My Universe - Page 57

JCWeb · 12-26-2014, 02:41 PM

This is a summary of ring action from the first half of December 1936 – a total of 46 bouts are covered in this report, including one WBA title contest.

Dec. 4, 1936: The final month of the year commences with a Friday night card at Havana’s Gran Stadium. Several Cuban fighters are on the bill, including the main event, which matches LABF MW Champ Kid Tunero with veteran fringe MW contender Gorilla Jones. The two have not met before; Tunero is coming off an unsuccessful challenge to long-time NABF MW Champ Freddie Steele, while Jones (who once briefly held the USBA MW title back in 1930) has won his last two. It’s a prototypical boxer versus slugger confrontation, featuring Tunero as the boxer versus Jones, the slugger. To the delight of the Cuban crowd, Tunero’s slick boxing skills put him in the driver’s seat, forcing Jones to become more aggressive as he attempts to rally from behind. By the end of round eight, there is noticeable swelling around the left eye of Jones, whose rally falls short. Tunero takes a fairly comfortable UD 10 (98-92, 97-93, 97-93) to run his career record to 27-6-4 (8) while Jones ends the bout at 37-17-1 (20).

Dec. 5, 1936: More fistic action back in the UK at the Stadium in Liverpool. Main event matches GBU Flyweight hopeful Benny Lynch with another strong European flyweight contender, Tunisian Young Perez. No titles on the line in this 10-rounder. Lynch struggles with his timing and Perez’s unorthodox style. Big trouble for Benny in round three, when Perez opens up a nasty gash over Lynch’s right eye. The cut proves to be a juicy target for Perez, as it is reopened a couple of rounds later. Then, after one consult with the ring doctor, it is reopened a second time and, despite pleading from Lynch’s corner, the bout goes down as a TKO 5 for Young Perez on the cuts stoppage. With the win, Perez is now 26-8-3 (11) and looking ahead to 1937 and another shot at either a WBA or EBU title, having been an unsuccessful challenger for both in 1936. For Lynch, the result is disappointing, ending a four-bout winning streak, leaving him at 24-5 (15) heading into 1937.

Dec. 5, 1936: Next card is at Chicago’s Comiskey Park, and the only bout of note on a relatively thin bill is for the NABF LW title, and it is a rematch as Tod Morgan (now at Post-Prime) defends against Jack Portney. The two battled to a draw back in 1935 when Portney held the belt; since then, Portney was dethroned by Canada’s Billy Townsend who in turn was beaten by Morgan. Morgan is coming off a loss to WBA Champ Tony Canzoneri, while Portney has remained unbeaten (two wins and a draw) since losing the NBF title. In this title encounter, Portney starts well, but Morgan battles back, boxing well to take rounds two through four. Portney steps up the pace in the second half of the bout, gradually wearing Morgan down despite the latter’s advantage in stamina. Portney has a big round 10 to even up the count heading into the final two rounds. The bout goes the distance without any cuts or knockdowns, and Portney’s late surge is sufficient for him to regain the belt, via a UD 12 (116-112, 115-113, 116-112) to run his career totals to 32-8-4 (16). Morgan ends the bout at 46-15-3 (12). It marks the third time this particular belt has changed hands in the last three title tilts.

Dec. 11, 1936: Action moves “Down Under” with some more Friday night fisticuffs at Sydney Stadium in Australia. No titles are on the line, but there are two compelling bouts involving former Champions and top 10 contenders that serve as co-main events. In the first of these, ex-WBA BW Champ Pablo Dano faces former NABF and USBA BW Champ K. O. Morgan. The bout remains close through the early rounds, with Morgan landing the heavier blows while Dano exhibits better all-around boxing skills. The patient Dano battles from behind, taking the last two rounds, to prevail by a narrow UD 10 (96-94, 96-95, 96-95). Post-fight career marks are 31-7-5 (15) for Dano, and 24-7-5 (15) for K. O. Morgan. In the second co-feature, two former WBA WW Champions lock horns as Jimmy “Baby Face” McLarnin takes on Joe Dundee. Despite both men being at Post-Prime, they still have plenty to offer the fans “Down Under,” as Dundee has won his last four while McLarnin is coming off a tough title loss to Barney Ross for the WBA WW crown. The two met once before, battling to a draw back in 1933. This time around, the early edge goes to McLarnin, who is the more aggressive of the two. In round three, he lands a huge shot, putting Dundee on the deck. Dundee begins to suffer from a swollen left eye as well. Round five, Dundee unleashes a hook to the head that forces McLarnin to cover up to last the round. The Canadian ex-Champ regroups, then puts Dundee down a second time in the ninth round to seal a fairly comfortable UD 10 (97-91, 98-90, 97-92 on the judges’ cards) to run his career record to an excellent 47-6-1 (23). Dundee drops to 45-18-9 (13) with the loss.

Dec. 12, 1936: Next up is a solid card at the Boston Garden. Headliner is a USBA MW title contest, and it is a rematch of a controversial result from earlier in the year, as Johnny “Bandit” Romero once again faces Holman Williams, the former titleholder who lost the belt via a foul and DQ to Romero, who has since defended once before granting the rematch. The action is slow to develop, with Williams working mainly on the outside while Romero tries to mix and outside and inside attack. Trouble for Romero comes in round five, when a nasty cut is opened by Williams over the Champ’s left eye. The cut is reopened in round eight, and things get even worse for Romero in round nine when his other eye begins to swell. Despite the cut being reopened again in round 11, the bout is allowed to continue, going the distance, and this time Williams regains the belt via a lopsided UD 12 (118-110, 118-111, 116-112). With the win, Williams improves to an excellent 23-2 (15) overall, and he sets his sights on a higher title, either the WBA or NABF belt. Romero, now 33-10 (20), still remains a viable contender in the MW division.

Dec. 12, 1936: Next card is at Vancouver’s Exhibition Gardens, and a WBA title is on the line. First, in the main support, two top LHs do battle as Tiger Jack Fox faces Canada’s Charley Belanger. Fox, who has previously held the WBA, NABF and USBA titles, starts well against the former CBU LH Champ, putting Belanger on the deck in the opening round. A second KD follows in round four, and Fox appears well on his way to another inside the distance when after three more KDs in rounds seven and eight. However, late in round eight, Fox gets careless and is called for a flagrant foul. DQ 8 win for Belanger, despite howls of protest from Fox’s corner. Post-fight records: 36-17 (17) for Belanger and 37-4 for Fox, who started off by reeling off 33 straight wins but has run into some tough times recently; rumors are that the two will engage in a rematch, this time on Fox’s home turf, in early 1937. Then, in the main event, the WBA BW title is on the line as Pete Sanstol makes his second defense, facing the reigning CBU and NABF BW Champion, Horace Gwynne. First meeting of the two, and each man enters the bout with some degree of confidence as each has won three straight coming into this title encounter. Early edge goes to Sanstol, but Gwynne gets gradually more aggressive, moving inside after taking round two. The bout remains close into the middle rounds, as both men settle in to battle on the outside. Sanstol pulls ahead but Gwynne battles back in rounds nine and ten, and at this point the unofficial scorecard has the Canadian challenger ahead by one, despite a large punches landed edge for the Champ, Sanstol. In the later rounds, strong defense from Sanstol leads to even greater frustration for Gwynne and his supporters, who had high hopes of seeing a Canadian champion crowned. Instead, the bout goes the distance, with both men unmarked and, after 15 grueling rounds, Sanstol secures the victory – by a fairly comfortable UD 15 (145-140, 147-140, 147-139), suggesting the unofficial card was way off the mark. Post-fight career marks: Sanstol, 33-8-2 (9); Gwynne, 21-2 (13).

Pleased to announce that, on Dec. 26th, Boxing Day in the UK, I am well on the way to achieving my goal of wrapping up the remaining bouts from Dec. 1936 by the end of the real-life year, Dec. 31, 2014.

JCWeb · 12-31-2014, 10:34 AM

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of December 1936, wrapping up another year in this historical universe. A total of 54 bouts are covered in this report, including two WBA title contests. Be prepared, there's a couple of major upsets in the feature bouts in this, the final ring action report from 1936.

Dec. 18, 1936: Next is a Friday night card at Los Angeles’ Olympic Auditorium. The main event has #1 FW contender Battling Battalino facing Frankie Covelli in a non-title contest. Battalino holds a prior UD win over Covelli from 1934; both men have done well recently, Battalino having won his last six and Covelli, his last two. “Bat” gets off to a solid start, and in round three he moves inside, carrying the fight to Covelli. Things begin to turn around for Covelli with a strong round four, and Battalino comes off the worse as a trace of swelling begins to appear under his left eye. Battalino is content to work on the outside, forcing Covelli to take on the role of the aggressor. In round eight, Covelli connects with a big left, forcing Battalino to cover up. Battalino recovers with a strong round nine. The bout goes the 10-round distance, and to the surprise of many, Covelli pulls off the upset, taking a fairly solid UD 10 (96-93, 97-92, 96-93) to run his career record to 25-7-6 (7). Battalino, who slips to 35-10 (12), appeared to be overconfident and a bit too defensive, enabling Covelli to score a big upset.

Dec. 19, 1936: More fistic action back, this time in Europe at the Amor Bahn in Munich. Lots of German fighters (and a few Italians) on the card, and the feature is for the EBU MW crown, with Hein Domgorgen seeking to regain the crown from the British titleholder, Jock McAvoy. These two have split two prior encounters, and Domgorgen – despite being at Post-Prime – has won his last two since losing the EBU title to McAvoy, while McAvoy is coming into the bout off two recent losses. In this rubber match, it does not take long for the action to heat up as McAvoy puts the German crowd favorite down in the first round. A groggy Domgorgen arises at the count of eight, but McAvoy’s killer intinct has kicked in, and it is too much for the German challenger to handle. McAvoy lands shot after shot until the ref calls a halt, saving the defenseless Domgorgen from further punishment. TKO 1 for McAvoy, who retains the EBU title and runs his career totals to 28-10-4 (20) overall. Domgorgen, whose days as a MW contender appear to be over, is 40-17-1 (20) after this devastating setback.

Dec. 19, 1936: There’s a buzz of excitement at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, as there’s a huge crowd on hand in anticipation of Joe Louis’ third defense of his WBA HW crown. First of all, after some preliminary bouts, the co-feature takes place, matching two young MW prospects with identical 15-1 (13) records: it’s “the Man of Steel” against the “Battling Bellhop,” as Tony Zale faces Fred Apostoli. Each of these two young warriors has just one prior loss – Zale, to Ben Brown; Apostoli, to Marcel Cerdan. Zale is on target early, and by the end of round two there are already traces of swelling appearing under the left eye of Apostoli. Zale follows up with a huge round three, banging away on the inside but is unable to put Apostoli down. The bout proceeds through the middle rounds, with “the Man of Steel,” Zale, firmly in control with an iron grip. Near the end of round seven, a Zale hook connects and puts Apostoli on the deck for a count of seven, but there is not enough time for Zale to follow up and finish the job. The bout goes the distance, with Zale taking a well-deserved UD 10 win (96-93, 97-92, 97-92). Post-bout records: Zale, 16-1 (13); Apostoli, 15-2 (13). Then, in the main event, Joe Louis puts the WBA HW title on the line in his third defense since dethroning Max Schmeling earlier in the year. This time, his opponent is Schmeling’s lesser known countryman, Walter Neusel, who earned the title shot against “the Brown Bomber” by virtue of a draw against Schmeling in his most recent outing after four straight wins, making him unbeaten in his last five. Louis, of course, remains as an undefeated Champion despite being a couple of bouts away from hitting his Prime career stage; as Champion, he has forced Neusel to come to him rather than traveling to Germany for this defense. After a close opening round, Louis begins to establish control in round two, working from the outside before moving inside for round three. Neusel continues to hold his own to this point, and in round four he ventures forward, only to run into a three-punch combination from Louis that forces the challenger to cover up to survive the round. Then, in round five, Neusel elects to stand toe-to-toe with Louis – a huge mistake, as Louis softens him up before delivering the knockout blow – a deadly cross that puts Neusel down and out. KO 5 for Louis, who runs his impressive career stats to 19-0 (17) – one more bout at Pre-Prime for Joe. Neusel, now 22-4-2 (16), will have to regroup, perhaps setting his sights a bit lower, perhaps on an EBU title try in 1937.

Dec. 26, 1936: Next is the traditional “Boxing Day” card, this year at the Olympia in London. Headliner has GBU FW Champ Jim “Spider” Kelly challenging Frenchman Maurice Holtzer for the latter’s EBU FW title. Early on, there is hope for Kelly as Holtzer sustains a cut under his right eye in the opening round. Then, in the third, Kelly surprises Holtzer with a huge shot that puts the French Champion down briefly but Holtzer arises and resumes after a count of three is reached. Then, in round five, Holtzer pulls ahead, winning the inside exchanges. Holtzer gradually gets more aggressive and, late in round nine, he sends Kelly to the canvas with a barrage of punches. The cut is reopened in round 10, but it is not a factor as Holtzer goes on to record a close but UD 12 (116-111, 114-113, 114-113), overcoming some hometown scoring for Kelly by taking the last round from two judges who had scored the bout even to that point. Post-fight, Holtzer improves to 33-14-3 (12). Kelly’s record is still an excellent 20-4-1 (7) despite the loss.

Dec. 30, 1936: Nearing the end of 1936, and the last New York City card is a huge one, featuring a WBA title bout plus a USBA bout as the main support. In one of the preliminary bouts, LH prospect Archie Moore toys with his opponent, taking a few rounds before scoring a KD early in round four and finishing up with a TKO 4 win to remain perfect, now 6-0 (6). Then, later on the agenda, two unbeaten LH prospects take to the ring, with Billy Conn facing Greek Anton Christoforidis who is making his appearance in the States. Conn gets off to a strong start, and his superior boxing skills dominate most of the action, leaving Christoforidis with a swollen right eye. UD 10 for Conn (100-91 on all three cards); Billy is now 10-0-2 (9) while the Greek returns to Europe with the first blemish on his slate, leaving him at 12-1 (8). In the co-feature, ex-WBA HW Champ Joe Sekyra faces a resurgent Art Lasky for the USBA HW crown, recently vacated by Elmer Ray who moved up to claim the NABF belt. Lasky puts Sekyra down in the opening round and follows up with a hook for a second KD in the fifth. The end comes a few rounds later when Sekyra is defenseless against the ropes. Impressive performance for Lasky, who takes the belt via the TKO 7 to improve to 22-4-2 (22) while Sekyra is now 33-12-3 (25). Then, in the feature, Barney Ross makes his second defense of the WBA WW title, facing Ruby Goldstein, the reigning NABF WW Champ. Good opening round for Goldstein, who seems well prepared for this, his first WBA title shot. Ross moves inside in round three, in an effort to push the pace, but late in round four Goldstein takes charge, ripping open a cut over Ross’ right eye. Goldstein targets the cut, which is reopened in round six but quickly patched up by Ross’ corner. In round seven, Goldstein catches Ross with a solid uppercut that forces the Champ to cover up, and at the end of the round, Ross is called for hitting after the bell. Beginning in round eight, Ross’ punches are beginning to have an effect on Goldstein, as there is some telltale swelling beginning to appear under Ruby’s right eye. Two-thirds of the way through, after round 10, the unofficial scorer has Goldstein up by three (97-94). Ross continues to press forward in the later rounds, desperately hoping to keep the title. The cut over Ross’ eye is reopened in the 14th round, and it is still bleeding as the two men square off in the final stanza. Goldstein battles to the end despite sustaining a cut over his right eye in the last round. Close bout, the scorecards tell the story: 143-142, 144-141, 144-141 – all for Goldstein, who takes the title from Ross via a UD 15 in a huge upset, as the punches landed stats showed a huge edge for Ross. Now 39-10-3 (24), Goldstein may find his reign to be short-lived as he hits Post-Prime with his next bout in 1937. Ross, now 30-6-2 (10), is already plotting to regain the title, but he has just one more year at Prime before hitting the downside of his career path as well.

Dec. 31, 1936: The year wraps up with a New Year’s Eve card at Miami. No titles, but the feature is a rematch between two LH title holders, Battling Bozo (current USBA LH Champ) and Len Harvey (who simultaneously holds the Commonwealth, European and British LH title belts). In two prior meetings, Harvey has recorded one UD win and a draw, but both of those were in his native England, and this time Bozo has lured the Brit to his home turf in hopes of a better result. The two boxers, wary of each other, keep their distance, with Bozo getting the better of it in the early and middle rounds. Harvey is therefore forced into an uncomfortable role of stepping up the pace to force matters heading into the later rounds. However, he is unable to close the gap and Bozo walks away a UD 10 winner (97-93, 97-93, 96-94) to run his career stats to 32-8-3 (12); Harvey is now 47-15-3 (19). Bozo’s moment of triumph may be brief, however, as he hits Post-Prime with his next bout in 1937.

Pleased to report I have hit my goal of concluding 1936 action by the end of real-life year 2014. Look for the year-end wrap-ups to commence in the next few days.

JCWeb · 12-31-2014, 10:36 AM

Anybody know why the last post showed up all in bold? (Tried three times, nothing changed the situation.)

Hasn't happened to me here before ...

bob_bask · 12-31-2014, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCWeb

Anybody know why the last post showed up all in bold? (Tried three times, nothing changed the situation.)

Hasn't happened to me here before ...

You may you put the message between a [B] tag.

JCWeb · 01-05-2015, 05:41 PM

Year-end reports, starting with the HW division.

HW Title Bouts

WBA: Joe Louis arrived on the scene in a big way, dethroning Max Schmeling in an exciting contest (UD 15), then sweeping aside challenges from Jack Peterson (TKO 3), Joe Banovic (TKO 3) and Walter Neusel (KO 5).

NABF: Four title bouts and a pair of new Champions, as Tommy Loughran dethroned Max Baer (UD 12), then defended against Frankie Edgren (SD 12) and James Braddock (UD 12) before losing the belt to Elmer Ray (KO 5).

USBA: The year saw five contests and three new Champions for this title belt. Joe Banovic, who began the year with the belt, lost it to Jersey Joe Walcott (SD 12). Walcott defended against Johnny Risko (UD 12) but then lost the belt to Elmer Ray (UD 12). Ray defended once, flattening Max Baer (KO 9) before moving up to claim the NABF title. Then, Art Lasky stopped Joe Sekyra (TKO 9) to claim the vacant title belt.

CBU: Don McCorkindale began the year with this title, defending once against Tom Heeney (KO 4). He then lost it to Larry Gains (TKO 6) but regained the title in a rematch with Gains (MD 12).

GBU: In his first title defense in almost five years, Tommy Farr lost this title to Jack Peterson (KO 7).

EBU: Farr retained this title, defending twice, turning aside challenges from Roberto Roberti (MD 12) and Pierre Charles (UD 12).

OPBF: Another year in which there were no title defenses; Tom Heeney remains the titleholder.

LABF: No title defenses by Jose Domingo Carattoli, who retains the belt for another year.

HW Division Profile

Total: 192 RL: 112 TC: 80

RL by Career Stage:
End - 13
Post - 23
Prime - 49
Pre - 22
Beginning - 5 (5 New)

Rated: 87
800+: 20
500+: 46
200+ : 75

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens):

Champ: Joe Louis 19-0 (17) (1507) (new)
1. Max Schmeling 41-4-1 (30) (1362) (-1)
2. Elmer Ray 34-7 (21) (1332) (+6) (NABF)
3. Tommy Loughran 57-9-4 (19) (1302) (+1)
4. Tommy Farr 38-10-1 (14) (1297) (-3) (EBU)
5. Don McCorkindale 30-8-1 (17) (1273) (-2) (CBU)
6. Larry Gains 41-11 (22) (1272) (-4)
7. Jersey Joe Walcott 29-3 (20) (1240) (-2)
8. Joe Banovic 22-13-1 (9) (1120) (-1)
9. Max Baer 24-8 (23) (1032) (NC)
10. Walter Neusel 22-4-2 (16) (995) (+3)

Others: 14. Tom Heeney 38-24-1 (14) (962) (+12) (OPBF)
15. Jack Peterson 25-5 (17) (961) (+1) (GBU)
18. Art Lasky 22-4-2 (22) (819) (+22) (USBA)
34. Jose Domingo Carattoli 24-11-1 (10) (656) (-15) (LABF)

Comments: Everyone listed above is at Prime heading into 1937, except for Louis (one more bout at Pre-Prime), Loughran and Carattoli (both at Post) and Heeney (at End). Louis is the first unbeaten HW Champ since the early days of the Universe. Schmeling remains the top contender despite the loss to Louis and the draw with Neusel in his last two bouts. Ray went 4-0 to move up, capturing the USBA and then the NABF titles. Loughran remains highly ranked, winning four in a row before his loss to Ray. Farr rebounded from his shocking KO loss to Peterson, winning two more EBU title defenses; he has now won seven of eight over the past two years. McCorkindale, who has been trading the Commonwealth title belt back and forth with Gains, went 2-2 in 1936, all in title clashs. A loss in his last outing snapped a six-bout winning streak for Gains. Walcott 3-1 for the year, bouncing back from the USBA title loss to Ray with a UD 10 conquest of Joe Sekyra. “Bingo” Banovic, prior to being dismantled by Louis, battled to a draw with “Cinderella Man” James Braddock, and took a MD 10 over newcomer Roscoe Toles. Baer fell short in two title tries but kept his place in the top 10 by virtue of a TKO over ex-Champ Jack Sharkey in a non-title affair. Neusel reached the top 10 for the first time after a series of four straight wins, then a draw with Schmeling, before also being handled by Louis. Braddock ended one spot out of the top 10 at #11, impressing with a UD over Sharkey and a SD over Stribling. Top 10 dropouts were Toles, down three to #13, loser to Banovic; and Sharkey, who tumbled 22 spots all the way down to #28 after successive losses to Braddock, Baer, Natie Brown and then Lee Ramage. Heeney revived his flagging career with TKO wins over two other lesser belt holders: Peterson and Carattoli. Peterson slipped out of the top 10 after successive losses to Louis and Heeney. Lasky, winner of his last three over Edgren, Cavalier and Sekyra, zoomed up the rankings to enter the top 20. Carattoli continued to struggle, losing twice in 1936 to extend his losing streak to three. Other than Louis, top newcomers to the list are France’s Andre Lenglet,17-1 (9), at #42; Argentina’s Alberto Lovell, 14-1-1 (10), at #44; and Kiwi Maurice Strickland, 15-1 (10), at #47.

Prospects: Abe Simon, winner of his first 11 by KO, took a UD 10 over fellow prospect Nathan Mann to end the year at 12-0 (11); for Mann, it was his second career loss, leaving him at 12-2 (11) – first loss was to Joe Louis. Losses in his last two to Mann and Maurice Strickland left Ernie Collins at 9-3-1 (6). German Erwin Klein remains unbeaten, now 12-0 (8). Max Marek has won all of his first 11 outings inside the distance. Bouncing back from a setback in his 1934 debut, Buddy Baer has won 10 straight and is now 10-1 (7). Eddie Blunt, who dropped a UD 10 to Buddy in his last outing, checks in at 10-1 (6). Everyone else has been content to feast on TC opposition. Keeping such clean slates were Junior Munsell, 10-0 (9); Bob Pastor, 10-0 (8); Gus Dorazio, 10-0 (5); Jorge Brescia, 9-0 (1); Bob Nestell, 6-0 (4); Rex Romus, 6-0 (2); and Lou Nova, 5-0 (4).

Retirements: Overall HW headcount is down due to a massive 13 (!) retirements from the division during 1936, probably a record number for any one year in the same division thus far.

Johnny Widd (SWE) 1927-36 24-12 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 29
Elzear Rioux (CAN) 1923-36 29-18-1 (20) No Titles Highest Rank: 32
Jack Gross (USA) 1926-36 26-13 (15) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 9
Arthur DeKuh (ITA) 1922-36 21-21-2 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 80
Otto Von Porat (NOR) 1926-36 24-16-1 (13) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 13
Benny Touchstone (USA) 1929-36 20-17-7 (4) No Titles Highest Rank; 35
Spark Plug Boyd (USA) 1923-36 33-24-1 (25) No Titles Highest Rank: 39
Ad Warren (USA) 1927-36 25-13 (19) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 7
Marcel Nilles (FRA) 1919-36 41-24-4 (34) No Titles Highest Rank: 49
Jack Gagnon (CAN) 1925-36 24-20-3 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 56
Ernie Schaaf (USA) 1927-36 27-13-1 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 38
Jack Dorval (USA) 1923-36 33-22 (21) No Titles Highest Rank: 31
Jim Maloney (USA) 1924-36 28-20-1 (24) No Titles Highest Rank: 10

Looking Ahead: Joe Louis won the historic matchup with Schmeling and seems ready to settle in – after one more outing – at Prime and seems likely to remain atop the division for a long time. Ray has proven one-punch knockout power, and guys like Schmeling, Walcott, Baer and Lasky remain dangerous foes. Neusel seems ready to contend for a European title. Not much in the way of top-flight talent coming into the division for a few years to come -- another reason why it might be safe to predict a long period of dominance by "the Brown Bomber," Joe Louis.

JCWeb · 01-06-2015, 05:39 PM

LH Title Bouts

WBA: Joe Knight began the year with the belt but lost it to John Henry Lewis (UD 15), then Lewis retained the belt by stopping Gustave Roth (TKO 9).

NABF: Maxie Rosenbloom unseated Tiger Jack Fox (UD 12) to lift the belt, then defended it twice, beating Al Gainer (TKO 12) and Joe Knight (UD 12).

USBA: John Henry Lewis relinquished this title after ascending to the WBA Championship belt. Battling Bozo won the vacant title, decisioning Al Stillman (UD 12). Bozo went on to register two successful defenses, topping Jimmy Adamick (UD 12) and Jack Gibbons (TKO 8).

CBU: Charley Belanger began the year with this title, defended it once, beating Jack Delaney (UD 12). He then lost it to Len Harvey (UD 12) who carries the belt forward into 1937.

GBU: No defenses, as Len Harvey retains this belt for another year.

EBU: Harvey also retained the EBU title without making a defense in 1936.

OPBF: Not active for this division.

LABF: Not active for this division.

LH Division Profile

Total: 122 RL: 75 TC: 47

RL by Career Stage:
End - 14
Post - 14
Prime - 27
Pre - 13
Beginning - 7 (3 New)

Rated: 52
800+: 15
500+: 27
200+ : 47

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens):

Champ: John Henry Lewis 21-2-2 (17) (1273) (+4)
1. Maxie Rosenbloom 40-11-6 (17) (1452) (NC) (NABF)
2. Battling Bozo 32-8-3 (12) (1385) (+1) (USBA)
3. Charley Belanger 36-17 (17) (1118) (+7)
4. Tiger Jack Fox 37-4 (27) (1117) (-2)
5. Gustave Roth 34-9-2 (12) (1050) (+4)
6. Tony Shucco 26-9 (9) (1029) (NC)
7. Joe Knight 28-7-2 (15) (1023) (-7)
8. Jimmy Adamick 21-2-1 (20) (1000) (+15)
9. Len Harvey 47-15-3 (19) (960) (-4) (EBU, CBU, GBU)
10. Jimmy Slattery 38-19-3 (12) (922) (-3)

Comments: Everyone listed above at Prime except for Bozo (hits Post in 1937) and Slattery (already at Post-Prime). Lewis regained the WBA title he had previously lost to Knight, and that win and his one defense were his only outings of 1936. Rosenbloom continued to pile up wins as NABF Champion, racking up four wins during the year, taking a UD over Shucco in addition to the three title wins. Bozo also impressed, going 5-0 in 1936 to run his win streak to eight straight, topped off by a UD over Harvey on New Year’s Eve. Belanger went 3-1, the most recent being a controversial DQ win over Tiger Jack Fox after dropping the Commonwealth title belt to Harvey. Fox had an up-and-down year, substandard compared to his previous record, with only two wins in four bouts, both coming at the expense of Harvey (UD and SD). Roth maintained his top contender status with wins over Tiger Jack Payne (UD) and Berlenbach (SD) before losing the WBA title challenge to Lewis. Shucco won just one of three against top-flight competition, beating Harvey (UD) but falling short against Knight (SD loss) and Rosenbloom. Knight’s win over Shucco was his only triumph of the year, losing his other three to drop down in the rankings. Making a big move to crack the top 10 was Adamick, registering four wins (including Knight and George Manley) after starting the year slowly with a draw with Norman Conrad – his only loss was in the USBA title bout with Bozo. Harvey dropped in the rankings, losing four of five but still managing to retain or regain three title belts. Slattery occupies the #10 spot by default, going 2-2 during the year but losing to Bozo and Gibbons. The only top 10 dropout from the prior year was Young Firpo, who slid nine spots to #17 after losses to the likes of Ray Actis and Pal Silvers. Just missing the top group is Bob Olin, winner of his last three to end the year at 27-9-3 (10). Top newcomer is Gus Lesnevich, loser of a UD to Olin but winner of five other 1936 outings to wrap up his Pre-Prime career at 19-1 (13), good for 15^th in the year-end rankings. Further down the list is another newcomer to the rankings, Brit Bert Gilroy, who enters the ranks at #13 with a 14-2-2 (10) career mark after two wins and two draws on his 1936 ledger.

Prospects: Some hot prospects continued to build up their records, including Melio Bettina, now 12-0-1 (8), including a win over Harry Balsamo and a draw with Billy Conn. Conn also remained unbeaten at 10-0-2 (9), the blemishes being draws with Bettina and Balsamo, but an impressive UD 10 in his last outing, handing Anton Christoforidis – now 12-1 (8) – his first career loss. The Greek did manage a MD 10 win over Brit Ben Valentine, who ended the year at 10-2-1 (8). Jimmy Webb, now 9-0 (6), has kept a clean slate, including a MD 8 over Dave Clark; Clark bounced back with two wins to end up 10-1 (8) heading into 1937. Off to excellent starts are some “hot” young LH prospects, notably Archie Moore, now a perfect 6-0 (6), Eddie Booker, 6-0 (4), Brit Freddie Mills, 4-0 (4) and Lloyd Marshall, 3-0 (3) (8).

Retirements: Six LHs left the ranks during the year.

Young Tony Marullo (USA) 1921-36 33-25-4 (18) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 6
Battling Slim Ryan (USA) 1923-36 31-21 (19) No Titles Highest Rank: 23
Ray Pelkey (USA) 1921-36 34-23-4 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 17
Harry Fuller (USA) 1925-36 26-16-2 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 22
Jack Delaney (CAN) 1919-36 46-14-4 (30) WBA Champ 1923-24
George Courtney (USA) 1924-36 29-17-5 (23) No Titles Highest Rank: 10

Looking Ahead: John Henry Lewis’ position atop the division appears somewhat tenuous, with solid contenders like Rosenbloom and Fox still in their Prime. Harvey appeared somewhat vulnerable in all his 1936 outings, and thus guys like Roth and Adolf Heuser may have a shot at winning a European title. Adamick, Olin and Lesnevich appear set to become title challengers in the future. This bodes well for the future of the division, as there are several good prospects working their way in Pre-Prime stage right now. Harry Matthews is the best of three newcomers set to join the LH ranks in 1937.

JCWeb · 01-07-2015, 04:08 PM

MW Title Bouts

WBA: The belt changed hands three times in four 1936 title contests. First, Eddie “Babe” Risko dethroned Jack McVey (UD 15). Then, Ron Richards ousted Risko (KO 3). Finally, Richards was dethroned by Ken Overlin (UD 15), who successfully defended against Teddy Yarosz (UD 15).

NABF: Freddie Steele kept this belt, making three more defenses, versus Ken Overlin (D 12), Kid Tunero (UD 12) and Vince Dundee (UD 12).

USBA: Eddie Risko began the year with this belt, but relinquished it after winning to the WBA title. The vacant title was claimed by Holman Williams, who decisioned Vince Dundee (UD 12). Johnny Romero then ousted Williams (DQ 11), then defended once, stopping Ad Zachow (TKO 11). Then, Williams regained the belt from Romero (UD 12).

CBU: Ron Richards began the year with this title, but relinquished it after winning the WBA crown. The matchup for the vacant title was won by Frank Battaglia, taking a UD 12 over Jack Casey.

GBU: No defenses, as Jock McAvoy retains this belt for another year.

EBU: McAvoy also retained the EBU title, making a pair of successful defenses, first versus Jupp Besselman (TKO 10) and then against Hein Domgorgen (TKO 1).

OPBF: No defenses during 1936 for Ambrose Palmer, who retains this belt.

LABF: Likewise, no defenses by Kid Tunero, who retains this belt.

MW Division Profile

Total: 141 RL: 79 TC: 62

RL by Career Stage:
End - 7
Post - 18
Prime - 36
Pre - 13
Beginning - 5 (4 New)

Rated: 66
800+: 22
500+: 44
200+ : 62

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens):

Champ: Ken Overlin 28-1-4 (11) (1269) (+3)
1. Freddie Steele 37-5-1 (27) (1386) (NC) (NABF)
2. Vince Dundee 39-11-4 (15) (1131) (NC)
3. Mickey Walker 57-9-1 (43) (1129) (+5)
4. Holman Williams 23-2 (15) (1119) (+7) (USBA)
5. Johnny Romero 33-10 (20) (1118) (NC)
6. Kid Tunero 27-6-4 (8) (1077) (+1) (LABF)
7. Teddy Yarosz 29-8-2 (11) (1046) (+3)
8. Ambrose Palmer 27-10 (17) (1038) (-2) (OPBF)
9. Ron Richards 29-7-2 (22) (982) (+14)
10. Jack McVey 41-22-2 (20) (991) (-10)

Others: 12. Jock McAvoy 28-10-4 (20) (971) (NC) (EBU, GBU)
15. Frank Battaglia 26-6-1 (13) (842) (+5) (CBU)

Comments: Everyone listed above at Prime except for Walker, Williams, McVey and CBU Champ Battaglia. Overlin won three in a row after battling to a draw with Steele, who continued his reign as NABF Champion and remains the #1 contender despite having the highest PP total in the division. Vince Dundee is next, despite barely getting past Palmer and Lou Brouillard in a pair of SD wins, with losses to Steele and Williams in his other 1936 outings. A resurgent Walker rallied with KO wins over McVey and Risko after dropping a UD 10 to Palmer on the latter’s home turf in Australia. Williams has won seven of his last eight, the only loss being due to a controversial foul call that was subsequently avenged with his title win over Romero. Romero ended the year at 3-1, going 2-1 in title contests after a UD 10 over veteran Frenchman Marcel Thil early in the year. Tunero, loser to Steele in a NABF title try, had wins over Palmer (SD 10) and Gorilla Jones (UD 10). Yarosz earned his WBA title shot with wins over Yarosz (MD) and ex-Champ Risko. Palmer was 2-2 during his 1936 campaign, dropping a pair of SDs to Dundee and Tunero but coming up with a big win over Walker, topped by a UD versus Ignacio Ara late in the year. His countryman, Richards, rebounded from his WBA title loss to with a KO 7 over Jack McVey. McVey wraps up the top 10, despite losing all three of his 1936 outings to Risko, Walker and Richards. McAvoy, despite winning two EBU title bouts, did not crack the top group, mainly due to losses to Overlin (UD) and Jones (MD) that left him 2-2 for the year. Battaglia won both his 1936 outings, including a win over aging veteran Jock Malone (SD 10) but it was only good for 15^th in the rankings. Dropping out of the top 10 from last year were Hein Domgorgen (-4, to #13), who slipped with TKO losses to Thil and then McAvoy in the season-ending EBU title rematch; and Eddie “Babe” Risko, -14 to #18 after three straight losses, to Richards (for the WBA title), Yarosz and Walker. Some good young prospects made their debut in the rankings list, notably Tony Zale, at #25, now 16-1 (13) after racking up five straight wins against quality opponents, including Ben Brown (TKO 5 in a rematch) and, most recently, Freddie Apostoli (UD 10); Marcel Cerdan, at #30, still unbeaten at 15-0 (13), whose victims included Apostoli (UD), Oddone Piazza, Eddie Peirce and Ossie Stewart (all by KO); Apostoli, #40, at 15-2 (13), a UD winner over Walter Woods and Joey LaGrey, with the two losses coming to Zale and Cerdan’ Brown, #43, at 15-2 (12), winner over Woods and Archie Sexton, but loser to Zale (in a rematch) and, most recently, a UD 10 loser to Sammy Slaughter.

Prospects: Aaron Wade, 14-0 (10), Charley Burley, now a perfect 5-0 (5), and Coley Welch, 5-0 (3) are the top young prospects building up their records in this division.

Retirements: Eleven MWs retired during the year.

Pete Horton (USA) 1926-36 22-13-4 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 31
Leone Jacovacci (ITA) 1920-36 30-27-6 (9) No Titles Highest Rank: 43
Mario Bosisio (ITA) 1920-36 33-20-7 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 11
Phil Kaplan (USA) 1921-36 29-22-2 (14) No Titles Highest Rank: 27
Dave Shade (USA) 1918-36 35-30-7 (9) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 3
Frankie Schoell (USA) 1918-36 39-25-4 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 1
Jimmy Finley (USA) 1921-36 35-24-2 (27) No Titles Highest Rank; 27
Johnny Gill (USA) 1916-36 39-29-14 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 19
Ace Hudkins (USA) 1922-36 38-20-3 (18) No Titles Highest Rank: 3
Walter Funke (GER) 1923-36 32-23-1 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 24
Jock Malone (USA) 1919-36 42-32-5 (15) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 2

Looking Ahead: With the reign of long-time Champ Mickey Walker in the past, there has been more turnaround at the top of the MW ranks, but long-time NABF Champ Freddie Steele hopes to land a WBA title shot against a relatively easier opponent than an in-prime Walker. Holman Williams, a potential title challenger, hits Post-Prime before having a chance to prove himself. Fighters like Zale, Cerdan and Charley Burley are likely to rise in the ranks once they hit their Prime. George Abrams and Brit Dick Turpin will join the MW ranks in 1937.

JCWeb · 01-08-2015, 01:36 PM

WW Title Bouts

WBA: Jimmy McLarnin began the year with the WBA title and defended it once, downing Tony Vaccarelli (MD 15). He then lost his next defense to Barney Ross (UD 15). Then, Ross defended against Jack Kid Berg (UD 15). Finally, Ross was beaten by Ruby Goldstein (UD 15). Goldstein enters 1937 as the WBA Champion.

NABF: Tony Vaccarelli, the titleholder coming into 1936, defended versus Fritzie Zivic (DQ 5), but then lost the belt to Ruby Goldstein (KO 9). Goldstein went on to win the WBA title, leaving the NABF belt vacant heading into 1937.

USBA: Four title bouts during the year. Young Corbett III made two successful defenses, turning aside challenges from Pete Latzo (UD 12) and Baby Joe Gans (UD 12), then he was dethroned by Eddie Dolan (TKO 6). Dolan then made one defense, against Tony Vaccarelli (DQ 3).

CBU: Jack Carroll began 1936 with this title, and made one defense during the year, turning aside a challenge from Ernie Roderick (UD 12).

GBU: No defenses from Ernie Roderick, who retains this belt for another year.

EBU: Cleto Locatelli retained this title for another year, making two defenses during 1936, facing challenges from Bep Van Klavern (D 12) and Gustav Eder (DQ 8).

OPBF: Two defenses during 1936 by Jack Carroll, who turned away challenges from Lope Tenorio (UD 12) and Jack McNamee (UD 12).

LABF: Cocoa Kid has proved to be an active Champion, making three defenses and winning all three, versus Battling Shaw (UD 12), Manuel Quintero (UD 12) and Kid Azteca (UD 12).

WW Division Profile

Total: 115 RL: 74 TC: 41

RL by Career Stage:
End - 7
Post - 17
Prime - 26
Pre - 17
Beginning - 7 (3 New)

Rated: 58
800+: 19
500+: 40
200+ : 56

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens):

Champ: Ruby Goldstein 39-10-3 (24) (1431) (+6)
1. Jimmy McLarnin 47-6-1 (23) (1635) (-1)
2. Barney Ross 30-6-2 (10) (1430) (+1)
3. Cleto Locatelli 33-10-2 (11) (1386) (-2) (EBU)
4. Joe Dundee 45-18-9 (13) (1321) (NC)
5. Eddie Dolan 23-3-1 (9) (1231) (+12) (USBA)
6. Young Corbett III 49-13-5 (12) (1197) (-4)
7. Jack Carroll 36-15-5 (13) (1167) (+1) (CBU, OPBF)
8. Cocoa Kid 28-4-2 (11) (1105) (+1) (LABF)
9. Baby Joe Gans 37-19-2 (14) (1076) (-4)
10. King Tut 28-12-4 (19) (991) (NC)

Others: 40. Ernie Roderick 15-7-3 (5) (456) (-7) (GBU)

Comments: Goldstein, McLarnin, Dundee and Gans will be starting 1937 at Post-Prime, others still at Prime. Goldstein had a stellar year, winning all four of his 1936 encounters, two of which were for titles, rounded out by a pair of UD wins over Van Klaveren and Junior. Except for the title loss to Ross, McLarnin kept winning, bouncing back with a UD over Dundee after having a seven-bout winning streak snapped by the title loss. Ross had won four straight during the year before losing to Goldstein, taking a UD from JWW Johnny Jadick and a TKO over Tut prior to winning the WBA title. Locatelli’s only two outings were the two EBU defenses, but his failure to take on top-level competition caused a slight dip in the WW rankings despite no losses. Dundee had won all three of his earlier bouts before losing to McLarnin; he decisioned Thompson and Gans but struggled in edging Pete Latzo via a MD 10. Dolan reeled off four straight wins after an early season loss to Andy Callahan; his victims (prior to winning the USBA title) included Jackie Fields and Tommy Freeman (both UD wins). Corbett slipped despite a UD 10 over Gustav Eder; his loss to Dolan caused him to tumble in the rankings. Carroll retained both the CBU and OPBF belts in his only 1936 outings; he has now won his last nine, albeit not against the best in the WW division. Likewise, three title defenses in his only outings of the 1936 campaign had LABF Champ Cocoa Kid extending his winning streak to five bouts. Baby Joe Gans dropped a title bout, then a second in a row to Dundee but bounced back with a win over all-time great Benny Leonard in the latter’s farewell appearance. Tut once again rounds out the top 10, by virtue of a UD 10 win over Filipino Irineo Flores despite the early season loss to Ross. Just missing the top 10 despite five straight wins (four in 1936) is Andy Callahan, although the three most recent wins were all via SDs (over Leonard, Roderick and Seargant Sammy Baker). One top 10 dropout, notably it was German Gustav Eder, who went 0-3 for the year and has not won a bout since May 1934. It was also a rough year for GBU Champ Ernie Roderick, who managed just one draw while suffering three defeats in four bouts, although two of the losses (to Andy Callahan and Vittorio Venturi) were SDs; the one draw came against Cuban Miguel Quintero. Top newcomer to the WW rankings is unbeaten prospect Jimmy Garrison, who debuts at #27 having run up a 15-0 (2) record thus far; his 1936 victims include JWW Harry Wallach, veteran Canada Lee, and fellow prospects Milt Aron and Leonard Del Genio. Frankie Blair checks in at 16-2 (7), good for #30, rebounding after his second career loss (to Izzy Jannazzo) with wins over Johnny Jadick (SD) and a KO over Don Fraser. Aussie Jack McNamee won three in a row, including an impressive MD 10 win over ex-CBU WW Champ Jack Hood, before falling short in his CBU title try; he ends the year at #36, with an overall record of 16-2 (12). Jannazzo had an impressive sophomore season in the WW ranks, improving to 18-1 (13), leaving him at #25 with one more bout at Pre-Prime remaining.

Prospects: Maxie Berger had run through a string of TC opponents before being stopped by Milt Aron; he ends the year at 11-1 (4). Likewise, Tommy Cross (whose only career loss was to Aron, is now 10-1 (4). Still unbeaten after being fed a steady diet of TC opponents is Georgie Crouch, 10-0 (9). Andre Jesserun, also unbeaten at 10-0 (5), included a UD 8 win over Alan Westbury, who checks in at 9-1 (6). Mike Kaplan, now 6-1 (1), bounced back after an early career loss to Tony Marteliano, who is now 5-0 (1). Also notable is the 7-0 (5) career start by Ralph “the Ripper” Zannelli, who has yet to be tested, along with Canadian Sammy Luftspring, off to a perfect 4-0 (4) career start.

Retirements: There were six retirements from the WW ranks during the year; three of these held the WBA WW title, all back in the 1920s.

Freddie Polo (USA) 1926-36 25-18-2 (20) No Titles Highest Rank: 25
Young Jack Thompson (USA) 1922-36 36-18-6 (19) WBA Champion 1926-27
Billy Alger (USA) 1920-36 33-21-8 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 23
Bermondsey Billy Wells (UK) 1919-36 34-29-4 (19) WBA Champion 1922-23
Benny Leonard (USA) 1911-36 83-15-5 (43) WBA Champion 1928-29
Don Fraser (USA) 1925-36 26-17-6 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 26

Looking Ahead: A time of transition, with Goldstein and McLarnin now at Post. Ross has another year to go before he, too, his Post-Prime. No clear-cut successors, plus the vacant NABF title that will be up for grabs early in 1937, make this division very unpredictable. Some strong contenders are likely to emerge from Europe, with Locatelli looking for a WBA title shot while Eder and Van Klaveren have yet to reach their potential. Once he hits Prime, Tony Jannazzo could emerge as a factor. Vic Dellicurti heads the list of three newcomers are set to join the MW ranks in 1937.

JCWeb · 01-09-2015, 10:32 AM

JWW Division Profile

No titles bouts in 1936.

Total: 16 RL: 8 TC: 8

RL by Career Stage:
End - 2
Post - 2
Prime - 3
Pre - 1

Rated: 6
800+: 1
500+: 4
200+: 6

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens)

Champ: Jack Kid Berg 32-12-4 (14) (907) (NC)
1. Johnny Jadick 34-21-3 (9) (527) (+2) (USBA)
2. Lew Feldman 27-11-1 (11) (588) (NC)
3. Battling Shaw 26-11-3 (13) (600) (-2)
4. Spug Myers 37-32-5 (14) (270) (+1)
5. Mickey Cohen 23-21-2 (9) (261) (-1)

Comments: Only Berg, Feldman and Shaw still at Prime headed into 1937; Jadick and Myers at Post; Myers and one unrated guy (negative perf points) -- Harry Wallach -- at End. Berg, in his only two outings of 1936, dabbled in the higher weight class, losing to Barney Ross for the WBA WW crown but turning in a UD 10 win over Jimmy Leto. Jadick went 2-2 for the year, losing to Ross and Frankie Blair but beating Sam Bruce and TKO'ing fellow JWW Feldman. Feldman also fought four times, losing to Jadick but scoring two wins and a draw in his remaining bouts against fringe WW guys. Shaw made an unsuccessful bid for the LABF WW title and won only one of his four 1936 bouts, taking a UD over Manuel Quintero. The others are journeymen and not worth further comment.

Prospect: Taking on nothing but TCs, Tippy Larkin has compiled a 6-0 (4) record thus far.

Retirement:

Mushy Callahan (USA) 1923-36 31-19-3 (11) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 1

Looking Ahead: Not much to look for as -- down to half a dozen boxers -- this division, like the JLW group before it, will be folded up and its remaining fighters will be subsumed in either the WW or LW ranks. Nominal Champ Jack Kid Berg is reportedly dropping down to LW to perhaps challenge long-time Champ Tony Canzoneri, rekindling an earlier rivalry between the two. Feldman and Shaw are likely to move up to the WW ranks, as is the one prospect, Tippy Larkin.

JCWeb · 01-09-2015, 01:42 PM

LW Title Bouts

WBA: Tony Canzoneri kept rolling along, with three more successful title defenses during the year: Aldo Spoldi (TKO 14), Tod Morgan (UD 15) and Lew Kirsch (UD 15).

NABF: This belt changed hands three times in as many title bouts. First, Billy Townsend emerged as a new Champion, beating Jack Portney (UD 12). Then, Tod Morgan took the belt from Townsend (UD 12). Then, Portney regained the title, besting Morgan (UD 12). Thus, the title began the year where it started – with Jack Portney for a second stint with this belt.

USBA: Only one title contest for this belt, and it also changed hands, as Lew Kirsch dethroned Benny Bass (SD 12) to take the title.

CBU: Harry Mason began 1936 with this title, but he lost it to Billy Townsend (TKO 11). No defenses since then..

GBU: No defenses from Harry Mason, who retains this belt for another year.

EBU: Aldo Spoldi retained this title for another year, but made no defenses in 1936.

OPBF: Not active for this division.

LABF: Emory Cabana retained the title in his one defense during the year, turning aside the challenge of Justo Suarez (UD 12).

LW Division Profile

Total: 136 RL: 83 TC: 53

RL by Career Stage:
End - 5
Post - 23
Prime - 34
Pre - 12
Beginning - 9 (8 New)

Rated: 66
800+: 19
500+: 37
200+ : 59

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens):

Champ: Tony Canzoneri 42-4-3 (16) (1946) (NC)
1. Emory Cabana 40-16-4 (12) (1255) (+2) (LABF)
2. Jack Portney 32-8-4 (16) (1166) (NC) (NABF)
3. Tony Chavez 21-3-1 (10) (1119) (+19)
4. Cecil Payne 37-8-4 (13) (1118) (NC)
5. Aldo Spoldi 26-3-3 (12) (1065) (+8) (EBU)
6. Ray Miller 41-14 (18) (1064) (-5)
7. Tod Morgan 46-15-3 (12) (1050) (NC)
8. Justo Suarez 28-9-1 (17) (1040) (+2)
9. Stanislaus Loayza 37-21-6 (13) (1021) (-4)
10. Sammy Fuller 39-12-1 (10) (1006) (-4)

Others: 11. Lew Kirsch 29-11-3 (17) (1000) (+4) (USBA)
14. Billy Townsend 27-14-1 (16) (957) (+7) (CBU)
21. Harry Mason 31-25-4 (5) (766) (-4) (GBU)

Comments: An aging group here, as Payne, Miller, Morgan, Suarez, Kirsch, Townsend and Mason all start the year at Post, everyone else at Prime. Canzoneri reeled off three more title defenses and has now won nine in a row and been unbeaten since a SD loss to Mushy Callahan in 1930. Cabana moved up to the #1 contender spot by winning all three of his 1936 encounters, bringing his current winning streak to seven; his non-title victories were an SD over Eddie Cool and a UD over Townsend. Portney, once again the NABF Champion, featured in a MD win over Bass but was held to a draw by Chavez in his non-title clashes. Chavez made a big move up the rankings, taking a UD from Loayza and a MD over Payne before the draw with Portney, leaving him with three wins and a draw from his 1936 campaign. Payne’s only 1936 loss was to Chavez; he registered wins over Miller and veteran Billy Petrolle in his other outings. Spoldi zoomed up the lists with an upset UD 10 over Miller, but he has yet to defend his EBU title. Miller, loser of his last three (going back to 1935), has seen better days. Likewise for Morgan, who did manage a UD 10 over Mason in addition to a brief reign as NABF LW Champion. Suarez remained a dangerous foe, taking a SD over Roger Bernard to remain in the top 10. Ditto for Loayza, wjho rallied with a pair of UD wins over Glick and Harry Dublinsky to nail down a top 10 spot. Rounding out the top group is Fuller, who was a KO victim of Petrolle but still managed to stay in the top group despite no 1936 wins (he drew with Loayza in his only other outing during the year). Petrolle slid four spots to #13, despite impressive KO wins over Klick and Fuller, due to a MD loss to Payne in his last outing. Wesley Ramey, down nine spots to #17, also fell from the top group, after three successive losses to Kirsch (SD), Klick (UD) and Bass (SD). Kirsch just missed the top 10, despite taking the USBA title and a SD over Ramey, as he ended the year on a down note by losing badly in his WBA title effort. Townsend also ended the year on a down note, a UD loss to Cabana, that kept him out of the top 10. Mason, loser of his last three, continued to slip down the ranks and is nowhere in sight of the top 10. Bass, who ended the year at #12, nonetheless is riding a three-game winning streak, over Bernard (SD), Bellus (UD) and Ramey (SD). Frankie Klick checks in at #15, after going 3-1 for the year; his best wins were over Bernard (SD) and Ramey (UD); his one loss was to Petrolle). Canadian Dave Castilloux is the top newcomer to the lists, debuting at #29 with a 16-1 (7) career mark; in 1936 he won all four of his bouts, including a three-round KO of former JLW contender Leslie “Wildcat” Carter. Hirsch Demsitz, 13-2 (5), at #42, and Ralph Hurtado, 15-5 (7), #47, are the other newcomers to the rankings, but much further down the list – it was Hurtado who handed Castilloux his only career loss – back in 1934.

Prospects: Lew Jenkins is a perfect 12-0 (10), taking a UD 10 from the highly regarded Sammy Angott. Angott ends the year at 10-2 (7), saddled by two successive losses to Angott and, more recently, Norment Quarles (SD 10). Bernie Friedkin, 10-0 (8); Luther White, 8-0 (5); Joey Fontana, 7-0-2 (2); Brit Eric Boon, 7-0 (6); George Zengaras, 5-0-1(3); Pete Lello, 5-0 (5) and Canadian Billy Marquart, 4-0 (1) all have yet to be tested, having remain unbeaten against less meaningful TC opposition.

Retirements: Just three retirements from the LW ranks during the year, including all-time great Benny Leonard, who is also listed at WW.

Alex Hart (USA) 1917-36 40-28-7 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 31
Billy Wallace (USA) 1920-36 38-32-5 (18) No Titles Highest Rank: 17
Benny Leonard (USA) 1911-36 83-15-5 (43) WBA Champion 1916-20, 1922-27

Looking Ahead: Canzoneri continues to rule the roost in this division in dominant fashion; there is talk of him moving up to fill a void in the WW ranks, or perhaps a big-money bout with new FW Champion, Henry Armstrong. The ranks of the top LW contenders continues to shift each year, and right now Cabana and Chavez appear to have the most promising futures. Ramey has talent but has yet to reach his full potential. Jenkins and Angott appear to be the best of the current crop of prospects, but there will be an influx of new blood into the ranks in 1937, the best of which appear to be Willie Joyce and Lenny Mancini (Ray’s Dad).

JCWeb · 01-10-2015, 05:29 PM

FW Title Bouts

WBA: Baby Arizmendi began the year with the belt, but he lost it to Chalky Wright (TKO 14) in his first defense. Then, Arizmendi lost the title to Henry Armstrong (UD 15). Armstrong defended once, beating Pete DeGrasse (TKO 3).

NABF: Henry Armstrong took the title from Freddie Miller (TKO 1), who had held the belt since 1933. Then, Armstrong relinquished the title after winning the WBA Championship. In the matchup for the vacant title, Baby Arizmendi (who began the year as WBA Champ) defeated Filio Julian Echevarria (UD 12) to claim the belt.

USBA: Once again, it was Armstrong winning and relinquishing the belt. He dethroned Petey Sarron (TKO 12), and then was succeeded by Mike Belloise, who bested Tommy Paul (UD 12) in a battle for the vacant belt.

CBU: Three title matchups produced two new Champions. First, Nel Tarleton took the title from Merv “Darky” Blandon (SD 12), then he was dethroned by Pete DeGrasse (TKO 9) who then took out Willie Smith (TKO 5) in his first title defense.

GBU: Jim Kelly retained this title with one 1936 defense, edging Dave Crowley (MD 12).

EBU: Dom Volante began the year with the EBU title, but he lost it to Maurice Holtzer (UD 12). Holtzer then defended against Jim Kelly (UD 12).

OPBF: For the second straight year, no activity here as Merv Blandon keeps the belt.

LABF: Kid Chocolate carried the belt into the year, and he successfully defended once – turning aside a challenge from Baby Arizmendi (UD 12).

FW Division Profile

Total: 113 RL: 70 TC: 43

RL by Career Stage:
End - 7
Post - 12
Prime - 31
Pre - 14
Beginning - 6 (3 New)

Rated: 57
800+: 13
500+: 34
200+ : 54

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens):

Champ: Henry Armstrong 23-1-2 (20) (1180) (+11)
1. Kid Chocolate 32-5-5 (15) (1088) (+4) (LABF)
2. Pete DeGrasse 31-12-2 (8) (1050) (NC) (CBU)
3. Baby Arizmendi 29-7-2 (10) (1013) (-3) (NABF)
4. Tommy Paul 29-9-4 (6) (982) (NC)
5. Chalky Wright 27-8-4 (14) (972) (+3)
6. Filio Julian Echevarria 27-9-4 (12) (948) (+1)
7. Frankie Covelli 25-7-6 (7) (947) (+11)
8. Battling Battalino 35-10 (12) (946) (-5)
9. Freddie Miller 29-8-1 (13) (919) (-8)
10. Petey Sarron 30-13-6 (8) (916) (-1)

Others: 11. Maurice Holtzer 33-14-3 (12) (892) (+4) (EBU)
12. Mike Belloise 18-3-3 (7) (843) (+10) (USBA)
20. Jim Kelly 20-4-1 (7) (693) (-4) (GBU)
32. Merv Blandon 20-8 (15) (525) (-9) (OPBF)

Comments: Of those listed above, all at Prime except Paul, who is at Post. Armstrong swept all before him, winning all five of his 1936 encounters and remaining unbeaten since 1932; in addition to four wins in title bouts (chronicled above), he scored a TKO over British Champ Jim Kelly. Kid Chocolate won all three of his bouts during the year, running his win streak to four, including a pair of UD wins over Covelli and Belloise in addition to his winning title defense. DeGrasse went 2-2 for the year, dropping an early season UD to Battalino but moving up by virtue of two title bout wins before losing to Armstrong. Ex-Champ Arizmendi recovered from two title bout losses with a pair of wins late in the year, the most recent being a UD 10 over Jackie Wilson in a non-title affair. Paul retain his spot in the top group with a MD over Andy Martin and a SD over Miller despite coming up short in the USBA title clash with Belloise. Wright went 2-1 for the year, rebounding with a TKO of ex-Champ Louis Kaplan after winning and losing the WBA title. Echevarria also was 2-1 for the year, defeating Jose Lombardo (UD) and Miller (TKO) to compensate for the failed effort to capture the NABF title. Covelli shot up the rankings with three straight wins, the most recent (and significant) being a UD upset of long-time top FW Battling Battalino. Battalino slipped to #8 as a result of the loss to Covelli after fashioning a six-bout win streak, including a pair of wins over EBU Champ Holtzer and a UD over DeGrasse in 1936 non-title action. Miller won only one of four during the year (a UD over ex-Champ Dave Crowley) to slide down the rankings. Sarron rounds out the top 10, snapping a four-bout winless streak with a UD over Abie Israel and a SD over Simon Chavez. Holtzer missed out on the top 10 won three of five, taking a TKO over Enrique Chafferdet in addition to his two EBU title wins, but he stumbled in his two matches with Battalino (dropping a UD and a MD in non-title action). Belloise zoomed up the list with a pair of UD wins over ex-Champ Kaplan, followed up by a USBA title win, but then he faltered against tougher competition, dropping a UD to Kid Chocolate. Top 10 dropouts from last year were Andy Martin, down four to #14, primarily as a result of a UD loss to up-and-comer Everett Rightmire; and Chafferdet (-13 to #19), who lost all three of his 1936 outings to Holtzer, Chavez and Petey Hayes. British Champ Kelly slipped with two successive losses (to Armstrong and Holtzer) after retaining his GBU belt. Further down the list is OPBF Champion Merv “Darky” Blandon, whose only win during the year (a TKO over Petey Hayes) was followed by successive losses to Tarleton, Jimmy Perrin and Ginger Foran. Perrin, who ended the year at #18, is the top newcomer to the list and seemed on his way to a top 10 spot before suffering his first career loss, a UD 10, to Martin, leaving him at 16-1-1 (8), good for 18th spot, with two more bouts to go before hitting Prime career stage. Other newcomers of note are Tsuneo Horiguchi of Japan, #28, now 16-2 (11) after successive UD wins over Johnny Cuthbert, Bus Breese and Moon Mullins; and, at #29, Leo Rodak, who took a UD from Horiguchi but stumbled against Harry Jeffra (UD 10) before bouncing back with wins over Phil Zwick (UD) and Jackie Wilson (SD).

Prospects: Tony Dupre is off to an excellent 13-0-1 (9) career start, impressing with UD wins over Doc Snell and Irving Eldredge; the only blemish on his record is a draw with a TC. Al Reid checks in at 11-2 (4), breezing through TC competition but struggling with losses to real-life FWs like Harold Lacey and Claude Varner (both UD 10s). Lacey remained unbeaten, winning all four of his 1936 encounters (including the win over Reid) to end the year at 10-0-2 (1) after a pair of draws with TCs early in his career. Brit Frank Parkes, with a clean slate at 12-0 (4), is still looking to prove himself beyond the dozen TC bouts. Harold Hoshino, a perfect 9-0 (9), and Johnny Marcelline, at 9-0 (3), have impressed thus far. Canadian Jack Armstrong, now 10-1 (5), suffered his first career loss at the hands of a TC. Eddie Miller, 4-0 (3); Jackie Callura, 2-0 (1); and Petey Scalzo, 2-0 (1) have got their careers off to good starts.

Retirements: A slew of retirements (eight) reduced the FW ranks somewhat.

Knud Larsen (DEN) 1922-36 33-23-3 (15) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 2
Miki Gelb (USA) 1930-36 16-10-3 (3) No Titles Highest Rank: 57 (also JLW, highest at 6^th)
Elino Flores (PHI) 191-36 31-26-7 (12) OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 9
Frankie Albano (USA) 1922-36 23-27-3 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 52
Eddie Anderson (USA) 1920-36 34-28-3 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 30
Louis Kaplan (USA) 1919-36 45-22-3 (11) WBA Champion 1924-25, 1927, 1928-29, 1929-20, 1932
Harry Blitman (USA) 1926-36 27-14-6 (4) No Titles Highest Rank: 14
Santiago Zorilla (PAN) 1925-36 28-17-4 (7) No Titles Highest Rank: 22

Looking Ahead: Ever since capturing the WBA FW belt, Armstrong has been making noises about moving up in weight class to challenge for the LW or even the WW crown. With a weaker titleholder of WW WBA belt (the Post-Prime Ruby Goldstein), that move seems likely, opening up the FW crown to a pack of eager contenders, all still at the Prime of their respective careers. Chocolate, DeGrasse and Arizmendi lead the pack. Battalino and Miller, although still at Prime, have faded a bit. Other than Petey Scalzo, it does not look like much can be expected in the future from either the current crop of FW prospects or the three newcomers being added to the ranks in 1937.

JCWeb · 01-11-2015, 01:33 PM

BW Title Bouts

WBA: Johnny King began the year with the belt, but he lost it to Pete Sanstol (UD 15). Sanstol went on to defend twice, versus Tony Marino (SD 15) and Horace Gwynne (UD 15).

NABF: Two title bouts produced two new Champions. First, K. O. Morgan flattened defending Champ Bobby Green (KO 5). Then, Horace Gwynne dethroned Morgan after a controversial foul call (DQ 9).

USBA: The titleholder coming into the year was Sanstol, who relinquished the belt after capturing the WBA title. In the match for the vacant title, Tony Marino edged out Lew Farber (MD 12). Then, Archie Bell took the title from Marino (TKO 7).

CBU: One title bout during the year, and the title changed hands, as Horace Gwynne dethroned Dick Corbett (UD 12) to take the belt.

GBU: Corbett began the year with the belt, but lost it to ex-WBA Champ Johnny King (UD 12).

EBU: This belt was retained by Corbett in his one successful title defense as he turned aside the challenge from a former Champion, Kid Francis (TKO 11).

OPBF: One successful defense here, by Young Tommy who kept the belt after a draw with Pablo Dano (D 12).

LABF: Sixto Escobar began 1936 with this belt, and he defended it once, against Panama Al Brown (D 12). A rematch was ordered, and this time Brown bested Escobar (DQ 10) to take the belt into 1937).

BW Division Profile

Total: 85 RL: 48 TC: 37

RL by Career Stage:
End - 3
Post - 10
Prime - 24
Pre - 6
Beginning - 5 (3 New)

Rated: 39
800+: 17
500+: 31
200+ : 38

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens):

Champ: Pete Sanstol 33-8-2 (9) (1403) (+2)
1. Johnny King 40-4-1 (15) (1418) (-1) (GBU)
2. Panama Al Brown 49-10-1 (19) (1179) (+3) (LABF)
3. Speedy Dado 29-13-2 (13) (1147) (NC)
4. Archie Bell 38-12-7 (11) (1088) (+9) (USBA)
5. Pablo Dano 31-7-5 (15) (1053) (+6)
6. Sixto Escobar 24-5-1 (10) (1015) (+6)
7. Horace Gwynne 21-2 (13) (961) (+9) (NABF, CBU)
8. Young Tommy 27-5-1 (13) (959) (-2) (OPBF)
9. Kid Francis 33-18-4 (19) (937) (NC)
10. Benny Sharkey 28-9-2 (17) (931) (+5)

Others: 16. Dick Corbett 22-13 (11) (855) (-12) (EBU)

Comments: Lots of changes, with five newcomers to the top 10; everyone at Prime except for Bell, Tommy and Francis (all three at Post coming into 1937). Sanstol moved up from USBA Champion to defeat King and capture the WBA belt; he has now won four in a row, all in title contests, having avenged his most recent loss (to King) back in 1935. Nonetheless, King emerges with a higher Perf Point total by virtue of a UD 10 over veteran Bushy Graham plus the GBU title win that represented higher rated opposition heading into those bouts. Three wins and a draw re-established Panama Al Brown as a top contender; now unbeaten in his last eight, Brown managed UD wins over Graham and Sharkey in addition to his two matchups with Escobar for LABF BW honors. Dado bounced back with two wins during the year, a MD over Teiken and a UD over Morgan. A rejuvenated Archie Bell posted three wins in his three 1936 outings, taking UD wins versus Green and Francis to set up his winning USBA title effort. Dano impressed with a TKO of Sangchili and a UD versus Morgan but struggled in his unsuccessful effort to wrest the OPBF title from Tommy. Escobar took a pair of UD wins over Sharkey and Corbett but came out on the short end of the LABF title contest with Brown. Gwynne won two belts to zoom up the rankings, but was unable to take it one step further when matched with Sanstol for the WBA title. Tommy retained the OPBF belt but dropped a UD 10 to Sharkey; with a draw and two losses in his last three, he has not won since September of 1935. Francis retained his top 10 status with a TKO of Tom Smith and a SD 10 win over Bobby Leitham. Sharkey rounds out the top group, advancing with a SD over Graham and a UD over Sharkey before ending the year on a down note, dropping a UD to Brown and being held to a draw by Lew Farber. Top 10 dropouts: Morgan, down four to #11, having lost three in a row; Bobby Green, -5 to #13, UD losses to Bell and Jo Teiken hurting his prospects; Graham, -14 to #15, losing four of five in 1936; Corbett, loser of his last three; and finally Farber, -7 to #17, who could not follow up on an early season UD over Leitham and struggled to a draw with Sharkey after falling short in his USBA title try. Positive progress was made by Mexican Raul Casanova, who rebounded after a KO loss to Sangchili with three successive wins over Leitham (UD), Star Frisco (TKO) and Graham (MD) to end the year at #12, with a 20-2 (14) career mark thus far. Cuban Humberto Espinosa is the best of the newcomers to the rankings list, featuring at #23 with a 17-1-1 (9) career start after reeling off four straight wins after conceding a draw to Georgie Pace. Pace enters the year-end list at #30, with a 14-2-1 (13) mark, stumbling in his last two (UD losses to Little Pancho and Graham) to prevent a higher ranking. Finally, Frenchman Joseph Decico did well enough to claim the #32 spot, now 15-2-1 (8), with an impressive TKO of countryman Gustave Humery his best result to date—but also recording a UD 10 loss to Aussie Mickey Miller in 1936 action.

Prospects: Not much to write about here; Horace Mann, facing only TC opposition, is now 10-0 (5). Herman Reimscheid recovered from an early draw to finish the year at 6-0-1 (2), all versus TCs. The highly regarded Ritchie Tanner actually suffered a DQ loss to a TC and is now 3-1 (2). Off to a good start is Tommy Forte, 2-0 (1).

Retirements: Three retirements from the BW division in 1936.

Dixie LaHood (USA) 1922-36 30-23-7 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 22
Ollie Bartlett (USA) 1922-36 25-24-2 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 30
Davey Adelman (USA) 1922-36 25-24-2 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 16

Looking Ahead: Sanstol’s position atop the division seems in jeopardy, as King is still at Prime, and Latino boxers such as Brown and Sangchili also have the talent to successfully challenge for the WBA title. Casanova appears ready to move into the top 10. Further down the ranks, Lou Salica – who has gotten off to a rough start – appears ready to move up, having hit Prime recently. Not much to note among the current crop of prospects, but all three of the newcomers slated to join the BW ranks in 1937 – Benny Goldberg, David Kui Kong Young and Tony Oliveira – appear to have some ability.

JCWeb · 01-11-2015, 05:22 PM

FLY Title Bouts

WBA: Midget Wolgast retained the WBA title for another year, making three successful title defenses during the year, beating Small Montana (TKO 14), Young Perez (UD 15) and Jackie Brown (UD 15).

NABF: Frankie Genaro made one defense during the year, defeating Ruby Bradley (UD 15) to keep the belt for another year.

USBA: No defenses by Ruby Bradley, who retains the belt for another year.

CBU: Jackie Brown retained this title for another year, despite making no defenses in 1936.

GBU: Brown also retained this belt, despite making no defenses during the year.

EBU: Istvan Enekes began the year with this title, but was dethroned by Jackie Brown (TKO 12). Brown then defended once, turning aside the challenge from Young Perez (MD 12).

OPBF: Small Montana retains this title, but he made no defenses during the year.

LABF: Not active for this division yet.

FLY Division Profile

Total: 63 RL: 37 TC: 26

RL by Career Stage:
End - 3
Post - 7
Prime - 17
Pre - 8
Beginning - 2 (2 New)

Rated: 29
800+: 7
500+: 16
200+ : 26

Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens):

Champ: Midget Wolgast 41-4-1 (18) (1484) (NC)
1. Istvan Enekes 26-4-1 (10) (935) (NC)
2. Frankie Genaro 46-16-5 (18) (903) (NC) (NABF)
3. Ruby Bradley 32-14-6 (7) (902) (NC) (USBA)
4. Jackie Brown 30-11-3 (11) (886) (+2) (EBU, CBU, GBU)
5. Young Perez 26-8-3 (11) (821) (-1)
6. Benny Lynch 24-5 (15) (820) (+6)
7. Fortunato Ortega 21-4-3 (11) (698) (+4)
8. Fidel LaBarba 38-12-1 (9) (690) (-3)
9. Harry Stein 34-14-4 (20) (647) (+7)
10. Eugene Huat 24-13-7 (10) (630) (-1)

Others: 15. Small Montana 18-6-2 (7) (511) (-1) (OPBF)

Comments: Of those listed, only three (Genaro, LaBarba and Stein) at Post, others at Prime headed into 1937. Wolgast has now made 16 successful defenses of the WBA title he won back in 1931; he has not tasted defeat in almost seven years (his last loss was to fringe contender Johnny Buff in January 1930. Enekes retained the top contender slot despite the loss of his EBU title; he recovered with a big UD win over LaBarba after dropping a SD to Genaro earlier in the year but, under the vagaries of the Perf Point ranking system, he ends up ahead of both Genaro and Brown, the new EBU titleholder. Genaro, despite a KO loss to Lynch, remained the #2 ranked contender by turning back Bradley’s challenge. Bradley, the USBA titleholder, had won four in a row headed into that bout, but he seemed to struggled against top flight competition, such as it is in the Fly division; perhaps his best result was a narrow MD 10 win over Young Perez. Brown, now holder of three belts, had won four in a row before his title loss to Wolgast – a UD 10 over LaBarba was his best effort in a non-title affair. Perez recovered from three straight losses with wins over Ernst Weiss (UD 10) and Lynch (TKO 5). Lynch, for his part, had an excellent 1936 campaign going before the loss to Perez – four straight wins, three of which – versus Genaro, Montana and Huat – inside the distance. Ortega managed two wins and a draw – the draw coming against Huat, his only top ranked opponent. LaBarba continued to show the effects of aging, his only win – a MD over Valentin Angelmann – was overweighed by four other losses dating back to 1935. A resurgent Stein recaptured a top 10 spot, fashioning a four-bout winning streak and holding Weiss to a draw. Huat rounds out the top 10, with a win (MD versus Weiss), a draw (with Ortega) and a loss (to Lynch) on his 1936 resume. Dropping out of the top group were Weiss, last year’s top newcomer, who slid four spots to #12, wrapping up his pre-Prime career with a 17-2-1 (7) mark, with the draw and two losses all coming in 1936. Other top 10 dropouts were Emile Pladner, down seven spots to #14(three straight losses to Perez, Lynch and Stein did the trick) and another Frenchman, Valentin Angelmann, who dropped from #10 to #16 after losing all three of his 1936 outings. OPBF Champ Montana struggled, a TKO victim to Lynch and Wolgast in his only two appearances during the year. The only newcomer to crack the rankings this time around is Japanese Fly Yoichiro Hanada, breaking in at #17 going 3-3 for the year to end up at 16-3 (6), his most recent win being a UD 10 over Joe Curran on Curran’s home turf in the UK.

Prospects: Peter Kane, now 12-0 (9), has kept a clean slate, topped off with wins over Enrico Urbinati (UD 10) and Rinty Monaghan (MD 8) to add to a string of TC wins. Monaghan, whose only loss was to Kane, ended up 13-1 (10), with an impressive recent outing, taking a UD over Mickey McGuire, an established journeyman Flyweight. Urbinati, who checks in at 10-1-1 (5) suffered his first loss (to Kane) after leaving the relative comfort of TC opposition. Jackie Jurich, 7-0 (7), Brit Pat Palmer, 7-0 (5) and Filipino Little Dado, 5-0 (4) remain unbeaten, albeit against TC opponents.

Retirement: Only one retirement fro the division in 1936.

Young Dencio (PHI) 1919-36 36-28-3 (15) OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 9

Looking Ahead: Wolgast continued in an unchallenged position atop the division; despite some talk about moving up to BW, he seems content to rule the roost in the somewhat easier level of competition. Guys like Genaro and LaBarba have begun to fade, Benny Lynch appears to be the most likely to improve his status, at least with respect to winning a lesser title. Jackie Brown may be forced to divest either his GBU or CBU title if he continues to focus on the EBU and WBA belts. Enekes is still eager for a shot at Wolgast, while Perez and Ortega are eyeing the EBU title. Monaghan, Kane, Jurich and Little Dado appear to be the best of the young prospects; two Europeans – Belgian Raoul DeGryse and German Hans Schiffers – are set to join the ranks in 1937.

JCWeb · 01-12-2015, 08:18 AM

First, here are the annual PFP (pound-for-pound ratings) as generated by the computer for year-end 1936 (listed by Perf Pts with changes from 1935 in parens).

1. Tony Canzoneri, WBA LW Champ, 1946 (+1)
2. Jimmy McLarnin, WW, 1635 (+1)
3. Joe Louis, WBA HW Champ, 1507 (new)
4. Midget Wolgast, WBA Fly Champ, 1484 (+2)
5. Maxie Rosenbloom, NABF LH Champ, 1452 (new)
6. Ruby Goldstein, WBA WW Champ, 1431 (new)
7. Barney Ross, WW, 1430 (new)
8. Johnny King, GBU BW Champ, 1418 (-4)
9. Pete Sanstol, WBA BW Champ, 1403 (new)
10. Cleto Locatelli, EBU WW Champ, 1386 (-3)

Dropped out from last year:
Max Schmeling, HW (was #1); Tommy Farr, HW (was #5); Young Corbett III, WW (was #8); Ray Miller, LW (was #9); Joe Knight, LH (was #10)

Comments: Lots of turnover, half the top 10 are different -- note that Rosenbloom, new for 1936, had made the list once before (in 1934). Also worthy of note is how close the pack is -- other than Canzoneri, who is approaching the magic 2000 level reached by only a handful of fighters -- for the #2 through #10 spots. Going back five years ago, only McLarnin (now at Post-Prime, as is Goldstein), was the only one listed back then. Canzoneri and Wolgast, with the two longest reigns as current WBA Champions, are no surprises, but four WWs among the top 10 is a surprise!

1936 Awards:
Fighter of the Year: Joe Louis
Fight of the Year: Louis UD 15 Schmeling (April 1936, see post #1101 for a round-by-round description)
Newcomer of the Year: Joe Louis
Upset of the Year: Goldstein UD 15 Ross (Dec. 1936, WBA WW title)

Comments: Not surprising to see Louis garnering three of the four awards. A strong case could be made for either Canzoneri and Wolgast, based on domination of their respective divisions, but toppling an established Champion like Schmeling was a major feat. Upset of the year was an easy call -- even though Goldstein did not his Post-Prime until after the bout, Ross was much more highly rated and expected to hold the WBA WW title for some time, but it did not work out that way. Look out for Henry Armstrong, if he successfully moves up in weight, to contend for top honors in 1937.

JCWeb · 01-12-2015, 08:27 AM

Finally, here's the list of titleholders by division heading into 1937 -- date of ascension and number of successful defenses in parens.

ROLL OF CHAMPIONS

HW

WBA: Joe Louis (Apr. 1936) (3)
NABF: Elmer Ray (Nov. 1936) (0)
USBA: Art Lasky (Dec. 1936) (0)
CBU: Don McCorkindale (Sep. 1936) (0)
GBU: Jack Peterson (May 1936) (1)
EBU: Tommy Farr (Aug. 1934) (5)
OPBF: Tom Heeney (Jun. 1932) (1)
LABF: Joe Domingo Carattoli (Jul. 1935) (0)

LH

WBA: John Henry Lewis (Feb. 1936) (1)
NABF: Maxie Rosenbloom (Feb. 1936) (2)
USBA: Battling Bozo (Apr. 1936) (2)
CBU: Len Harvey (Aug. 1936) (2)
GBU: Len Harvey (Jun. 1934) (0)
EBU: Len Harvey (Sep. 1933) (4)

MW

WBA: Ken Overlin (Aug. 1936) (1)
NABF: Freddie Steele (Jan. 1932) (14)
USBA: Holman Williams (Dec. 1936) (0)
CBU: Frank Battaglia (Jul. 1936) (0)
GBU: Jock McAvoy (Oct. 1930) (7)
EBU: Jock McAvoy (Aug. 1935) (2)
OPBF: Ambrose Palmer (Jun. 1934) (2)
LABF: Kid Tunero (May 1935) (0)

WW

WBA: Ruby Goldstein (Dec. 1936) (0)
NABF: Vacant
USBA: Eddie Dolan (Sep. 1936) (1)
CBU: Jack Carroll (Nov. 1935) (1)
GBU: Ernie Roderick (May 1935) (0)
EBU: Cleto Locatelli (Jun. 1930) (9)
OPBF: Jack Carroll (Jun. 1935) (3)
LABF: Cocoa Kid (May 1935) (3)

JWW

WBA: Jack Kid Berg (Jan. 1928) (11)
USBA: Johnny Jadick (Mar. 1933) (1)

LW

WBA: Tony Canzoneri (Mar. 1932) (18)
NABF: Jack Portney (Dec. 1936) (0)
USBA: Lew Kirsch (Jun. 1936) (0)
CBU: Billy Townsend (Sep. 1936) (0)
GBU: Harry Mason (Apr. 1929) (6)
EBU: Aldo Spoldi (Nov. 1935) (0)
LABF: Emory Cabana (Feb. 1935) (2)

FW

WBA: Henry Armstrong (Jul. 1936) (1)
NABF: Baby Arizmendi (Aug. 1936) (0)
USBA: Mike Belloise (Jul. 1936) (0)
CBU: Pete DeGrasse (Jul. 1936) (1)
GBU: Jim Kelly (Oct. 1935) (1)
EBU: Maurice Holtzer (May 1936) (1)
OPBF: Merv Blandon (Mar. 1934) (0)
LABF: Kid Chocolate (Dec. 1935) (1)

BW

WBA: Pete Sanstol (Mar. 1936) (2)
NABF: Horace Gwynne (Jul. 1936) (0)
USBA: Archie Bell (Nov. 1936) (0)
CBU: Horace Gwynne (Apr. 1936) (0)
GBU: Johnny King (Nov. 1936) (0)
EBU: Dick Corbett (Dec. 1934) (1)
OPBF: Young Tommy (Feb. 1935) (3)
LABF: Panama Al Brown (Nov. 1936) (0)

FLY

WBA: Midget Wolgast (May 1931) (16)
NABF: Frankie Genaro (Dec. 1934) (2)
USBA: Ruby Bradley (Jul. 1935) (1)
CBU: Jackie Brown (Sep. 1934) (0)
GBU: Jackie Brown (Nov. 1935) (0)
EBU: Jackie Brown (Jan. 1936) (0)
OPBF: Small Montana (Jan. 1935) (1)

Comments: Again, lots of turmoil and turnover in most cases, with about half the belts changing hands at least once during 1936. Ironically, the longest active reigns are for some of the lesser belts: Harry Mason as GBU LW Champ and Steele and McAvoy in the MW division, if you discount the soon-to-be-defunct JWW division which has been inactive for over a year. Continuing change will probably be the order of the day for most divisions in 1937, but look for Louis, Canzoneri and Wolgast to continue as WBA Champions, as it would be a major surprise to see any of that trio lose their respective belts in 1937.

JCWeb · 01-16-2015, 09:41 AM

1937 fistic action is now underway!

This is a summary of ring action from the first half of January 1937, covering a total of 48 bouts.

Jan. 2, 1937: The year kicks off at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. No titles at stake, and the main event matches two top 20 HWs in a non-title contest. Two boxers do battle, as Roscoe Toles faces Lee Ramage. Toles, who was in the top 10 at the start of 1936, is striving to get back there, while Ramage has won his last four. The bout remains close through the first half, and then Ramage pulls ahead slightly after a good round six. Toles picks up the pace in round seven, and at the end of the round, Ramage is called for hitting after the bell. Late in the bout, Ramage is cut over his right eye, but the cut has little effect as the bout goes to decision after ten close rounds. The result – a majority draw (95-95 on two cards, with one judge calling it 96-94 for Toles). Post-fight career marks: 22-2-3 (5) for Toles, 28-5-1 (11) for Ramage.

Jan. 8, 1937: Some good bouts on the agenda in a Friday night card at Toronto. In the co-feature, it is old versus new as hot Canadian LW prospect Dave Castilloux takes on a former WBA Champ, Billy “Fargo Express” Petrolle – Castilloux is still at Pre-Prime whereas Petrolle has hit End career stage but is still a dangerous opponent. Petrolle gets on top early, with a big round two but, when he moves inside in the third round, Castilloux punishes him with some effective counter-punching. The bout remains close until Petrolle begins to tire in round six. Then, in the seventh, Castilloux puts Petrolle on the deck with a solid cross. By the end of round eight, there is a trace of swelling under the right eye of both. Castilloux, cheered on by the Canadian crowd, goes on to take a UD 10 (98-92, 97-93, 99-91), thus enabling him to move up the ratings. Castilloux improves to 17-1 (7) as a result; Petrolle drops to 46-12-4 (24) after the loss. Then, in the main event, the Commonwealth MW title is on the line as two familiar foes, Canadian Frank Battaglia and Aussie Ron Richards, square off for a third time, with Battaglia defending on home turf after the two split a couple of disappointing bouts (one ended via a cut, the other by a DQ) Down Under. This bout is also destined to end early, as Richards rips open a cut over Battaglia’s right eye that leads to an immediate stoppage. TKO 1 for Richards, who captures the CBU belt. Post-bout career marks: Richards, 30-7-2 (23); Battaglia, 26-7-1 (13).

Jan. 9, 1937: Next fistic action is back in Europe, at the Sports Palace in Rome. Some big time names headline the card, such that #2 ranked MW Vince Dundee is relegated to the undercard for his battle with a top European MW, Frenchman Marcel Thil. The fact that both are at Post-Prime in 1937 does not diminish the interest in this bout. Trouble for Thil comes early as he suffers a cut over his right eye in the second round. The cut is reopened twice, in rounds four and again in round seven. Dundee has been able to amass a solid points lead when, after the cut is reopened a third time, the bout is halted. TKO 9 for Dundee on the cuts stoppage. Post-bout career marks for these veteran ring warriors are 40-11-4 (16) for Dundee and 39-23-6 (13) for Thil. Two Italian HWs square off in the co-feature, as Primo Carnera faces Sal Ruggirello. Ruggirello shows he is not afraid of mixing it up with the much bigger Carnera, who moves inside to be more effective. Ruggirello is cut over his left eye in round seven, but the cut does not prove to be an issue as he lasts the distance and holds the “Ambling Alp” to a draw: 95-95 on two cards, while one judge had it 96-94 for Ruggirello – a bit of a surprise as Carnera was the heavy favorite. After the bout, Carnera is 24-8-2 (18) while Ruggirello is 27-13-3 (22). Finally, it is time for the main event, and JWW Champ Jack Kid Berg has made the decision to drop down to LW, and he is challenging Italian fan favorite Aldo Spoldi for Spoldi’s EBU LW title. It is Spoldi’s first defense of this belt in over a year, and in the opening round he stuns Berg with a hard cross. Berg battles back with a strong showing in rounds three and four, and in the fifth he decks Spoldi with a wild overhand right that finds the target. Berg then gradually pulls ahead with a consistent performance level through the middle rounds, forcing Spoldi to go on the attack, out of his comfort zone, in the later rounds. In the end, Berg prevails, taking a fairly comfortable UD 12 (116-111, 117-110, 117-110) to lift the belt. With the win, Berg runs his career record to 33-12-4 (14), while Spoldi is still an excellent 26-4-3 (12) despite the loss.

Jan. 9, 1937: Next up is a card in Miami, Florida and, for the first time since its formation, the LABF organization has agreed to stage a title bout on U. S. soil. In fact, the challenger – while possessing a Hispanic surname, is a US boxer, Chino Alvarez, and he faces #1 LW contender Emory Cabana for the Cuban’s LABF LW title belt. No worries, suggests Cabana, as he is the heavy favorite to retain the belt against the lightly regarded Alvarez. However, it turns out that Alvarez – who is unbeaten with two wins and two draws in his last four – proves to be the more aggressive of the two, taking the fight to the more experienced Cabana. In round seven, Alvarez lands a big shot that puts Cabana on the canvas. Cabana pays for his over-confidence, as Alvarez goes on to take a UD 12 (116-111, 115-112, 114-113) to capture the belt in an upset. Post-fight career marks: Alvarez, 27-5-3 (17); Cabana, 40-17-4 (12).

Jan. 15, 1937: Next up is a solid card at the Rizal Arena in Manila, with a pair of co-main events matching some of the top performers in the lower weight divisions. First, in the co-feature, USBA BW Champion Archie Bell takes on the current OPBF BW Champ, Young Tommy. Bell, despite having reached Post-Prime career stage, has won his last three. Tommy looks sharp early, moving inside to put the more experienced but older Bell on the defensive. Bell does well to keep the bout close until round six, when his Filipino opponent connects with a huge shot that puts Bell down. Archie arises at the count of four and manages to last the round. Both men develop traces of swelling under their respective left eyes as the bout progresses into its later stages. The final scores show a close but UD 10 win for Young Tommy (96-93, 96-94, 96-93) as the one knockdown proved decisive. Post-fight, Tommy improves to 28-5-1 (13) while Bell sinks to 38-13-7 (11). After the bout, Bell will be at End career stage. Then, in the second co-feature, long-time WBA Flyweight Champion Midget Wolgast moves up to dabble in the BW ranks, taking on a former Champ, Speedy Dado, in a non-title affair. After a close pair of opening rounds, Dado becomes more aggressive, moving inside in round three, but he is punished as Wolgast is on target with several strong counter-shots. Dado, with the help of some favorable hometown judging, manages to keep the bout reasonably close through the middle rounds. In the later rounds, the Filipino crowd favorite tries to ramp up the pace, but Wolgast’s defense remains solid. Thus, Wolgast manages to take a MD 10 (96-94, 95-95, 96-94) although the move up in weight may have raised more questions than answers. Post-fight marks: Wolgast, 42-4-1 (18); Dado, 29-14-2 (13). With an unconvincing performance but a win nonetheless, Wolgast’s connections are unwilling to commit to continuing a full-scale effort with a possible BW title challenge as opposed to a return to the easier level of competition in the Flyweight ranks.

Jan. 16, 1937: Next card is at the Stadium in Liverpool. Only one bout of note on an abbreviated card, but it is for a Commonwealth LW title as Canadian Billy Townsend defends against South Africa’s Laurie Stevens. Stevens, who has just reached the Prime stage of his career, has won seven in a row to set up this title challenge while Townsend, who is moving the opposite direction, hitting Post-Prime in 1937 (his real-life retirement year) after winning the CBU belt last year. Stevens takes control in the opening round, landing several punishing shots to the extent that Townsend’s left eye is beginning to puff up. The bruising nature of the bout continues in round two, as it is Stevens who begins to exhibit traces of swelling under his right eye. Not much more in the way of action until round five, when both men open up, whaling away at each other on the inside. Townsend wings a big hook, then Stevens steps back to unleash a hook to the body. Townsend winces, then Stevens goes upstairs with a hook to the head. By this time, Stevens is in full control, following with a hook to the ribs, and two-punch combo, then finally Townsend walks into a cross that puts him down for a nine-count. The ref then waves off the rest of the bout, and Stevens is declared the winner and new CBU LW Champion via a TKO 5. Post-fight, Stevens improves his record to an excellent 19-2 (14). Townsend slips to 27-15-1 (16). It is the fifth time in the last five title bouts that this particular belt has changed hands – Townsend, who has been involved in four of those five bouts, has emerged the victor twice, and also as the vanquished, twice.

Antonin · 01-18-2015, 09:19 PM

This is such a well-thought-out universe. I've often thought about starting a historical uni, but have always felt very uncertain about how to begin. I like your idea of using Trial Horse fighters alongside the real ones. Are all your TH fighters rated "0" at prime?

JCWeb · 01-19-2015, 05:09 PM

Antonin, thanks. I just used a bunch of TH opponents that came either with the game or were added right after. Can't remember which. I just recycle and rename them as needed. Believe they are all rated either "1" or "0."

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of January 1937, covering a total of 57 bouts. Two WBA title bouts are covered in this report.

Jan. 16, 1937: Back to the States for a solid card in Detroit. The main event is for the NABF WW title vacated by Ruby Goldstein after he won the WBA title. Two familiar foes are matched for the vacant belt: reigning USBA Champion Eddie Dolan, and up-and-comer Fritzie Zivic. In three prior meetings, Dolan has the edge, winning two and drawing once. Dolan enters the contest having won his last four, while Zivic is coming off a huge win over German Gustav Eder. Zivic is the aggressor, preferring to work on the inside while Dolan is more comfortable staying on the outside. Dolan pulls ahead with a huge round four, but Zivic manages to land enough shots to keep the bout close. No cuts, swelling or knockdowns as the bout goes the distance, and the result is a majority draw (114-114 on two cards, with one judge favoring Dolan by a 116-112 count). Both men still have excellent career marks post-fight: 23-3-2 (9) for Dolan, 20-3-2 (13) for Zivic. Will there be a fifth meeting of these two for the vacant belt later in 1937? Who knows, but for now the belt will remain vacant a little while longer.

Jan. 22, 1937: Sicks Stadium in Seattle is the scene for the next fistic action. After holding the NABF MW title for half a decade, Freddie Steele finally gets his opportunity to challenge for the WBA MW title – against someone other than Mickey Walker. His opponent, recently crowned WBA MW Champ Ken Overlin, is making his second title defense. It is the third meeting of these two, and for Steele, there is reason for optimism as “the Tacoma Assassin” won one and drew the other. This time, Overlin gets off to a strong start, with some accurate punching resulting in a solid points edge in round one. Then, in round two, misfortune strikes Steele, as Overlin rips open a nasty gash over Steele’s right eye. The cut is patched up in between rounds, and Steele holds his own in round three, before moving inside in an effort to become more aggressive in the fourth round. However, the cut is soon reopened and deemed too dangerous to allow the bout to continue. TKO 4 for Overlin on the cuts stoppage. Post-fight, Overlin improves to 29-1-4 (12); Steele drops to 37-6-1 (23). Freddie is now 0-4 in WBA MW title matchups despite holding the NABF title and holding a high Perf Point total for a long time. Steele's situation is reminiscent of a prior fighter -- Packey McFarland, who held the NABF WW title for a long time but always fell just short when trying to move up and claim the WBA title.

Jan. 23, 1937: Back in Europe for another good, solid card at the Amor Bahn in Munich. The main event is a rematch, with Cleto Locatelli facing Bep Van Klaveren for Locatelli’s EBU WW title belt – the two had battled to a draw in a prior meeting for the same belt in 1936. The two boxers settle in for a long, tough struggle; the bout remains close through the early rounds. In the middle rounds, the Dutch challenger appears to be gradually pulling ahead. Locatelli, forced to be more aggressive in the later rounds in an effort to retain the belt, responds positively. The bout goes the distance, and Locatelli escapes with a majority draw (114-112 Van Klaveren, 113-113, 113-113) so it goes down as another successful defense for the Swiss. Post-fight career records: Locatelli, 33-10-3 (11); Van Klaveren, 23-9-5 (9). Despite the solid result against a tough opponent, Van Klaveren is now winless in his last five (one loss, four draws) dating back to February 1936.

Jan. 29, 1937: Next up is a Friday night card at Mexico City. Although held under the auspices of the LABF, the main event if for the NABF FW title as ex-WBA Champ Baby Arizmendi defends that belt against Petey Hayes. For Hayes, it is his first title shot, set up by two recent wins and five wins in his last six outings. Nonetheless, the American appears to be outclassed by the Mexican, who is a huge favorite of both the crowd and the experts. Arizmendi pulls ahead in the early going but Hayes rebounds with a big round five. Arizmendi comes back to dominate the action in rounds six and seven, then goes on to take a UD 12 (117-111 on all three cards) in a bout with no knockdowns, cuts or swelling. Post-fight career marks: Arizmendi, 30-7-2 (10); Hayes, 24-4-5 (7).

Jan. 30, 1937: The Earls Court in London is the venue for the next card. The Commonwealth HW title is on the line in the feature, but first up is a main support matching two top 10 LHs: Belgian Gustave Roth and Jimmy Adamick in a 10-round, non-title affair. It’s a prototypical boxer versus slugger confrontation – Roth being the boxer, Adamick, the slugger. During a sharp exchange on the inside in round five, Adamick is cut over his left eye. Despite the fact that the cut is still oozing blood a few rounds later, Adamick fights his way off the ropes and unleashes a barrage of blows that put Roth down and out. KO 7 for Adamick, who moves to 22-2-1 (21) with the win, while Roth dips to 34-10-2 (12). Then, in the feature, GBU HW Champ Tommy Farr seeks to regain the Commonwealth HW title, as he faces Don McCorkindale, the South African who holds the belt. Farr is on target early, outboxing McCorkindale. For most of the early rounds, Farr seems content to stay on the outside, while McCorkindale is the aggressor. In round five, Farr suffers a cut over his left eye. The cut is quickly patched up, and McCorkindale begins to tire as early as the seventh round. In round nine, a second cut appears under Farr’s injured left eye. Late in the bout, in round 11, there is a cut over the right eye of McCorkindale. Farr is able to coast the rest of the way, confident of victory. He does manage to lift the belt with a UD 12 that was a bit closer than he would have liked (115-114, 117-113, 116-113) as McCorkindale did not go away in the later rounds. Post-fight, Farr – who still has added the CBU HW belt to his EBU title – is 39-10-1 (14) and looking for a WBA title shot. McCorkindale is 30-9-1 (17) after the loss.

Jan. 30, 1937: The month wraps with an impressive card at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The main event is a battle for the WBA LH title, featuring the defending Champ and the #1 contender. But, first up, is a highly attractive non-title encounter including two top 10 HWs: Larry Gains and Jersey Joe Walcott. Gains, who holds a prior UD win over Walcott from 1935, enters the bout supremely confident; by round three, he has Walcott in difficulty, as Jersey Joe is forced to battle with a swollen and cut right eye. Then, near the end of the fifth round, a Gains hook puts Walcott down briefly. Walcott rebounds quickly, dominating in round six. After another big round for Walcott in the seventh, Gains exhibits a touch of swelling around his right eye as well. Gains, seeing his early advantage slipping away, steps up the pace heading into the final rounds of the bout. In round nine, the cut over Walcott’s bruised eye is reopened, and this time the ref – over strong protest from Walcott’s corner – calls a halt. TKO 9 for Gains; as a result, the Canadian HW’s record improves to 42-11 (23); Jersey Joe is now 29-4 (20). Then, the main event is for the WBA LH Championship as John Henry Lewis defends that belt against the #1 contender and reigning NABF LH Champ, ex-WBA Champ Maxie Rosenbloom. It is Lewis’ second defense and the first meeting of the two; Rosenbloom has won his last four and appears ready to offer a strong challenge for the title. Rosenbloom starts well, gaining a slight edge in the opening stanza and then winning most of the exchanges as the two trade blows from the outside in round two. Lewis takes the fight inside in round three, but Rosenbloom continues with his accurate punching; more of the same in rounds four and five. Lewis tries to get more aggressive, but Rosenbloom is content to remain on the outside, continuing to pile up points. Finally, in round seven, Lewis suffers a cut over his right eye, and the cut proves decisive when it leads to an immediate stoppage a round later. Unlike the situation with Walcott, there is little protest from Lewis’ corner as Lewis was clearly losing the fight on points. TKO 8 enables Rosenbloom to win the WBA LH title for the second time, lifting his career totals to 41-11-6 (18). For Lewis, it is just his third career defeat, leaving him at 21-3-2 (17).

JCWeb · 01-24-2015, 09:15 AM

This is a summary of ring action from the first half of February 1937, covering a total of 52 bouts.

Feb. 5, 1937: The month starts with a card at Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium. No title bouts are on the agenda, but some good non-title bouts. In the co-feature, Tony Zale, the “Man of Steel,” looks to move up the MW rankings by taking on top 20 contender Solly Krieger. Krieger proves to be a tough opponent, and in the opening round he decks Zale for an eight count with a hard cross. Zale recovers and takes the second round. Then, in round three, Zale is cut in a bad spot, just over the right eye. The cut proves problematic and leads to a stoppage a round later. TKO 4 for Krieger, who improves to 27-9-1 (12) on the cuts stoppage. For Zale, it is his second career loss, leaving him at 16-2 (13). Then, in the second co-feature, former WBA LH Champ Joe “Cairo Calamity” Knight faces an up-and-coming Gus Lesnevich, with Lesnevich looking to move into the upper echelon of LH contenders. Lesnevich is the more aggressive of the two, and midway through the bout, Knight shows the effects, with a trace of swelling visible around his right eye. Knight rallies, and the bruising bout also takes its toll on Lesnevich, who also exhibits signs of swelling under his left eye by the end of round eight. Lesnevich continues pressing through the end, and the result – a majority draw (one judge had it 97-93 for Lesnevich, while the other cards came in at 95-95) – seemed justified. Relative position in the LH rankings remain unchanged, with Knight ending the bout at 28-7-3 (15), while Lesnevich is an impressive 19-1-1 (13).

Feb. 6, 1937: Double-barrel title bout action tops the next card, back in the UK at Liverpool. In the first co-feature, the GBU LW title is on the line, with Harry Mason (who has held the belt since 1929) facing Harry Mizler, whom Mason defeated for the belt in his last defenses, back in 1929. Mason, now at Post-Prime, has lost three bouts since that last defense, while Mizler has moved from Pre-Prime to Prime career stage. Mason is content to stay on the outside, not venturing forward, whereas Mizler is the more active of the two, gradually building a punches landed edge that eventually translates into a UD 12 win (118-112, 118-111, 116-113). Mizler, now 17-4-3 (5), lifts the belt, while Mason slips to 37-26-4 (5) overall. The second of the two titles to be contested is the EBU Flyweight crown, with Brit Jackie Brown making his second defense of that belt, taking on the challenge from Frenchman Eugene Huat. Brown, who won their only prior encounter back in 1927 when both were at Pre-Prime, gets off to a good start. Huat is unable to break down Brown’s defenses, although he does manage to land enough to cause some slight swelling under Brown’s right eye. The bout goes to decision, and Brown retains the EBU title via a UD 12 (115-113, 114-112, 115-112). Post-fight marks: Brown, 31-11-3 (11); Huat, 24-14-7 (10).

Feb. 6, 1937: Next card is at the Forum in Montreal, Canada. Up for grabs is the NABF LH title recently vacated by Maxie Rosenbloom who stepped up to win the WBA LH belt. Competing for the vacant belt are current USBA Champion Battling Bozo (now at Post-Prime) and, in his first title matchup, Bob Olin. Bozo is on target early, and finally in round four Olin moves forward and begins to assert himself on the inside. Olin continues to win the inside exchanges in the fifth round, and at the end of the round he hurts Bozo with a winging right hook; as he returns to his corner, there is swelling apparent under the left eye of Bozo. With the scores at 57-57 on the unofficial card at the midway point, Olin continues to maintain an aggressive posture. Then, in round seven, Bozo bloodies Olin’s nose. The cut continues to ooze blood into round nine before it is staunched by Olin’s corner in between rounds. Bozo gets more aggressive in the later rounds, and in the final round, both men are trying for the knockout. A big finish from Bob Olin is just enough for him to secure the win via a MD 12 (115-113, 114-114, 116-112) to claim the NABF LH title. Post-fight career records: Olin, 28-9-3 (10); Bozo, 32-9-3 (12).

Feb. 12, 1937: Back in Europe for a Friday night card at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden. No titles at stake, but the main event features two former WBA BW Champions, both of whom are positioning themselves for another title try later in the year. Johnny King, current GBU titleholder, faces Panama Al Brown, the reigning LABF BW Champ. King won both their prior meetings, one via a DQ and then a WBA title bout back in 1932 when he took the belt from Brown via a UD 15. Panama Al starts well, and he seems determined to avenge the two prior losses to King. By the end of round four, King is looking a bit deflated and also shows some traces of swelling under his right eye from Brown’s successful sparring. In round five, King mounts a brief rally, taking the fight to Brown. Panama Al is back in charge in the sixth, and in the later rounds King is forced to assume a more aggressive posture. All to no avail as Brown goes on to record a UD 10 win (97-92, 97-92, 96-93) to record his 50^th career win and move to 50-10-1 (19) overall. King, stuck on 40 career wins, is now 40-5-1 (15).

Feb. 13, 1937: Back to the States for an interesting card at New Orleans’ Coliseum Arena. Not wanting to wait for a rematch between the two guys who fought to a draw in January, the NABF decided to hold another bout for the NABF WW title vacated by Ruby Goldstein. This time, the contenders are a former titleholder, Baby Joe Gans, and King Tut, both of whom are ranked inside the top 10. Gans, who holds a prior TKO win over Tut, is coming off a win over the recently retired Benny Leonard. Likewise, Tut had an impressive win over Filipino veteran Irineo Flores in Manila in his last outing. ck, who moves to 22-2-1 (21) with the win, while Roth dips to 34-10-2 (12). After an even first round, Tut becomes the aggressor and it pays dividends, as Gans is put on the defensive. In round six, Gans is cut over his right eye. Trailing, Gans tries to become more active in the later rounds, but by this time, Tut is well ahead on points. In round 10, Tut drops Gans with a hook to the head. Gans is able to resume, but the next round the cut over his eye is reopened, and after that he is unable to mount a rally. King Tut takes a fairly comfortable UD 12 win (117-112, 117-112, 118-111) to emerge as the new NABF WW Champion. Post-fight, he improves to 29-12-4 (19) while Gans, now at Post-Prime, is 37-20-2 (14).

Feb. 13, 1937: More fistic action in the States with a card on the West Coast at Los Angeles’ Olympic Auditiorium. No titles at stake, and the feature is between two Flyweights as veteran Frankie Genaro laces up the gloves to face Small Montana, the current OPBF Fly Champ. The two battled to a draw back in 1935 and Montana, with a pair of recent losses and no wins since June 1935, is looking to improve on his early showing, given that Genaro is now at Post-Prime. Even so, the veteran Genaro remains a top Fly contender, having won three of his last four. This time around, both men exhibit solid boxing skills through the opening rounds. Montana is able to land sufficient blows to cause some swelling under Genaro’s left eye. The bout remains close, as the unofficial scorer has it 48-all at the midway point. By the end of round six, Montana is showing traces of swelling under his right eye. Genaro seems to be leading when he gets careless in round eight and goes down from a barrage of blows from Montana. The ex-Champ arises at the count of nine and is barely able to continue. Montana’s killer instinct kicks in but, try as he can, he is unable to finish Genaro. Genaro, despite being called for a low blow, survives the round and lasts the rest of the bout. The judges call it a majority draw (95-95 on two cards, one judge had it 97-94 for Montana). Perhaps with the benefit of some hometown judging, Genaro emerges from the bout at 46-16-6 (18) and still a leading Fly contender. Montana, now 18-6-3 (7) is already campaigning for a rematch, this time in his native Philippines.

JCWeb · 01-28-2015, 11:36 AM

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of February 1937, covering a total of 49 bouts.

Feb. 19, 1937: Friday night card “Down Under” in Sydney, Australia is headlined by twin OPNF title bout action. The first of the co-features matches Ambrose Palmer with another Aussie, Fred Henneberry, for Palmer’s OPBF MW title. It is the first meeting of the two, Palmer’s first title defense in over a year, and Henneberry’s second try for this title, having been a KO victim of Ron Richards back in 1932. Palmer adopts an aggressive posture, moving inside in round three and connecting with some good shots near the end of the round. More punches land for the defending Champ in round five, when Palmer drops Henneberry with a nice uppercut. Henneberry takes a five count but is able to continue. Palmer is well ahead by the midway point, and for the second half of the bout, Henneberry is troubled by a swollen right eye. Near the end of the tenth, Palmer stuns Hennebery with another big uppercut, and the bout goes the distance without further incident. UD 12 for Palmer by a wide margin (118-109, 117-110, 116-111) to retain the title and run his career record to 28-10 (17). Henneberry is now 23-8-1 (10). Then, in the second co-feature, Jack Carroll defends his OPBF WW title against a former Champion and long-time foe, Irineo Flores. Flores has prevailed in two of three prior meetings dating all the way back to 1927, but Carroll has done well recently, winning his last nine. However, things go badly for Carroll in the early going, as he sustains a cut over his right eye in the opening round; the cut is reopened in round three. Flores continues to target the cut, but some good cornerwork enables to Carroll to maintain his composure and gradually build a points lead without the cut being a factor. Even though the cut is reopened a second time later in the bout (in round ten), Carroll goes on to take a close but UD 12 (116-114, 116-112, 116-113) to run his career record to 37-15-5 (13), making it his tenth victory in a row and his fourth successful title defense. Flores, who is nearing the end of his career, is now 44-21-2 (21).

Feb. 20, 1937: Back to Europe for a smaller card in Rome. With no title bouts on the agenda, the headliner features Italian HW Primo Carnera, who faces veteran Portugese HW Jose Santo in a 10-rounder. Carnera looks sharp in the early going, and he moves inside in round three in an effort to inflict further damage on the aging Portugese fighter. Santo, who is now at Post-Prime, falls behind on points and tries to become more aggressive. However, his efforts are thwarted by Carnera, who delivers a big hook that puts his opponent down and out early in the sixth round. KO 6 for Carnera, who improves to 25-8-2 (19) with the win, rekindling hopes of a EBU or perhaps even a WBA title bout in his future. For Santo, it is his third straight KO loss, leaving his career slate at 31-17 (22).

Feb. 20, 1937: Next card is back in the States at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. On the undercard, hot MW prospect Charley Burley remained perfect, scoring a first round TKO to make it six wins inside the distance in six career outings. Then, two LH prospects do battle as unbeaten Billy Conn faces 10-1 Dave Clark. An early cut decides this one, and Conn claims a TKO 5 win on the cuts stoppage to improve to 11-0-2 (10). Then, in the main event, two aging LW veterans do battle as long-time contender Ray Miller faces former JLW Champ Tod Morgan – both are at Post-Prime entering this bout. The slight edge goes to Morgan in the early going. The bout remains close at the halfway points, and Morgan decides to become more aggressive in the later rounds. The end result is a split decision draw – one judge had it 96-95 for Miller, a second had Morgan the winner by two (96-94), while a third had it even (95-all). Post-fight career records: Miller, 41-14-1 (18); Morgan, 46-15-4 (12).

Feb. 26, 1937: Next is a Friday night card at Havana, Cuba’s Gran Stadium. No titles, and the key bout is the main event featuring NABF HW Champ Elmer “Kid Violet” Ray who, unable to arrange a title bout, settles for a relatively easy matchup with an unranked European, little known Karel Sys from Belgium. Ray receives a wake-up call when he is stunned by a strong cross from Sys in the opening stanza. Ray covers up to last the round, then bides his time until an opening is presented in round five, then he unloads a barrage of blows until Sys is literally out on his feet. At this point the ref steps in to save the Belgian from further punishment. TKO 5 win for Ray, running his record to 35-7 (22). Sys drops to 20-6 (13) with the loss.

Feb. 27, 1937: Back to the UK for a big card at London’s Harringay Arena. No titles at stake, but two big name HWs top the bill in separate bouts in the co-feature matchups. First up, former LH Champ Tommy Loughran takes on Belgian HW Pierre Charles, a long-time fringe contender currently ranked in the top 20 and looking to move up. Loughran, the consummate boxer, is in good form, landing repeatedly in the early rounds. As a result, Charles is forced to carry his hands low and becomes an even more inviting target for Loughran’s two-fisted attack. Charles does have one good moment in the bout, when he rocks Loughran with an uppercut in round seven, forcing the veteran to cover up. Loughran survives the round and then goes on to take a very comfortable UD 10 win (99-91, 99-91, 98-92) to run his career mark to 58-9-4 (19) overall; Charles slips to 41-19-2 (28) with the loss. Then, in the second co-feature, still on the comeback trail and looking for his first win in over a year is Max Schmeling. His opponent is a dangerous young British HW, Tommy Martin, who has just hit Prime career stage after an impressive 19-1 career start. It’s a big test for Schmeling, who seems nervous at the start but channels the nerves into aggression in the very opening round, sending a hook to the midsection that staggers Martin. Then, in round three, Schmeling gets careless, walking into a cross; he goes down for a six-count but recovers quickly to bounce back with a big round four. Then, Schmeling launches an assault in the fifth round, landing a hard shot to the top of Martin’s head that forces the British fighter to cover up. Max’s killer instinct kicks in, and he drops Martin with a wild overhand right. A groggy Martin – who now has trouble seeing out of a swollen left eye -- arises at the count of two, only to be drilled by some more shots before the ref calls a halt. TKO 5 for Schmeling, who impressed by getting off the canvas to register a solid win. Post-fight, Schmeling improves to 42-4-1 (31) while Martin, who still has a bright future, checks in at 19-2 (12).

Feb. 27, 1937: The month wraps up with a very interesting card in Philadelphia, with a USBA title at stake in the main event. An even more enticing matchup in the co-feature has two veteran MWs facing off, both former Champions, as Vince Dundee meets Mickey Walker. This is billed as a rubber match, as each prevailed once in two previous meetings, both for the WBA MW title. This time, though, no titles are on the line, and the more aggressive Walker seizes the initiative while Dundee assumes a more defensive posture. The bout is close through the first half, and then in round eight, a Walker combination sends Dundee to the canvas. Vince arises at the count of nine and is able to continue. Both men are tired and slow in the final two rounds. Still, a great round of applause for two veterans near the end of their respective careers, and this time the nod goes to Walker via a MD 10 (96-94, 95-95, 97-93) as the one KD made the difference. Post-fight career marks are 58-9-1 (43) for Walker, 40-12-4 (16) for Dundee. Then, Mike “the Bronx Spider” Belloise puts his USBA FW title on the line against challenger Petey Sarron, a former NABF and USBA FW titleholder. It proves to be a tough night for Belloise as Sarron is on target early, causing some early swelling to develop around the right eye of Belloise. Sarron is able to build a huge points lead and retreats to a defensive posture to coast to a UD 12 win (117-111, 115-113, 116-112) to lift the belt. The win lifts Sarron to 31-13-6 (8); Belloise is now 18-4-3 (7).

12-26-2014, 02:41 PM	#1121
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	Dec. 1936 - Part 1 of 2 This is a summary of ring action from the first half of December 1936 – a total of 46 bouts are covered in this report, including one WBA title contest. Dec. 4, 1936: The final month of the year commences with a Friday night card at Havana’s Gran Stadium. Several Cuban fighters are on the bill, including the main event, which matches LABF MW Champ Kid Tunero with veteran fringe MW contender Gorilla Jones. The two have not met before; Tunero is coming off an unsuccessful challenge to long-time NABF MW Champ Freddie Steele, while Jones (who once briefly held the USBA MW title back in 1930) has won his last two. It’s a prototypical boxer versus slugger confrontation, featuring Tunero as the boxer versus Jones, the slugger. To the delight of the Cuban crowd, Tunero’s slick boxing skills put him in the driver’s seat, forcing Jones to become more aggressive as he attempts to rally from behind. By the end of round eight, there is noticeable swelling around the left eye of Jones, whose rally falls short. Tunero takes a fairly comfortable UD 10 (98-92, 97-93, 97-93) to run his career record to 27-6-4 (8) while Jones ends the bout at 37-17-1 (20). Dec. 5, 1936: More fistic action back in the UK at the Stadium in Liverpool. Main event matches GBU Flyweight hopeful Benny Lynch with another strong European flyweight contender, Tunisian Young Perez. No titles on the line in this 10-rounder. Lynch struggles with his timing and Perez’s unorthodox style. Big trouble for Benny in round three, when Perez opens up a nasty gash over Lynch’s right eye. The cut proves to be a juicy target for Perez, as it is reopened a couple of rounds later. Then, after one consult with the ring doctor, it is reopened a second time and, despite pleading from Lynch’s corner, the bout goes down as a TKO 5 for Young Perez on the cuts stoppage. With the win, Perez is now 26-8-3 (11) and looking ahead to 1937 and another shot at either a WBA or EBU title, having been an unsuccessful challenger for both in 1936. For Lynch, the result is disappointing, ending a four-bout winning streak, leaving him at 24-5 (15) heading into 1937. Dec. 5, 1936: Next card is at Chicago’s Comiskey Park, and the only bout of note on a relatively thin bill is for the NABF LW title, and it is a rematch as Tod Morgan (now at Post-Prime) defends against Jack Portney. The two battled to a draw back in 1935 when Portney held the belt; since then, Portney was dethroned by Canada’s Billy Townsend who in turn was beaten by Morgan. Morgan is coming off a loss to WBA Champ Tony Canzoneri, while Portney has remained unbeaten (two wins and a draw) since losing the NBF title. In this title encounter, Portney starts well, but Morgan battles back, boxing well to take rounds two through four. Portney steps up the pace in the second half of the bout, gradually wearing Morgan down despite the latter’s advantage in stamina. Portney has a big round 10 to even up the count heading into the final two rounds. The bout goes the distance without any cuts or knockdowns, and Portney’s late surge is sufficient for him to regain the belt, via a UD 12 (116-112, 115-113, 116-112) to run his career totals to 32-8-4 (16). Morgan ends the bout at 46-15-3 (12). It marks the third time this particular belt has changed hands in the last three title tilts. Dec. 11, 1936: Action moves “Down Under” with some more Friday night fisticuffs at Sydney Stadium in Australia. No titles are on the line, but there are two compelling bouts involving former Champions and top 10 contenders that serve as co-main events. In the first of these, ex-WBA BW Champ Pablo Dano faces former NABF and USBA BW Champ K. O. Morgan. The bout remains close through the early rounds, with Morgan landing the heavier blows while Dano exhibits better all-around boxing skills. The patient Dano battles from behind, taking the last two rounds, to prevail by a narrow UD 10 (96-94, 96-95, 96-95). Post-fight career marks are 31-7-5 (15) for Dano, and 24-7-5 (15) for K. O. Morgan. In the second co-feature, two former WBA WW Champions lock horns as Jimmy “Baby Face” McLarnin takes on Joe Dundee. Despite both men being at Post-Prime, they still have plenty to offer the fans “Down Under,” as Dundee has won his last four while McLarnin is coming off a tough title loss to Barney Ross for the WBA WW crown. The two met once before, battling to a draw back in 1933. This time around, the early edge goes to McLarnin, who is the more aggressive of the two. In round three, he lands a huge shot, putting Dundee on the deck. Dundee begins to suffer from a swollen left eye as well. Round five, Dundee unleashes a hook to the head that forces McLarnin to cover up to last the round. The Canadian ex-Champ regroups, then puts Dundee down a second time in the ninth round to seal a fairly comfortable UD 10 (97-91, 98-90, 97-92 on the judges’ cards) to run his career record to an excellent 47-6-1 (23). Dundee drops to 45-18-9 (13) with the loss. Dec. 12, 1936: Next up is a solid card at the Boston Garden. Headliner is a USBA MW title contest, and it is a rematch of a controversial result from earlier in the year, as Johnny “Bandit” Romero once again faces Holman Williams, the former titleholder who lost the belt via a foul and DQ to Romero, who has since defended once before granting the rematch. The action is slow to develop, with Williams working mainly on the outside while Romero tries to mix and outside and inside attack. Trouble for Romero comes in round five, when a nasty cut is opened by Williams over the Champ’s left eye. The cut is reopened in round eight, and things get even worse for Romero in round nine when his other eye begins to swell. Despite the cut being reopened again in round 11, the bout is allowed to continue, going the distance, and this time Williams regains the belt via a lopsided UD 12 (118-110, 118-111, 116-112). With the win, Williams improves to an excellent 23-2 (15) overall, and he sets his sights on a higher title, either the WBA or NABF belt. Romero, now 33-10 (20), still remains a viable contender in the MW division. Dec. 12, 1936: Next card is at Vancouver’s Exhibition Gardens, and a WBA title is on the line. First, in the main support, two top LHs do battle as Tiger Jack Fox faces Canada’s Charley Belanger. Fox, who has previously held the WBA, NABF and USBA titles, starts well against the former CBU LH Champ, putting Belanger on the deck in the opening round. A second KD follows in round four, and Fox appears well on his way to another inside the distance when after three more KDs in rounds seven and eight. However, late in round eight, Fox gets careless and is called for a flagrant foul. DQ 8 win for Belanger, despite howls of protest from Fox’s corner. Post-fight records: 36-17 (17) for Belanger and 37-4 for Fox, who started off by reeling off 33 straight wins but has run into some tough times recently; rumors are that the two will engage in a rematch, this time on Fox’s home turf, in early 1937. Then, in the main event, the WBA BW title is on the line as Pete Sanstol makes his second defense, facing the reigning CBU and NABF BW Champion, Horace Gwynne. First meeting of the two, and each man enters the bout with some degree of confidence as each has won three straight coming into this title encounter. Early edge goes to Sanstol, but Gwynne gets gradually more aggressive, moving inside after taking round two. The bout remains close into the middle rounds, as both men settle in to battle on the outside. Sanstol pulls ahead but Gwynne battles back in rounds nine and ten, and at this point the unofficial scorecard has the Canadian challenger ahead by one, despite a large punches landed edge for the Champ, Sanstol. In the later rounds, strong defense from Sanstol leads to even greater frustration for Gwynne and his supporters, who had high hopes of seeing a Canadian champion crowned. Instead, the bout goes the distance, with both men unmarked and, after 15 grueling rounds, Sanstol secures the victory – by a fairly comfortable UD 15 (145-140, 147-140, 147-139), suggesting the unofficial card was way off the mark. Post-fight career marks: Sanstol, 33-8-2 (9); Gwynne, 21-2 (13). Pleased to announce that, on Dec. 26th, Boxing Day in the UK, I am well on the way to achieving my goal of wrapping up the remaining bouts from Dec. 1936 by the end of the real-life year, Dec. 31, 2014. Last edited by JCWeb; 12-31-2014 at 10:31 AM.

12-31-2014, 10:34 AM	#1122
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	Dec. 1936 - Part 2 of 2 This is a summary of ring action from the second half of December 1936, wrapping up another year in this historical universe. A total of 54 bouts are covered in this report, including two WBA title contests. Be prepared, there's a couple of major upsets in the feature bouts in this, the final ring action report from 1936. Dec. 18, 1936: Next is a Friday night card at Los Angeles’ Olympic Auditorium. The main event has #1 FW contender Battling Battalino facing Frankie Covelli in a non-title contest. Battalino holds a prior UD win over Covelli from 1934; both men have done well recently, Battalino having won his last six and Covelli, his last two. “Bat” gets off to a solid start, and in round three he moves inside, carrying the fight to Covelli. Things begin to turn around for Covelli with a strong round four, and Battalino comes off the worse as a trace of swelling begins to appear under his left eye. Battalino is content to work on the outside, forcing Covelli to take on the role of the aggressor. In round eight, Covelli connects with a big left, forcing Battalino to cover up. Battalino recovers with a strong round nine. The bout goes the 10-round distance, and to the surprise of many, Covelli pulls off the upset, taking a fairly solid UD 10 (96-93, 97-92, 96-93) to run his career record to 25-7-6 (7). Battalino, who slips to 35-10 (12), appeared to be overconfident and a bit too defensive, enabling Covelli to score a big upset. Dec. 19, 1936: More fistic action back, this time in Europe at the Amor Bahn in Munich. Lots of German fighters (and a few Italians) on the card, and the feature is for the EBU MW crown, with Hein Domgorgen seeking to regain the crown from the British titleholder, Jock McAvoy. These two have split two prior encounters, and Domgorgen – despite being at Post-Prime – has won his last two since losing the EBU title to McAvoy, while McAvoy is coming into the bout off two recent losses. In this rubber match, it does not take long for the action to heat up as McAvoy puts the German crowd favorite down in the first round. A groggy Domgorgen arises at the count of eight, but McAvoy’s killer intinct has kicked in, and it is too much for the German challenger to handle. McAvoy lands shot after shot until the ref calls a halt, saving the defenseless Domgorgen from further punishment. TKO 1 for McAvoy, who retains the EBU title and runs his career totals to 28-10-4 (20) overall. Domgorgen, whose days as a MW contender appear to be over, is 40-17-1 (20) after this devastating setback. Dec. 19, 1936: There’s a buzz of excitement at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, as there’s a huge crowd on hand in anticipation of Joe Louis’ third defense of his WBA HW crown. First of all, after some preliminary bouts, the co-feature takes place, matching two young MW prospects with identical 15-1 (13) records: it’s “the Man of Steel” against the “Battling Bellhop,” as Tony Zale faces Fred Apostoli. Each of these two young warriors has just one prior loss – Zale, to Ben Brown; Apostoli, to Marcel Cerdan. Zale is on target early, and by the end of round two there are already traces of swelling appearing under the left eye of Apostoli. Zale follows up with a huge round three, banging away on the inside but is unable to put Apostoli down. The bout proceeds through the middle rounds, with “the Man of Steel,” Zale, firmly in control with an iron grip. Near the end of round seven, a Zale hook connects and puts Apostoli on the deck for a count of seven, but there is not enough time for Zale to follow up and finish the job. The bout goes the distance, with Zale taking a well-deserved UD 10 win (96-93, 97-92, 97-92). Post-bout records: Zale, 16-1 (13); Apostoli, 15-2 (13). Then, in the main event, Joe Louis puts the WBA HW title on the line in his third defense since dethroning Max Schmeling earlier in the year. This time, his opponent is Schmeling’s lesser known countryman, Walter Neusel, who earned the title shot against “the Brown Bomber” by virtue of a draw against Schmeling in his most recent outing after four straight wins, making him unbeaten in his last five. Louis, of course, remains as an undefeated Champion despite being a couple of bouts away from hitting his Prime career stage; as Champion, he has forced Neusel to come to him rather than traveling to Germany for this defense. After a close opening round, Louis begins to establish control in round two, working from the outside before moving inside for round three. Neusel continues to hold his own to this point, and in round four he ventures forward, only to run into a three-punch combination from Louis that forces the challenger to cover up to survive the round. Then, in round five, Neusel elects to stand toe-to-toe with Louis – a huge mistake, as Louis softens him up before delivering the knockout blow – a deadly cross that puts Neusel down and out. KO 5 for Louis, who runs his impressive career stats to 19-0 (17) – one more bout at Pre-Prime for Joe. Neusel, now 22-4-2 (16), will have to regroup, perhaps setting his sights a bit lower, perhaps on an EBU title try in 1937. Dec. 26, 1936: Next is the traditional “Boxing Day” card, this year at the Olympia in London. Headliner has GBU FW Champ Jim “Spider” Kelly challenging Frenchman Maurice Holtzer for the latter’s EBU FW title. Early on, there is hope for Kelly as Holtzer sustains a cut under his right eye in the opening round. Then, in the third, Kelly surprises Holtzer with a huge shot that puts the French Champion down briefly but Holtzer arises and resumes after a count of three is reached. Then, in round five, Holtzer pulls ahead, winning the inside exchanges. Holtzer gradually gets more aggressive and, late in round nine, he sends Kelly to the canvas with a barrage of punches. The cut is reopened in round 10, but it is not a factor as Holtzer goes on to record a close but UD 12 (116-111, 114-113, 114-113), overcoming some hometown scoring for Kelly by taking the last round from two judges who had scored the bout even to that point. Post-fight, Holtzer improves to 33-14-3 (12). Kelly’s record is still an excellent 20-4-1 (7) despite the loss. Dec. 30, 1936: Nearing the end of 1936, and the last New York City card is a huge one, featuring a WBA title bout plus a USBA bout as the main support. In one of the preliminary bouts, LH prospect Archie Moore toys with his opponent, taking a few rounds before scoring a KD early in round four and finishing up with a TKO 4 win to remain perfect, now 6-0 (6). Then, later on the agenda, two unbeaten LH prospects take to the ring, with Billy Conn facing Greek Anton Christoforidis who is making his appearance in the States. Conn gets off to a strong start, and his superior boxing skills dominate most of the action, leaving Christoforidis with a swollen right eye. UD 10 for Conn (100-91 on all three cards); Billy is now 10-0-2 (9) while the Greek returns to Europe with the first blemish on his slate, leaving him at 12-1 (8). In the co-feature, ex-WBA HW Champ Joe Sekyra faces a resurgent Art Lasky for the USBA HW crown, recently vacated by Elmer Ray who moved up to claim the NABF belt. Lasky puts Sekyra down in the opening round and follows up with a hook for a second KD in the fifth. The end comes a few rounds later when Sekyra is defenseless against the ropes. Impressive performance for Lasky, who takes the belt via the TKO 7 to improve to 22-4-2 (22) while Sekyra is now 33-12-3 (25). Then, in the feature, Barney Ross makes his second defense of the WBA WW title, facing Ruby Goldstein, the reigning NABF WW Champ. Good opening round for Goldstein, who seems well prepared for this, his first WBA title shot. Ross moves inside in round three, in an effort to push the pace, but late in round four Goldstein takes charge, ripping open a cut over Ross’ right eye. Goldstein targets the cut, which is reopened in round six but quickly patched up by Ross’ corner. In round seven, Goldstein catches Ross with a solid uppercut that forces the Champ to cover up, and at the end of the round, Ross is called for hitting after the bell. Beginning in round eight, Ross’ punches are beginning to have an effect on Goldstein, as there is some telltale swelling beginning to appear under Ruby’s right eye. Two-thirds of the way through, after round 10, the unofficial scorer has Goldstein up by three (97-94). Ross continues to press forward in the later rounds, desperately hoping to keep the title. The cut over Ross’ eye is reopened in the 14th round, and it is still bleeding as the two men square off in the final stanza. Goldstein battles to the end despite sustaining a cut over his right eye in the last round. Close bout, the scorecards tell the story: 143-142, 144-141, 144-141 – all for Goldstein, who takes the title from Ross via a UD 15 in a huge upset, as the punches landed stats showed a huge edge for Ross. Now 39-10-3 (24), Goldstein may find his reign to be short-lived as he hits Post-Prime with his next bout in 1937. Ross, now 30-6-2 (10), is already plotting to regain the title, but he has just one more year at Prime before hitting the downside of his career path as well. Dec. 31, 1936: The year wraps up with a New Year’s Eve card at Miami. No titles, but the feature is a rematch between two LH title holders, Battling Bozo (current USBA LH Champ) and Len Harvey (who simultaneously holds the Commonwealth, European and British LH title belts). In two prior meetings, Harvey has recorded one UD win and a draw, but both of those were in his native England, and this time Bozo has lured the Brit to his home turf in hopes of a better result. The two boxers, wary of each other, keep their distance, with Bozo getting the better of it in the early and middle rounds. Harvey is therefore forced into an uncomfortable role of stepping up the pace to force matters heading into the later rounds. However, he is unable to close the gap and Bozo walks away a UD 10 winner (97-93, 97-93, 96-94) to run his career stats to 32-8-3 (12); Harvey is now 47-15-3 (19). Bozo’s moment of triumph may be brief, however, as he hits Post-Prime with his next bout in 1937. Pleased to report I have hit my goal of concluding 1936 action by the end of real-life year 2014. Look for the year-end wrap-ups to commence in the next few days. Last edited by JCWeb; 06-17-2018 at 08:13 PM.

12-31-2014, 10:36 AM	#1123
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	Question on Fonts and Bplding Anybody know why the last post showed up all in bold? (Tried three times, nothing changed the situation.) Hasn't happened to me here before ...

01-05-2015, 05:41 PM	#1125
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Heavyweights Year-end reports, starting with the HW division. HW Title Bouts WBA: Joe Louis arrived on the scene in a big way, dethroning Max Schmeling in an exciting contest (UD 15), then sweeping aside challenges from Jack Peterson (TKO 3), Joe Banovic (TKO 3) and Walter Neusel (KO 5). NABF: Four title bouts and a pair of new Champions, as Tommy Loughran dethroned Max Baer (UD 12), then defended against Frankie Edgren (SD 12) and James Braddock (UD 12) before losing the belt to Elmer Ray (KO 5). USBA: The year saw five contests and three new Champions for this title belt. Joe Banovic, who began the year with the belt, lost it to Jersey Joe Walcott (SD 12). Walcott defended against Johnny Risko (UD 12) but then lost the belt to Elmer Ray (UD 12). Ray defended once, flattening Max Baer (KO 9) before moving up to claim the NABF title. Then, Art Lasky stopped Joe Sekyra (TKO 9) to claim the vacant title belt. CBU: Don McCorkindale began the year with this title, defending once against Tom Heeney (KO 4). He then lost it to Larry Gains (TKO 6) but regained the title in a rematch with Gains (MD 12). GBU: In his first title defense in almost five years, Tommy Farr lost this title to Jack Peterson (KO 7). EBU: Farr retained this title, defending twice, turning aside challenges from Roberto Roberti (MD 12) and Pierre Charles (UD 12). OPBF: Another year in which there were no title defenses; Tom Heeney remains the titleholder. LABF: No title defenses by Jose Domingo Carattoli, who retains the belt for another year. HW Division Profile Total: 192 RL: 112 TC: 80 RL by Career Stage: End - 13 Post - 23 Prime - 49 Pre - 22 Beginning - 5 (5 New) Rated: 87 800+: 20 500+: 46 200+ : 75 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens): Champ: Joe Louis 19-0 (17) (1507) (new) 1. Max Schmeling 41-4-1 (30) (1362) (-1) 2. Elmer Ray 34-7 (21) (1332) (+6) (NABF) 3. Tommy Loughran 57-9-4 (19) (1302) (+1) 4. Tommy Farr 38-10-1 (14) (1297) (-3) (EBU) 5. Don McCorkindale 30-8-1 (17) (1273) (-2) (CBU) 6. Larry Gains 41-11 (22) (1272) (-4) 7. Jersey Joe Walcott 29-3 (20) (1240) (-2) 8. Joe Banovic 22-13-1 (9) (1120) (-1) 9. Max Baer 24-8 (23) (1032) (NC) 10. Walter Neusel 22-4-2 (16) (995) (+3) Others: 14. Tom Heeney 38-24-1 (14) (962) (+12) (OPBF) 15. Jack Peterson 25-5 (17) (961) (+1) (GBU) 18. Art Lasky 22-4-2 (22) (819) (+22) (USBA) 34. Jose Domingo Carattoli 24-11-1 (10) (656) (-15) (LABF) Comments: Everyone listed above is at Prime heading into 1937, except for Louis (one more bout at Pre-Prime), Loughran and Carattoli (both at Post) and Heeney (at End). Louis is the first unbeaten HW Champ since the early days of the Universe. Schmeling remains the top contender despite the loss to Louis and the draw with Neusel in his last two bouts. Ray went 4-0 to move up, capturing the USBA and then the NABF titles. Loughran remains highly ranked, winning four in a row before his loss to Ray. Farr rebounded from his shocking KO loss to Peterson, winning two more EBU title defenses; he has now won seven of eight over the past two years. McCorkindale, who has been trading the Commonwealth title belt back and forth with Gains, went 2-2 in 1936, all in title clashs. A loss in his last outing snapped a six-bout winning streak for Gains. Walcott 3-1 for the year, bouncing back from the USBA title loss to Ray with a UD 10 conquest of Joe Sekyra. “Bingo” Banovic, prior to being dismantled by Louis, battled to a draw with “Cinderella Man” James Braddock, and took a MD 10 over newcomer Roscoe Toles. Baer fell short in two title tries but kept his place in the top 10 by virtue of a TKO over ex-Champ Jack Sharkey in a non-title affair. Neusel reached the top 10 for the first time after a series of four straight wins, then a draw with Schmeling, before also being handled by Louis. Braddock ended one spot out of the top 10 at #11, impressing with a UD over Sharkey and a SD over Stribling. Top 10 dropouts were Toles, down three to #13, loser to Banovic; and Sharkey, who tumbled 22 spots all the way down to #28 after successive losses to Braddock, Baer, Natie Brown and then Lee Ramage. Heeney revived his flagging career with TKO wins over two other lesser belt holders: Peterson and Carattoli. Peterson slipped out of the top 10 after successive losses to Louis and Heeney. Lasky, winner of his last three over Edgren, Cavalier and Sekyra, zoomed up the rankings to enter the top 20. Carattoli continued to struggle, losing twice in 1936 to extend his losing streak to three. Other than Louis, top newcomers to the list are France’s Andre Lenglet,17-1 (9), at #42; Argentina’s Alberto Lovell, 14-1-1 (10), at #44; and Kiwi Maurice Strickland, 15-1 (10), at #47. Prospects: Abe Simon, winner of his first 11 by KO, took a UD 10 over fellow prospect Nathan Mann to end the year at 12-0 (11); for Mann, it was his second career loss, leaving him at 12-2 (11) – first loss was to Joe Louis. Losses in his last two to Mann and Maurice Strickland left Ernie Collins at 9-3-1 (6). German Erwin Klein remains unbeaten, now 12-0 (8). Max Marek has won all of his first 11 outings inside the distance. Bouncing back from a setback in his 1934 debut, Buddy Baer has won 10 straight and is now 10-1 (7). Eddie Blunt, who dropped a UD 10 to Buddy in his last outing, checks in at 10-1 (6). Everyone else has been content to feast on TC opposition. Keeping such clean slates were Junior Munsell, 10-0 (9); Bob Pastor, 10-0 (8); Gus Dorazio, 10-0 (5); Jorge Brescia, 9-0 (1); Bob Nestell, 6-0 (4); Rex Romus, 6-0 (2); and Lou Nova, 5-0 (4). Retirements: Overall HW headcount is down due to a massive 13 (!) retirements from the division during 1936, probably a record number for any one year in the same division thus far. Johnny Widd (SWE) 1927-36 24-12 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 29 Elzear Rioux (CAN) 1923-36 29-18-1 (20) No Titles Highest Rank: 32 Jack Gross (USA) 1926-36 26-13 (15) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 9 Arthur DeKuh (ITA) 1922-36 21-21-2 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 80 Otto Von Porat (NOR) 1926-36 24-16-1 (13) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 13 Benny Touchstone (USA) 1929-36 20-17-7 (4) No Titles Highest Rank; 35 Spark Plug Boyd (USA) 1923-36 33-24-1 (25) No Titles Highest Rank: 39 Ad Warren (USA) 1927-36 25-13 (19) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 7 Marcel Nilles (FRA) 1919-36 41-24-4 (34) No Titles Highest Rank: 49 Jack Gagnon (CAN) 1925-36 24-20-3 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 56 Ernie Schaaf (USA) 1927-36 27-13-1 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 38 Jack Dorval (USA) 1923-36 33-22 (21) No Titles Highest Rank: 31 Jim Maloney (USA) 1924-36 28-20-1 (24) No Titles Highest Rank: 10 Looking Ahead: Joe Louis won the historic matchup with Schmeling and seems ready to settle in – after one more outing – at Prime and seems likely to remain atop the division for a long time. Ray has proven one-punch knockout power, and guys like Schmeling, Walcott, Baer and Lasky remain dangerous foes. Neusel seems ready to contend for a European title. Not much in the way of top-flight talent coming into the division for a few years to come -- another reason why it might be safe to predict a long period of dominance by "the Brown Bomber," Joe Louis. Last edited by JCWeb; 01-06-2015 at 03:49 PM.

01-06-2015, 05:39 PM	#1126
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Light Heavyweights LH Title Bouts WBA: Joe Knight began the year with the belt but lost it to John Henry Lewis (UD 15), then Lewis retained the belt by stopping Gustave Roth (TKO 9). NABF: Maxie Rosenbloom unseated Tiger Jack Fox (UD 12) to lift the belt, then defended it twice, beating Al Gainer (TKO 12) and Joe Knight (UD 12). USBA: John Henry Lewis relinquished this title after ascending to the WBA Championship belt. Battling Bozo won the vacant title, decisioning Al Stillman (UD 12). Bozo went on to register two successful defenses, topping Jimmy Adamick (UD 12) and Jack Gibbons (TKO 8). CBU: Charley Belanger began the year with this title, defended it once, beating Jack Delaney (UD 12). He then lost it to Len Harvey (UD 12) who carries the belt forward into 1937. GBU: No defenses, as Len Harvey retains this belt for another year. EBU: Harvey also retained the EBU title without making a defense in 1936. OPBF: Not active for this division. LABF: Not active for this division. LH Division Profile Total: 122 RL: 75 TC: 47 RL by Career Stage: End - 14 Post - 14 Prime - 27 Pre - 13 Beginning - 7 (3 New) Rated: 52 800+: 15 500+: 27 200+ : 47 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens): Champ: John Henry Lewis 21-2-2 (17) (1273) (+4) 1. Maxie Rosenbloom 40-11-6 (17) (1452) (NC) (NABF) 2. Battling Bozo 32-8-3 (12) (1385) (+1) (USBA) 3. Charley Belanger 36-17 (17) (1118) (+7) 4. Tiger Jack Fox 37-4 (27) (1117) (-2) 5. Gustave Roth 34-9-2 (12) (1050) (+4) 6. Tony Shucco 26-9 (9) (1029) (NC) 7. Joe Knight 28-7-2 (15) (1023) (-7) 8. Jimmy Adamick 21-2-1 (20) (1000) (+15) 9. Len Harvey 47-15-3 (19) (960) (-4) (EBU, CBU, GBU) 10. Jimmy Slattery 38-19-3 (12) (922) (-3) Comments: Everyone listed above at Prime except for Bozo (hits Post in 1937) and Slattery (already at Post-Prime). Lewis regained the WBA title he had previously lost to Knight, and that win and his one defense were his only outings of 1936. Rosenbloom continued to pile up wins as NABF Champion, racking up four wins during the year, taking a UD over Shucco in addition to the three title wins. Bozo also impressed, going 5-0 in 1936 to run his win streak to eight straight, topped off by a UD over Harvey on New Year’s Eve. Belanger went 3-1, the most recent being a controversial DQ win over Tiger Jack Fox after dropping the Commonwealth title belt to Harvey. Fox had an up-and-down year, substandard compared to his previous record, with only two wins in four bouts, both coming at the expense of Harvey (UD and SD). Roth maintained his top contender status with wins over Tiger Jack Payne (UD) and Berlenbach (SD) before losing the WBA title challenge to Lewis. Shucco won just one of three against top-flight competition, beating Harvey (UD) but falling short against Knight (SD loss) and Rosenbloom. Knight’s win over Shucco was his only triumph of the year, losing his other three to drop down in the rankings. Making a big move to crack the top 10 was Adamick, registering four wins (including Knight and George Manley) after starting the year slowly with a draw with Norman Conrad – his only loss was in the USBA title bout with Bozo. Harvey dropped in the rankings, losing four of five but still managing to retain or regain three title belts. Slattery occupies the #10 spot by default, going 2-2 during the year but losing to Bozo and Gibbons. The only top 10 dropout from the prior year was Young Firpo, who slid nine spots to #17 after losses to the likes of Ray Actis and Pal Silvers. Just missing the top group is Bob Olin, winner of his last three to end the year at 27-9-3 (10). Top newcomer is Gus Lesnevich, loser of a UD to Olin but winner of five other 1936 outings to wrap up his Pre-Prime career at 19-1 (13), good for 15^th in the year-end rankings. Further down the list is another newcomer to the rankings, Brit Bert Gilroy, who enters the ranks at #13 with a 14-2-2 (10) career mark after two wins and two draws on his 1936 ledger. Prospects: Some hot prospects continued to build up their records, including Melio Bettina, now 12-0-1 (8), including a win over Harry Balsamo and a draw with Billy Conn. Conn also remained unbeaten at 10-0-2 (9), the blemishes being draws with Bettina and Balsamo, but an impressive UD 10 in his last outing, handing Anton Christoforidis – now 12-1 (8) – his first career loss. The Greek did manage a MD 10 win over Brit Ben Valentine, who ended the year at 10-2-1 (8). Jimmy Webb, now 9-0 (6), has kept a clean slate, including a MD 8 over Dave Clark; Clark bounced back with two wins to end up 10-1 (8) heading into 1937. Off to excellent starts are some “hot” young LH prospects, notably Archie Moore, now a perfect 6-0 (6), Eddie Booker, 6-0 (4), Brit Freddie Mills, 4-0 (4) and Lloyd Marshall, 3-0 (3) (8). Retirements: Six LHs left the ranks during the year. Young Tony Marullo (USA) 1921-36 33-25-4 (18) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 6 Battling Slim Ryan (USA) 1923-36 31-21 (19) No Titles Highest Rank: 23 Ray Pelkey (USA) 1921-36 34-23-4 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 17 Harry Fuller (USA) 1925-36 26-16-2 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 22 Jack Delaney (CAN) 1919-36 46-14-4 (30) WBA Champ 1923-24 George Courtney (USA) 1924-36 29-17-5 (23) No Titles Highest Rank: 10 Looking Ahead: John Henry Lewis’ position atop the division appears somewhat tenuous, with solid contenders like Rosenbloom and Fox still in their Prime. Harvey appeared somewhat vulnerable in all his 1936 outings, and thus guys like Roth and Adolf Heuser may have a shot at winning a European title. Adamick, Olin and Lesnevich appear set to become title challengers in the future. This bodes well for the future of the division, as there are several good prospects working their way in Pre-Prime stage right now. Harry Matthews is the best of three newcomers set to join the LH ranks in 1937. Last edited by JCWeb; 01-07-2015 at 12:53 PM.

01-07-2015, 04:08 PM	#1127
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Middleweights MW Title Bouts WBA: The belt changed hands three times in four 1936 title contests. First, Eddie “Babe” Risko dethroned Jack McVey (UD 15). Then, Ron Richards ousted Risko (KO 3). Finally, Richards was dethroned by Ken Overlin (UD 15), who successfully defended against Teddy Yarosz (UD 15). NABF: Freddie Steele kept this belt, making three more defenses, versus Ken Overlin (D 12), Kid Tunero (UD 12) and Vince Dundee (UD 12). USBA: Eddie Risko began the year with this belt, but relinquished it after winning to the WBA title. The vacant title was claimed by Holman Williams, who decisioned Vince Dundee (UD 12). Johnny Romero then ousted Williams (DQ 11), then defended once, stopping Ad Zachow (TKO 11). Then, Williams regained the belt from Romero (UD 12). CBU: Ron Richards began the year with this title, but relinquished it after winning the WBA crown. The matchup for the vacant title was won by Frank Battaglia, taking a UD 12 over Jack Casey. GBU: No defenses, as Jock McAvoy retains this belt for another year. EBU: McAvoy also retained the EBU title, making a pair of successful defenses, first versus Jupp Besselman (TKO 10) and then against Hein Domgorgen (TKO 1). OPBF: No defenses during 1936 for Ambrose Palmer, who retains this belt. LABF: Likewise, no defenses by Kid Tunero, who retains this belt. MW Division Profile Total: 141 RL: 79 TC: 62 RL by Career Stage: End - 7 Post - 18 Prime - 36 Pre - 13 Beginning - 5 (4 New) Rated: 66 800+: 22 500+: 44 200+ : 62 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens): Champ: Ken Overlin 28-1-4 (11) (1269) (+3) 1. Freddie Steele 37-5-1 (27) (1386) (NC) (NABF) 2. Vince Dundee 39-11-4 (15) (1131) (NC) 3. Mickey Walker 57-9-1 (43) (1129) (+5) 4. Holman Williams 23-2 (15) (1119) (+7) (USBA) 5. Johnny Romero 33-10 (20) (1118) (NC) 6. Kid Tunero 27-6-4 (8) (1077) (+1) (LABF) 7. Teddy Yarosz 29-8-2 (11) (1046) (+3) 8. Ambrose Palmer 27-10 (17) (1038) (-2) (OPBF) 9. Ron Richards 29-7-2 (22) (982) (+14) 10. Jack McVey 41-22-2 (20) (991) (-10) Others: 12. Jock McAvoy 28-10-4 (20) (971) (NC) (EBU, GBU) 15. Frank Battaglia 26-6-1 (13) (842) (+5) (CBU) Comments: Everyone listed above at Prime except for Walker, Williams, McVey and CBU Champ Battaglia. Overlin won three in a row after battling to a draw with Steele, who continued his reign as NABF Champion and remains the #1 contender despite having the highest PP total in the division. Vince Dundee is next, despite barely getting past Palmer and Lou Brouillard in a pair of SD wins, with losses to Steele and Williams in his other 1936 outings. A resurgent Walker rallied with KO wins over McVey and Risko after dropping a UD 10 to Palmer on the latter’s home turf in Australia. Williams has won seven of his last eight, the only loss being due to a controversial foul call that was subsequently avenged with his title win over Romero. Romero ended the year at 3-1, going 2-1 in title contests after a UD 10 over veteran Frenchman Marcel Thil early in the year. Tunero, loser to Steele in a NABF title try, had wins over Palmer (SD 10) and Gorilla Jones (UD 10). Yarosz earned his WBA title shot with wins over Yarosz (MD) and ex-Champ Risko. Palmer was 2-2 during his 1936 campaign, dropping a pair of SDs to Dundee and Tunero but coming up with a big win over Walker, topped by a UD versus Ignacio Ara late in the year. His countryman, Richards, rebounded from his WBA title loss to with a KO 7 over Jack McVey. McVey wraps up the top 10, despite losing all three of his 1936 outings to Risko, Walker and Richards. McAvoy, despite winning two EBU title bouts, did not crack the top group, mainly due to losses to Overlin (UD) and Jones (MD) that left him 2-2 for the year. Battaglia won both his 1936 outings, including a win over aging veteran Jock Malone (SD 10) but it was only good for 15^th in the rankings. Dropping out of the top 10 from last year were Hein Domgorgen (-4, to #13), who slipped with TKO losses to Thil and then McAvoy in the season-ending EBU title rematch; and Eddie “Babe” Risko, -14 to #18 after three straight losses, to Richards (for the WBA title), Yarosz and Walker. Some good young prospects made their debut in the rankings list, notably Tony Zale, at #25, now 16-1 (13) after racking up five straight wins against quality opponents, including Ben Brown (TKO 5 in a rematch) and, most recently, Freddie Apostoli (UD 10); Marcel Cerdan, at #30, still unbeaten at 15-0 (13), whose victims included Apostoli (UD), Oddone Piazza, Eddie Peirce and Ossie Stewart (all by KO); Apostoli, #40, at 15-2 (13), a UD winner over Walter Woods and Joey LaGrey, with the two losses coming to Zale and Cerdan’ Brown, #43, at 15-2 (12), winner over Woods and Archie Sexton, but loser to Zale (in a rematch) and, most recently, a UD 10 loser to Sammy Slaughter. Prospects: Aaron Wade, 14-0 (10), Charley Burley, now a perfect 5-0 (5), and Coley Welch, 5-0 (3) are the top young prospects building up their records in this division. Retirements: Eleven MWs retired during the year. Pete Horton (USA) 1926-36 22-13-4 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 31 Leone Jacovacci (ITA) 1920-36 30-27-6 (9) No Titles Highest Rank: 43 Mario Bosisio (ITA) 1920-36 33-20-7 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 11 Phil Kaplan (USA) 1921-36 29-22-2 (14) No Titles Highest Rank: 27 Dave Shade (USA) 1918-36 35-30-7 (9) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 3 Frankie Schoell (USA) 1918-36 39-25-4 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 1 Jimmy Finley (USA) 1921-36 35-24-2 (27) No Titles Highest Rank; 27 Johnny Gill (USA) 1916-36 39-29-14 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 19 Ace Hudkins (USA) 1922-36 38-20-3 (18) No Titles Highest Rank: 3 Walter Funke (GER) 1923-36 32-23-1 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 24 Jock Malone (USA) 1919-36 42-32-5 (15) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 2 Looking Ahead: With the reign of long-time Champ Mickey Walker in the past, there has been more turnaround at the top of the MW ranks, but long-time NABF Champ Freddie Steele hopes to land a WBA title shot against a relatively easier opponent than an in-prime Walker. Holman Williams, a potential title challenger, hits Post-Prime before having a chance to prove himself. Fighters like Zale, Cerdan and Charley Burley are likely to rise in the ranks once they hit their Prime. George Abrams and Brit Dick Turpin will join the MW ranks in 1937.

01-08-2015, 01:36 PM	#1128
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Welterweights WW Title Bouts WBA: Jimmy McLarnin began the year with the WBA title and defended it once, downing Tony Vaccarelli (MD 15). He then lost his next defense to Barney Ross (UD 15). Then, Ross defended against Jack Kid Berg (UD 15). Finally, Ross was beaten by Ruby Goldstein (UD 15). Goldstein enters 1937 as the WBA Champion. NABF: Tony Vaccarelli, the titleholder coming into 1936, defended versus Fritzie Zivic (DQ 5), but then lost the belt to Ruby Goldstein (KO 9). Goldstein went on to win the WBA title, leaving the NABF belt vacant heading into 1937. USBA: Four title bouts during the year. Young Corbett III made two successful defenses, turning aside challenges from Pete Latzo (UD 12) and Baby Joe Gans (UD 12), then he was dethroned by Eddie Dolan (TKO 6). Dolan then made one defense, against Tony Vaccarelli (DQ 3). CBU: Jack Carroll began 1936 with this title, and made one defense during the year, turning aside a challenge from Ernie Roderick (UD 12). GBU: No defenses from Ernie Roderick, who retains this belt for another year. EBU: Cleto Locatelli retained this title for another year, making two defenses during 1936, facing challenges from Bep Van Klavern (D 12) and Gustav Eder (DQ 8). OPBF: Two defenses during 1936 by Jack Carroll, who turned away challenges from Lope Tenorio (UD 12) and Jack McNamee (UD 12). LABF: Cocoa Kid has proved to be an active Champion, making three defenses and winning all three, versus Battling Shaw (UD 12), Manuel Quintero (UD 12) and Kid Azteca (UD 12). WW Division Profile Total: 115 RL: 74 TC: 41 RL by Career Stage: End - 7 Post - 17 Prime - 26 Pre - 17 Beginning - 7 (3 New) Rated: 58 800+: 19 500+: 40 200+ : 56 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens): Champ: Ruby Goldstein 39-10-3 (24) (1431) (+6) 1. Jimmy McLarnin 47-6-1 (23) (1635) (-1) 2. Barney Ross 30-6-2 (10) (1430) (+1) 3. Cleto Locatelli 33-10-2 (11) (1386) (-2) (EBU) 4. Joe Dundee 45-18-9 (13) (1321) (NC) 5. Eddie Dolan 23-3-1 (9) (1231) (+12) (USBA) 6. Young Corbett III 49-13-5 (12) (1197) (-4) 7. Jack Carroll 36-15-5 (13) (1167) (+1) (CBU, OPBF) 8. Cocoa Kid 28-4-2 (11) (1105) (+1) (LABF) 9. Baby Joe Gans 37-19-2 (14) (1076) (-4) 10. King Tut 28-12-4 (19) (991) (NC) Others: 40. Ernie Roderick 15-7-3 (5) (456) (-7) (GBU) Comments: Goldstein, McLarnin, Dundee and Gans will be starting 1937 at Post-Prime, others still at Prime. Goldstein had a stellar year, winning all four of his 1936 encounters, two of which were for titles, rounded out by a pair of UD wins over Van Klaveren and Junior. Except for the title loss to Ross, McLarnin kept winning, bouncing back with a UD over Dundee after having a seven-bout winning streak snapped by the title loss. Ross had won four straight during the year before losing to Goldstein, taking a UD from JWW Johnny Jadick and a TKO over Tut prior to winning the WBA title. Locatelli’s only two outings were the two EBU defenses, but his failure to take on top-level competition caused a slight dip in the WW rankings despite no losses. Dundee had won all three of his earlier bouts before losing to McLarnin; he decisioned Thompson and Gans but struggled in edging Pete Latzo via a MD 10. Dolan reeled off four straight wins after an early season loss to Andy Callahan; his victims (prior to winning the USBA title) included Jackie Fields and Tommy Freeman (both UD wins). Corbett slipped despite a UD 10 over Gustav Eder; his loss to Dolan caused him to tumble in the rankings. Carroll retained both the CBU and OPBF belts in his only 1936 outings; he has now won his last nine, albeit not against the best in the WW division. Likewise, three title defenses in his only outings of the 1936 campaign had LABF Champ Cocoa Kid extending his winning streak to five bouts. Baby Joe Gans dropped a title bout, then a second in a row to Dundee but bounced back with a win over all-time great Benny Leonard in the latter’s farewell appearance. Tut once again rounds out the top 10, by virtue of a UD 10 win over Filipino Irineo Flores despite the early season loss to Ross. Just missing the top 10 despite five straight wins (four in 1936) is Andy Callahan, although the three most recent wins were all via SDs (over Leonard, Roderick and Seargant Sammy Baker). One top 10 dropout, notably it was German Gustav Eder, who went 0-3 for the year and has not won a bout since May 1934. It was also a rough year for GBU Champ Ernie Roderick, who managed just one draw while suffering three defeats in four bouts, although two of the losses (to Andy Callahan and Vittorio Venturi) were SDs; the one draw came against Cuban Miguel Quintero. Top newcomer to the WW rankings is unbeaten prospect Jimmy Garrison, who debuts at #27 having run up a 15-0 (2) record thus far; his 1936 victims include JWW Harry Wallach, veteran Canada Lee, and fellow prospects Milt Aron and Leonard Del Genio. Frankie Blair checks in at 16-2 (7), good for #30, rebounding after his second career loss (to Izzy Jannazzo) with wins over Johnny Jadick (SD) and a KO over Don Fraser. Aussie Jack McNamee won three in a row, including an impressive MD 10 win over ex-CBU WW Champ Jack Hood, before falling short in his CBU title try; he ends the year at #36, with an overall record of 16-2 (12). Jannazzo had an impressive sophomore season in the WW ranks, improving to 18-1 (13), leaving him at #25 with one more bout at Pre-Prime remaining. Prospects: Maxie Berger had run through a string of TC opponents before being stopped by Milt Aron; he ends the year at 11-1 (4). Likewise, Tommy Cross (whose only career loss was to Aron, is now 10-1 (4). Still unbeaten after being fed a steady diet of TC opponents is Georgie Crouch, 10-0 (9). Andre Jesserun, also unbeaten at 10-0 (5), included a UD 8 win over Alan Westbury, who checks in at 9-1 (6). Mike Kaplan, now 6-1 (1), bounced back after an early career loss to Tony Marteliano, who is now 5-0 (1). Also notable is the 7-0 (5) career start by Ralph “the Ripper” Zannelli, who has yet to be tested, along with Canadian Sammy Luftspring, off to a perfect 4-0 (4) career start. Retirements: There were six retirements from the WW ranks during the year; three of these held the WBA WW title, all back in the 1920s. Freddie Polo (USA) 1926-36 25-18-2 (20) No Titles Highest Rank: 25 Young Jack Thompson (USA) 1922-36 36-18-6 (19) WBA Champion 1926-27 Billy Alger (USA) 1920-36 33-21-8 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 23 Bermondsey Billy Wells (UK) 1919-36 34-29-4 (19) WBA Champion 1922-23 Benny Leonard (USA) 1911-36 83-15-5 (43) WBA Champion 1928-29 Don Fraser (USA) 1925-36 26-17-6 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 26 Looking Ahead: A time of transition, with Goldstein and McLarnin now at Post. Ross has another year to go before he, too, his Post-Prime. No clear-cut successors, plus the vacant NABF title that will be up for grabs early in 1937, make this division very unpredictable. Some strong contenders are likely to emerge from Europe, with Locatelli looking for a WBA title shot while Eder and Van Klaveren have yet to reach their potential. Once he hits Prime, Tony Jannazzo could emerge as a factor. Vic Dellicurti heads the list of three newcomers are set to join the MW ranks in 1937.

01-09-2015, 10:32 AM	#1129
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Jr. Welterweights JWW Division Profile No titles bouts in 1936. Total: 16 RL: 8 TC: 8 RL by Career Stage: End - 2 Post - 2 Prime - 3 Pre - 1 Rated: 6 800+: 1 500+: 4 200+: 6 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens) Champ: Jack Kid Berg 32-12-4 (14) (907) (NC) 1. Johnny Jadick 34-21-3 (9) (527) (+2) (USBA) 2. Lew Feldman 27-11-1 (11) (588) (NC) 3. Battling Shaw 26-11-3 (13) (600) (-2) 4. Spug Myers 37-32-5 (14) (270) (+1) 5. Mickey Cohen 23-21-2 (9) (261) (-1) Comments: Only Berg, Feldman and Shaw still at Prime headed into 1937; Jadick and Myers at Post; Myers and one unrated guy (negative perf points) -- Harry Wallach -- at End. Berg, in his only two outings of 1936, dabbled in the higher weight class, losing to Barney Ross for the WBA WW crown but turning in a UD 10 win over Jimmy Leto. Jadick went 2-2 for the year, losing to Ross and Frankie Blair but beating Sam Bruce and TKO'ing fellow JWW Feldman. Feldman also fought four times, losing to Jadick but scoring two wins and a draw in his remaining bouts against fringe WW guys. Shaw made an unsuccessful bid for the LABF WW title and won only one of his four 1936 bouts, taking a UD over Manuel Quintero. The others are journeymen and not worth further comment. Prospect: Taking on nothing but TCs, Tippy Larkin has compiled a 6-0 (4) record thus far. Retirement: Mushy Callahan (USA) 1923-36 31-19-3 (11) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 1 Looking Ahead: Not much to look for as -- down to half a dozen boxers -- this division, like the JLW group before it, will be folded up and its remaining fighters will be subsumed in either the WW or LW ranks. Nominal Champ Jack Kid Berg is reportedly dropping down to LW to perhaps challenge long-time Champ Tony Canzoneri, rekindling an earlier rivalry between the two. Feldman and Shaw are likely to move up to the WW ranks, as is the one prospect, Tippy Larkin.

01-09-2015, 01:42 PM	#1130
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Lightweights LW Title Bouts WBA: Tony Canzoneri kept rolling along, with three more successful title defenses during the year: Aldo Spoldi (TKO 14), Tod Morgan (UD 15) and Lew Kirsch (UD 15). NABF: This belt changed hands three times in as many title bouts. First, Billy Townsend emerged as a new Champion, beating Jack Portney (UD 12). Then, Tod Morgan took the belt from Townsend (UD 12). Then, Portney regained the title, besting Morgan (UD 12). Thus, the title began the year where it started – with Jack Portney for a second stint with this belt. USBA: Only one title contest for this belt, and it also changed hands, as Lew Kirsch dethroned Benny Bass (SD 12) to take the title. CBU: Harry Mason began 1936 with this title, but he lost it to Billy Townsend (TKO 11). No defenses since then.. GBU: No defenses from Harry Mason, who retains this belt for another year. EBU: Aldo Spoldi retained this title for another year, but made no defenses in 1936. OPBF: Not active for this division. LABF: Emory Cabana retained the title in his one defense during the year, turning aside the challenge of Justo Suarez (UD 12). LW Division Profile Total: 136 RL: 83 TC: 53 RL by Career Stage: End - 5 Post - 23 Prime - 34 Pre - 12 Beginning - 9 (8 New) Rated: 66 800+: 19 500+: 37 200+ : 59 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens): Champ: Tony Canzoneri 42-4-3 (16) (1946) (NC) 1. Emory Cabana 40-16-4 (12) (1255) (+2) (LABF) 2. Jack Portney 32-8-4 (16) (1166) (NC) (NABF) 3. Tony Chavez 21-3-1 (10) (1119) (+19) 4. Cecil Payne 37-8-4 (13) (1118) (NC) 5. Aldo Spoldi 26-3-3 (12) (1065) (+8) (EBU) 6. Ray Miller 41-14 (18) (1064) (-5) 7. Tod Morgan 46-15-3 (12) (1050) (NC) 8. Justo Suarez 28-9-1 (17) (1040) (+2) 9. Stanislaus Loayza 37-21-6 (13) (1021) (-4) 10. Sammy Fuller 39-12-1 (10) (1006) (-4) Others: 11. Lew Kirsch 29-11-3 (17) (1000) (+4) (USBA) 14. Billy Townsend 27-14-1 (16) (957) (+7) (CBU) 21. Harry Mason 31-25-4 (5) (766) (-4) (GBU) Comments: An aging group here, as Payne, Miller, Morgan, Suarez, Kirsch, Townsend and Mason all start the year at Post, everyone else at Prime. Canzoneri reeled off three more title defenses and has now won nine in a row and been unbeaten since a SD loss to Mushy Callahan in 1930. Cabana moved up to the #1 contender spot by winning all three of his 1936 encounters, bringing his current winning streak to seven; his non-title victories were an SD over Eddie Cool and a UD over Townsend. Portney, once again the NABF Champion, featured in a MD win over Bass but was held to a draw by Chavez in his non-title clashes. Chavez made a big move up the rankings, taking a UD from Loayza and a MD over Payne before the draw with Portney, leaving him with three wins and a draw from his 1936 campaign. Payne’s only 1936 loss was to Chavez; he registered wins over Miller and veteran Billy Petrolle in his other outings. Spoldi zoomed up the lists with an upset UD 10 over Miller, but he has yet to defend his EBU title. Miller, loser of his last three (going back to 1935), has seen better days. Likewise for Morgan, who did manage a UD 10 over Mason in addition to a brief reign as NABF LW Champion. Suarez remained a dangerous foe, taking a SD over Roger Bernard to remain in the top 10. Ditto for Loayza, wjho rallied with a pair of UD wins over Glick and Harry Dublinsky to nail down a top 10 spot. Rounding out the top group is Fuller, who was a KO victim of Petrolle but still managed to stay in the top group despite no 1936 wins (he drew with Loayza in his only other outing during the year). Petrolle slid four spots to #13, despite impressive KO wins over Klick and Fuller, due to a MD loss to Payne in his last outing. Wesley Ramey, down nine spots to #17, also fell from the top group, after three successive losses to Kirsch (SD), Klick (UD) and Bass (SD). Kirsch just missed the top 10, despite taking the USBA title and a SD over Ramey, as he ended the year on a down note by losing badly in his WBA title effort. Townsend also ended the year on a down note, a UD loss to Cabana, that kept him out of the top 10. Mason, loser of his last three, continued to slip down the ranks and is nowhere in sight of the top 10. Bass, who ended the year at #12, nonetheless is riding a three-game winning streak, over Bernard (SD), Bellus (UD) and Ramey (SD). Frankie Klick checks in at #15, after going 3-1 for the year; his best wins were over Bernard (SD) and Ramey (UD); his one loss was to Petrolle). Canadian Dave Castilloux is the top newcomer to the lists, debuting at #29 with a 16-1 (7) career mark; in 1936 he won all four of his bouts, including a three-round KO of former JLW contender Leslie “Wildcat” Carter. Hirsch Demsitz, 13-2 (5), at #42, and Ralph Hurtado, 15-5 (7), #47, are the other newcomers to the rankings, but much further down the list – it was Hurtado who handed Castilloux his only career loss – back in 1934. Prospects: Lew Jenkins is a perfect 12-0 (10), taking a UD 10 from the highly regarded Sammy Angott. Angott ends the year at 10-2 (7), saddled by two successive losses to Angott and, more recently, Norment Quarles (SD 10). Bernie Friedkin, 10-0 (8); Luther White, 8-0 (5); Joey Fontana, 7-0-2 (2); Brit Eric Boon, 7-0 (6); George Zengaras, 5-0-1(3); Pete Lello, 5-0 (5) and Canadian Billy Marquart, 4-0 (1) all have yet to be tested, having remain unbeaten against less meaningful TC opposition. Retirements: Just three retirements from the LW ranks during the year, including all-time great Benny Leonard, who is also listed at WW. Alex Hart (USA) 1917-36 40-28-7 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 31 Billy Wallace (USA) 1920-36 38-32-5 (18) No Titles Highest Rank: 17 Benny Leonard (USA) 1911-36 83-15-5 (43) WBA Champion 1916-20, 1922-27 Looking Ahead: Canzoneri continues to rule the roost in this division in dominant fashion; there is talk of him moving up to fill a void in the WW ranks, or perhaps a big-money bout with new FW Champion, Henry Armstrong. The ranks of the top LW contenders continues to shift each year, and right now Cabana and Chavez appear to have the most promising futures. Ramey has talent but has yet to reach his full potential. Jenkins and Angott appear to be the best of the current crop of prospects, but there will be an influx of new blood into the ranks in 1937, the best of which appear to be Willie Joyce and Lenny Mancini (Ray’s Dad).

01-10-2015, 05:29 PM	#1131
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Featherweights FW Title Bouts WBA: Baby Arizmendi began the year with the belt, but he lost it to Chalky Wright (TKO 14) in his first defense. Then, Arizmendi lost the title to Henry Armstrong (UD 15). Armstrong defended once, beating Pete DeGrasse (TKO 3). NABF: Henry Armstrong took the title from Freddie Miller (TKO 1), who had held the belt since 1933. Then, Armstrong relinquished the title after winning the WBA Championship. In the matchup for the vacant title, Baby Arizmendi (who began the year as WBA Champ) defeated Filio Julian Echevarria (UD 12) to claim the belt. USBA: Once again, it was Armstrong winning and relinquishing the belt. He dethroned Petey Sarron (TKO 12), and then was succeeded by Mike Belloise, who bested Tommy Paul (UD 12) in a battle for the vacant belt. CBU: Three title matchups produced two new Champions. First, Nel Tarleton took the title from Merv “Darky” Blandon (SD 12), then he was dethroned by Pete DeGrasse (TKO 9) who then took out Willie Smith (TKO 5) in his first title defense. GBU: Jim Kelly retained this title with one 1936 defense, edging Dave Crowley (MD 12). EBU: Dom Volante began the year with the EBU title, but he lost it to Maurice Holtzer (UD 12). Holtzer then defended against Jim Kelly (UD 12). OPBF: For the second straight year, no activity here as Merv Blandon keeps the belt. LABF: Kid Chocolate carried the belt into the year, and he successfully defended once – turning aside a challenge from Baby Arizmendi (UD 12). FW Division Profile Total: 113 RL: 70 TC: 43 RL by Career Stage: End - 7 Post - 12 Prime - 31 Pre - 14 Beginning - 6 (3 New) Rated: 57 800+: 13 500+: 34 200+ : 54 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens): Champ: Henry Armstrong 23-1-2 (20) (1180) (+11) 1. Kid Chocolate 32-5-5 (15) (1088) (+4) (LABF) 2. Pete DeGrasse 31-12-2 (8) (1050) (NC) (CBU) 3. Baby Arizmendi 29-7-2 (10) (1013) (-3) (NABF) 4. Tommy Paul 29-9-4 (6) (982) (NC) 5. Chalky Wright 27-8-4 (14) (972) (+3) 6. Filio Julian Echevarria 27-9-4 (12) (948) (+1) 7. Frankie Covelli 25-7-6 (7) (947) (+11) 8. Battling Battalino 35-10 (12) (946) (-5) 9. Freddie Miller 29-8-1 (13) (919) (-8) 10. Petey Sarron 30-13-6 (8) (916) (-1) Others: 11. Maurice Holtzer 33-14-3 (12) (892) (+4) (EBU) 12. Mike Belloise 18-3-3 (7) (843) (+10) (USBA) 20. Jim Kelly 20-4-1 (7) (693) (-4) (GBU) 32. Merv Blandon 20-8 (15) (525) (-9) (OPBF) Comments: Of those listed above, all at Prime except Paul, who is at Post. Armstrong swept all before him, winning all five of his 1936 encounters and remaining unbeaten since 1932; in addition to four wins in title bouts (chronicled above), he scored a TKO over British Champ Jim Kelly. Kid Chocolate won all three of his bouts during the year, running his win streak to four, including a pair of UD wins over Covelli and Belloise in addition to his winning title defense. DeGrasse went 2-2 for the year, dropping an early season UD to Battalino but moving up by virtue of two title bout wins before losing to Armstrong. Ex-Champ Arizmendi recovered from two title bout losses with a pair of wins late in the year, the most recent being a UD 10 over Jackie Wilson in a non-title affair. Paul retain his spot in the top group with a MD over Andy Martin and a SD over Miller despite coming up short in the USBA title clash with Belloise. Wright went 2-1 for the year, rebounding with a TKO of ex-Champ Louis Kaplan after winning and losing the WBA title. Echevarria also was 2-1 for the year, defeating Jose Lombardo (UD) and Miller (TKO) to compensate for the failed effort to capture the NABF title. Covelli shot up the rankings with three straight wins, the most recent (and significant) being a UD upset of long-time top FW Battling Battalino. Battalino slipped to #8 as a result of the loss to Covelli after fashioning a six-bout win streak, including a pair of wins over EBU Champ Holtzer and a UD over DeGrasse in 1936 non-title action. Miller won only one of four during the year (a UD over ex-Champ Dave Crowley) to slide down the rankings. Sarron rounds out the top 10, snapping a four-bout winless streak with a UD over Abie Israel and a SD over Simon Chavez. Holtzer missed out on the top 10 won three of five, taking a TKO over Enrique Chafferdet in addition to his two EBU title wins, but he stumbled in his two matches with Battalino (dropping a UD and a MD in non-title action). Belloise zoomed up the list with a pair of UD wins over ex-Champ Kaplan, followed up by a USBA title win, but then he faltered against tougher competition, dropping a UD to Kid Chocolate. Top 10 dropouts from last year were Andy Martin, down four to #14, primarily as a result of a UD loss to up-and-comer Everett Rightmire; and Chafferdet (-13 to #19), who lost all three of his 1936 outings to Holtzer, Chavez and Petey Hayes. British Champ Kelly slipped with two successive losses (to Armstrong and Holtzer) after retaining his GBU belt. Further down the list is OPBF Champion Merv “Darky” Blandon, whose only win during the year (a TKO over Petey Hayes) was followed by successive losses to Tarleton, Jimmy Perrin and Ginger Foran. Perrin, who ended the year at #18, is the top newcomer to the list and seemed on his way to a top 10 spot before suffering his first career loss, a UD 10, to Martin, leaving him at 16-1-1 (8), good for 18th spot, with two more bouts to go before hitting Prime career stage. Other newcomers of note are Tsuneo Horiguchi of Japan, #28, now 16-2 (11) after successive UD wins over Johnny Cuthbert, Bus Breese and Moon Mullins; and, at #29, Leo Rodak, who took a UD from Horiguchi but stumbled against Harry Jeffra (UD 10) before bouncing back with wins over Phil Zwick (UD) and Jackie Wilson (SD). Prospects: Tony Dupre is off to an excellent 13-0-1 (9) career start, impressing with UD wins over Doc Snell and Irving Eldredge; the only blemish on his record is a draw with a TC. Al Reid checks in at 11-2 (4), breezing through TC competition but struggling with losses to real-life FWs like Harold Lacey and Claude Varner (both UD 10s). Lacey remained unbeaten, winning all four of his 1936 encounters (including the win over Reid) to end the year at 10-0-2 (1) after a pair of draws with TCs early in his career. Brit Frank Parkes, with a clean slate at 12-0 (4), is still looking to prove himself beyond the dozen TC bouts. Harold Hoshino, a perfect 9-0 (9), and Johnny Marcelline, at 9-0 (3), have impressed thus far. Canadian Jack Armstrong, now 10-1 (5), suffered his first career loss at the hands of a TC. Eddie Miller, 4-0 (3); Jackie Callura, 2-0 (1); and Petey Scalzo, 2-0 (1) have got their careers off to good starts. Retirements: A slew of retirements (eight) reduced the FW ranks somewhat. Knud Larsen (DEN) 1922-36 33-23-3 (15) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 2 Miki Gelb (USA) 1930-36 16-10-3 (3) No Titles Highest Rank: 57 (also JLW, highest at 6^th) Elino Flores (PHI) 191-36 31-26-7 (12) OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 9 Frankie Albano (USA) 1922-36 23-27-3 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 52 Eddie Anderson (USA) 1920-36 34-28-3 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 30 Louis Kaplan (USA) 1919-36 45-22-3 (11) WBA Champion 1924-25, 1927, 1928-29, 1929-20, 1932 Harry Blitman (USA) 1926-36 27-14-6 (4) No Titles Highest Rank: 14 Santiago Zorilla (PAN) 1925-36 28-17-4 (7) No Titles Highest Rank: 22 Looking Ahead: Ever since capturing the WBA FW belt, Armstrong has been making noises about moving up in weight class to challenge for the LW or even the WW crown. With a weaker titleholder of WW WBA belt (the Post-Prime Ruby Goldstein), that move seems likely, opening up the FW crown to a pack of eager contenders, all still at the Prime of their respective careers. Chocolate, DeGrasse and Arizmendi lead the pack. Battalino and Miller, although still at Prime, have faded a bit. Other than Petey Scalzo, it does not look like much can be expected in the future from either the current crop of FW prospects or the three newcomers being added to the ranks in 1937. Last edited by JCWeb; 01-12-2015 at 06:50 PM.

01-11-2015, 01:33 PM	#1132
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Bantamweights BW Title Bouts WBA: Johnny King began the year with the belt, but he lost it to Pete Sanstol (UD 15). Sanstol went on to defend twice, versus Tony Marino (SD 15) and Horace Gwynne (UD 15). NABF: Two title bouts produced two new Champions. First, K. O. Morgan flattened defending Champ Bobby Green (KO 5). Then, Horace Gwynne dethroned Morgan after a controversial foul call (DQ 9). USBA: The titleholder coming into the year was Sanstol, who relinquished the belt after capturing the WBA title. In the match for the vacant title, Tony Marino edged out Lew Farber (MD 12). Then, Archie Bell took the title from Marino (TKO 7). CBU: One title bout during the year, and the title changed hands, as Horace Gwynne dethroned Dick Corbett (UD 12) to take the belt. GBU: Corbett began the year with the belt, but lost it to ex-WBA Champ Johnny King (UD 12). EBU: This belt was retained by Corbett in his one successful title defense as he turned aside the challenge from a former Champion, Kid Francis (TKO 11). OPBF: One successful defense here, by Young Tommy who kept the belt after a draw with Pablo Dano (D 12). LABF: Sixto Escobar began 1936 with this belt, and he defended it once, against Panama Al Brown (D 12). A rematch was ordered, and this time Brown bested Escobar (DQ 10) to take the belt into 1937). BW Division Profile Total: 85 RL: 48 TC: 37 RL by Career Stage: End - 3 Post - 10 Prime - 24 Pre - 6 Beginning - 5 (3 New) Rated: 39 800+: 17 500+: 31 200+ : 38 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens): Champ: Pete Sanstol 33-8-2 (9) (1403) (+2) 1. Johnny King 40-4-1 (15) (1418) (-1) (GBU) 2. Panama Al Brown 49-10-1 (19) (1179) (+3) (LABF) 3. Speedy Dado 29-13-2 (13) (1147) (NC) 4. Archie Bell 38-12-7 (11) (1088) (+9) (USBA) 5. Pablo Dano 31-7-5 (15) (1053) (+6) 6. Sixto Escobar 24-5-1 (10) (1015) (+6) 7. Horace Gwynne 21-2 (13) (961) (+9) (NABF, CBU) 8. Young Tommy 27-5-1 (13) (959) (-2) (OPBF) 9. Kid Francis 33-18-4 (19) (937) (NC) 10. Benny Sharkey 28-9-2 (17) (931) (+5) Others: 16. Dick Corbett 22-13 (11) (855) (-12) (EBU) Comments: Lots of changes, with five newcomers to the top 10; everyone at Prime except for Bell, Tommy and Francis (all three at Post coming into 1937). Sanstol moved up from USBA Champion to defeat King and capture the WBA belt; he has now won four in a row, all in title contests, having avenged his most recent loss (to King) back in 1935. Nonetheless, King emerges with a higher Perf Point total by virtue of a UD 10 over veteran Bushy Graham plus the GBU title win that represented higher rated opposition heading into those bouts. Three wins and a draw re-established Panama Al Brown as a top contender; now unbeaten in his last eight, Brown managed UD wins over Graham and Sharkey in addition to his two matchups with Escobar for LABF BW honors. Dado bounced back with two wins during the year, a MD over Teiken and a UD over Morgan. A rejuvenated Archie Bell posted three wins in his three 1936 outings, taking UD wins versus Green and Francis to set up his winning USBA title effort. Dano impressed with a TKO of Sangchili and a UD versus Morgan but struggled in his unsuccessful effort to wrest the OPBF title from Tommy. Escobar took a pair of UD wins over Sharkey and Corbett but came out on the short end of the LABF title contest with Brown. Gwynne won two belts to zoom up the rankings, but was unable to take it one step further when matched with Sanstol for the WBA title. Tommy retained the OPBF belt but dropped a UD 10 to Sharkey; with a draw and two losses in his last three, he has not won since September of 1935. Francis retained his top 10 status with a TKO of Tom Smith and a SD 10 win over Bobby Leitham. Sharkey rounds out the top group, advancing with a SD over Graham and a UD over Sharkey before ending the year on a down note, dropping a UD to Brown and being held to a draw by Lew Farber. Top 10 dropouts: Morgan, down four to #11, having lost three in a row; Bobby Green, -5 to #13, UD losses to Bell and Jo Teiken hurting his prospects; Graham, -14 to #15, losing four of five in 1936; Corbett, loser of his last three; and finally Farber, -7 to #17, who could not follow up on an early season UD over Leitham and struggled to a draw with Sharkey after falling short in his USBA title try. Positive progress was made by Mexican Raul Casanova, who rebounded after a KO loss to Sangchili with three successive wins over Leitham (UD), Star Frisco (TKO) and Graham (MD) to end the year at #12, with a 20-2 (14) career mark thus far. Cuban Humberto Espinosa is the best of the newcomers to the rankings list, featuring at #23 with a 17-1-1 (9) career start after reeling off four straight wins after conceding a draw to Georgie Pace. Pace enters the year-end list at #30, with a 14-2-1 (13) mark, stumbling in his last two (UD losses to Little Pancho and Graham) to prevent a higher ranking. Finally, Frenchman Joseph Decico did well enough to claim the #32 spot, now 15-2-1 (8), with an impressive TKO of countryman Gustave Humery his best result to date—but also recording a UD 10 loss to Aussie Mickey Miller in 1936 action. Prospects: Not much to write about here; Horace Mann, facing only TC opposition, is now 10-0 (5). Herman Reimscheid recovered from an early draw to finish the year at 6-0-1 (2), all versus TCs. The highly regarded Ritchie Tanner actually suffered a DQ loss to a TC and is now 3-1 (2). Off to a good start is Tommy Forte, 2-0 (1). Retirements: Three retirements from the BW division in 1936. Dixie LaHood (USA) 1922-36 30-23-7 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 22 Ollie Bartlett (USA) 1922-36 25-24-2 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 30 Davey Adelman (USA) 1922-36 25-24-2 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 16 Looking Ahead: Sanstol’s position atop the division seems in jeopardy, as King is still at Prime, and Latino boxers such as Brown and Sangchili also have the talent to successfully challenge for the WBA title. Casanova appears ready to move into the top 10. Further down the ranks, Lou Salica – who has gotten off to a rough start – appears ready to move up, having hit Prime recently. Not much to note among the current crop of prospects, but all three of the newcomers slated to join the BW ranks in 1937 – Benny Goldberg, David Kui Kong Young and Tony Oliveira – appear to have some ability. Last edited by JCWeb; 01-11-2015 at 05:20 PM.

01-11-2015, 05:22 PM	#1133
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 - Flyweights FLY Title Bouts WBA: Midget Wolgast retained the WBA title for another year, making three successful title defenses during the year, beating Small Montana (TKO 14), Young Perez (UD 15) and Jackie Brown (UD 15). NABF: Frankie Genaro made one defense during the year, defeating Ruby Bradley (UD 15) to keep the belt for another year. USBA: No defenses by Ruby Bradley, who retains the belt for another year. CBU: Jackie Brown retained this title for another year, despite making no defenses in 1936. GBU: Brown also retained this belt, despite making no defenses during the year. EBU: Istvan Enekes began the year with this title, but was dethroned by Jackie Brown (TKO 12). Brown then defended once, turning aside the challenge from Young Perez (MD 12). OPBF: Small Montana retains this title, but he made no defenses during the year. LABF: Not active for this division yet. FLY Division Profile Total: 63 RL: 37 TC: 26 RL by Career Stage: End - 3 Post - 7 Prime - 17 Pre - 8 Beginning - 2 (2 New) Rated: 29 800+: 7 500+: 16 200+ : 26 Jan 1937 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1936 in Parens): Champ: Midget Wolgast 41-4-1 (18) (1484) (NC) 1. Istvan Enekes 26-4-1 (10) (935) (NC) 2. Frankie Genaro 46-16-5 (18) (903) (NC) (NABF) 3. Ruby Bradley 32-14-6 (7) (902) (NC) (USBA) 4. Jackie Brown 30-11-3 (11) (886) (+2) (EBU, CBU, GBU) 5. Young Perez 26-8-3 (11) (821) (-1) 6. Benny Lynch 24-5 (15) (820) (+6) 7. Fortunato Ortega 21-4-3 (11) (698) (+4) 8. Fidel LaBarba 38-12-1 (9) (690) (-3) 9. Harry Stein 34-14-4 (20) (647) (+7) 10. Eugene Huat 24-13-7 (10) (630) (-1) Others: 15. Small Montana 18-6-2 (7) (511) (-1) (OPBF) Comments: Of those listed, only three (Genaro, LaBarba and Stein) at Post, others at Prime headed into 1937. Wolgast has now made 16 successful defenses of the WBA title he won back in 1931; he has not tasted defeat in almost seven years (his last loss was to fringe contender Johnny Buff in January 1930. Enekes retained the top contender slot despite the loss of his EBU title; he recovered with a big UD win over LaBarba after dropping a SD to Genaro earlier in the year but, under the vagaries of the Perf Point ranking system, he ends up ahead of both Genaro and Brown, the new EBU titleholder. Genaro, despite a KO loss to Lynch, remained the #2 ranked contender by turning back Bradley’s challenge. Bradley, the USBA titleholder, had won four in a row headed into that bout, but he seemed to struggled against top flight competition, such as it is in the Fly division; perhaps his best result was a narrow MD 10 win over Young Perez. Brown, now holder of three belts, had won four in a row before his title loss to Wolgast – a UD 10 over LaBarba was his best effort in a non-title affair. Perez recovered from three straight losses with wins over Ernst Weiss (UD 10) and Lynch (TKO 5). Lynch, for his part, had an excellent 1936 campaign going before the loss to Perez – four straight wins, three of which – versus Genaro, Montana and Huat – inside the distance. Ortega managed two wins and a draw – the draw coming against Huat, his only top ranked opponent. LaBarba continued to show the effects of aging, his only win – a MD over Valentin Angelmann – was overweighed by four other losses dating back to 1935. A resurgent Stein recaptured a top 10 spot, fashioning a four-bout winning streak and holding Weiss to a draw. Huat rounds out the top 10, with a win (MD versus Weiss), a draw (with Ortega) and a loss (to Lynch) on his 1936 resume. Dropping out of the top group were Weiss, last year’s top newcomer, who slid four spots to #12, wrapping up his pre-Prime career with a 17-2-1 (7) mark, with the draw and two losses all coming in 1936. Other top 10 dropouts were Emile Pladner, down seven spots to #14(three straight losses to Perez, Lynch and Stein did the trick) and another Frenchman, Valentin Angelmann, who dropped from #10 to #16 after losing all three of his 1936 outings. OPBF Champ Montana struggled, a TKO victim to Lynch and Wolgast in his only two appearances during the year. The only newcomer to crack the rankings this time around is Japanese Fly Yoichiro Hanada, breaking in at #17 going 3-3 for the year to end up at 16-3 (6), his most recent win being a UD 10 over Joe Curran on Curran’s home turf in the UK. Prospects: Peter Kane, now 12-0 (9), has kept a clean slate, topped off with wins over Enrico Urbinati (UD 10) and Rinty Monaghan (MD 8) to add to a string of TC wins. Monaghan, whose only loss was to Kane, ended up 13-1 (10), with an impressive recent outing, taking a UD over Mickey McGuire, an established journeyman Flyweight. Urbinati, who checks in at 10-1-1 (5) suffered his first loss (to Kane) after leaving the relative comfort of TC opposition. Jackie Jurich, 7-0 (7), Brit Pat Palmer, 7-0 (5) and Filipino Little Dado, 5-0 (4) remain unbeaten, albeit against TC opponents. Retirement: Only one retirement fro the division in 1936. Young Dencio (PHI) 1919-36 36-28-3 (15) OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 9 Looking Ahead: Wolgast continued in an unchallenged position atop the division; despite some talk about moving up to BW, he seems content to rule the roost in the somewhat easier level of competition. Guys like Genaro and LaBarba have begun to fade, Benny Lynch appears to be the most likely to improve his status, at least with respect to winning a lesser title. Jackie Brown may be forced to divest either his GBU or CBU title if he continues to focus on the EBU and WBA belts. Enekes is still eager for a shot at Wolgast, while Perez and Ortega are eyeing the EBU title. Monaghan, Kane, Jurich and Little Dado appear to be the best of the young prospects; two Europeans – Belgian Raoul DeGryse and German Hans Schiffers – are set to join the ranks in 1937. Last edited by JCWeb; 06-09-2015 at 01:31 PM.

01-12-2015, 08:18 AM	#1134
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	1936 Year-End Awards First, here are the annual PFP (pound-for-pound ratings) as generated by the computer for year-end 1936 (listed by Perf Pts with changes from 1935 in parens). 1. Tony Canzoneri, WBA LW Champ, 1946 (+1) 2. Jimmy McLarnin, WW, 1635 (+1) 3. Joe Louis, WBA HW Champ, 1507 (new) 4. Midget Wolgast, WBA Fly Champ, 1484 (+2) 5. Maxie Rosenbloom, NABF LH Champ, 1452 (new) 6. Ruby Goldstein, WBA WW Champ, 1431 (new) 7. Barney Ross, WW, 1430 (new) 8. Johnny King, GBU BW Champ, 1418 (-4) 9. Pete Sanstol, WBA BW Champ, 1403 (new) 10. Cleto Locatelli, EBU WW Champ, 1386 (-3) Dropped out from last year: Max Schmeling, HW (was #1); Tommy Farr, HW (was #5); Young Corbett III, WW (was #8); Ray Miller, LW (was #9); Joe Knight, LH (was #10) Comments: Lots of turnover, half the top 10 are different -- note that Rosenbloom, new for 1936, had made the list once before (in 1934). Also worthy of note is how close the pack is -- other than Canzoneri, who is approaching the magic 2000 level reached by only a handful of fighters -- for the #2 through #10 spots. Going back five years ago, only McLarnin (now at Post-Prime, as is Goldstein), was the only one listed back then. Canzoneri and Wolgast, with the two longest reigns as current WBA Champions, are no surprises, but four WWs among the top 10 is a surprise! 1936 Awards: Fighter of the Year: Joe Louis Fight of the Year: Louis UD 15 Schmeling (April 1936, see post #1101 for a round-by-round description) Newcomer of the Year: Joe Louis Upset of the Year: Goldstein UD 15 Ross (Dec. 1936, WBA WW title) Comments: Not surprising to see Louis garnering three of the four awards. A strong case could be made for either Canzoneri and Wolgast, based on domination of their respective divisions, but toppling an established Champion like Schmeling was a major feat. Upset of the year was an easy call -- even though Goldstein did not his Post-Prime until after the bout, Ross was much more highly rated and expected to hold the WBA WW title for some time, but it did not work out that way. Look out for Henry Armstrong, if he successfully moves up in weight, to contend for top honors in 1937.

01-12-2015, 08:27 AM	#1135
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	Jan. 1937 -- Current Champions Finally, here's the list of titleholders by division heading into 1937 -- date of ascension and number of successful defenses in parens. ROLL OF CHAMPIONS HW WBA: Joe Louis (Apr. 1936) (3) NABF: Elmer Ray (Nov. 1936) (0) USBA: Art Lasky (Dec. 1936) (0) CBU: Don McCorkindale (Sep. 1936) (0) GBU: Jack Peterson (May 1936) (1) EBU: Tommy Farr (Aug. 1934) (5) OPBF: Tom Heeney (Jun. 1932) (1) LABF: Joe Domingo Carattoli (Jul. 1935) (0) LH WBA: John Henry Lewis (Feb. 1936) (1) NABF: Maxie Rosenbloom (Feb. 1936) (2) USBA: Battling Bozo (Apr. 1936) (2) CBU: Len Harvey (Aug. 1936) (2) GBU: Len Harvey (Jun. 1934) (0) EBU: Len Harvey (Sep. 1933) (4) MW WBA: Ken Overlin (Aug. 1936) (1) NABF: Freddie Steele (Jan. 1932) (14) USBA: Holman Williams (Dec. 1936) (0) CBU: Frank Battaglia (Jul. 1936) (0) GBU: Jock McAvoy (Oct. 1930) (7) EBU: Jock McAvoy (Aug. 1935) (2) OPBF: Ambrose Palmer (Jun. 1934) (2) LABF: Kid Tunero (May 1935) (0) WW WBA: Ruby Goldstein (Dec. 1936) (0) NABF: Vacant USBA: Eddie Dolan (Sep. 1936) (1) CBU: Jack Carroll (Nov. 1935) (1) GBU: Ernie Roderick (May 1935) (0) EBU: Cleto Locatelli (Jun. 1930) (9) OPBF: Jack Carroll (Jun. 1935) (3) LABF: Cocoa Kid (May 1935) (3) JWW WBA: Jack Kid Berg (Jan. 1928) (11) USBA: Johnny Jadick (Mar. 1933) (1) LW WBA: Tony Canzoneri (Mar. 1932) (18) NABF: Jack Portney (Dec. 1936) (0) USBA: Lew Kirsch (Jun. 1936) (0) CBU: Billy Townsend (Sep. 1936) (0) GBU: Harry Mason (Apr. 1929) (6) EBU: Aldo Spoldi (Nov. 1935) (0) LABF: Emory Cabana (Feb. 1935) (2) FW WBA: Henry Armstrong (Jul. 1936) (1) NABF: Baby Arizmendi (Aug. 1936) (0) USBA: Mike Belloise (Jul. 1936) (0) CBU: Pete DeGrasse (Jul. 1936) (1) GBU: Jim Kelly (Oct. 1935) (1) EBU: Maurice Holtzer (May 1936) (1) OPBF: Merv Blandon (Mar. 1934) (0) LABF: Kid Chocolate (Dec. 1935) (1) BW WBA: Pete Sanstol (Mar. 1936) (2) NABF: Horace Gwynne (Jul. 1936) (0) USBA: Archie Bell (Nov. 1936) (0) CBU: Horace Gwynne (Apr. 1936) (0) GBU: Johnny King (Nov. 1936) (0) EBU: Dick Corbett (Dec. 1934) (1) OPBF: Young Tommy (Feb. 1935) (3) LABF: Panama Al Brown (Nov. 1936) (0) FLY WBA: Midget Wolgast (May 1931) (16) NABF: Frankie Genaro (Dec. 1934) (2) USBA: Ruby Bradley (Jul. 1935) (1) CBU: Jackie Brown (Sep. 1934) (0) GBU: Jackie Brown (Nov. 1935) (0) EBU: Jackie Brown (Jan. 1936) (0) OPBF: Small Montana (Jan. 1935) (1) Comments: Again, lots of turmoil and turnover in most cases, with about half the belts changing hands at least once during 1936. Ironically, the longest active reigns are for some of the lesser belts: Harry Mason as GBU LW Champ and Steele and McAvoy in the MW division, if you discount the soon-to-be-defunct JWW division which has been inactive for over a year. Continuing change will probably be the order of the day for most divisions in 1937, but look for Louis, Canzoneri and Wolgast to continue as WBA Champions, as it would be a major surprise to see any of that trio lose their respective belts in 1937.

01-16-2015, 09:41 AM	#1136
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	Jan. 1937 - Part 1 of 2 1937 fistic action is now underway! This is a summary of ring action from the first half of January 1937, covering a total of 48 bouts. Jan. 2, 1937: The year kicks off at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. No titles at stake, and the main event matches two top 20 HWs in a non-title contest. Two boxers do battle, as Roscoe Toles faces Lee Ramage. Toles, who was in the top 10 at the start of 1936, is striving to get back there, while Ramage has won his last four. The bout remains close through the first half, and then Ramage pulls ahead slightly after a good round six. Toles picks up the pace in round seven, and at the end of the round, Ramage is called for hitting after the bell. Late in the bout, Ramage is cut over his right eye, but the cut has little effect as the bout goes to decision after ten close rounds. The result – a majority draw (95-95 on two cards, with one judge calling it 96-94 for Toles). Post-fight career marks: 22-2-3 (5) for Toles, 28-5-1 (11) for Ramage. Jan. 8, 1937: Some good bouts on the agenda in a Friday night card at Toronto. In the co-feature, it is old versus new as hot Canadian LW prospect Dave Castilloux takes on a former WBA Champ, Billy “Fargo Express” Petrolle – Castilloux is still at Pre-Prime whereas Petrolle has hit End career stage but is still a dangerous opponent. Petrolle gets on top early, with a big round two but, when he moves inside in the third round, Castilloux punishes him with some effective counter-punching. The bout remains close until Petrolle begins to tire in round six. Then, in the seventh, Castilloux puts Petrolle on the deck with a solid cross. By the end of round eight, there is a trace of swelling under the right eye of both. Castilloux, cheered on by the Canadian crowd, goes on to take a UD 10 (98-92, 97-93, 99-91), thus enabling him to move up the ratings. Castilloux improves to 17-1 (7) as a result; Petrolle drops to 46-12-4 (24) after the loss. Then, in the main event, the Commonwealth MW title is on the line as two familiar foes, Canadian Frank Battaglia and Aussie Ron Richards, square off for a third time, with Battaglia defending on home turf after the two split a couple of disappointing bouts (one ended via a cut, the other by a DQ) Down Under. This bout is also destined to end early, as Richards rips open a cut over Battaglia’s right eye that leads to an immediate stoppage. TKO 1 for Richards, who captures the CBU belt. Post-bout career marks: Richards, 30-7-2 (23); Battaglia, 26-7-1 (13). Jan. 9, 1937: Next fistic action is back in Europe, at the Sports Palace in Rome. Some big time names headline the card, such that #2 ranked MW Vince Dundee is relegated to the undercard for his battle with a top European MW, Frenchman Marcel Thil. The fact that both are at Post-Prime in 1937 does not diminish the interest in this bout. Trouble for Thil comes early as he suffers a cut over his right eye in the second round. The cut is reopened twice, in rounds four and again in round seven. Dundee has been able to amass a solid points lead when, after the cut is reopened a third time, the bout is halted. TKO 9 for Dundee on the cuts stoppage. Post-bout career marks for these veteran ring warriors are 40-11-4 (16) for Dundee and 39-23-6 (13) for Thil. Two Italian HWs square off in the co-feature, as Primo Carnera faces Sal Ruggirello. Ruggirello shows he is not afraid of mixing it up with the much bigger Carnera, who moves inside to be more effective. Ruggirello is cut over his left eye in round seven, but the cut does not prove to be an issue as he lasts the distance and holds the “Ambling Alp” to a draw: 95-95 on two cards, while one judge had it 96-94 for Ruggirello – a bit of a surprise as Carnera was the heavy favorite. After the bout, Carnera is 24-8-2 (18) while Ruggirello is 27-13-3 (22). Finally, it is time for the main event, and JWW Champ Jack Kid Berg has made the decision to drop down to LW, and he is challenging Italian fan favorite Aldo Spoldi for Spoldi’s EBU LW title. It is Spoldi’s first defense of this belt in over a year, and in the opening round he stuns Berg with a hard cross. Berg battles back with a strong showing in rounds three and four, and in the fifth he decks Spoldi with a wild overhand right that finds the target. Berg then gradually pulls ahead with a consistent performance level through the middle rounds, forcing Spoldi to go on the attack, out of his comfort zone, in the later rounds. In the end, Berg prevails, taking a fairly comfortable UD 12 (116-111, 117-110, 117-110) to lift the belt. With the win, Berg runs his career record to 33-12-4 (14), while Spoldi is still an excellent 26-4-3 (12) despite the loss. Jan. 9, 1937: Next up is a card in Miami, Florida and, for the first time since its formation, the LABF organization has agreed to stage a title bout on U. S. soil. In fact, the challenger – while possessing a Hispanic surname, is a US boxer, Chino Alvarez, and he faces #1 LW contender Emory Cabana for the Cuban’s LABF LW title belt. No worries, suggests Cabana, as he is the heavy favorite to retain the belt against the lightly regarded Alvarez. However, it turns out that Alvarez – who is unbeaten with two wins and two draws in his last four – proves to be the more aggressive of the two, taking the fight to the more experienced Cabana. In round seven, Alvarez lands a big shot that puts Cabana on the canvas. Cabana pays for his over-confidence, as Alvarez goes on to take a UD 12 (116-111, 115-112, 114-113) to capture the belt in an upset. Post-fight career marks: Alvarez, 27-5-3 (17); Cabana, 40-17-4 (12). Jan. 15, 1937: Next up is a solid card at the Rizal Arena in Manila, with a pair of co-main events matching some of the top performers in the lower weight divisions. First, in the co-feature, USBA BW Champion Archie Bell takes on the current OPBF BW Champ, Young Tommy. Bell, despite having reached Post-Prime career stage, has won his last three. Tommy looks sharp early, moving inside to put the more experienced but older Bell on the defensive. Bell does well to keep the bout close until round six, when his Filipino opponent connects with a huge shot that puts Bell down. Archie arises at the count of four and manages to last the round. Both men develop traces of swelling under their respective left eyes as the bout progresses into its later stages. The final scores show a close but UD 10 win for Young Tommy (96-93, 96-94, 96-93) as the one knockdown proved decisive. Post-fight, Tommy improves to 28-5-1 (13) while Bell sinks to 38-13-7 (11). After the bout, Bell will be at End career stage. Then, in the second co-feature, long-time WBA Flyweight Champion Midget Wolgast moves up to dabble in the BW ranks, taking on a former Champ, Speedy Dado, in a non-title affair. After a close pair of opening rounds, Dado becomes more aggressive, moving inside in round three, but he is punished as Wolgast is on target with several strong counter-shots. Dado, with the help of some favorable hometown judging, manages to keep the bout reasonably close through the middle rounds. In the later rounds, the Filipino crowd favorite tries to ramp up the pace, but Wolgast’s defense remains solid. Thus, Wolgast manages to take a MD 10 (96-94, 95-95, 96-94) although the move up in weight may have raised more questions than answers. Post-fight marks: Wolgast, 42-4-1 (18); Dado, 29-14-2 (13). With an unconvincing performance but a win nonetheless, Wolgast’s connections are unwilling to commit to continuing a full-scale effort with a possible BW title challenge as opposed to a return to the easier level of competition in the Flyweight ranks. Jan. 16, 1937: Next card is at the Stadium in Liverpool. Only one bout of note on an abbreviated card, but it is for a Commonwealth LW title as Canadian Billy Townsend defends against South Africa’s Laurie Stevens. Stevens, who has just reached the Prime stage of his career, has won seven in a row to set up this title challenge while Townsend, who is moving the opposite direction, hitting Post-Prime in 1937 (his real-life retirement year) after winning the CBU belt last year. Stevens takes control in the opening round, landing several punishing shots to the extent that Townsend’s left eye is beginning to puff up. The bruising nature of the bout continues in round two, as it is Stevens who begins to exhibit traces of swelling under his right eye. Not much more in the way of action until round five, when both men open up, whaling away at each other on the inside. Townsend wings a big hook, then Stevens steps back to unleash a hook to the body. Townsend winces, then Stevens goes upstairs with a hook to the head. By this time, Stevens is in full control, following with a hook to the ribs, and two-punch combo, then finally Townsend walks into a cross that puts him down for a nine-count. The ref then waves off the rest of the bout, and Stevens is declared the winner and new CBU LW Champion via a TKO 5. Post-fight, Stevens improves his record to an excellent 19-2 (14). Townsend slips to 27-15-1 (16). It is the fifth time in the last five title bouts that this particular belt has changed hands – Townsend, who has been involved in four of those five bouts, has emerged the victor twice, and also as the vanquished, twice.

01-18-2015, 09:19 PM	#1137
Antonin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,420	This is such a well-thought-out universe. I've often thought about starting a historical uni, but have always felt very uncertain about how to begin. I like your idea of using Trial Horse fighters alongside the real ones. Are all your TH fighters rated "0" at prime? __________________ Cultural icons, gone but not forgotten: David Bowie, Lou Reed, William S. Burroughs, Tristan Tzara, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsburg, Jimi Hendrix, John Cage, Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls), Mike Hudson (The Pagans), Joey Ramone (Ramones), Stiv Bators (Dead Boys), Tomata Du Plenty (The Screamers), Joe Strummer (The Clash), Lester Bangs

01-19-2015, 05:09 PM	#1138
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	Jan. 1937 - Part 2 of 2 Antonin, thanks. I just used a bunch of TH opponents that came either with the game or were added right after. Can't remember which. I just recycle and rename them as needed. Believe they are all rated either "1" or "0." This is a summary of ring action from the second half of January 1937, covering a total of 57 bouts. Two WBA title bouts are covered in this report. Jan. 16, 1937: Back to the States for a solid card in Detroit. The main event is for the NABF WW title vacated by Ruby Goldstein after he won the WBA title. Two familiar foes are matched for the vacant belt: reigning USBA Champion Eddie Dolan, and up-and-comer Fritzie Zivic. In three prior meetings, Dolan has the edge, winning two and drawing once. Dolan enters the contest having won his last four, while Zivic is coming off a huge win over German Gustav Eder. Zivic is the aggressor, preferring to work on the inside while Dolan is more comfortable staying on the outside. Dolan pulls ahead with a huge round four, but Zivic manages to land enough shots to keep the bout close. No cuts, swelling or knockdowns as the bout goes the distance, and the result is a majority draw (114-114 on two cards, with one judge favoring Dolan by a 116-112 count). Both men still have excellent career marks post-fight: 23-3-2 (9) for Dolan, 20-3-2 (13) for Zivic. Will there be a fifth meeting of these two for the vacant belt later in 1937? Who knows, but for now the belt will remain vacant a little while longer. Jan. 22, 1937: Sicks Stadium in Seattle is the scene for the next fistic action. After holding the NABF MW title for half a decade, Freddie Steele finally gets his opportunity to challenge for the WBA MW title – against someone other than Mickey Walker. His opponent, recently crowned WBA MW Champ Ken Overlin, is making his second title defense. It is the third meeting of these two, and for Steele, there is reason for optimism as “the Tacoma Assassin” won one and drew the other. This time, Overlin gets off to a strong start, with some accurate punching resulting in a solid points edge in round one. Then, in round two, misfortune strikes Steele, as Overlin rips open a nasty gash over Steele’s right eye. The cut is patched up in between rounds, and Steele holds his own in round three, before moving inside in an effort to become more aggressive in the fourth round. However, the cut is soon reopened and deemed too dangerous to allow the bout to continue. TKO 4 for Overlin on the cuts stoppage. Post-fight, Overlin improves to 29-1-4 (12); Steele drops to 37-6-1 (23). Freddie is now 0-4 in WBA MW title matchups despite holding the NABF title and holding a high Perf Point total for a long time. Steele's situation is reminiscent of a prior fighter -- Packey McFarland, who held the NABF WW title for a long time but always fell just short when trying to move up and claim the WBA title. Jan. 23, 1937: Back in Europe for another good, solid card at the Amor Bahn in Munich. The main event is a rematch, with Cleto Locatelli facing Bep Van Klaveren for Locatelli’s EBU WW title belt – the two had battled to a draw in a prior meeting for the same belt in 1936. The two boxers settle in for a long, tough struggle; the bout remains close through the early rounds. In the middle rounds, the Dutch challenger appears to be gradually pulling ahead. Locatelli, forced to be more aggressive in the later rounds in an effort to retain the belt, responds positively. The bout goes the distance, and Locatelli escapes with a majority draw (114-112 Van Klaveren, 113-113, 113-113) so it goes down as another successful defense for the Swiss. Post-fight career records: Locatelli, 33-10-3 (11); Van Klaveren, 23-9-5 (9). Despite the solid result against a tough opponent, Van Klaveren is now winless in his last five (one loss, four draws) dating back to February 1936. Jan. 29, 1937: Next up is a Friday night card at Mexico City. Although held under the auspices of the LABF, the main event if for the NABF FW title as ex-WBA Champ Baby Arizmendi defends that belt against Petey Hayes. For Hayes, it is his first title shot, set up by two recent wins and five wins in his last six outings. Nonetheless, the American appears to be outclassed by the Mexican, who is a huge favorite of both the crowd and the experts. Arizmendi pulls ahead in the early going but Hayes rebounds with a big round five. Arizmendi comes back to dominate the action in rounds six and seven, then goes on to take a UD 12 (117-111 on all three cards) in a bout with no knockdowns, cuts or swelling. Post-fight career marks: Arizmendi, 30-7-2 (10); Hayes, 24-4-5 (7). Jan. 30, 1937: The Earls Court in London is the venue for the next card. The Commonwealth HW title is on the line in the feature, but first up is a main support matching two top 10 LHs: Belgian Gustave Roth and Jimmy Adamick in a 10-round, non-title affair. It’s a prototypical boxer versus slugger confrontation – Roth being the boxer, Adamick, the slugger. During a sharp exchange on the inside in round five, Adamick is cut over his left eye. Despite the fact that the cut is still oozing blood a few rounds later, Adamick fights his way off the ropes and unleashes a barrage of blows that put Roth down and out. KO 7 for Adamick, who moves to 22-2-1 (21) with the win, while Roth dips to 34-10-2 (12). Then, in the feature, GBU HW Champ Tommy Farr seeks to regain the Commonwealth HW title, as he faces Don McCorkindale, the South African who holds the belt. Farr is on target early, outboxing McCorkindale. For most of the early rounds, Farr seems content to stay on the outside, while McCorkindale is the aggressor. In round five, Farr suffers a cut over his left eye. The cut is quickly patched up, and McCorkindale begins to tire as early as the seventh round. In round nine, a second cut appears under Farr’s injured left eye. Late in the bout, in round 11, there is a cut over the right eye of McCorkindale. Farr is able to coast the rest of the way, confident of victory. He does manage to lift the belt with a UD 12 that was a bit closer than he would have liked (115-114, 117-113, 116-113) as McCorkindale did not go away in the later rounds. Post-fight, Farr – who still has added the CBU HW belt to his EBU title – is 39-10-1 (14) and looking for a WBA title shot. McCorkindale is 30-9-1 (17) after the loss. Jan. 30, 1937: The month wraps with an impressive card at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The main event is a battle for the WBA LH title, featuring the defending Champ and the #1 contender. But, first up, is a highly attractive non-title encounter including two top 10 HWs: Larry Gains and Jersey Joe Walcott. Gains, who holds a prior UD win over Walcott from 1935, enters the bout supremely confident; by round three, he has Walcott in difficulty, as Jersey Joe is forced to battle with a swollen and cut right eye. Then, near the end of the fifth round, a Gains hook puts Walcott down briefly. Walcott rebounds quickly, dominating in round six. After another big round for Walcott in the seventh, Gains exhibits a touch of swelling around his right eye as well. Gains, seeing his early advantage slipping away, steps up the pace heading into the final rounds of the bout. In round nine, the cut over Walcott’s bruised eye is reopened, and this time the ref – over strong protest from Walcott’s corner – calls a halt. TKO 9 for Gains; as a result, the Canadian HW’s record improves to 42-11 (23); Jersey Joe is now 29-4 (20). Then, the main event is for the WBA LH Championship as John Henry Lewis defends that belt against the #1 contender and reigning NABF LH Champ, ex-WBA Champ Maxie Rosenbloom. It is Lewis’ second defense and the first meeting of the two; Rosenbloom has won his last four and appears ready to offer a strong challenge for the title. Rosenbloom starts well, gaining a slight edge in the opening stanza and then winning most of the exchanges as the two trade blows from the outside in round two. Lewis takes the fight inside in round three, but Rosenbloom continues with his accurate punching; more of the same in rounds four and five. Lewis tries to get more aggressive, but Rosenbloom is content to remain on the outside, continuing to pile up points. Finally, in round seven, Lewis suffers a cut over his right eye, and the cut proves decisive when it leads to an immediate stoppage a round later. Unlike the situation with Walcott, there is little protest from Lewis’ corner as Lewis was clearly losing the fight on points. TKO 8 enables Rosenbloom to win the WBA LH title for the second time, lifting his career totals to 41-11-6 (18). For Lewis, it is just his third career defeat, leaving him at 21-3-2 (17). Last edited by JCWeb; 01-19-2015 at 08:16 PM.

01-24-2015, 09:15 AM	#1139
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	Feb. 1937 - Part 1 of 2 This is a summary of ring action from the first half of February 1937, covering a total of 52 bouts. Feb. 5, 1937: The month starts with a card at Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium. No title bouts are on the agenda, but some good non-title bouts. In the co-feature, Tony Zale, the “Man of Steel,” looks to move up the MW rankings by taking on top 20 contender Solly Krieger. Krieger proves to be a tough opponent, and in the opening round he decks Zale for an eight count with a hard cross. Zale recovers and takes the second round. Then, in round three, Zale is cut in a bad spot, just over the right eye. The cut proves problematic and leads to a stoppage a round later. TKO 4 for Krieger, who improves to 27-9-1 (12) on the cuts stoppage. For Zale, it is his second career loss, leaving him at 16-2 (13). Then, in the second co-feature, former WBA LH Champ Joe “Cairo Calamity” Knight faces an up-and-coming Gus Lesnevich, with Lesnevich looking to move into the upper echelon of LH contenders. Lesnevich is the more aggressive of the two, and midway through the bout, Knight shows the effects, with a trace of swelling visible around his right eye. Knight rallies, and the bruising bout also takes its toll on Lesnevich, who also exhibits signs of swelling under his left eye by the end of round eight. Lesnevich continues pressing through the end, and the result – a majority draw (one judge had it 97-93 for Lesnevich, while the other cards came in at 95-95) – seemed justified. Relative position in the LH rankings remain unchanged, with Knight ending the bout at 28-7-3 (15), while Lesnevich is an impressive 19-1-1 (13). Feb. 6, 1937: Double-barrel title bout action tops the next card, back in the UK at Liverpool. In the first co-feature, the GBU LW title is on the line, with Harry Mason (who has held the belt since 1929) facing Harry Mizler, whom Mason defeated for the belt in his last defenses, back in 1929. Mason, now at Post-Prime, has lost three bouts since that last defense, while Mizler has moved from Pre-Prime to Prime career stage. Mason is content to stay on the outside, not venturing forward, whereas Mizler is the more active of the two, gradually building a punches landed edge that eventually translates into a UD 12 win (118-112, 118-111, 116-113). Mizler, now 17-4-3 (5), lifts the belt, while Mason slips to 37-26-4 (5) overall. The second of the two titles to be contested is the EBU Flyweight crown, with Brit Jackie Brown making his second defense of that belt, taking on the challenge from Frenchman Eugene Huat. Brown, who won their only prior encounter back in 1927 when both were at Pre-Prime, gets off to a good start. Huat is unable to break down Brown’s defenses, although he does manage to land enough to cause some slight swelling under Brown’s right eye. The bout goes to decision, and Brown retains the EBU title via a UD 12 (115-113, 114-112, 115-112). Post-fight marks: Brown, 31-11-3 (11); Huat, 24-14-7 (10). Feb. 6, 1937: Next card is at the Forum in Montreal, Canada. Up for grabs is the NABF LH title recently vacated by Maxie Rosenbloom who stepped up to win the WBA LH belt. Competing for the vacant belt are current USBA Champion Battling Bozo (now at Post-Prime) and, in his first title matchup, Bob Olin. Bozo is on target early, and finally in round four Olin moves forward and begins to assert himself on the inside. Olin continues to win the inside exchanges in the fifth round, and at the end of the round he hurts Bozo with a winging right hook; as he returns to his corner, there is swelling apparent under the left eye of Bozo. With the scores at 57-57 on the unofficial card at the midway point, Olin continues to maintain an aggressive posture. Then, in round seven, Bozo bloodies Olin’s nose. The cut continues to ooze blood into round nine before it is staunched by Olin’s corner in between rounds. Bozo gets more aggressive in the later rounds, and in the final round, both men are trying for the knockout. A big finish from Bob Olin is just enough for him to secure the win via a MD 12 (115-113, 114-114, 116-112) to claim the NABF LH title. Post-fight career records: Olin, 28-9-3 (10); Bozo, 32-9-3 (12). Feb. 12, 1937: Back in Europe for a Friday night card at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden. No titles at stake, but the main event features two former WBA BW Champions, both of whom are positioning themselves for another title try later in the year. Johnny King, current GBU titleholder, faces Panama Al Brown, the reigning LABF BW Champ. King won both their prior meetings, one via a DQ and then a WBA title bout back in 1932 when he took the belt from Brown via a UD 15. Panama Al starts well, and he seems determined to avenge the two prior losses to King. By the end of round four, King is looking a bit deflated and also shows some traces of swelling under his right eye from Brown’s successful sparring. In round five, King mounts a brief rally, taking the fight to Brown. Panama Al is back in charge in the sixth, and in the later rounds King is forced to assume a more aggressive posture. All to no avail as Brown goes on to record a UD 10 win (97-92, 97-92, 96-93) to record his 50^th career win and move to 50-10-1 (19) overall. King, stuck on 40 career wins, is now 40-5-1 (15). Feb. 13, 1937: Back to the States for an interesting card at New Orleans’ Coliseum Arena. Not wanting to wait for a rematch between the two guys who fought to a draw in January, the NABF decided to hold another bout for the NABF WW title vacated by Ruby Goldstein. This time, the contenders are a former titleholder, Baby Joe Gans, and King Tut, both of whom are ranked inside the top 10. Gans, who holds a prior TKO win over Tut, is coming off a win over the recently retired Benny Leonard. Likewise, Tut had an impressive win over Filipino veteran Irineo Flores in Manila in his last outing. ck, who moves to 22-2-1 (21) with the win, while Roth dips to 34-10-2 (12). After an even first round, Tut becomes the aggressor and it pays dividends, as Gans is put on the defensive. In round six, Gans is cut over his right eye. Trailing, Gans tries to become more active in the later rounds, but by this time, Tut is well ahead on points. In round 10, Tut drops Gans with a hook to the head. Gans is able to resume, but the next round the cut over his eye is reopened, and after that he is unable to mount a rally. King Tut takes a fairly comfortable UD 12 win (117-112, 117-112, 118-111) to emerge as the new NABF WW Champion. Post-fight, he improves to 29-12-4 (19) while Gans, now at Post-Prime, is 37-20-2 (14). Feb. 13, 1937: More fistic action in the States with a card on the West Coast at Los Angeles’ Olympic Auditiorium. No titles at stake, and the feature is between two Flyweights as veteran Frankie Genaro laces up the gloves to face Small Montana, the current OPBF Fly Champ. The two battled to a draw back in 1935 and Montana, with a pair of recent losses and no wins since June 1935, is looking to improve on his early showing, given that Genaro is now at Post-Prime. Even so, the veteran Genaro remains a top Fly contender, having won three of his last four. This time around, both men exhibit solid boxing skills through the opening rounds. Montana is able to land sufficient blows to cause some swelling under Genaro’s left eye. The bout remains close, as the unofficial scorer has it 48-all at the midway point. By the end of round six, Montana is showing traces of swelling under his right eye. Genaro seems to be leading when he gets careless in round eight and goes down from a barrage of blows from Montana. The ex-Champ arises at the count of nine and is barely able to continue. Montana’s killer instinct kicks in but, try as he can, he is unable to finish Genaro. Genaro, despite being called for a low blow, survives the round and lasts the rest of the bout. The judges call it a majority draw (95-95 on two cards, one judge had it 97-94 for Montana). Perhaps with the benefit of some hometown judging, Genaro emerges from the bout at 46-16-6 (18) and still a leading Fly contender. Montana, now 18-6-3 (7) is already campaigning for a rematch, this time in his native Philippines.

01-28-2015, 11:36 AM	#1140
JCWeb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,042	Feb. 1937 - Part 2 of 2 This is a summary of ring action from the second half of February 1937, covering a total of 49 bouts. Feb. 19, 1937: Friday night card “Down Under” in Sydney, Australia is headlined by twin OPNF title bout action. The first of the co-features matches Ambrose Palmer with another Aussie, Fred Henneberry, for Palmer’s OPBF MW title. It is the first meeting of the two, Palmer’s first title defense in over a year, and Henneberry’s second try for this title, having been a KO victim of Ron Richards back in 1932. Palmer adopts an aggressive posture, moving inside in round three and connecting with some good shots near the end of the round. More punches land for the defending Champ in round five, when Palmer drops Henneberry with a nice uppercut. Henneberry takes a five count but is able to continue. Palmer is well ahead by the midway point, and for the second half of the bout, Henneberry is troubled by a swollen right eye. Near the end of the tenth, Palmer stuns Hennebery with another big uppercut, and the bout goes the distance without further incident. UD 12 for Palmer by a wide margin (118-109, 117-110, 116-111) to retain the title and run his career record to 28-10 (17). Henneberry is now 23-8-1 (10). Then, in the second co-feature, Jack Carroll defends his OPBF WW title against a former Champion and long-time foe, Irineo Flores. Flores has prevailed in two of three prior meetings dating all the way back to 1927, but Carroll has done well recently, winning his last nine. However, things go badly for Carroll in the early going, as he sustains a cut over his right eye in the opening round; the cut is reopened in round three. Flores continues to target the cut, but some good cornerwork enables to Carroll to maintain his composure and gradually build a points lead without the cut being a factor. Even though the cut is reopened a second time later in the bout (in round ten), Carroll goes on to take a close but UD 12 (116-114, 116-112, 116-113) to run his career record to 37-15-5 (13), making it his tenth victory in a row and his fourth successful title defense. Flores, who is nearing the end of his career, is now 44-21-2 (21). Feb. 20, 1937: Back to Europe for a smaller card in Rome. With no title bouts on the agenda, the headliner features Italian HW Primo Carnera, who faces veteran Portugese HW Jose Santo in a 10-rounder. Carnera looks sharp in the early going, and he moves inside in round three in an effort to inflict further damage on the aging Portugese fighter. Santo, who is now at Post-Prime, falls behind on points and tries to become more aggressive. However, his efforts are thwarted by Carnera, who delivers a big hook that puts his opponent down and out early in the sixth round. KO 6 for Carnera, who improves to 25-8-2 (19) with the win, rekindling hopes of a EBU or perhaps even a WBA title bout in his future. For Santo, it is his third straight KO loss, leaving his career slate at 31-17 (22). Feb. 20, 1937: Next card is back in the States at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. On the undercard, hot MW prospect Charley Burley remained perfect, scoring a first round TKO to make it six wins inside the distance in six career outings. Then, two LH prospects do battle as unbeaten Billy Conn faces 10-1 Dave Clark. An early cut decides this one, and Conn claims a TKO 5 win on the cuts stoppage to improve to 11-0-2 (10). Then, in the main event, two aging LW veterans do battle as long-time contender Ray Miller faces former JLW Champ Tod Morgan – both are at Post-Prime entering this bout. The slight edge goes to Morgan in the early going. The bout remains close at the halfway points, and Morgan decides to become more aggressive in the later rounds. The end result is a split decision draw – one judge had it 96-95 for Miller, a second had Morgan the winner by two (96-94), while a third had it even (95-all). Post-fight career records: Miller, 41-14-1 (18); Morgan, 46-15-4 (12). Feb. 26, 1937: Next is a Friday night card at Havana, Cuba’s Gran Stadium. No titles, and the key bout is the main event featuring NABF HW Champ Elmer “Kid Violet” Ray who, unable to arrange a title bout, settles for a relatively easy matchup with an unranked European, little known Karel Sys from Belgium. Ray receives a wake-up call when he is stunned by a strong cross from Sys in the opening stanza. Ray covers up to last the round, then bides his time until an opening is presented in round five, then he unloads a barrage of blows until Sys is literally out on his feet. At this point the ref steps in to save the Belgian from further punishment. TKO 5 win for Ray, running his record to 35-7 (22). Sys drops to 20-6 (13) with the loss. Feb. 27, 1937: Back to the UK for a big card at London’s Harringay Arena. No titles at stake, but two big name HWs top the bill in separate bouts in the co-feature matchups. First up, former LH Champ Tommy Loughran takes on Belgian HW Pierre Charles, a long-time fringe contender currently ranked in the top 20 and looking to move up. Loughran, the consummate boxer, is in good form, landing repeatedly in the early rounds. As a result, Charles is forced to carry his hands low and becomes an even more inviting target for Loughran’s two-fisted attack. Charles does have one good moment in the bout, when he rocks Loughran with an uppercut in round seven, forcing the veteran to cover up. Loughran survives the round and then goes on to take a very comfortable UD 10 win (99-91, 99-91, 98-92) to run his career mark to 58-9-4 (19) overall; Charles slips to 41-19-2 (28) with the loss. Then, in the second co-feature, still on the comeback trail and looking for his first win in over a year is Max Schmeling. His opponent is a dangerous young British HW, Tommy Martin, who has just hit Prime career stage after an impressive 19-1 career start. It’s a big test for Schmeling, who seems nervous at the start but channels the nerves into aggression in the very opening round, sending a hook to the midsection that staggers Martin. Then, in round three, Schmeling gets careless, walking into a cross; he goes down for a six-count but recovers quickly to bounce back with a big round four. Then, Schmeling launches an assault in the fifth round, landing a hard shot to the top of Martin’s head that forces the British fighter to cover up. Max’s killer instinct kicks in, and he drops Martin with a wild overhand right. A groggy Martin – who now has trouble seeing out of a swollen left eye -- arises at the count of two, only to be drilled by some more shots before the ref calls a halt. TKO 5 for Schmeling, who impressed by getting off the canvas to register a solid win. Post-fight, Schmeling improves to 42-4-1 (31) while Martin, who still has a bright future, checks in at 19-2 (12). Feb. 27, 1937: The month wraps up with a very interesting card in Philadelphia, with a USBA title at stake in the main event. An even more enticing matchup in the co-feature has two veteran MWs facing off, both former Champions, as Vince Dundee meets Mickey Walker. This is billed as a rubber match, as each prevailed once in two previous meetings, both for the WBA MW title. This time, though, no titles are on the line, and the more aggressive Walker seizes the initiative while Dundee assumes a more defensive posture. The bout is close through the first half, and then in round eight, a Walker combination sends Dundee to the canvas. Vince arises at the count of nine and is able to continue. Both men are tired and slow in the final two rounds. Still, a great round of applause for two veterans near the end of their respective careers, and this time the nod goes to Walker via a MD 10 (96-94, 95-95, 97-93) as the one KD made the difference. Post-fight career marks are 58-9-1 (43) for Walker, 40-12-4 (16) for Dundee. Then, Mike “the Bronx Spider” Belloise puts his USBA FW title on the line against challenger Petey Sarron, a former NABF and USBA FW titleholder. It proves to be a tough night for Belloise as Sarron is on target early, causing some early swelling to develop around the right eye of Belloise. Sarron is able to build a huge points lead and retreats to a defensive posture to coast to a UD 12 win (117-111, 115-113, 116-112) to lift the belt. The win lifts Sarron to 31-13-6 (8); Belloise is now 18-4-3 (7). Last edited by JCWeb; 02-03-2015 at 11:36 AM.