JCWeb]

MW Division Profile

Total: 149 RL: 89 TC: 60

RL by Career Stage:
End - 5
Post - 12
Prime - 36
Pre - 20
Beginning - 16 (8 New)

Rated: 61
800+: 23
500+: 40
200+ : 57

Jan 1945 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1944 in Parens):

WBA Champ: Al Hostak 40-9-2 (30) (1495) (+5)
1. Holman Williams 45-9-1 (21) (1775) (NC) (NABF)
2. Charley Burley 35-2 (24) (1584) (-2)
3. Freddie Apostoli 34-12-2 (24) (1494) (-1)
4. Tony Zale 36-6-1 (22) (1398) (NC)
5. Dave Sands 22-0 (15) (1286) (+21) (CBU)
6. Marcel Cerdan 39-6-3 (27) (1285) (-3) (EBU)
7. Antonio Fernandez 39-19-4 (13) (1276) (+8) (LABF)
8. Jose Basora 24-5 (17) (1142) (-2)
9. Teddy Yarosz 44-19-5 (14) (1081) (-2)
10. Steve Belloise 25-5-1 (13) (1069) (+9)

Other Notables: 11. Ken Overlin 42-14-5 (14) (1067)
12. George Abrams 25-8-2 (10) (1026) (USBA)
13. Jock McAvoy 40-21-6 (26) (978) (GBU)
16. Al Priest 20-2 (6) (876)
19. Jake LaMotta 19-0 (17) (826)

Top Prospects: George Duke 12-1-1 (2)
Mario Diaz 11-2-1 (5)
Rocky Graziano 11-2 (10)
Tony Janiro 9-0
Laurent Dauthuille 8-0 (2)
Bert Lytell 7-0 (3)
Ernie Durando 6-0 (3)
Carl “Bobo” Olson 1-0 (1)

Retirements:

Solly Krieger (USA) 1928-1944 36-25-2 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 14
Angel Cliville (PUR) 1927-1944 39-32-3 (19) No Titles Highest Rank: 37
Freddie Steele (USA) 1926-1944 54-14-1 (37) WBA Champion 1938-1940
Edouard Tenet (FRA) 1923-1944 44-31-9 (11) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 10
Erich Seelig (GER) 1931-1944 39-19-4 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 20
Fred Henneberry (AUS) 1930-1944 32-25-5 (13) OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 16
Lou Brouillard (CAN) 1928-1944 37-19-4 (17) CBU Champ Highest Rank: 5

Outlook for 1945: Still one of the deepest and most competitive divisions, and this is unlikely to change in 1945 as there is still a plethora of talent both at or near the top as well as on the way up. Biggest surprises of the past year was Al Hostak’s ascension to the MW throne despite the fact that many guys were rated much higher than his “8” rating, as well as the sudden rise of unbeaten Aussie Dave Sands, who zoomed up the rankings after his surprise win over former WBA MW Champ Marcel Cerdan. Cerdan, like ex-Champs Williams, Zale and Apostoli, is in a rebuilding mode, hoping for another shot at the title in a crowded field. Look for unbeaten prospect Jake LaMotta, who is just one bout away from hitting Prime, to make an impact in the next year or so. Looking further ahead, guys like Laurent Dauthuille, Bert Lytell and “Bobo” Olson are solid prospects (another highly regarded prospect, Rocky Graziano, needs to bounce back after a couple of early losses), and the incoming crop includes Belgian Cyrille Delannoit (a “9) and Brit Mark Hart (at “8”).

[JCWeb]

WW Division Profile

Total: 135 RL: 92 TC: 43

RL by Career Stage:
End - 8
Post - 8
Prime - 46
Pre - 23
Beginning - 7 (5 New)

Rated: 66
800+: 24
500+: 36
200+ : 57

Jan 1945 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1944 in Parens):

WBA Champ: Henry Armstrong 44-7-3 (37) (1880) (NC)
1. Izzy Jannazzo 40-7-4 (13) (1639) (NC)
2. Ray Robinson 24-1-1 (17) (1433) (+1) (NABF)
3. Marty Servo 28-5 (11) (1285) (+6)
4. Cocoa Kid 48-10-3 (13) (1281) (+4) (LABF)
5. Fritzie Zivic 36-13-6 (16) (1245) (+2)
6. Bep Van Klaveren 40-18-10 (12) (1223) (NC) (EBU)
7. Jackie Wilson 29-9-2 (17) (1182) (-2)
8. Ernie Roderick 32-16-4 (7) (1157) (+6) (CBU, GBU)
9. Eddie Dolan 40-14-5 (14) (1123) (-7) (USBA)
10. Freddie Cochrane 31-12-5 (9) (1075) (+1)

Other Notables: 11. Georgie Crouch 27-10-4 (14) (1042)
12. Gustav Eder 45-13-10 (9) (1041)
13. Jack McNamee 35-12-1 (22) (1008)
18. Alan Westbury 28-9-3 (15) (887) (OPBF)
21. Billy Graham 18-2 (9) (829)
26. Egisto Peyre 19-2 (10) (759)

Top Prospects: Gene Burton 12-0 (7)
Tony Pellone 12-0 (5)
Frankie Abrams 12-0 (4)
Bernard Docusen 9-0 (4)
Johnny Cesario 7-0 (1)
Charley Fusari 5-0 (3)
Kid Gavilan 5-0 (1)
Johnny Bratton 1-0

Retirements:

Barney Ross (USA) 1929-1944 39-18-4 (11) WBA Champion 1933-34, 1936
Jimmy Leto (USA) 1925-1944 44-32-8 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 7
Tommy Cross (USA) 1934-1944 16-22-3 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 44
My Sullivan (USA) 1925-1944 37-27-5 (19) No Titles Highest Rank: 20
Andre Jessurun (INO) 1934-1944 19-21-1 (8) No Titles Highest Rank: 57

Outlook for 1945: After a few unsuccessful forays at MW, three-division WBA Champ Armstrong returned to WW, a division which he has dominated he has dominated for the last half decade. However, in 1945, “Homicide Hank” hits Post-Prime career stage, so a change at the top is in the offing, with current NABF WW Champ “Sugar” Ray Robinson as the likely successor. Jannazzo, Zivic and Servo are the top contenders, with Servo having establish his credentials by handing Robinson his only loss to date, albeit via a controversial split decision. Billy Graham, who hits Prime with his next bout, is poised to move up the ranks. Kid Gavilan and Johnny Bratton, who are the best of the current crop of prospects, are still a couple of years away from emerging as serious contenders. Bobby Lee (a “6”) is the best of the new additions slated to join the WW ranks in 1945.

[JCWeb]

LW Division Profile

Total: 141 RL: 87 TC: 54

RL by Career Stage:
End - 3
Post - 14
Prime - 34
Pre - 21
Beginning - 15 (9 New)

Rated: 59
800+: 22
500+: 37
200+ : 59

Jan 1945 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1944 in Parens):

WBA Champ: Baby Arizmendi 52-10-4 (11) (1566) (+1)
1. Jack Kid Berg 53-21-5 (18) (1378) (-1)
2. Bob Montgomery 26-2-2 (15) (1332) (+2) (NABF)
3. Aldo Spoldi 45-12-6 (17) (1311) (-1) (EBU)
4. Laurie Stevens 35-11-1 (21) (1282) (-1)
5. Tony Chavez 39-13-4 (15) (1180) (+2)
6. Beau Jack 25-2 (17) (1169) (+12)
7. Sammy Angott 29-8-6 (10) (1135) (+2)
8. Lulu Costantino 22-4-2 (10) (1107) (+14)
9. Dave Castilloux 32-14-3 (9) (1042) (-4)
10. Lou Ambers 40-11-2 (19) (1033) (+1)

Other Notables: 11. Lenny Mancini 25-9-3 (6) (1025)
12. Lefty Satan Flynn 32-13-3 (17) (1012) (CBU)
13. Chester Rico 23-8-4 (10) (982)
15. Ike Williams 22-1-1 (19) (952)
16. Vic Patrick 20-1 (15) (918) (OPBF)
17. Willie Joyce 26-7-3 (14) (917) (USBA)
22. Joe Brown 16-1 (13) (737)
25. Enrique Bolanos 15-0 (15) (662)
51. Eric Boon 27-13-2 (230 (260) (GBU)

Top Prospects: Tommy Jessup 12-1-1 (10)
Freddie Dawson 10-1 (2)
Norm Gent 8-0-3 (4)
Bernard Docusen 9-0 (4)
Wesley Mouzon 4-0 (1)
Maxie Docusen 2-0-1
Art Aragon 1-0

Retirements:

Eddie Cool (USA) 1928-1944 39-21-7 (12) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 5
Pedro Montanez (PUR) 1931-1944 35-18 (17) LABF Champ Highest Rank: 4
Wesley Ramey (USA) 1929-1944 32-18-10 (12) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 3
Al Roth (USA) 1931-1944 35-22-3 (12) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 5
Davey Day (USA) 1931-1944 35-15-5 (13) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 9
Carlo Orlandi (ITA) 1929-1944 37-24-6 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 32
Jimmy Tygh (USA) 1937-1944 18-10-6 (9) No Titles Highest Rank: 26
Bernie Friedkin (USA) 1935-1944 23-12-7 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 21
Tommy Spiegel (USA) 1933-1944 29-16-6 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 19
Joe Ghnouly (USA) 1928-1944 31-22-9 (10) No Titles Highest Rank: 25

Outlook for 1945: Arizmendi moved up from FW to claim, first the LABF LW title, then the WBA title to become a two-division Champion. With Berg and Spoldi now at Post-Prime, the top contenders for the title are NABF Champ Bob Montgomery, USBA Champ Willie Joyce, along with the rapidly rising duo of Beau Jack and Lulu Costantino. Further down the rankings list, Ike Williams and Joe Brown have the potential to become serious title contenders in the future. Mexican Enrique Bolanos, undefeated with 15 wins, all by knockout, has yet to be seriously tested. Unusual to see a regional Champion (in this case, GBU LW Champ Eric Boon) not among the top 50 in the World rankings. Freddie Dawson and Wesley Mouzon are the best of the current group of prospects. Tommy Campbell, the best of the nine newcomers, is rated an “8.”

[JCWeb]

FW Division Profile

Total: 122 RL: 78 TC: 44

RL by Career Stage:
End - 8
Post - 12
Prime - 29
Pre - 17
Beginning - 12 (7 New)

Rated: 50
800+: 12
500+: 31
200+ : 45

Jan 1945 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1944 in Parens):

WBA Champ: Harold Hoshino 33-3-3 (18) (1256) (NC)
1. Everett Rightmire 39-13-3 (16) (1270) (NC) (NABF)
2. Willie Pep 23-2 (14) (1011) (+1) (USBA)
3. Chalky Wright 42-17-4 (15) (999) (-1)
4. Tsuneo Horiguchi 37-11-2 (19) (951) (+7)
5. Diego Sosa 21-4-1 (14) (934) (+15) (LABF)
6. Carlos Chavez 22-3 (8) (915) (+7)
7. Dave Crowley 39-27-1 (15) (903) (+3) (EBU, CBU, GBU)
8. Simon Chavez 36-21-4 (15) (868) (+6)
9. Mike Belloise 34-16-7 (11) (825) (-3)
10. Leo Rodak 31-15-1 (7) (821) (-2)

Other Notables: 11. Eddie Miller 25-9-1 (10) (802) (OPBF)
13. Miguel Acevedo 20-4-1 (11) (793)
16. National Kid 24-6-2 (10) (716)
17. Ronnie Clayton 19-0 (12) (698)
19. Jackie McCoy 16-0 (2) (887)

Top Prospects: Ermanno Bonetti 13-0-1 (2)
Jock Leslie 11-0 (4)
Simon Vergara 11-0 (3)
Ciro Morasen 7-1 (1)
Jackie Graves 7-0 (6)
Ray Famechon 6-0 (2)
Sandy Saddler 2-0 (2)
Eddie Compo 1-0-1 (1)

Retirements:

Filio Julian Echevarria (CUB) 1927-1944 43-21-6 (13) LABF Champ Highest Rank: 2
Battling Battalino (USA) 1927-1944 47-22-3 (16) WBA Champion 1933 Highest Rank: 2
Petey Sarron (USA) 1925-1944 42-27-6 (11) NABF, USBA Champ Highest Rank: 6
Tony Dupre (USA) 1934-1944 26-14-6 (14) No Titles Highest Rank: 21
Jimmy Perrin (USA) 1933-1944 25-16-5 (9) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 10
Pete DeGrasse (CAN) 1927-1944 45-29-5 (11) WBA Champion 1933-34

Outlook for 1945: Hoshino retained the WBA title for another year, but there has been a lot of volatility with four guys moving into the top 10, while others dropped out or, in the case of Battalino, retired. With Rightmire and Wright both at Post-Prime headed into 1945, Willie Pep, now at #2, is the “Champion in waiting,” expected to challenge soon for the WBA title. Rating-wise, the only active FW in the same league as Pep is his real-life rival, Sandy Saddler, who is still a couple or three years away from being in position to make his mark on the division. Brit Dave Crowley, holder of three regional titles, has another year at Prime; unbeaten Ronnie Clayton is best positioned to take over one or more of these titles in the next year or two. Chico Rosa, a “7,” is the best of the current crop of prospects (other than Saddler, of course). Luther Burgess and Pat Iacobucci (a pair of “6”s) are the best of the seven newcomers to the FW ranks in 1945.

[JCWeb]

BW Division Profile

Total: 122 RL: 78 TC: 44

RL by Career Stage:
End - 8
Post - 12
Prime - 29
Pre - 17
Beginning - 12 (7 New)

Rated: 50
800+: 12
500+: 31
200+ : 45

Jan 1945 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1944 in Parens):

WBA Champ: Johnny King 60-9-4 (25) (1364) (NC)
1. David Kui Kong Young 32-3-4 (17) (1377) (+1) (USBA)
2. Tommy Forte 32-5-2 (12) (1324) (+7) (NABF)
3. Manuel Ortiz 25-6-2 (15) (1321) (-2)
4. Georgie Pace 31-15-2 (20) (1209) (+2)
5. Panama Al Brown 74-17-2 (26) (1208) (NC) (LABF)
6. Ritchie Tanner 24-8-2 (11) (1156) (+5) (GBU)
7. K. O. Morgan 40-17-8 (19) (1155) (-4)
8. Benny Goldberg 26-5-2 (13) (1114) (-4)
9. Norman Lewis 21-4-1 (14) (973) (+17) (EBU, CBU)
10. Tony Olivera 26-7-1 (17) (925) (+5)

Other Notables: 11. Little Pancho 47-14-8 (10) (912)
14. Mickey Miller 34-14-2 (19) (869) (OPBF)
17. Fernando Gagnon 17-0 (15) (797)
18. Luis Castillo 21-6 (11) (788)
30. Harold Dade 13-1-2 (5) (444)

Top Prospects: Luis Galvani 13-1 (8)
Mickey Francis 12-2 (10)
Stan Rowan 13-0 (7)
Luis Romero 10-0 (7)
Hiroshi Horiguchi 8-0 (2)
Frankie Williams 6-0 (5)
Manny Ortega 5-0 (2)

Retirements:

Baltazar Sangchili (SPA) 1929-1944 37-21-3 (19) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 11
Horace Gwynne (CAN) 1932-1944 29-16-3 (15) NABF, CBU Champ Highest Rank: 7

Outlook for 1945: King remains on top, but new blood has risen up the ranks, with the likes of Kui Kong Young, Forte, Ortiz and Tanner moving into contending positions. Brit Norman Lewis also shot up the ranks by winning both the EBU and Commonwealth titles. Unbeaten Canadian prospect Fernando Gagnon has yet to be seriously tested. Given that there is quite a bit of parity in this division, look for titles to change hands frequently. Galvani (a “9”) and Romero (an “8”) are the best of the young prospects. Seven newcomers to the BW ranks for 1945, the best of whom is Brit Ronnie Draper (a “6”). Finally, set for retirement in 1945 is a guy who has been at or near the top of the division for the past two decades, Panama Al Brown.

[JCWeb]

FLY Division Profile

Total: 66 RL: 39 TC: 27

RL by Career Stage:
End - 4
Post - 4
Prime - 18
Pre - 87
Beginning - 6 (6 New)

Rated: 30
800+: 7
500+: 16
200+ : 24

Jan 1945 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1944 in Parens):

WBA Champ: Rinty Monaghan 36-9-1 (11) (1135) (+1)
1. Peter Kane 30-6-1 (13) (1046) (+2) (EBU, CBU)
2. Istvan Enekes 44-14-2 (13) (1000) (+4)
3. Jackie Paterson 23-5-1 (15) (999) (-3)
4. Dado Marino 22-3 (13) (850) (+5) (NABF, USBA)
5. Jackie Jurich 29-7-1 (18) (842) (-3)
6. Teddy Gardner 22-4-1 (10) (831) (-1)
7. Little Dado 31-7-1 (13) (782) (NC)
8. Valentin Angelmann 44-25-2 (14) (686) (+4)
9. Hans Schiffers 22-6-5 (8) (677) (+4)
10. Jimmy Gill 35-14-4 (11) (668) (-2) (GBU)

Other Notables: 11. Terry Allen 16-0 (3) (654)
14. Small Montana 28-19-6 (10) (541) (OPBF)
16. Noboru Kushida 15-1 (6) (480)
19. Emile Famechon 15-2-1 (14) (403)
22. Otilio Galvan 14-3-1 (5) (350)

Top Prospects: Yoshio Shirai 9-0 (5)
Black Pico 9-0
Nazzareno Gianelli 7-0 (2)

Retirements:

Jackie Brown (UK) 1925-1944 42-23-5 (13) EBU, CBU, GBU Champ Highest Rank: 1
Midget Wolgast (USA) 1925-1944 58-13-1 (19) WBA Champion 1931-1940, 1943
Tut Whalley (UK) 1931-1944 27-25-2 (10) No Titles Highest Rank: 21

Outlook for 1945: After a decade of dominance by one boxer (Midget Wolgast, who retired in 1944), the Flyweight division has been characterized by relative parity since then, with Jurich, Paterson and Monaghan ascending to the WBA title, in that order. However, with Wolgast’s retirement, there is no one rated above an “8” left in the division. Marino currently holds both the NABF and USBA titles due to a dearth of Americans in the division. With Galvan and a couple of more Latin boxers set to join the division in 1945, there may be an LABF title bout in the near future. Terry Allen has risen quickly up the ranks and coule be contending for a regional title soon. Frenchman Louis Skena leads the six newcomers to the Fly ranks in 1945.

[JCWeb]

ROLL OF CHAMPIONS

HW

WBA: Joe Louis (Feb. 1939) (24)
NABF: Roscoe Toles (Dec. 1944) (0)
USBA: Jack Trammell (Jan. 1941) (0)
CBU: Tommy Farr (Jul. 1944) (0)
GBU: Tommy Farr (Feb. 1942) (2)
EBU: Walter Neusel (Jun. 1944) (1)
OPBF: Vacant
LABF: Arturo Godoy (Sep. 1944) (0)

LH

WBA: Billy Conn (May 1943) (2)
NABF: Lloyd Marshall (Apr. 1943) (3)
USBA: Archie Moore (Jun. 1943) (4)
CBU: Jack A. Johnson (Jul. 1941) (3)
GBU: Bert Gilroy (May 1944) (2)
EBU: Heinz Lazek (Aug. 1944) (2)
OPBF: Inactive
LABF: Inactive

MW

WBA: Al Hostak (Nov. 1944) (0)
NABF: Holman Williams (Nov. 1943) (2)
USBA: George Abrams (Jan. 1944) (0)
CBU: Dave Sands (Nov. 1944) (0)
GBU: Jock McAvoy (Oct. 1930) (13)
EBU: Marcel Cerdan (May 1944) (0)
OPBF: Vacant
LABF: Antonio Fernandez (Jul. 1944) (0)

WW

WBA: Henry Armstrong (Dec. 1939) (11)
NABF: Ray Robinson (Oct. 1944) (1)
USBA: Eddie Dolan (Apr. 1943) (2)
CBU: Ernie Roderick (Sep. 1941) (2)
GBU: Ernie Roderick (May 1935) (2)
EBU: Bep Van Klaveren (Sep. 1944) (0)
OPBF: Alan Westbury (Apr. 1944) (1)
LABF: Cocoa Kid (Aug. 1944) (0)

LW

WBA: Baby Arizmendi (Oct. 1944) (0)
NABF: Bob Montgomery (Jun. 1943) (3)
USBA: Willie Joyce (Dec. 1943) (1)
CBU: Lefty Satan Flynn (Feb. 1944) (1)
GBU: Eric Boon (Oct. 1944) (0)
EBU: Aldo Spoldi (Oct. 1941) (1)
OPBF: Vic Patrick (Jun. 1944) (0)
LABF: Humberto Sierra (Nov. 1944) (0)

FW

WBA: Harold Hoshino (Feb. 1943) (4)
NABF: Everett Rightmire (Jun. 1943) (4)
USBA: Willie Pep (Nov. 1944) (0)
CBU: Dave Crowley (Oct. 1941) (0)
GBU: Dave Crowley (Jun. 1941) (3)
EBU: Dave Crowley (Apr. 1943) (0)
OPBF: Tsuneo Horiguchi (May 1943) (0)
LABF: Diego Sosa (Aug. 1943) (0)

BW

WBA: Johnny King (Aug. 1943) (4)
NABF: Tommy Forte (Mar. 1944) (2)
USBA: David Kui Kong Young (May 1944) (2)
CBU: Norman Lewis (May 1944) (1)
GBU: Ritchie Tanner (Sep. 1943) (0)
EBU: Norman Lewis (Oct. 1944) (0)
OPBF: Mickey Miller (Dec. 1944) (0)
LABF: Panama Al Brown (Aug. 1944) (0)

FLY

WBA: Rinty Monaghan (Jun. 1944) (1)
NABF: Dado Marino (Feb. 1944) (1)
USBA: Dado Marino (Jun. 1943) (0)
CBU: Peter Kane (Jul. 1943) (1)
GBU: Jimmy Gill (Jan. 1944) (0)
EBU: Peter Kane (Dec. 1940) (4)
OPBF: Small Montana (May 1943) (0)
LABF: Inactive

Comments: New Champs in slightly more than half (30 of 59) the active titles. One new title activated during the year (the OPBF LW, won by Aussie Vic Patrick). Still the longest title run is the GBU MW title, which has remained in the hands of one Jock McAvoy since 1930, now close to a decade and a half. Joe Louis and Henry Armstrong are the longest serving WBA titleholders. Hostak (at MW) and Monaghan (at Fly) are the only new, first-time WBA titleholders, as Arizmendi had previously held titles at both FW and LW.

[JCWeb]

Wrapping up the year-end stuff with the PFP and Year-End Awards ...

1944 YEAR-END PFP RANKINGS (based on Perf Points, with change from last year, number of years on list, first year on list in parens)

1. Joe Louis, HW (WBA Champion), 2140 (NC) (8) (1936)
2. Henry Armstrong, WW (WBA Champion), 1880 (+1) (6) (1939)
3. Holman Williams, MW (NABF Champion), 1775 (+2) (4) (1940)
4. Jersey Joe Walcott, HW, 1691(+2) (5) (1942)
5. Izzy Jannazzo, WW, 1639 (new) (2) (1942)
6. Archie Moore, LH (USBA Champion), 1612 (new to list)
7. Charley Burley, MW, 1584 (-3) (3) (1942)
8. Baby Arizmendi, LW, 1566 (new) (2) (1942)
9. Max Schmeling, HW, 1537 (-7) (12) (1932)
10. Al Hostak, MW (WBA Champion), 1495 (new to list)

Dropped Out from Last Year:
MW Freddie Apostoli (was #7)
MW Marcel Cerdan (was #8)
MW Tony Zale (was #9)
LH Billy Conn (was #10)

Comments: Louis tops the list for the fourth consecutive year, with a record high Perf Point total. Armstrong moves up to #2 as Schemling, the senior member on this list, lost the EBU title and, at Post-Prime now, is unlikely to remain on the top 10 PFP in the near future. Jannazzo and Arizmendi return to the list after a year’s absence. Interesting to see so many untitled fighters (four) at this point.

ANNUAL YEAR-END AWARDS

FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: Baby Arizmendi
FIGHT OF THE YEAR: Rinty Monaghan SD 15 Peter Kane (for WBA Flyweight title) (Oct. 28, see post 1420)
TOP NEWCOMER: Dave Sands (MW)
UPSET OF THE YEAR: Marty Servo SD 12 Ray Robinson (for NABF WW title) (Aug. 26, see post 1414)
COMEBACK FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: Al Hostak

Comments:
Long-serving WBA Champs such as Louis and Armstrong were once again contenders for fighter of the year of the year honors, but this year Arizmendi gets the nod, for being more active (four bouts versus two for the other two), plus Armstrong rung up a loss when moving up and taking on Charley Burley in another unsuccessful try for the WBA MW title belt. Additionally, for the second time, Arizmendi overcame the disadvantage of winning a WBA title in a higher weight class, for the second time, so the honor is well deserved.

Fight of the Year was, once again, a close call, and this time around, the nod goes to a very close WBA title bout that saw the winner survive a cut and a knockdown and win in a split decision (Monaghan over Kane for the WBA Fly belt). Other memorable bouts included Joe Louis’ defense versus Lee Q. Murray (Mar. 25, where Louis, after a sluggish start, took seven rounds to finish off an unheralded but game challenger); Al Hostak defeating Tony Zale (June 10, a real slugfest); Antonio Fernandez eking out a split decision to capture the LABF MW title over Jose Basora (July 7), coming off the canvas to do so; Freddie Apostoli taking the WBA MW title from Charley Burley (Aug. 24), and Billy Conn stepping up in weight class to capture the NABF HW title from Jersey Joe Walcott (Sep. 30) So, all in all, a good year with some great fights, but the Monaghan-Kane bout takes the top prize.

For top newcomer, Aussie Dave Sands is the winner over some better known fighters such as Ezzard Charles and Jake LaMotta. Now only did Sands keep his unbeaten streak intact, he upset a former WBA Champ in Marcel Cerdan, in addition to capturing a regional title. Charles kept a clean slate and impressed with three stoppage wins to run his career totals to 21-0, but he did not face the same level of tough competition as did Sands. Ditto for LaMotta, whose 17 knockouts in just 19 fights is also an impressive accomplishment. Be interesting to see how each of these guys progresses in the next year or two, particularly for Charles, who is rated at HW as well as LH.

There were some strong candidates for the Upset of the Year, but, considering the rating differences, I went with Marty Servo’s narrow win over a previously unbeaten “Sugar” Ray Robinson, a “10” defeating a “15,” in a bout with both guys at Prime career stage. Other notable upsets included Bert Gilroy defeating Freddie Mills for the GBU LH title; Walter Neusel over Max Schmeling for the EBU HW crown, snapping a long winning streak; Freddie Apostoli’s capture of the WBA MW crown from Charley Burley, and Dave Sands taking a MD 10 over former WBA MW Champ Cerdan.

Comeback Fighter of the Year: Not an easy call here as there was no obvious choice. Panama Al Brown, who defied the ravages of time to regain the LABF BW title, was a possible choice, but then he lost in his next outing. HW Roscoe Toles, who had gone winless in eight successive bouts spanning a two-year period before bouncing back with quality wins over Walter Neusel and Billy Conn, was a strong candidate. However, I decided to go with a fringe contender in the highly competitive MW division, “the Savage Slav,” Al Hostak, who rescued a flagging career with successive wins over LABF MW Champ Jose Basora, former WBA Champ Tony Zale, then captured the WBA MW title to cap an impressive six bout unbeaten run to the top of the division.

[Cap]

Thanks.

[JCWeb]

1945 kicks off with four WBA title bouts in January, two of which are covered in this report.

Jan. 5, 1945: The year kicks off with a Friday night card at the “Aud” (Memorial Auditorium) in Buffalo. Featured in the main event are two WWs, with long-time top 10 contender Izzy Jannazzo squaring off against up-and-comer Billy Graham in a 10-round, non-title affair. It is the first meeting of the two, and Graham’s first bout at Prime. After a couple of non-descript opening rounds, Graham moves inside, getting more aggressive, in round three. However, Jannazzo’s defense is solid and, by the fifth round, he has managed to land sufficient leather to cause some initial swelling under both of Graham’s eyes. Accordingly, at the halfway point, the unofficial scorecard has Jannazzo up by two (49-47). Into the second half of the bout and Graham, with a stamina advantage, continues to be the more active of the two, pressing the action. After a strong round in the eighth for Graham, Jannazzo also becomes more aggressive, making for an entertaining final two rounds of the bout. However, neither fighter can break through, so the bout goes to decision. The judges’ cards are read, and it is a UD 10 for Graham (97-94, 96-95, 99-93), who came alive in the second half of the bout. With the win, Graham improves his career stats to 19-2 (9) overall. The loss drops Jannazzo to 40-8-4 (13). Nice win for Graham, who moves into the top 10 as a result.

Jan. 6, 1945: The scene shifts to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for some exciting action at the Escobar Stadium. Again, no titles at stake, but the main event features MW Charley Burley, still licking his wounds after his loss of the title to Freddie Apostoli, but he is back in action, facing LABF MW Champ Antonio Fernandez, a rough customer. First meeting of the two in this 10-round bout. Slow start from Burley, but he seems to have the upper hand after Fernandez sustains a cut on his forehead early in the second round, the cut having been opened by a Burley cross. Despite the early cut, Fernandez manages to keep the bout reasonably close and, at the halfway point, Fernandez is ahead (by one, 48-47) on the unofficial card. Burley, who carries a stamina edge into the second half of the bout, begins to open up and become more and more aggressive as the rounds are ticked off. In round seven, the cut on Fernandez’s forehead is reopened, but the cut is patched up between rounds. In the later rounds, Burley retains the initiative, and late in round nine, a Burley combination puts a weary Fernandez on the deck. Fernandez is saved by the bell, and he manages to but the ref orders a stoppage as the cut is bleeding once again in the final round. Thus, it goes into the books as a TKO 10 for Burley -- an impressive win versus a tough opponent. Post-bout career marks: Burley, 36-2 (25); Fernandez, 39-20-4 (13). A peek at the cards showed Burley well ahead on all three, due to a strong second half; Fernandez will be at Post-Prime starting with his next bout.

Jan. 6, 1945: To the West Coast, where the next card at Los Angeles is topped by a WBA title bout, this time without any meaningful supporting bouts on the undercard. In the feature, Willie Pep, having recently captured the USBA FW title, attempts to move one step higher as he challenges Harold “Homicide Hal” Hoshino for Hoshino’s WBA FW title. First meeting of the two, and Pep starts off strongly, peppering Hoshino from long range to pile up an early points lead. Late in round four, Pep breaks through Hoshino’s defenses and floors the Champ with a hard hook. Hoshino bounces up quickly, only to be felled a second time, victim of another Pep hook, but this time Hoshino is saved by the bell. Early in round five, Pep connects with a sharp combination that stuns Hoshino, and the ref steps in to declare Pep a TKO 5 victor as Hoshino is pinned, helpless against the ropes. Pep then lifts the belt as the new WBA FW Champ. Post-bout career records: Pep, 24-2 (15); Hoshino, 40-14-5 (14).

Jan. 12, 1945: Next up is a Friday night card at Montreal, with Canadian fan favorite and former WBA LW Champion Dave Castilloux featured in the main event, facing veteran Pete Lello in a 10-round, non-title bout. First meeting of these two. Not much happens in the first few rounds, and Castilloux seems to have the upper hand, and he has a nice lead (49-46, according to the unofficial card) at the halfway point. Into the second half of the bout, and Castilloux has matters well in hand, holding a solid lead in the punches landed count, as well as a huge edge in terms of the stamina factor. In the final rounds, a desperate Lello goes all out on the attack, but Castilloux is able to withstand his efforts and walks away with a fairly comfortable UD 10 (99-92, 98-93, 97-93); with the win, Castilloux improves to 33-14-3 (9), while the loss leaves Lello at 28-8-5 (17).

Jan. 13, 1945: Next fight card takes place in Miami, and a WBA title clash attracts a large crowd to the arena. In the feature, WBA WW Champ Henry Armstrong places his WBA WW title on the line against the challenge of LABF WW Champ Cocoa Kid. These two have met once before, battling to a draw back in 1939 and, a year later, they squared off for this same title, with Armstrong coming out on top. However, “Homicide Hank” has just hit Post-Prime career stage, so Kid and his supporters are hoping for a different outcome. Solid start from Armstrong, who gains the upper hand in the first few rounds, but Kid asserts himself by doing well after moving inside in round four. However, it is Armstrong who takes charge in the fifth, flooring Kid a minute into the round with a strong uppercut. Kid barely beats the count but, with plenty of time remaining in the round, Armstrong chases Kid around the ring, culminating in a second knockdown and the, with nearly a minute left in the round, Armstrong forces an immediate stoppage, as the ref steps in to call a halt, saving Kid from further punishment. Impressive showing by Armstrong, a TKO 5 victor, who serves notice he is still tops in the WW ranks despite being past his prime. Post-bout career marks: Armstrong, 45-7-3 (38); Kid, 48-11-5 (13).

Jan. 13, 1945: To Seattle’s Sicks Stadium for the next fistic action and, with no title bouts on the card, features MWs in the main event, with former WBA Champ Tony Zale, still on the comeback trail, taking on another ex-Champ, in fact, the man he defeated to capture the WBA title back in 1940, Teddy Yarosz. In this rematch, Yarosz will be at Post-Prime career stage. Both fighters come out swinging, and Yarosz is able to land some good shots, enough to cause some initial swelling around the right eye of Zale. At this point, Zale elects to move inside and begins to dominate; by the midway point, Zale has built a solid points lead (50-46) on the unofficial card. In the second half of the bout, Yarosz begins to tire, and Zale eases up a bit. Into the later rounds, Yarosz tries to get more aggressive, but Zale is able to take advantage, dropping Yarosz with a hard shot that puts him down and out. KO 8 for Zale, who improves to 37-6-1 (24), and the loss leaves Yarosz at 44-21-5 (14).

[JCWeb]

This report covers fistic action from the second half of January 1945. Once again two WBA title bouts are included in this report.

Jan. 19, 1945: A LH bout tops the card at the Friday night fights “Down Under” at Sydney, Australia. ) in Buffalo. Featured in the main event are “Irish” Jimmy Webb and the reigning Commonwealth LH titleholder, Jack A. Johnson. The bout, a 10-round, non-title affair, is a rematch, with Webb having taken a controversial split duke at this same arena some 18 months previously. A slow start by Johnson concedes the early edge to Webb, who fires away, doing most of his work on the outside. However, Johnson finally gets on track and, in the fourth round, an overhand right finds the mark, and Webb tumbles to the canvas, arising only after taking a seven-count. By the midway point of the bout, the unofficial scorecard has Johnson with a narrow one-point lead (48-47). Into the second half of the bout and Johnson continues with an aggressive posture that keeps Webb off balance. With the stamina factor and the hometown crowd cheering on the Aussie Champion, Webb has an uphill battle in launching a comeback. A barrage of blows resulting in a second KD in round eight seals Webb’s fate. The bout goes the distance, and Johnson wins with a fairly one-sided UD 10 (by 97-91 on all three cards). The win pushes Johnson’s career totals to 22-7 (17); the loss drops Webb to 28-10-2 (10).

Jan. 20, 1945: The scene shifts to London for the next fight card, and the EBU Flyweight title is at stake in the main event, as Peter Kane makes his fifth defense of that belt which he has held since 1940. His opponent, Frenchman Valentin Angelmann, is a familiar foe. The two met three years ago, for this same title, with Kane prevailing on points, and Kane is a heavy favorite in this rematch, given a supportive hometown crowd as well as the face that the veteran Frenchman is at Post-Prime career stage. Not much happens in the first four rounds, but late in round five, Angelmann goes down from a strong Kane combination, and the French challenger, after the count reaches seven, struggles to regain his footing just before the bell sounds to end the round. At the halfway point, despite the knockdown, Kane is only up by two (58-56) on the unofficial card. Kane, who has a huge stamina edge, continues with an aggressive posture into the second half of the bout, and, a minute into the seventh round, he decks Angelmann for a second time with an overhand right that finds its target. A third KD occurs in round nine, the result of a Kane uppercut. At this point, Kane eases up and coasts the rest of the way, with a desperate and exhausted Angelmann managing to go the distance, despite being dropped a fourth time in the final round. The bout goes into the books as a UD 12 for Kane (117-107, 117-107, 118-106), in a relatively easy title defense. Post-bout career marks: Kane, 31-6-1 (13); Angelmann, 44-26-2 (14). Another successful title defense by Kane, who cements his position as #1 contender in the Flyweight rankings.

Jan. 20, 1945: Next card takes place at New York’s Madison Square Garden, and it’s a big one – featuring a WBA title matchup amply supported by a USBA title bout as well as an exciting MW contest featuring the “Bronx Bull, unbeaten prospect Jake LaMotta, wraps up the Pre-Prime stage of his career by grinding out a points win over Cecil Hudson, taking a close but UD 10 (96-94 on all three cards) to run his career totals to a perfect 20-0 (17); Hudson concluded the bout with a career mark of 23-6 (8). LaMotta prevailed despite suffering a cut under his left eye early in the bout. Then, in the main supporting bout, Archie Moore faces challenger Melio Bettina in his fourth defense of the USBA LH title he won from Bettina, back in 1943. The action picks up near the end of the opening round, when Moore snaps Bettina’s head back with a hard shot, but a stunned Bettina is able to remain upright and thus survive the round. Then, late in round three, a cut appears on Bettina’s forehead, the result of an accidental clash of heads. Early in round five, a Moore uppercut finds the target, and Bettina covers up to avert further damage. Moore has piled up a solid points lead (59-55) at the midway point, and the cut on Bettina’s forehead has begun bleeding for a second time. Late in round seven, Moore zeroes in on a hurt opponent, and Bettina is forced into submission, and the bout comes to an early lead, with the ref calling a halt (not due to the cut, which would require a check of the scorecards), but rather to save Bettina from further punishment. TKO 7 for Moore, who racks up another stoppage win and another successful title defense. Post-bout career records: Moore, 32-3-4 (23); Bettina, 33-9-6 (13). Then, in the main event, HW Champ Joe Louis looks to extend his long unbeaten streak as he faces challenger “Tampa” Tommy Gomez for the WBA HW title. For Louis, it is the 26th defense of his WBA title try; for Gomez, it is his first meeting with Louis, and his first title shot after compiling an impressive seven bout winning streak. Gomez, a slugger, is able to trade blows and hold his own for the opening three rounds, but then Louis moves inside and gains the upper hand with a strong round four. At the outset of the fifth round, a sharp combination from Louis sends Gomez toppling to the canvas; the challenger resumes after taking a five count. Gomez, who is beginning to show the effects with a rapidly swelling right eye, trails on the unofficial card (by a count of 49-45) after the first five rounds are in the books. While the game challenger has managed to stay with the Champ for the first six rounds, the “Brown Bomber” begins firing away and does sufficient damage to force an early end, via a TKO 7 with seconds remaining the round. The win, the 50th of Louis’ career, lifts Louis to 50-1-1 (48). Gomez, who lasted longer than most Louis opponents, fell to 25-4-1 (23) with the loss.

Jan. 26, 1945: Next is a Friday night card at Havana’s Gran Stadium. Only bout of note is the main event, which puts aging veteran Panama Al Brown back in the spotlight, as the 42-year-old five-time ex-Champ challenges Tommy Forte for Forte’s NABF BW title. The bout represents the first meeting of the two, and the younger, quicker man – Forte – seems to have the upper hand in a quiet first half of the bout. By the midway point, the unofficial scorecard shows a solid points lead (60-54) for Forte. First blood in the bout (literally) is drawn in round eight, when Forte rips open a gash over the left eye of Panama Al. With Brown reduced to a shadow of his former self, the rather low-key bout winds down to an inevitable conclusion, which sees Forte take a lopsided UD 12 (116-112, 118-110, 119-109) to retain the title, leaving Brown one step closer to retirement. Post-bout, Forte improves to 33-5-2 (12, while the loss leaves Brown at 74-18-2 (26).

Jan. 27, 1945: Next fight card takes place in Detroit, and an NABF LH title clash tops the agenda, with Lloyd Marshall defending the belt, facing challenger Gus Lesnevich for a second time. In their first bout, for the WBA LH title, in 1941, Marshall took a UD to capture the belt from Lesnevich. Midway through the second round, Marshall drills Lesnevich with an uppercut to the head, that drops the ex-Champ, who barely beats the count and manages to last the round by effective use of the cover up strategy. Lesnevich returns to his corner licking his wounds and also sporting a rapidly swelling left eye as Marshall managed to dish out plenty of punishment. In round five, Marshall puts Lesnevich down a second time, also the result of an uppercut; on the strength of the two knockdowns, Marshall has a wide points lead (59-54) at the halfway point, according to the unofficial card. After easing up for a couple of rounds, Marshall continues on the offensive, knocking down Lesnevich once more in the ninth, and twice more in the tenth, with the fifth and final knockdown leaving Lesnevich down and out. Comprehensive KO 10 for Marshall, who runs his career totals to 27-5-3 (24); Lesnevich ends the bout at 36-12-3 (16).

Jan. 27, 1945: The month wraps with a card at Mexico City, and the talents of Mexico’s World Champion are on display, as Baby Arizmendi defends the WBA LW title against ex-Champ Laurie Stevens of South Africa. Second meeting of the two, and it is a rematch of their 1943 WBA title encounter in which Stevens took the title from the Mexican Champ. In this rematch, the action heats up late in round one, when Arizmendi walks into a Stevens cross and goes down. The ref starts the count, but Arizmendi is fortunate to be saved by the bell. After the excitement in the opening round, the bout settles into a tactical battle. In round five, Arizmendi is able to open a cut on Stevens’ mouth, but the unofficial card has the challenger with a slight points lead (48-47) after the first five. Arizmendi continues to pressure his opponent in the middle rounds and, in round ten, a new cut appears over the right eye of Stevens. After 10, the unofficial scorer has a close bout, even on points (at 95-95), However, the cut is patched up in between rounds and Stevens comes back in the 11th, decking Arizmendi for a second time with a strong uppercut. More excitement in round 12, as the cut over Stevens’ eye is reopened, while Arizmendi’s right eye begins to puff up. Sensing the title slipping away, Arizmendi goes on the attack in the final few rounds, with both fighters running low on stamina. In the end, it is the cut over Stevens’ eye that decides matters, as it leads to an immediate stoppage after being reopened a second time in round 14; as a result, Arizmendi escapes as a TKO 14 victor. Tough loss for Stevens, who was leading on all three cards at the time of the stoppage. Post-bout career marks: 53-10-4 (12) for Arizmendi; 35-12-1 (21) for Stevens. Early candidate for Fight of the Year, and there is already talk of a rematch after both guys have some time to heal from their wounds.

[JCWeb]

This report covers fistic action from the first half of February 1945. Kind of a thin month as far as title bouts are concerned; no WBA title bouts and only a handful of regional titles at stake.

Feb. 2, 1945: The month kicks off with a Friday night card at the War Memorial Auditorium in Syracuse, New York. Only notable bout is the main event, which matches two WWs; Jackie Wilson and Georgie Crouch. First meeting of the two, and the bout remains close through the early going, with both fighters taking turns attempting to force the action on the inside. By the midway point, Wilson has pulled ahead (by 50-46), according to the unofficial card. Into the second half of the bout, and Wilson continues demonstrate his superiority. Crouch, who is already low on stamina, lacks the firepower to mount a serious challenge; in addition, from the eighth round onward, he had to deal with a cut and swollen right eye. To no surprise, Wilson goes on to take a fairly routine UD 10 (100-91, 99-92, 99-92), bringing an end to a fairly mundane encounter. Post-bout career records: Wilson, 30-9-2 (17); Crouch, the loss drops Webb to 27-11-4 (14).

Feb. 3, 1945: The scene shifts to Johannesburg’s Rand Stadium for the next fight card, and the main event features former WBA LH Champ Tiger Jack Fox taking on the current EBU LH titleholder, Heinz Lazek, in a 10-round, non-title bout. No prior meetings of these two, and thus, a relatively cautious approach by both fighters in the early stages of the bout. The action picks up near the end of round four, when Fox breaks through Lazek’s defenses and decks the Austrian with a nice combination; the count reaches six when Lazek is saved by the bell. Lazek goes down a second time, courtesy of a Fox hook, in the fifth round, but he manages to scramble to his feet and cover up to survive the round. At the midway point, the two KDs propel Fox to a points lead (48-46) on the unofficial card. In the second half, Lazek takes a more aggressive approach, trying to work his way back into the bout, but instead he is floored for a third time in the eighth round, this time the result of a Fox cross. Fox, confident of victory, eases up in the final two rounds and goes on to take a solid UD 10 (97-93, 97-90, 97-91). Post-bout career marks: Fox, 59-11-1 (42); Lazek, 44-13-1 (25).

Feb. 3, 1945: Next up is a card at the Forum in Montreal. Again, no titles are at stake, and the main event features two WW contenders, as Norman Rubio faces Canadian a homegrown talent, Johnny Greco. It is the first meeting of these two, The bout devolves into a boxer vs slugger confrontation, with Rubio as the boxer and Greco, the slugger. The slick boxing Rubio gradually gains the upper hand in the early going, and the unofficial scorecard has him ahead (by a count of 49-46) at the halfway point. Greco steps up the pace in the second half of the bout; however, Greco is unable to break through Rubio’s excellent defense. The bout goes to decision with no cuts or knockdowns, and Rubio takes a rather uneventful UD 10 (98-92, 96-94, 96-94) to up his career record to 23-5-1 (12). Greco ended up at 19-4-1 (10) after the loss.

Feb. 9, 1945: Next, it’s back “Down Under” for a Friday night card at Sydney. Featured is a title matchup for the OPBF FW title, with Aussie Eddie Miller defending that belt versus Japanese challenger Tsuneo Horiguchi. Its is the fifth meeting of these two familiar foes, which each fighter having won twice before; the two have traded the OPBF title back and forth three times in the past three years, with Miller prevailing with a points win in their most recent encounter. This time around, neither man is able to secure an advantage in the early going; the challenger, Horiguchi, skillfully mixes his outside and inside attack to keep Miller off guard, and, as a result, the Japanese boxer has a slight points edge (58-56) on the unofficial card as the halfway point of the bout is reached. Into the second half of the bout and, despite running low on energy, Miller goes on the offensive, seeking to turn things around. However, Horiguchi’s defense remains strong, and some solid counterpunching results in a swollen left eye on the part of Miller. Miller continues pressing but, with seconds remaining in the final round, he falls victim to a vicious uppercut from Horiguchi that puts him down. Miller is counted out with exactly one second remaining in the bout. KO 12 enables Horiguchi, who was well on his way to a comfortable points win, to reclaim the OPBF belt, improving to 38-11-2 (20), while the loss leaves Miller at 25-10-1 (10).

Feb. 10, 1945: Next fight card is in New Orleans, and the main event matches two FWs, each vying for his first career title, in a bout for the USBA FW title recently vacated by Willie Pep, who moved up and captured the WBA title belt. The two protagonists are Carlos Chavez and Sal Bartolo; it is first meeting of the two, and the second title shot for each. The bout is a close one in the early rounds, with both fighters occasionally mixing it up and jockeying for position. By the middle rounds, it is Bartolo who has landed more solid punches, and he has the points lead (59-56) at the halfway point of the bout, according to the unofficial card. In round seven, a sharp uppercut from Bartolo draws blood, opening a cut over the left eye of Chavez. A round later, with the cut patched up, Chavez goes on the offensive, but Bartolo’s defense remains solid. The cut over Chavez’s eye is reopened in round 10; then, later in the same round, Chavez is able to open up a cut over the right eye of Bartolo. The battle of the cuts goes down to the final two rounds, but neither cut causes an early end, so the bout goes the distance. Bartolo goes on to capture the belt via a fairly comfortable UD 12 (117-112, 116-113, 117-112), running his career totals to 28-7-4 (7); Chavez ends the bout at 22-4 (8).

Feb. 10, 1945: Next fistic action is at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. HWs are inaction in the main event, as Lou Nova challenges Roscoe Toles for the NABF HW title, currently held by Toles. It is the third meeting of the two, and Toles has yet to register a win, with Nova taking a split duke while the other bout ended in a draw. However, this time around, Toles is hoping for better results, now that he is in position of defending a title, plus Nova will be at Post-Prime, given that 1945 was his real-life retirement year. After a couple of even rounds, Toles begins to gain the upper hand, landing some punishing blows and, by the end of the fourth round, there is noticeable puffiness around the right eye of the challenger. By the halfway point, Toles has a solid points lead (60-56) on the unofficial card. In round eight, a Toles cross finds the target, ripping open a cut over Nova’s injured eye. The rounds tick off, and Toles is able to withstand a late, desperate surge from Nova to successfully defend the belt, taking a fairly routine UD 12 (118-112, 119-109, 119-111). Post-bout career marks: 39-14-6 (6) for Toles; 31-13-1 (24) for Nova.

[JCWeb]

This report covers fistic action from the second half of February 1945. Once again, no WBA title bouts and only a handful of regional titles at stake.

Feb. 16, 1945: To Buenos Aires’ Luna Park for a Friday night card. Featured in the main event are two regional HW Champs, meeting in a 10-round, non-title bout. The protagonists are EBU HW Champ Walter “Der Blonde” Neusel and his LABF counterpart, Chilean Artur Godoy. One prior meeting, back in 1933, saw Neusel emerge victorious, taking a points win when both were at Pre-Prime. This time around, with Neusel at Post-Prime career stage, Godoy gets off to a strong start, launching a two-fisted attack in the opening round that causes initial puffiness around both eyes of the German fighter. More trouble for Neusel in round three, as Godoy is able to rip open a gash on Neusel’s forehead. Things begin to turn around late in round for when Neusel drops Godoy with a cross; the ref is barely able to start the count when Godoy is saved by the bell. Despite the one knockdown, the unofficial card has Godoy up by one (48-47) at the midway point of the bout. Into the second half of the bout, and Godoy targets the cut on Neusel’s forehead, which is reopened in round six and, again, in round seven. Then, less than a minute into the eighth round, Godoy finds the range with an uppercut, and, in a delayed reaction to the punch, Neusel goes down and is unable to beat the count. Impressive KO 8 for the LABF HW Champion. Post-bout career marks: Godoy, 36-17 (15); Neusel, 35-18-3 (23).

Feb. 17, 1945: The scene shifts to the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg for the next fistic action. One notable bout which is the main event, featuring a couple of top 10 Flyweight contenders: veteran Hungarian Istvan Enekes and American Dado Marino, the current NABF and USBA Flyweight Champion. First meeting of the two, and thus, it’s no surprise that the action is slow to develop, as there is a long feeling-out process. By the end of round three, it is clear that Enekes has the upper hand, landing some strong shots that open a cut over Marino’s left eye, while the American fighter’s right eye is beginning to puff up as well. After the first five rounds are in the books, the unofficial scorecard has Marino, not Enekes, with a slim points edge (48-47). Into the second half of the bout, and Enekes, who has a slight edge in both stamina and punches landed, continues to take the fight to Marino, who elects to remain on the outside. A minute into the eighth round, Enekes connects with a hard cross; this forces Marino to cover up in order to avert further damage. Enekes eases up a bit in the final two rounds, while Marino battles to the end. In the end, Enekes walks away a SD 10 winner (95-94, 94-95, 95-94) to improve to 45-14-2 (13); however, these bouts have taken their toll, so the Hungarian vet will be at Post-Prime starting with his next outing. Meanwhile, Marino, who is now 22-4 (13), has several good years ahead of him.

Feb. 17, 1945: Back to the States for the next card, in Chicago, that matches two top 10 LWs – Tony Chavez and Sammy “Clutch” Angott in the main event. No titles on the line in this 10-round matchup; despite both having been around for awhile, this is the first meeting of these two. Action picks up early in round two, when a hard shot from Angott connects, ripping open a cut over Chavez’s right eye. With the cut a continuing hindrance, Angott goes on to dominate much of the early action and, at the halfway point of the bout, the unofficial scorer had Angott well in front (by a count of 49-46). However, by this time, Chavez had managed to return the favor, ripping open a cut over the left eye of Angott. In round seven, the “battle of the cuts” continues, with Chavez able to reopen the cut over Angott’s eye but, later in the same round, Angott battles back to reopen the much more severe cut over Chavez’s eye, this time resulting in an immediate stoppage just before the bell sounds to end the round. The bout goes into the books as a TKO 7 for Angott, who ups his career record to 30-8-6 (11). Tough loss for Chavez, who ended the bout at 39-14-4 (15), but a peek at the judges’ cards showed Angott leading on all three.

Feb. 23, 1945: Next is a Friday night card at Havana’s Gran Stadium. The main event is a NABF title contest, but first is a main supporting bout matching the current OPBF WW Champion, Aussie Alan Westbury, with Cuban fan favorite Joe Legon, a former LABF WW titleholder. The two met once before, with Westbury taking a MD 10 in front of a hometown crowd in Sydney; now he faces a hostile crowd in the return match. Not much action until midway through round four, when Westbury backs Legon up and decks the Cuban with a hard shot; Legon regains his footing as the count reaches seven, and he covers up to manage to last the round. At the halfway point, the unofficial scorer has the bout even (47-47). Both fighters take an aggressive posture to the second half of the bout, and Legon has the better stamina heading into the last few rounds. In round eight, Legon catches Westbury with a cross, but Westbury remains upright and manages to avert further difficulty by wisely covering up for the rest of the round. In round nine, Westbury’s right eye begins to swell, and the other eye also shows signs of puffiness by the final round. The bout goes the distance, and Legon ekes out a narrow UD 10 (97-92, 95-94, 96-93), taking the last two rounds on all three cards. Post-bout records: Legon, 29-13-6 (12); Westbury, 28-10-3 (15). In the finale, another Cuban fan favorite, FW National Kid, challenges Everett Rightmire for the latter’s NABF FW title. First meeting of the two, and It’s a rather quiet start without much happening in the opening few rounds. Then, in round five, Kid drops RIghtmire with a hard cross, then follows up with a second knockdown, and then forces an early stoppage with seconds remaining. TKO 6 for Kid, a solid effort that runs his career record to 25-6-2 (11), while the loss leaves Rightmire at 39-14-3 (16).

Feb. 24, 1945: Twin bill title bout action tops the next fight card, at the Earls Court in London. First of the two co-features matches Jimmy Warnock with Jimmy Gill, the “Fighting Jockey” – at stake is Gill’s GBU Flyweight title belt. Third meeting of the two; with each fighter having won once before, this becomes the rubber match. Not much action in the first few rounds and, at the midway point, Gill has a slight points lead (59-57) on the unofficial card. In round seven, the bout takes a decisive turn as Gill manages to rip open a cut over the right eye of Warnock, in addition to causing initial swelling around both eyes of the challenger. A bruising attack from Gill forces Warnock into submission in the final minute of the round. The bout goes into the books as a TKO 7 for Gill, running his career record to 36-14-1 (12); the loss leaves Warnock at 26-23-1 (12). In the second co-feature, former WBA LW Champ Jack Kid Berg, the “Whitechapel Whirlwind,” returns to action, challenging Eric Boon for the GBU LW title recently won by Boon over long-time GBU titleholder Harry Mizler. First meeting of these two, despite both being from the same country. Berg dominates most of the early action, building a large lead in terms of the punches landed stats. Not much in the way of resistance from Boon and, at the midway point, Berg is way ahead on points (60-55, according to the unofficial card). By the end of round seven, there is a welt forming under Boon’s left eye. Into the later rounds, and Boon continues to take a pounding as Berg’s accurate punching continue to dominate the fight. Having built a large points lead, Berg coasts through the final few rounds and takes a lopsided UD 12 (119-110 on all cards). Post-bour career marks: Berg, 54-21-5 (23); Boon, 54-21-5 (18).

Feb. 24, 1945: The month wraps with another card at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. With no title bouts on the agenda, it’s one of the least interesting cards in New York in recent memory. In the main supporting bout, MW prospect Rocky Graziano, who has struggled with some uneven results to post a 11-3 mark at this point of his pre-Prime career, faces Steve “Golden Greek” Mamakos. A couple of knockdowns in the second half of the bout result in a TKO 8 stoppage win for Graziano, who improves to 12-3 (11) with the win. Then, in the main event, former WBA BW Champ Benny Goldberg faces Romanian Aurel Toma in a 10-round, non-title bout. First meeting of the two, and Goldberg, much the higher rated of the two, is the heavy favorite. Workmanlike effort from Goldberg enables him to dominate the first half of the bout, resulting in a wide points lead (50-46) on the unofficial card at the halfway point of the bout. Not much changes in the second half of the contest, as an overmatched Toma is unable to mount a rally. The bout goes the full 10, and Goldberg picks up a closer than anticipated UD 10 (97-93. 96-95, 96-95) to bring an end to a rather dreary affair. Post-bout career marks: 27-5-2 (13) for Goldberg; 32-17-9 (13) for Toma.

[JCWeb]

This report covers fistic action from the first half of March 1945. One WBA title bout is included.

Mar. 2, 1945: First card is a Friday night affair at Boston Garden. No titles at stake, but a twin bill of co-main events tops the card, with American figthers taking on some of the best from overseas. In the first of these, Jimmy Bivins, “the Cleveland Spider Man,” is in action versus Adolf Heuser, the “Bulldog of the Rhine,” a former WBA and EBU LH Champ. First meeting of the two, and Bivins sees this as an opportunity to build on a 20-2-2 career start by claiming a big scalp if he can defeat the ex-Champ. Bivins looks sharp early, keeping Heuser off guard with a strong, two-fisted attack. Thus, Bivins is able to forge a solid early lead on the unofficial card (49-46) by the midway point of the bout. Into the second half of the bout, and Heuser becomes increasingly frustrated by Bivins, who exhibits the ring savvy of a veteran as he manages to negate Heuser’s power with some solid defense. In a workmanlike performance, Bivins is able to grind out an impressive UD 10 win (99-91, 100-90, 99-91) over the ex-Champ, who was at Post-Prime for this bout and clearly showing the effects of too many ring battles. Post-bout career marks: Bivins, 21-2-2 (16); Heuser, 41-18-2 (19). In the second co-feature, another former WBA Champ, MW Charley Burley, still on the comeback trail, tests his mettle against unbeaten Aussie Dave Sands, who (if one checks a couple of posts back) was honored as the top Newcomer of the Year in 1944. With no prior meetings, it’s a long feeling out process as the two get acquainted. Sands tries to work his way inside but his efforts prove futile as Burley exhibits solid defensive technique to sidestep the blows and land some good countershots of his own. By the end of round four, there is a welt forming under the left eye of Sands which has been a target of Burley’s accurate punches. At the halfway point of the bout, the unofficial card has Burley up by two (48-46), which seems generous to Sands, who trails badly in the punches landed count. Burley continues to move around the ring, providing an elusive target for the flat-footed Sands. Then, late in round seven, a two-fisted assault from Burley drops the Aussie to the deck, but Sands is saved by the bell, denying Burley a KO victory. However, Sands has managed to land a few good shots, enough to cause of trace of puffiness around Burley’s left eye. The bout proceeds to decision without further incident, as Burley (confident of victory) eases up in the final few rounds; he is rewarded with a well earned UD 10 (97-91, 97-91, 97-90) to run his career totals to an impressive 37-2 (25), and perhaps another title shot will be in the offing. For Sands, his first career loss leaves him at 22-1 (15), and he still has the Commonwealth MW title to fall back on.

Mar. 3, 1945: The scene shifts to the UK and specifically, the Stadium in Liverpool which has been rarely used in recent years. Featured in the main event are two FWs competing for the GBU FW title, with veteran Dave Crowley defending against the “Aldgate Tiger,” Al Phillips. This is the third meeting of the two, who split their earlier two bouts, each winning once. In their most recent meeting, in London in November, Crowley prevailed via a controversial DQ stoppage. In this rematch, Crowley moves inside and is the aggressor in the early rounds. Phillips is able to hold his own, and the action heats up in round five, with Crowley opening up a cut over Phillips’ left eye, but at the same time, Phillips has been able to cause some initial swelling under both of Crowley’s eyes. A peek at the unofficial card after six rounds are in he books reveals a close bout, as the scores are even (57-57). Into the second half of the bout, and Crowley continues trying to bull his way inside, while Phillips adroitly mixes attack and defensive postures. In round 10, Crowley is able to reopen the cut over Phillips’ eye, but the cut is not a factor, as Phillips’ defense remains solid, and he walks away with the title, a UD 12 winner (115-113, 115-113, 116-113) to improve to 24-5-1 (11) overall. Crowley, who still has two other title belts (Commonwealth and EBU) to hang on to, ends the bout at 39-28-1 (15).

Mar. 9, 1945: Next is a Friday night card at Johannesburg, with a double feature in terms of the main events, although no titles are at stake. In the first co-feature, a pair of top 10 WWs take to the ring, as Izzy Jannazzo travels from the States to face German Gustav Eder. Each of these guys have held regional titles in the past, and, in their one prior meeting, in Mexico City back in 1940, the two battled to a draw. Lots of probing and feinting as the two circle each other, looking for openings, in the opening stages of the bout, which is a close one. At the midway point, the unofficial scorecard shows a slight edge (48-47) for Jannazzo. In the second half of the bout, Eder steps up the pace, becoming more and more aggressive as the rounds tick off. However, the punches landed stats as well as the stamina factor strongly favor Jannazzo, who sticks and moves his way to a close but UD 10 (96-95, 96-95, 97-94). Post-bout career records: Jannazzo, 41-8-4 (13); Eder, 45-14-10 (9). Heavyweights take to the ring in the finale as former WBA and EBU HW Champ Max Schmeling, now in the twilight of his career, faces Bob Pastor, in a 10-round, non-title affair. The two met once before, in 1943 in Berlin, with Schmeling prevailing via an early stoppage. This time around, with Schmeling now at Post-Prime career stage, Pastor hopes to reverse that result. In the early rounds, Schmeling is able to turn back the clock, landing repeatedly until some puffiness appears under Pastor’s left eye in round four. After the first five, the unofficial card has the bout as even (48-48), as Pastor has done well to hold his own. By round six, Schmeling’s left eye has begun to puff up, as Pastor, who has been working from the outside for most of the bout, has proved to be fairly effective in countering Schmeling’s jab. It is not until round nine when Max finally breaks through Pastor’s defense, dropping the American fighter with a strong combination. Pastor scrambles to his feet and is able to survive the round without further damage by effective use of the cover up strategy. The bout goes the distance, due to the late KD and the German’s aggressiveness, Schmeling is rewarded with a UD 10 (98-94, 99-93, 98-94) to push his career record to 69-8-1 (45). The loss drops Pastor to 30-10-3 (13).

Mar. 10, 1945: A huge crowd has assembled for the next fistic action at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. A WBA title bout tops the card, amply supported by an NABF title bout featuring Canada’s former WBA LW Champion Dave Castilloux, who once again is challenging Bob Montgomery for the latter’s NABF LW title. The Montgomery-Castilloux bout is a rematch of a late 1943 encounter for this very same belt which saw Montgomery walk away as a SD 12 victor. Starting in round three, Castilloux seizes the initiative as he works his way inside, angling for an advantage; some good defensive technique from Montgomery manages to keep the Canadian challenger at bay. In round five, a devastating hook from Montgomery forces Castilloux to take a seat on the canvas. After bouncing up at the count of two, Castilloux covers up to last the round – but the damage has been done. The 10-8 in the fifth round contributes to a wide points advantage for Montgomery at the midway point (60-53 on the unofficial card, which has the American titleholder winning all six rounds). Into the second half of the bout, and there is a trace of swelling around the right eye of Castilloux, who has been taking a beating to this point. Even some encouragement from the crowd is insufficient to rally the Canadian challenger, and Montgomery goes on to take a rather convincing UD 12 (118-109, 120-108, 119-108) to retain the belt. Post-bout records: Montgomery, 27-2-2 (15); Castilloux, 33-15-3 (9). After this, the crowd is treated to a WBA BW title contest, with Brit Johnny King defending that title, facing a challenge from reigning USBA BW Champ David Kui Kong Young. This represents the third meeting of the two, and there has yet to be a decisive result, as the prior two bouts both ended in draws. This time, there is hope in the challenger’s corner for a better result, as King has finally hit Post-Prime career stage. At the outset of the third round, Kui Kong Young finds the range with a sharp combination; King hits the deck but recovers in time, regaining his footing as the count reached six and then wisely covering up to last the round. By the end of the third round, there is already a bit of puffiness under the right eye of the Champion. After a couple of more rounds of action, the unofficial card has the challenger with a nice points lead (49-45) a third of the way into the bout. In the middle rounds, the swelling under King’s eye worsens, but in round seven, the ref deducts a point from Kui Kong Young for repeated low blows. Working mostly on the inside, King has managed to stabilize the situation and close the gap somewhat in the middle rounds; after 10, the unofficial scorer has Kui Kong Young still in front, however (this time by a count of 96-92). Sensing his title slipping away, an aggressive King continues to press in the final rounds, but by this time, fatigue has set in, and Kui Kong Young hangs on to lift the belt via a UD 15 (144-139, 143-141, 142-141), running his career record to 33-3-4 (17) in the process. The loss leaves King at 60-10-4 (25).

Mar. 10, 1945: Chicago’s Comiskey Park sets the scene for the next fight card. The main event is a NABF LH title clash, with Lloyd Marshall defending versus challenger Young Joe Louis, who has been rising steadily through the LH ranks; it is the first meeting of the two, and the first title bout of any kind for Louis. Louis, who won his last five and 13 of his last 14 coming into the bout, gives a good accounting of himself, holding his own through the early stages of the bout. After a sluggish start, Marshall gets on track with a strong fifth round, landing some heavy leather that causes some initial swelling under the right eye of the challenger. By the midway point, Marshall has the points lead (59-56) on the unofficial card. Louis manages to keep the bout close but, as the rounds tick off, Marshall’s superior stamina begins to tell. In round 11, Marshall manages to rip open a cut over Louis’ injured eye. The bout goes the distance, and Marshall takes a well earned UD 12 (117-113, 118-111, 118-111) for his fifth successful defense of the NABF title. With the win, Marshall improves to 28-5-3 (24); the loss leaves Louis at 28-11-1 (14).

Mar. 16, 1945: Next up is another Friday night fight “Down Under” card at Melbourne, Australia. This time, twin OPBF title contests are on the agenda, both at the lighter weight classes. In the first co-feature, Small Montana faces Japanese challenger Yochiro Hanada for the fourth time, with Montana’s OPBF Flyweight title at stake; in their three prior meetings, all three results (a win, a draw and a loss for each) have taken place. Strong start from the challenger, who gains the upper hand in the early going, taking advantage of the fact that Montana has reached End career stage. At the midway point, Hanada has a nice points lead (59-56), according to the unofficial scorecard. Montana aggressively presses forward in the second half of the bout, but Hanada’s defense remains firm. Hanada takes a UD 12 (116-114, 115-114, 118-111), securing the win with a strong finish in the final few rounds. Post-bout records: Hanada, 33-16-4 (8); Montana, 28-20-6 (10). In the second co-feature, it’s another matchup of two familiar foes, as Aussie Mickey Miller faces Little Pancho for Miller’s OPBF BW title. This is the fifth meeting of the two, with Pancho having won in all four of their prior contests. However, this time around, Miller has the advantage of (1) a favorable hometown crowd; (2) the fact he is defending a title; and (3) that Pancho is now at Post-Prime career stage. Miller is the aggressor from the early stages of the bout, and he has the upper hand which translates into a points advantage on the unofficial card (59-56) at the halfway point. In the second half of the bout, Miller continues to apply pressure by working on the inside. Additionally, the Aussie has a definite stamina advantage over his Filipino challenger. However, some strong counterpunching by Pancho in round 10 result in some swelling around Miller’s right eye, so the Filipino is keeping his hopes alive. The bout goes down to the wire and, to the great disappointment of the pro-Miller crowd, Pancho is able to come from behind to take a controversial SD 12 (115-112, 113-114, 114-113) to capture the OPBF title belt for the third time, running his career record to 49-14-8 (10); the loss drops Miller to 34-15-2 (19). A crucial call from the referee in the final round of the bout, deducting a point from Miller for hitting low, contributed to Miller’s narrow points loss.