My Universe

[mh2365]

Leonard is 3-0 as a beginner for me so far.

[JCWeb]

To answer Romy's question, right now the record for most consecutive wins (the game doesn't track unbeaten streaks including draws, to the best of my knowledge), that record is held jointly by NP Jack Dempsey and Jack McAuliffe at 45 wins in a row, a tough one to top for sure.

Onto the 1916 FW title action recap:

WBA

Johnny Kilbane CH (28-6-4) vs Abe Attell # 1 (61-4-1)

Kilbane will try to improve on his disasterous 0-4 career record versus Attell, this time with the advantage of being the defender and not the challenger.

Kilbane starts slowly, tries to work his way inside but is caught with an Attell hook late in round two, suffering a quick knockdown. Attell continues to dish out punishment, and Kilbane's right eye starts to swell up. Attell follows up with a huge left, staggering Kilbane in round five. Kilbane, who cannot seem to get on track, is further bothered by a cut above his left eye. The Lil' Champ targets the cut, and Kilbane finally responds with a good round 9. But soon after the cut is reopened, and Attell is the beneficiary of a round 11 stoppage while well ahead on all three cards. Attell by TKO 11.

Abe Attell CH (62-4-1) vs Steve Sullivan #4 (18-4-1)

Attell defends in New York versus a younger foe, Steve "Kid" Sullivan, the ex-USBA Champ who comes into the bout off a win versus George "KO" Chaney and a draw with his namesake, Brooklyn Tommy Sullivan.

After the usual feeling out process, Sullivan surprises ringside observers by surging forward in round two, taking the fight to the Champ. Attell responds by unleashing his jab, but Sullivan is able to score well also. The Lil' Champ gradually finds the range with jabs and uppercuts, and Sullivan, who persists working on the inside, makes an inviting target. Attell pushes on the inside in round four, and Sullivan scores well from long range. Attell again finds the range in the fifth, forcing Sullivan to retreat, causing a mouse to form around Sullivan's right eye. After a close round 6, Sullivan becomes emboldened, and connects with a solid uppercut that puts Attell on the deck. Attell bounces up quickly, but by the end of the round a cut appears above the right eye of the 'Lil Champ. Rounds 8 and 9, Attell takes a defense-first posture while Sullivan presses on, targeting the cut. Sullivan tries to pressure Attell, who maintains a 96-93 lead after 10 rounds according to the ringside expert. Sullivan is able to re-open the cut above Attell's eye in round 11, and the aggressive approach appears to pay dividends as swelling develops around Attell's left eye. Attell comes back with a hook to the jaw of Sullivan in a strong round 12 for the champ. Sullivan continues with the aggressive approach, but Attell hangs on in the final few rounds to pull out a very close decision. Attell by UD 15 (143-141 on all three cards).

Abe Attell CH (63-4-1) vs Eugene Criqui #2 (23-3-4)

Attell is going for win #8 in a row while it is Criqui's second try for a WBA title. First meeting of the two.

After a lengthy feeling-out process, Criqui moves inside in round two but Attell manages to land a devastating hook from the outside, but Criqui quickly recovers to keep the round close. Criqui tries to be more aggressive, but Attell continues to pound away and compiles a large points advantage. By the end of round 6, Criqui's right eye is reddening as a result of the accumulated punishment from Attell. The Lil' Champ breaks through with a cross that puts Criqui down for an 8-count. Attell follows up with a second KD in round 11 and coasts to an easy UD win. Attell by UD 15 (148-136, 149-135, 150-134).

NABF: Johnny Dundee and Grover Hayes meet for the NABF belt vacated by Attell. Dundee builds a points lead and generally outhits Hayes throughout most of the bout. A cut appears above Hayes' left eye in round 7, and after the cut is reopened in round nine, the bout is stopped and, the bout goes to the cards because of an accidental butt, and Dundee is awarded the belt via UTD 9. His first defense is versus USBA Champ Patsy Brannigan, who is cut below the left eye in round five and generally outclassed and out maneuvered by Dundee throughout the bout. Dundee wins by UD 12 (117-112, 115-114, 115-114) in a bout that does not seem as close as the cards would indicate.

USBA: Brannigan makes his first defense in 10 months against the USBA belt against former champ, Jimmy Walsh, overcomes a fairly quick start by Walsh to establish his jab, showing greater stamina and gradually wearing down Walsh as the bout wears on. Brannigan by UD 12 (119-112, 117-113, 117-113).

CBU: Owen Moran travels to Australia to defend against Jimmy Hill, who comes on strongly in the second half of the bout to lift the belt in his third try. Hill by UD 12 (118-110, 115-113, 116-112). Hill defends versus the ex-CBU champ, Cove, piling up an early points lead for a solid UD win to reverse the result in two prior meetings. Hill by UD 12 (119-109, 118-110, 120-108). Hill then takes on Kiwi Frankie Ellis, dominating from the early stages and then wearing down Ellis, who was cut below the left eye. The result was another UD 12 win for Hill (120-110, 120-110, 118-111).

GBU: Moran was able to defend the one belt he was left with, the GBU belt, against TC Arthur Bradford, securing an easy UD 12 win in his first title defense of the GBU belt in over 18 months.

EBU: Kid Julian takes on Criqui in a serious battle for the EBU belt. Julian is off the mark well in round one, but Criqui lands some strong shots, putting Julian on the canvas twice in round six. Criqui can't put Julian away, and eases up to coast to a UD 12 win (117-111, 118-110, 117-111).

[mh2365]

Most consecutive wins in the stats area tracks unbeaten streaks

[JCWeb]

1916 FW Division Profile

Total: 69 RL: 32 TCs: 37

RL by Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 9
Prime- 15
Pre - 5
Beginner - 2 (New-1)

Rated: 24
800+: 4
500+: 14
200+: 20

Jan 1917 Rankings List (Perf Pts and Changes from 1916 in Parens)

Champ: Abe Attell 64-4-1 (24) (1361) (+1)
1. Johnny Kilbane 31-7-4 (10) (1202) (-1)
2. Eugene Criqui 23-4-4 (11) (979) (NC)
3. Johnny Dundee 25-5-1 (9) (941) (NC)
4. Kid Julian 24-7-6 (9) (799) (+3)
5. Patsy Brannigan 21-7-3 (7) (791) (+1)
6. Jimmy Walsh 33-15-4 (8) (765) (+3)
7. Steve Sullivan 18-6-1 (4) (761) (-2)
8. Jimmy Hill 25-9-1 (1) (726) (+8)
9. Percy Cove 33-21-2 (10) (649) (+8)
10. Eddie O'Keefe 32-9-1 (17) (648) (+1)

Comments: Attell's glory days may soon be at an end as he hits Post-Prime career stage in 1917, joining Cove and Walsh while the others are still at Prime. Attell has compiled another win streak (8 straight) while recapturing the WBA belt a third time. Kilbane recorded three UD 10 wins over Mars, S Sullivan and O Moran after losing the belt to Attell. Criqui captured the EBU title, fought to a draw with Dundee and TKO'd Ty Cobb in addition to the title bout loss to Attell. Dundee became NABF champion and went through the year undefeated, winning two and drawing one (with Criqui). Brannigan defended the USBA belt but lost in his try for the NABF one, in his only two outings for 1916. Julian lost the EBU belt but was active in defeating Reddy, Lee Johnson and Joe Russell after a draw with Brooklyn Tommy Sullivan early in the year. Walsh went 2-1 for the year with wins over Cove and Hayes but lost in the USBA title clash with Brannigan. Steve Sullivan started off with a MD win over KO Chaney, was held to a draw by Brooklyn Tommy, but lost to Attell and Kilbane to slide a bit in the rankings. Hill boosted his stock by capturing the CBU belt in the midst of a four-bout win streak. Cove overcame the effects of aging to score impressive wins over prospect Ansell Bell and then topped O'Keefe via TKO to move back into the top 10. O'Keefe was having a good year before the loss to Cove, scoring wins over Chaney (by TKO), Moran and Hayes (both UD), and a SD over Leo Johnson.

Other Notables: Three long-time Top Tenners fell from grace in 1916, led by Brooklyn Tommy Sullivan, who suffered losses to Chaney and Reddy and dropped six spots to #14 and is now at End career stage. Grover "The Battler" Hayes dropped six spots to #16 after four straight losses to Dundee, O'Keefe, Walsh and KO Mars. Brit Owen Moran tumbled all the way from #4 to #18 after four UD losses to Hill, Mars, O'Keefe and Kilbane. Moran, however, kept the GBU belt and his record is now 41-20-3 (16) with 456 pp. George (KO) Chaney is just outside the top ten after an up and down year including wins over Brooklyn Tommy and Leo Johnson but losses to O'Keefe and the younger Steve Sullivan. No newcomers cracked the year-end ratings list which actually shrunk this year due to one retirement.

Prospects: Ansell Bell won his first 10 bouts (including a UD 10 over fellow prospect Willie Ames) before losing to Cove; his career record is now 11-1 (8). Ames checks in at 11-1-2 (6) but his loss to Bell coupled with a draw with Reddy raises doubt about his ability to progress past TC competition. Danny Edwards remained unbeaten, at 9-0 (3) and Filipino Francisco Flores is 8-1 (4), the only blemish being a DQ loss. Vincent Martin is now 5-0-1 (4) and Bud Ridley got off on the right foot with a KO win in his debut bout.

Retirement: One, in 1916

Tommy Love (USA) 1900-1916 32-25-2 (18) No Titles Highest Rank: 14

Looking Ahead: Attell maybe starting his final run as WBA champion, and others (led by Kilbane, naturally) will be lining up to succeed him. Johnny Dundee is a likely successor, as are Steve Sullivan and O'Keefe. Brannigan's hold on the USBA belt seems a bit shaky, and Moran may have a tough time hanging onto the GBU belt as his career winds down. Bell should move into the ratings list, possibly near the top 10, by the end of 1917. Mike Dundee will join the FW ranks in 1917.

Predictions: Didn't do very well on last year's predicitons for 1916; had Kilbane beating Attell and instead Attell beat Kilbane, then also had Brannigan losing the USBA belt which also did not happen. (But he did lose a bout for the NABF title to Dundee, one of the three guys I thought would beat him.)
Predictions for 1917: I will predict Attell will keep the WBA belt for another year, at least. Dundee will establish himself as the top contender. Brannigan will lose the USBA belt (same prediction as last year), and Chaney will bounce back and move into the top ten in 1917.

[JCWeb]

1916 BW Title Bouts

WBA

Al Delmont CH (40-15-3) vs Kid Williams #2 (24-3)

Williams gets his second chance at the WBA title and is riding a 6-bout win streak in this match with Delmont, whom he bested for the USBA belt in 1913.

Williams starts strongly, flooring Delmont with a vicious hook in round one, and Delmont ties up Williams to last the round. Williams has Delmont off balance in rounds two and three but can't follow up and deliver a knockout punch. Delmont moves inside, but Williams lands from the outside and continues to pile up points. Williams is called for a low blow in round five. Williams presses forward in rounds six and seven, but Delmont comes on strong at the end of the seventh and connects with an uppercut to put Williams on the canvas. Delmont rallies in rounds 8, 9 and 10 -- making the bout close. It comes down to the wire, and when the final bell sounds, most observers think Williams did enough to overcome a late rally by Delmont to capture the WBA belt. But, when the scorecards are read, it is the narrowest possible SD win for Delmont! (138-145 Williams, 142-141, 142-141) A strong showing in the final round wound up making all the difference.

Al Delmont CH (41-15-3) vs Memphis Pal Moore #10 (16-2)

Memphis Pal Moore, who IRL did not get a title shot in his entire career, gets one here while still in Pre-Prime career stage.

Round one, slight edge to the Champ. Round two, another quiet round, but Moore is cut above the right eye and Delmont pushes forward, administering enough punishment to lead to swelling around the challenger's left eye. Moore recovers with a solid performance in rounds three and four. Delmont picks up the pace in round five, and the cut above Moore's eye is reopened. Moore tries to get more aggressive in round six, but it only gets him in more trouble as the cut starts bleeding and finally ref Chuck Hassett waives it off. Delmont by TKO 6 (cut).

Al Delmont CH (42-15-3) vs Charles Ledoux #3 (29-4)

It is the Little Apache's second try for the World crown after falling short in his first effort versus Coulon in 1913.

Delmont looks sharp early in the first couple of rounds, and Ledoux tries to counter by working inside. Delmont suffers a split lip in round four. Ledoux targets the cut, and the unofficial cards have it even, 48-48, after five. Both move inside and there is lots of toe-to-toe action starting round six, and the bout flows back and forth. Delmont pulls ahead with a strong round 9. It's a brutal battle that rages into the late rounds, as Ledoux is cut below the left eye and Delmont suffers swelling around the right eye. Delmont pulls it out with another SD 15 win (143-142, 142-144 Ledoux, 143-142) and is champion heading into 1917.

NABF: Conley starts the year with the belt and defends it versus Pete Herman. Conley has the early edge and there is puffiness around Herman's eye after just three rounds, but the bout turns around on a low blow by Conley in round eight, and the belt is awarded to Herman via a DQ. Herman's first defense is against Eddie Campi, who pushes ahead in a close battle where Herman is a bit too cautious. Campi by a close UD 12 (115-114, 116-113, 116-113) to take the title. Campi then takes on Kid Murphy, former WBA and NABF champion. Campi stuns Murphy with a big hook in round seven that has the challenger reeling, and he holds on to take a close SD 12 (113-114 Murphy, 115-112, 115-112). Finally, Campi takes on Kid Williams, and is on top after four rounds but Williams hangs in to emerge victorious in another SD 12 (115-116 Campi, 115-113, 116-112).

USBA: Williams starts 1916 with the belt and defends it against Jack (Kid) Wolfe, and it starts off poorly for Wolfe is cut above the right eye in round one. The cut is reopened and that, plus swelling around the eye, leads to a late stoppage. Williams by TKO 10. Williams vacates the title after winning the NABF belt, and ex-Champ Johnny Coulon takes on Kid Murphy for the vacant title. Coulon stuns Murphy in round one, and withstands several aggressive forays by Murphy to register a solid UD 12 win (116-112, 116-112, 117-111) to end the year with the crown.

CBU: Joe Bowker defended once in 1916, for the first time since 1912. His opponent is hot young Aussie prospect Vince Blackburn, challenging for a title after only 13 bouts. Blackburn is aggressive from the start, and he even puts Bowker down briefly with a hook in the sixth. Bowker recovers, pulling out a close one against the young upstart. Bowker by UD 12 (114-113, 114-113, 116-112).

GBU: For the second year in a row, Bowker did not defend this title.

EBU: Charles "Little Apache" Ledoux defended versus Bowker, and Bowker delivers a wake-up call in the form of an early knockdown. Ledoux comes back with a KD in round seven and follows up until the bout is stopped as a hapless Bowker is taking a beating. Ledoux by TKO 7.

[JCWeb]

1916 BW Division Profile

Total: 64 RL: 29 TC: 35

RL by Career Stage:
End - 2
Post - 5
Prime-13
Pre - 7
Beginning - 2 (New-1)

Rated: 24
800+: 7
500+: 13
200+: 22

Jan. 1917 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1916 in Parens)

Champ: Al Delmont 43-15-3 (17) (1116) (NC)
1. Johnny Coulon 38-4-5 (27) (1119) (NC)
2. Kid Williams 26-4 (14) (1004) (NC)
3. Eddie Campi 26-5-2 (14) (932) (+4)
4. Pete Herman 19-2 (12) (910) (+5)
5. Charles Ledoux 29-5 (24) (898) (-1)
6. Philadelphia Pal Moore 32-8-3 (12) (837) (-3)
7. Frankie Burns 24-11-1 (7) (737) (-2)
8. Kid Murphy 37-17-1 (24) (715) (NC)
9. Memphis Pal Moore 17-3 (10) (689) (+1)
10. Frankie Conley 31-16-1 (16) (688) (-4)

Comments: No newcomers to the top ten compared to last year, and everyone was at Prime but, in 1917, WBA Champ Delmont and #8 Murphy move to Post-Prime. Delmont has won his last six, some by the thinnest of margin, so with the aging factor his days as Champion are likely numbered. Coulon has a few more PPs, had KO wins in 1916 over Dastillon and Mackey and, in addition to taking the USBA belt, he fought to a draw with FLY champ Jimmy Wilde. Williams is still looking for the WBA title, narrowly losing to Delmont but winning USBA and NABF title bouts. Eddie Campi went 4-1 for the year, losing the NABF title to Williams, but scoring a KO 7 over Digger Stanley and a UD over Biderberg in addition to two successful title defenses. Pete Herman established his credentials by winning (then losing) the NABF belt, scoring a pair of wins over Phila Pal Moore and a UD 10 over Frankie Burns. Ledoux defended the EBU belt, tried for the WBA title, and won a MD 10 over Frankie Burns. Philly Pal Moore was 3-3 for the year, dropping a pair of decisions to Herman, also losing to Coulon but beating lesser contenders like Jack Kid Wolfe, Bowker and Biderberg. Burns stayed among the contenders with a MD 10 win over Conley, but losses to Ledoux and Herman prevented further progress. Kid Murphy lost two title bouts (see above post) but scored TKOs over Monte Attell and Joe Fox to stay in the top ten. Memphis Pal Moore had a 2-2 year, scoring two UD wins over Conley and Attell but dropping one to Campi in addition to his WBA title bout loss. Finally, Frankie Conley struggled in 1916, losing to Herman on a foul, defeating younger foes like Fox and Ertle, but failing against Burns and Memphis Pal Moore.

Other Notables: Just outside the top ten is veteran Joe Bowker, the CBU and GBU champ, with a 39-24-4 (20) with 516 pp. Bowker defeated Blackburn but lost on a TKO to Ledoux and dropped a UD to Philly Pal Moore. One spot behind him is Jack "Kid" Wolfe, whose progress was stalled despite a UD over Charles Goldman with two losses to Williams and Philly Pal Moore and now has a 17-6 (7) career mark. Top newcomer to the rankings list is Johnny "Kewpie" Ertle in #18 spot with a 13-5 (4) mark, despite losses to Blackburn (on a foul), Mackey and Conley. One spot lower at #19 is Little Jack Sharkey, who scored UDs over Blackburn and Goldman but two losses to Ertle on a foul and to TC Chapman on a cut relegate him to a 14-2 (8) mark. Finally, Vince Blackburn, unsuccessful challenger for the CBU belt, checks in at #20 with a 13-3 (8) record, having suffered losses to Dastillon, Bowker and Sharkey despite beating Ertle on a DQ.

Prospects: Maintaining identical unbeaten marks of 9-0 (8) are Joe Lynch and Packey O'Gatty. One of O'Gatty's victims, Indian Russell, dropped to 5-1 (3) after the UD 8 loss. Joe Burman at 5-0 (1) and Abe Goldstein at 4-0 (3) kept clean slates against TC opposition.

Retirement: The third of three McGoverns (one not related to Terry and Hugh) finally left the BW ranks in 1916. His career stats:

Phil McGovern (USA) 1900-1916 37-29-2 (13) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 3

Looking Ahead: Delmont is going to be hard pressed to keep the WBA title in 1917, as fighters like Coulon, Williams, and Herman are all lining up and likely to be favored in a title bout. Bowker is starting to feel the effects of aging and may not be able to keep his GBU belt much longer. Not much competition in Europe for Ledoux. Expect to see Ertle and Sharkey to begin to make their mark once they hit Prime career stage. Joe Lynch is probably the best of the young prospects. George Marks will be added to the ranks for 1917.

Predictions: Again, wrong on all counts in the prior year's predictions, as Delmont survived another year as WBA Champ and Kid Williams did not make it to the top.
For 1917, I will go out on a bit of a limb and predict that Coulon will regain the WBA belt. Delmont will fade quickly, and Pete Herman will succeed in a try for either the NABF and USBA belt, this time holding it until the end of the year. Kid Williams will remain in contention, but he will have to wait awhile to take the WBA crown. Joe Fox will succeed Bowker as GBU champ.

[JCWeb]

1916 FLY Title Bouts

WBA

Jimmy Wilde CH (26-1-1) vs Joe Symonds #4 (14-6-3)

Wilde, who has beaten just about everyone in the division, dabbled in a couple of bouts with BWs and only defended the WBA FLY belt once, late in the year, against Symonds, who captured the CBU belt earlier in the year. Wilde hopes to repeat his earlier success in a Dec. 1915 title bout versus the same opponent.

Wilde, the "Mighty Atom," is off the mark quickly, moving inside to catch Symonds with a quick shot. After Symonds gets up off the deck, Wilde swarms all over him and the bout ends quickly. Wilde at TKO 1.

USBA: Another repeat matchup from 1915 has champ Frankie Mason defending against the man he beat for the crown, Young Zulu Kid. Mason makes a good start, pounding away early and Kid shows signs of swelling around the left eye by the end of round 2. Mason corners Kid in round 5, landing repeated blows to the point that ref Harry Ertle has no choice but to step in and stop it. Mason by TKO 5.

CBU: Champ Bill Ladbury puts the belt on the line against Joe Symonds and Symonds takes advantage early as Ladbury walks into a hook in round one. Symonds presses home the attack and ends the bout with another big hook late in round two. Symonds by KO 2 to win the belt.

GBU: Tancy Lee defended twice during the year, first versus aging vet Percy Jones who lasted the distance but suffered a split lip and had no response to Lee's relentless pressure. Lee by UD 12 (119-106 on all three cards). TC Barry Fall was Lee's next victim, and Fall fell in two. Lee by KO 2.

EBU: The initial bout was held for the European FLY belt, and matched together were GBU champ Lee and former champ Sid Smith. Lee once again was off to a quick start, nailing Smith with a strong combination in the first round. In round two, Lee finished it off with a devastating cross that put Smith down for the count. Lee by KO 2.

[JCWeb]

1916 FLY Division Profile

Total: 30 RL: 11 TC: 19

RL by Career Stage:
Post - 2
Prime - 7
Pre - 1
Beginning - 1 (New-1)

Rated: 9
800+: 1
500+: 3
200+: 9

Jan. 1917 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1916 in Parens)

Champ: Jimmy Wilde 27-1-1 (26) (998) (NC)
1. Frankie Mason 22-8-1 (14) (649) (NC)
2. Tancy Lee 18-7-1 (9) (564) (NC)
3. Joe Symonds 14-7-3 (9) (286) (+5)
4. Percy Jones 14-9-1 (10) (286) (NC)
5. Sid Smith 24-13 (11) (273) (NC)
6. Bill Ladbury 29-10-1 (14) (267) (-3)
7. Earl Puryear 16-6-2 (3) (248) (NC)
8. Young Zulu Kid 14-4-2 (9) (230) (-2)

Comments: Ladbury will join Percy Jones at Post-Prime in 1917, others at Prime. Wilde continues as the dominant force in the division, defending the FLY belt while beating BW Digger Stanley and fighting ex-BW king Coulon to a draw. Mason extended his win streak to 6, going 5-0 in 1916 with a TKO over Zulu Kid, a UD versus Jones, a MD win over Sid Smith and a SD over Ladbury. Tancy Lee has emerged as a force in the division, adding the EBU belt to his GBU title and crunching out a couple of quick KO wins in addition to a SD 10 over Earl Puryear. Symonds moved up the list by capturing the CBU belt from Ladbury, but was not much competition for Wilde in the WBA title bout. Percy Jones' tailspin continued, and he has now lost five in a row and is winless since October 1914. Sid Smith went 2-3 for the year, his only notable achievement being a UD 10 over Puryear. Ladbury was 0-2 for the year, losing a SD to Mason after a KO loss to Symonds for the CBU belt. Puryear was 2-2 in 1916, winning a SD over Young Zulu Kid and a MD versus Smith, but then he lost a rematch with Smith in addition to a SD loss to Lee. Young Zulu Kid struggled, going 3-2 for the year, with all wins versus TCs and suffering losses to Mason (for the second time) and Puryear.

Prospects: Only one right now, Johnny McCoy, who went 5-0 (3) in his initial bouts versus TCs.

Looking Ahead: Mason and Lee appear to be the only legitimate contenders in the division right now, having separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Wilde, however, appears to be poised to continue as World Champ for a long time. Lee seems ready to take on Symonds to win his third belt, the CBU champ. McCoy has great future potential, but is at least a year or two from even moving on to the rating list. Ladbury, along with Jones, are likely to fade from contention as the aging effects kick in. One newcomer, Aussie George Mendies, will join the division ranks in 1917.

Predictions: None were made for last year. For 1917, I predict that Lee will emerge as the top contender and annex the CBU belt to go with the GBU and EBU titles he already holds. Earl Puryear will challenge Mason for the USBA title and fall short, while Mason will be unsuccessful in challenging Wilde for the WBA belt.

[JCWeb]

Finally, the wrap-up report and the pound-for-pound ratings. As in 1915, there were quite a few changes at the top -- five of the eight weight classes saw new World Champs crowned, as only Sam McVey, Mike Gibbons, Al Delmont (this was the big surprise) and Jimmy Wilde kept their belts. Of the new champs, only one (Attell, no surprise) had been there before. Of the current champs, Leonard at LW and Wilde at FLY seem most secure, and there are plenty of quality challengers in the remaining decisions.

Without further ado, this year's pound-for-pound list follows.

1. Sam McVey, WBA HW Champ, 1494 (NC)
2. Sam Langford, HW, 1413 (+1)
3. Jack Blackburn, NABF LW Champ, 1398 (+3)
4. Packey McFarland, NABF WW Champ, 1384 (NC)
5. Abe Attell, WBA FW Champ, 1361 (+4)
6. Mike Gibbons, WBA MW Champ, 1354 (+4)
7. Jack Johnson, NABF HW Champ, 1323 (+1)
8. Benny Leonard, WBA LW Champ, 1312 (new)
9. Willie Ritchie, LW, 1305 (-2)
10. Jack Britton, USBA WW Champ, 1293 (new)

Dropped out: Jem Driscoll (#2 last year) and Freddie Welsh (#5 last year).
NOTE: Britton on list previously.

Benny Leonard's first year on the list, could be Jack Johnson's last. Overall, a total of 11 boxers at 1200 or higher, compared to 9 last time. 20 at 1100 or more, versus 18 last year, and 24 at 1000 or higher versus 22 in 1916. Ratings inflation, perhaps?

Obviously, the pace of this replay has slowed down a bit from the days when I was getting through a year in a month or less. Will continue with that as the goal, but after a few more years, starting with 1919 I expect a huge influx of fighters that could cause me to change how I run the monthly bouts -- i.e., more auto-simming, fewer detailed reports, etc. may be needed to keep things moving.

[JCWeb]

Waiting for the next Tunney or Dempsey fight (and dealing with these UTBA trade offers), so I thought I would post the all-time Universe records, regardless of weight class, headed into 1917:

Number of Bouts

Jewey Cooke 91
Young Griffo 90
Joe Walcott 89
Jack Johnson 88
Tommy Ryan 86 Johnson the only one still active, now at End career stage.

Number of Wins

Young Griffo 75
Tommy Ryan
and Jack Johnson tied at 73
Peter Jackson
and Jewey Cooke tied at 65 Johnson still active, Attell gaining on last 2

Number of KOs

Tommy Ryan 60
NP Jack Dempsey 55
Peter Jackson 54
Jack Johnson 51
Jack McAuliffe 49 again, only Johnson still active

Consecutive Wins

NP Jack Dempsey
and Jack McAuliffe (tied) 45
Jimmy Barry 41
Young Griffo 31
Peter Jackson 30

Consecutive KOs

Jack McAuliffe 21
Jack Dempsey 18
Bob Fitzsimmons
and Tommy Ryan (tied) 17
Harry Wills
and Joe Choynski (tied) 16

Dempsey and Wills still active, but their streaks are not. Dempsey came close to the all-time record, but he did set the record for HWs before being forced to go the distance (and held to a draw) in his 19th bout after 18 KOs in a row.

[Jeff1787]

Tommy Ryan 73-13 with 60 KO's....pretty impressive career.....82% of his wins came via KO. Pretty darn close to real life...87-4-10 with 70 KO's. If you take the 10 draws and add them with the losses, you get 14 non-wins.....your universe is right on with the real percentages....cool

[JCWeb]

Feb. 17, 1917, Phoenix AZ: Gene Tunney, the "Fighting Marine," is back in action on the undercard of the World MW title bout, taking on Norm Dietz, a TC who is winless in six prior bouts, in a scheduled 8-rounder. Tunney is going for his eighth consecutive KO win in as many bouts; Dietz has been stopped twice (by Steve Choynski and Mike McTigue).

In the initial round, Tunney starts out with a jab and follows off with a combination, pinning his opponent against the ropes. Tunney lands more jabs and uppercuts before the bell in a solid opening round. Round two, Tunney works inside, again leading with the jab, scoring well, but Dietz fights back to land a few shots of his own. Tunney moves on the outside in the third round, staggering Dietz with a straight right late in the round. Round four, Tunney is more aggressive, scoring with a cross and an uppercut and Dietz is in big trouble. There is swelling around Dietz's left eye, and Tunney steps into the inflict more punishment. Dietz is literally out on his feet, and the ref steps into to stop the bout.

It's a TKO win for Tunney at 1:44 of round four. Tunney moves to 8-0, all by KO, and 453 pp.

[JCWeb]

Feb 24, New Orleans LA Coliseum Arena -- Unbeaten Jack Dempsey, the 11th ranked HW, takes on the "Roscomman Giant," Jim Coffey, the 16th ranked HW in the main support bout to the WW title bout between Art Magirl and Packey McFarland. Dempsey enters the bout with a 18-0-1 (18) career mark, whereas Coffey -- his second successive Irish opponent -- steps in with a 20-6-1 (17) mark, including KOs over several name HWs, such as Albert Pooley, Bob Devere, Al Palzer, "Iron" Hague, "Boshter Bill" Squires, and Matthew Curran. However, losses by stoppages to Bartley Madden, Otto Flint, Frank Moran, Jeff Clarke and Jack Johnson illustrate the problems Coffey has had when stepping up to face the serious top contenders in the division. On balance, a fair test for Dempsey in his last bout before settling into the Prime of his career.

Round one, Coffey lands the first blow, a hook to the head of Dempsey, who continues to move forward. The "Manassa Mauler" is quick to react with a solid right, followed with a left hook. Another right lands for Dempsey, Coffey tries unsuccessfully to establish the jab. Bell sounds after a solid start by Dempsey.

Second round, Dempsey presses the attack on the inside while Coffey keeps his distance. A couple of solid shots get through Coffey's defenses, and then suddenly like a lightning bolt -- and Coffey is dropped on his back. He bounces back up and tries to cover up, but Dempsey finds the target with a wicked right, followed by a sharp combination, a jab and just when Coffey seems just about done, he fights back and catches Dempsey with an uppercut. Jack lands a strong right cross but fires and misses right before the bell. 31-point round for Dempsey but not enough to cause a TKO.

Round three, and this time Dempsey is really going for the kill -- Coffey is just trying to stay out of range. Dempsey doubles up on his left, then traps Coffey with a three-punch combo, pinning the Irishman against the ropes. Dempsey connects with a straight right, but Coffey counters with a right of his own, trying to ward off Dempsey's swarming attack. Dempsey lands with a sharp combination, but Coffey closes the round with a right cross. Good comeback by Coffey given the beating he took in the preceding round.

Fourth round, Dempsey alters his approach and works from the outside. Dempsey lands a hard shot that sends Coffey reeling. Coffey manages to clinch and cover up for most of the rest of the round, but he still leaves himself open to a Dempsey combination and slumps to the canvas near the end of the round. Coffey rises slowly to beat the count just after the bell sounds.

Fifth and, Dempsey hopes, final round. Dempsey is aggressive, and Coffey can't hold him off. A Dempsey hook drops Coffey for the third time in the bout. The count reaches 9, Coffey tries to regain his feet, but slumps bakc to the canvas. Dempsey by KO 5 at 1:14 of the round.

Dempsey's record moves to 19-0-1 (19). He has 831 pp, good for 10th in the HW rankings. Much more stiffer competition is ahead for the remainder of 1917.

[Romdawg88]

Jeez, a 31 point round that doesn't end in a TKO those are pretty rare. Anyway, nice bounce back performance by Dempsey hopefully he can grab himself a title this year.

[JCWeb]

March 24, 1917, Los Angeles -- Unbeaten Jack Dempsey, the "Manassa Mauler," steps into the ring in the co-feature bout at the Olympic Auditorium to face former top contender Charley Miller. Miller, who has an overall career record of 22-12-2 (11) is ranked below Dempsey at #17, but he was ranked #5 for three years in a row earlier in the decade. Dempsey looks to ring up win #20, and Miller's recent history (losses in 8 of his last 10 bouts, including four successive KO losses to the likes of Sam Langford, Jeff Clarke, Bill Brennan and Frank Moran) suggest it may be no more than a tune-up for Dempsey before he takes on the upper echelon fighters at or near the top of the HW division.

Round one, Dempsey moves inside, flings a short hook to the midsection, then fires and misses, allowing Miller time to counter with a short right, then Dempsey clinches, falls short with a leaping shot, and -- despite a late flurry by Dempsey -- the round is fairly close.

Second round sees both men work inside, lots of toe-to-toe action to keep the fans excited. Dempsey starts by landing a jab, then presses home the attack with a lead right. A left hook and a right cross also connect, and Miller is staggered and in full retreat. Another uppercut and down goes Miller. Dempsey's killer instinct kicks in, as more crosses and hooks get through, but the bell sounds just as Miller is ready to go.

Third round and Dempsey is looking to finish Miller, who is just trying to survive. A right and a left score for Dempsey, who follows up by a hard cross and Miller is cut above the right eye. For the rest of the round, Miller is able to survive by clinching and retreating when Dempsey surges forward.

Round four, and Miller is trying to protect the cut against further damage. Dempsey dominates the action by moving inside, scoring with uppercuts and body shots. Miller is resilient, however, and remains upright.

Fifth round sees the Manassa Man going all out for the knockout. A cross by Dempsey sets up a crippling left hook. Miller is staggered, and stumbles into a crisp uppercut. Dempsey swarms all over his opponent, doubling up on his hook, until the ref steps in to save Miller from further punishment.

Dempsey by TKO at 1:45 of round five. The win, his 20th KO in 21 bouts, pushes his record to 20-0-1 (20) and his 866 pp total is good to move him up another spot to #9 in the HW rankings.

Rumors have it that negotiations may be underway for a title shot at one of the lesser crowns (NABF or USBA) later in 1917 after another tune-up fight against a top contender, but frankly right now no one wants to put it on the line against Dempsey.

[Jeff1787]

Originally Posted by JCWeb

....... but frankly right now no one wants to put it on the line against Dempsey.

Can't hardly blame them.....

[Romdawg88]

Originally Posted by Jeff1787

Can't hardly blame them.....

Their managers should be shot if they threw them in there with Dempsey. They need to start thinking of reason why they can't fight now.

[JCWeb]

May 12, 1917 -- Mammoth Gardens, Denver CO: "The Fighting Marine," Gene Tunney puts his perfect 8-0 (8) mark on the line against Aussie Trevor Dawes, another TC opponent. On paper, it looks like another easy win for Tunney as Dawes enters the ring with a 0-9-2 record, having been stopped in all 9 of his losses. Tunney, therefore, looks like a good bet to keep the KO streak going as he moves up the ladder with his final tuneup bout at 8 rounds before stepping up to the world 10-round main support and co-feature bouts.

Round one, Tunney is content to pound away from the outside. He scores repeatedly from the outset, first with a jab, then a right cross, another jab which sets up a big left hand. Dawes looks vulnerable now, and Tunney delivers with a powerful right hand. Dawes slumps to the canvas and is counted out at 1:33 of round one.

Tunney's record moves to 9-0, all inside the distance, and 470 pp. Next up will be his initial 10-round bout set for June 1917.

[JCWeb]

June 23, 1917, Los Angeles CA -- Unbeaten Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney appear in separate bouts in an action-packed card. Dempsey is in the co-feature bout taking on Homer Smith for the vacant USBA HW title, his first try for a title belt. Tunney moves up to his first 10-round bout in the LH division. Tunney is up first.

Tunney's opponent is veteran TC Hank Newhart who has a 11-21 (only 2 KO) career record and is definitely on a career downslide, having lost his last 11 in a row. Tunney enters with a perfect 9-0 (9) mark, and he looks sharp early, scoring with a cross and a right hand. Newhart misses with a roundhouse hook, sneaks in a right, then Tunney takes charge with a cross and an uppercut, then Newhart clinches and survives the initial round. Round two, Tunney establishes the jab, Newhart misses with a hook, then Tunney takes advantage and lands a hook of his own and Newhart is hurt. Tunney lands a straight right, two body shots, following up with an uppercut, and by now it's clear that Newhart can no longer fend for himself, and it goes to Tunney by TKO at 2:28 of round 2.

The win moves Tunney's record to 10-0 (all by KO), worth 486 pp as he remains the top young prospect in the LH division right now.

Dempsey follows a few bouts later in the USBA title clash versus Smith, who enters with a 14-3-1 (5) mark, good to be ranked just outside the top 20. Smith has been stopped just once, by Albert Pooley, and enters the bout with a MD win over Charley Weinert. The bout is set for 12 rounds, and it is the first title contest for both men.

Round one, Dempsey pins Smith in the corner, connects with a big uppercut and follows up with a strong shot that puts Smith on the canvas. Smith rises at the count of 8 and successfully covers up to last the round. Round two, Dempsey is looking to finish Smith, who tries to stay away from the heavy blows. Dempsey scores with a lead right, moves inside and lands an uppercut, and then he rocks Smith with a combination right before the bell. Round three, Dempsey presses the attack and lands a 3-punch combo that has Smith on the defensive. Smith sneaks in a hook to the body, then another barrage by Dempsey, but Smith lasts the round. Round four, Smith elects to mix it up with Dempsey, scores with a right hand, Dempsey backs up clinches, goes for a double jab but, on balance, it's Smith's best round of the fight. Round five, an all-out attack by Dempsey, who breaks down Smith's defenses with a jab, an uppercut, a cross, then follows with a devastating hook and another 3-punch combination right before the bell. Unofficial cards have it 49-45 for the Manassa Mauler after the first five rounds.

Round six, both men elect to work on the inside. Dempsey gets there first, firing a cross followed by a straight right hand. Smith tries to fire a volley in reply, but Dempsey seizes the initiative and lands a right cross followed by a hook to the body. Another barrage by Dempsey and ref Fred Hernandez steps in to save Smith from further punishment.

Dempsey by TKO at 2:44 of round 6, and he now is USBA HW champ. After just three years as a pro, his record is now 21-0-1 (21 KOs) with 906 pp which is good for the #9 spot in the HW rankings.

[Tosti]

Warming up nicely for Dempsey V Tunney!