My Universe

[mh2365]

I show Packey McFarland as starting in 1920 are you using RL start dates?

Nevermind I had his rating and another Packy McFarland's boxrec # and start dates on the file, so Packey McFarland will be joining the LBA immediately as a LW .... actually I'll leave him as a WW even though boxrec says LW.

[JCWeb]

1918 LW Title Bouts

WBA

Benny Leonard CH (29-0-1) vs Jack Blackburn #1 (61-8-3)

Finally, a long-awaited Title Bout between Leonard and Blackburn, the #1 contender and long-time NABF Champion. Blackburn has not lost since losing the WBA title on a foul to Willie Ritchie in 1915.

Leonard looks sharp in the early action. Blackburn sneaks in a big right hand to stun the Champ in round 5, and Leonard's right eye starts to swell. Both men battle on the inside in round 6, and Leonard clings to a slim lead against a tough opponent. Leonard connects with a wild overhand right than staggers the challenger in round 9. Blackburn tries to rally in the later rounds, but Leonard hangs on to score an impressive UD 15 win (145-140, 147-138, 150-135).

Benny Leonard CH (30-0-1) vs Ray Bronson #3 (33-11-6)

Bronson comes into the bout riding a four-bout win streak. He is taking on Leonard for the first time, and this is his third try for the WBA belt (losing by a TKO to Welsh in 1912 and a MD to Blackburn in 1915).

Leonard comes out swinging in round one, dropping Bronson with a wild overhand right that lands flush on the jaw. Bronson adopts a defensive posture, allowing Leonard to build up an early points advantage. Leonard has a 50-43 lead after five rounds before Bronson gets on track with a strong round 6. After that, it is all Leonard who dominates en route to an easy UD 15 win in defense of the title.

Benny Leonard CH (31-0-1) vs Charley White #9 (30-14-4)

It's White's first try for the WBA title (he briefly held the USBA belt back in 1911-12). Leonard TKO'd White in 1915 in a NABF title bout.

White tries to get aggressive in the early going, but Leonard stays on the outside and starts popping the jab to take the early lead. White gets in a few good shots midway through the bout in round 8, but Leonard comes right back to nail him with a straight right hand. White tires out early, and once again, Leonard waltzes to a lopsided UD 15 decision.

Benny Leonard CH (32-0-1) vs Herb McCoy #5 (27-10-1)

Leonard's fourth defense in 1918 (his ninth title defense overall) is against the Aussie, Herb McCoy. McCoy comes in as the new CBU Champion, having won his last five in a row. He has the advantage of the hometown crowd in Sydney, Australia.

Leonard makes the usual strong start, fighting outside and it's another great boxing exhibition by the Ghetto Wizard. McCoy tries to mix it up on the inside, but Leonard keeps him at a distance with his piston-like jab. McCoy tries to get more aggressive in the middle rounds, but he is slowed by a cut over his right eye. McCoy has his best moment in round 9 when he nails Leonard with a good shot, but Benny covers up to avoid further trouble. McCoy tires badly in the later rounds, and the result is once again, an easy UD 15 verdict in favor of Benny Leonard.

Benny Leonard CH (33-0-1) vs Willie Ritchie #2 (35-12-2)

Leonard -- making his fifth title defense of the year -- comes in with a 2-0 edge in prior bouts, including a 1916 contest which won him the WBA crown.

Leonard keeps Ritchie off balance with a stinging jab in the opening stanza. Round two, Ritchie moves to the inside but just leaves himself open for a strong shot by Leonard that results in the fight's first knockdown. There's still plenty of time left in the round, and Leonard makes no mistake, swarming off his hapless opponent until the ref saves Ritchie from further punishment. Leonard by TKO 2.

NABF: Jack Blackburn defended the belt against Fighting Dick Hyland, taking advantage of an early cut that eventually led to a 5th round stoppage. Then Lockport Jimmy Duffy challenged for the title, and Blackburn took charge in the fifth round, sending Duffy to the canvas three times to register another TKO win.

USBA: Ritchie began the year with this belt, defending versus Rocky Kansas. Kansas pulled ahead on points early and held on to score an impressive UD 12 win to lift the belt. Kansas defended versus Ray Bronson, in a bruising battle where both men suffered swelling around the eyes. A knockdown in round 8 turned the tide in favor of Kansas, who went on to register another UD 12 win.

CBU: Jem Driscoll defended the belt against Australia's Herb McCoy. Driscoll built up an early lead but ran into a McCoy hook that put him on the canvas in round 5. A second KD by McCoy in round 8 had the 38-year old Driscoll reeling, and from there the Aussie went on to take the belt via a UD 12.

GBU: Driscoll did not defend this belt in 1918.

EBU: Llew Edwards made his first defense of the EBU title he won in 1917 versus France's Louis de Ponthieu. The bout came to an abrupt early halt in round four after de Ponthieu was cut, the result of an unintentional butt. The bout was ruled a technical draw, so Edwards keeps the crown.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1919 LW Division Profile

Total: 117 RL: 62 TC: 55

RL by Career Stage:
End - 6
Post - 9
Prime- 29
Pre - 13
Beginning - 5 (4 New)

Rated: 51
800+: 11
500+: 28
200+: 47

Jan 1919 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Jan 1918 in Parens):

Champ: Benny Leonard 34-0-1 (21) (1622) (NC)
1. Jack Blackburn 63-10-2 (22) (1316) (NC)
2. Lew Tendler 23-2-1 (9) (1075) (+4)
3. Willie Ritchie 35-13-2 (12) (1075) (-1)
4. Rocky Kansas 25-6-2 (16) (1023) (+10)
5. Ray Bronson 34-13-6 (9) (1007) (-1)
6. Llew Edwards 19-5-1 (12) (995) (+3)
7. Herb McCoy 27-11-1 (13) (974) (+8)
8. Jem Driscoll 60-12-1 (31) (933) (-5)
9. Fighting Dick Hyland 36-25-5 (20) (871) (-4)
10. Louis de Ponthieu 21-6-2 (6) (819) (+6)

Comments: All but the last three, who are at Post (Driscoll, Hyland and de Ponthieu) for 1919, still at Prime. Leonard has now reeled off 20 wins in a row after his one draw with Special Delivery Hirsch back in 1913. Blackburn is still the #1 contender despite two losses in 1918 (he dropped a SD to Driscoll in addition to the title bout with Leonard). Tendler went 3-0 for the year, scoring UDs over Edwards and Jimmy Dundee and a SD versus Driscoll. Ritchie won only one of three, his only win a TKO over Phil Bloom, yet he manages to hold onto a top spot. Kansas shot up the ranks with four wins, taking the USBA title, scoring a UD 10 over Driscoll but losing a UD to Edwards for his only setback. Bronson defeated de Ponthieu but lost his two title bouts. Edwards bounced back from the TD4 with de Ponthieu with successive wins over Kansas (UD), White (MD) and Wolgast (UD). McCoy took the CBU belt and also TKO'd Ever Hammer to move into the top ranks. Driscoll registered the SD over Blackburn but slipped after three more losses, including the UD to Kansas. Hyland won one of three in 1918, scoring a UD over Knockout Brown. de Ponthieu defeated Hyland but slipped after a SD loss to Bronson.

Other Notables: White slipped three spots to #11, going 2-2 for the year, defeating KO Brown (UD) and Andy Chaney (MD) but suffering a MD loss to Edwards in addition to the WBA title bout loss. Lockport Jimmy Duffy stands 12th, having won three in a row until he was defeated by Blackburn. Next in the rankings at #13 is veteran Ad Wolgast, who lost a UD to Edwards after two wins against lesser opposition. Top newcomer was Jimmy Dundee, ranked 15th with a 17-1 (9) start, losing his first bout to Tendler, his first Top 10 opponent, after taking his first 17 in a row. Willie Beecher dropped seven spots to #17, a result of dropping MDs to Duffy and Ever Hammer. Andy Chaney debuts at #17, winning his first 17 but then dropping a MD to White to wind up 17-1 (10). Next at #18 is Special Delivery Hirsch, who has put together a five-bout win streak and an 8-bout unbeaten streak (6 wins 2 draws) going back to February 1917. (Hirsch, it will be remembered, represents the only blemish on Benny Leonard's career record.) Knockout Brown fell 14 spots all the way to #21 after going winless in 1918. Finally, Canadian Clonie Tait, who won his first 15 bouts, lost a SD to Chaney and a UD to Richie Mitchell to wind up at #23 with a 15-2 (4) start to his career.

Prospects: Frenchman Benny Valgar is 14-0 (11), scoring a TKO over Dane Emanuel Jacobsen after 13 wins versus TCs. Tommy O'Brien, at 11-1 (7), suffered a DQ loss to a TC. Jacobsen is off to a 10-1 (4) start, his only loss coming to Valgar. Tommy Cello has gone 9-0 (5) versus TCs, ditto for Alex Hart whose record is now 8-0 (3). Ernie Rice stumbled out of the gate, dropping a MD in his first bout that he later avenged, en route to a 5-1 (4) start, while Jimmy Goodrich won his first two bouts, one by KO.

Retirements: Four veteran LWs left the division in 1918. Their records:

Rudy Unholz (GER) 1902-18 28-29-5 (13) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 15
Harlem Tommy Murphy (USA) 1903-18 31-24-1 (10) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 5
Phil Cross (USA) 1910-18 22-16 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 13
Gene Delmont (USA) 1911-18 10-16-2 (3) No Titles Highest Rank: UNR

Looking Ahead: Not too many challenges left for Leonard, although Tendler is a likely opponent for 1919. Kansas may also be looking for a title shot, now that he has captured the USBA belt. Aging veterans like Driscoll and Hyland are likely to drop out of the top group, as has already happened with Freddie Welsh, now in the twilight of his career. Overall, an aging division, and none of the four newcomers for 1919 (paced by Sid Barbarian and Charley O'Connell) look like future world-beaters.

Predictions: Let's see, last year I had Leonard defending successfully versus Blackburn -- correct; Tendler taking a lesser belt -- wrong; Edwards losing the EBU title -- wrong again; 3 shifts in the Top 10 -- correct. So, batting 500 (two for four).
For 1919, I will predict Leonard continuing as WBA champ, turning aside a challenge from Tendler. I will boldly forecast Kansas over Blackburn for the NABF belt. Also, I have Edwards defeating McCoy for the CBU belt.

[JCWeb]

1918 FW Title Bouts

WBA

Eugene Criqui CH (25-4-4) vs Steve Sullivan #8 (19-9-2)

It's a bit of a stretch for Sullivan to earn a title shot, as he lost on a TKO to lowly-ranked Frankie Ellis in his last bout.

Sullivan gets off to a surprisingly strong start, dominating the action in the opening rounds. Criqui pushes forward in an effort to put pressure on his opponent, but Sullivan remains firm, holding his own in round 3 and taking round 4. After five, it's a slight edge (48-47) in favor of the challenger. Sullivan becomes more confident and aggressive in the middle rounds, and a big welt forms around Criqui's right eye. Criqui rallies, making the bout a close one into the final rounds. Sullivan comes out slightly better in the toe-to-toe action in round 11. In round 13, Criqui launches an all-out assault but "Kid" Sullivan's defense remains firms. The bout goes down to the wire, and the judges' scorecards call it a SD 15 for Sullivan (144-142, 140-146, 145-143).

Steve Sullivan CH (20-9-2) vs Owen Moran #19 (42-23-3)

It appears to be a relatively "safe" first defense for Sullivan, against the aging veteran Moran, who is now at the tail-end of his career.

Action is slow to develop, but once it gets going, Moran is on the receiving end and his left eye starts to swell up after just three rounds. Sullivan is cut above the left eye in round 4, and Moran takes advantage as he targets the ever-worsening cut. Despite a clear points lead, Sullivan's corner can't control the cut and, in a huge surprise, Owen Moran wins the WBA title by TKO 6 (cuts stoppage).

Owen Moran CH (43-23-3) vs Kid Julian #5 (27-9-7)

Moran selects his European counterpart, Italy's Kid Julian, who defeated him for the EBU title back in 1917. That win and an overall record of 2 wins and a draw in three prior contests makes Julian confident of success.

Kid Julian makes a strong start, dominating the action from the outset. He sustains a cut over the left eye, but his corner is able to bring the cut under control, preventing the same result as in the last title bout. The game but aging Moran lacks the speed or the power to challenge Julian, who scores a decisive UD 15 win to take the title.

Kid Julian CH (28-9-7) vs K. O. Mars #3 (23-8-1)

Julian defends versus NABF champ, Mars, who is making his first appearance in a World title bout. First meeting of the two.

Round one, both men coming out swinging, lots of good action from the start. Mars appears to have the upper hand in an another action-packed round, round 2. Round 3, both work the inside, and Julian connects with a wild overhand right that puts Mars down and out. Julian by KO 3.

NABF: Ty Cobb starts off 1918 with this belt and defends it versus KO Mars. Mars starts well, then snuffs out a late rally by Cobb to take a UD 12 verdict. Mars defends against veteran Abe Attell, who by this time is a shell of his former self. Attell falls behind and tires early, and Mars scores an impressive UD 12 win over the 'Lil Champ.

USBA: Johnny Kilbane defended the belt he won in 1917, taking on Lee Johnson. Kilbane establishes control early and coasts to a UD 12 win. Next up is George (KO) Chaney, who suffers a cut over the right eye early on and offers little resistance the rest of the way. Another UD 12 win for Kilbane.

CBU: Australian Jimmy Hill faces Canadian Percy Cove, his fifth defense of the Commonwealth title he won in 1916. Hill puts Cove down in round 6 and wins a UTD in round 10 when the bout is stopped when a butt cut over Cove's eye can't be controlled.

GBU: Moran resigned the belt once he won the WBA title, and Billy Elliott stepped into the breach, scoring a KO in round 8 over TC Arthur Bradford to take the GBU title for the first time after losing to Moran in three prior efforts. Then Elliott retired, vacating the GBU title once again.

EBU: Julian relinquished this title after winning the WBA crown. Ex-Champ Criqui was matched with Patsy Kline for the vacant title. Kline proved to be overmatched, and was a KO victim in round 6 in what proved to be his last bout. Criqui defended versus Moran later in the year, administering a real beating on the ex-Champ, scoring KDs in rounds 7 and 8 before administering the coup-de-grace in round 10. Criqui by KO 10.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1919 FW Division Profile

Total: 74 RL: 37 TC: 37

RL by Career Stage:
End - 3
Post - 5
Prime - 16
Pre - 5
Beginning - 8 (7 New)

Rated: 27
800+: 8
500+: 16
200+: 26

Jan 1919 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Jan 1918 in Parens)

Champ: Kid Julian 29-9-7 (10) (942) (+4)
1. Johnny Kilbane 39-8-4 (10) (1122) (+1)
2. Eugene Criqui 29-5-4 (13) (1032) (-2)
3. Abe Attell 67-6-1 (24) (971) (-2)
4. Johnny Dundee 30-7-1 (10) (937) (-2)
5. K. O. Mars 23-9-1 (5) (903) (+5)
6. Patsy Brannigan 23-10-4 (7) (817) (+1)
7. Eddie O'Keefe 35-11-3 (18) (816) (+2)
8. Jimmy Hill 28-11-1 (1) (752) (-2)
9. Steve Sullivan 22-10-3 (6) (702) (-1)
10. Bud Ridley 15-0 (11) (657) (new)

Comments: All the above at Prime except for Attell, at Post, and the top newcomer, Ridley, who is still at Pre-Prime. Julian came off a UD 10 loss to Kilbane to take and keep the WBA title. Kilbane, the top contender, is the highest rated FW now as he went 4-0 for the year to extend his win streak to six bouts. He registered UDs over Julian and Hill in addition to keeping his USBA title. Criqui also won all four bouts in 1918, defeating Walsh and KO Mars by UDs in addition to two EBU triumphs. Attell had a three-bout win streak (1918 UDs over Hill and O'Keefe) snapped when he lost the NABF title bout with Mars. Johnny Dundee struggled, despite UD wins versus Mars and Leo Johnson, as he was the TKO victim of O'Keefe. Mars had an up and down year, going 2-3, suffering losses to Criqui and Dundee to negate his win over Attell. Brannigan battled to a draw with O'Keefe whom he defeated later in the year. O'Keefe suffered losses to Brannigan and Attell to balance out wins over Dundee (by TKO) and Walsh and Reddy (both UDs). Hill retained the CBU belt but faltered when matched versus Kilbane and Attell. Sullivan captured and lost the WBA title, also beating both Johnsons (Lee and Leo) but being held to a draw by Reddy. Ridley (aka "The Little Dempsey") was able to debut in the top 10 by defeating 12 TCs followed by UD wins over Pepper Martin, Frankie Ellis, and Francisco Flores.

Other Notables: Veteran Jimmy Walsh missed the top group, winding up #11 after wins over Kline and Flores but losing to Criqui. Panama's Ansel Bell put together a five-bout unbeaten string (four wins, one draw) to pull up to #12 with a 16-4-2 (12) career mark. The one Top 10 dropout this year is Ty Cobb, who scored a UD over Reddy but lost his NABF title and a UD 10 to Bell. Despite briefly holding the WBA title, Owen Moran wound up at #14, after losing the WBA title to Julian and the EBU tilt with Criqui. Vincent "Pepper" Martin makes an impressive debut at #15, compiling a 13-1-1 (11) record, bouncing back from his one loss to Ridley with two wins, including a TKO over Elliott. George "KO" Chaney lost his last two after having won three in a row to drop to #17; his future in the division is uncertain now.

Prospects: Mike Dundee continued to feast on TC opposition; he has compiled a 9-0 (9) record thus far. Chick Suggs is off to an excellent 4-0 (2) start.

Retirements: Kline and Elliott wound up their careers in 1918.

Patsy Kline (ITA) 1907-18 23-24-2 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 17
Billy Elliott (UK) 1908-18 19-17-3 (7) EBU, GBU Champ Highest Rank: 13

Looking Ahead: After a topsy-turvy year in which Moran, who was not even in the top ten, grabbed the WBA title briefly, it's hard to see what surprises lay in store for 1919. Kilbane is obviously the top contender at the moment. Criqui and Dundee also have established their credentials. Having failed to capture a FW title, George "KO" Chaney is planning to try his luck in the LW division soon. Steve "Kid" Sullivan and other FWs may try to create a JLW in a couple of years. To fill the ranks, several talented newcomers arrive in 1919, including Benny Bass, Louis Kaplan, Babe Herman and Frenchman Andre Routis.

Predictions: A mixed bag looking at the results of last year's forecasts. Kilbane did not regain the WBA title, although he did not have the opportunity to do so, either. Hill did keep the CBU belt and did suffer a loss against Attell, a top 5 guy. Eddie O'Keefe did not get a shot at one of the lesser belts. Julian did not keep the EBU belt, mainly because he won the WBA one.
For 1919, I will once again forecast Kilbane as the WBA titleholder once the year ends. Hard to figure out what other surprises may be in store, but I will forecast a new NABF champ as either Dundee or O'Keefe will defeat Mars to take the belt.

[JCWeb]

1918 BW Title Bouts

WBA

Pete Herman CH (23-2) vs Frankie Burns #7 (27-13-1)

First defense by Herman, and the challenger is a former WBA champ who is making his first title try since 1914. Herman won a prior bout by UD in 1916.

Herman gets off to a solid start, putting Burns on the defensive, taking the first three rounds. There are signs of puffiness around the left eye of the challenger by the end of round three. Burns tries to get more aggressive, moving inside and taking round five. Herman bounces back with a strong round 6, and gradually pulls ahead in the middle rounds. Burns hangs on to keep the bout close but tires badly in the later rounds. Herman dominates to register a lopsided UD 15 win.

Pete Herman CH (24-2) vs Johnny Coulon #1 (40-5-5)

First meeting of the two, as Herman takes on the former WBA champ.

Coulon starts well, and the action is back and forth for the first third of the bout. (48-47 edge to Coulon on the unofficial card after five rounds.) The bout turns into a bruising defensive battle, with Coulon gaining the upper hand despite developing some swelling around his right eye. Herman mounts a spirited comeback, cutting Coulon below the right eye in round 12. Herman takes round 14 but Coulon hangs on to register a very close UD 15 win (143-142 on all three cards).

Johnny Coulon CH (41-5-5) vs Memphis Pal Moore #3 (22-3-2)

Coulon defends against Memphis Pal Moore, who lost a previous title try versus Al Delmont in 1916. Memphis Pal has remained unbeaten since that loss and enters the bout on a three-bout win streak, coming off UD 10 wins over Eddie Campi and Kid Williams.

Memphis Pal holds his own as the Chicago Spider gets off to a slow start. Coulon suffers a split lip as Memphis Pal steps up the attack. Coulon comes back with a strong effor to take rounds 3 and 4. Coulon takes command in the middle stages of the contest, and Moore's right eye starts to swell. Moore rallies with a strong round 9, but Coulon dominates the action the rest of the way. Coulon is cut above the left eye in round 13, but he is able to maintain his lead to pound out an impressive UD 15 win.

NABF: Coulon meets Frankie Conley for the vacant belt, taking command early and repeatedly battering the game Conley, who takes a beating with both eyes badly swollen in a lopsided UD 12 that goes to Coulon. The title is vacated once again, and this time it's Philadelphia Pal Moore versus Frankie Burns for the vacant belt. It's a rugged, close defensive struggle that has Moore coming out on top in a narrow MD 12 victory. Moore defends versus Eddie Campi, who appears to be taking a beating when Moore is called for a flagrant low blow in round 10, and the belt is awarded on a DQ to Campi.

USBA: This belt is vacated by Coulon, who had captured the NABF title. Jack Kid Wolfe meets Joseph "Louisiana" Biderberg for the vacant title. Biderberg battles back from a cut lip, gradually wearing down Wolfe in the later rounds to register a UD 12 win. Biderberg then takes on Burns, who gradually builds up a points lead and holds on for a UD 12 decision to take the belt.

CBU, GBU: These belts remain vacant as they have since the retirement of Joe Bowker.

EBU: Charles Ledoux did not defend this belt in 1918.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1919 Division Profile

Total: 66 RL: 31 TC: 35

RL by Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 4
Prime - 14
Pre - 7
Beginning - 5 (5 New)

Rated: 23
800+: 7
500+: 16
200+: 23

Jan 1919 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Jan 1918 in Parens):

Champ: Johnny Coulon 42-5-5 (17) (1261) (+1)
1. Pete Herman 27-13 (12) (1264) (-1)
2. Eddie Campi 30-7-2 (16) (1014) (+2)
3. Phila Pal Moore 37-11-4 (13) (991) (-1)
4. Kid Williams 31-8 (16) (987) (-1)
5. Memphis Pal Moore 22-4-2 (11) (957) (+1)
6. Frankie Conley 37-18-2 (19) (872) (+1)
7. Frankie Burns 28-15-1 (7) (721) (+2)
8. Joe Lynch 16-2 (12) (683) (new)
9. Charles Ledoux 32-9 (26) (682) (-4)
10. Packey O'Gatty 14-1-1 (12) (596) (new)

Comments: Campi and Conley will be at Post in 1919; newcomers Lynch and O'Gatty still at Pre while everyone else listed above at Prime. Coulon has won four in a row in regaining the WBA title. Herman bounced back after losing the crown with three successive UD wins over Ledoux, FLY king Wilde and Kid Williams. He has a few more PPs right now than Coulon. Campi TKO'd Wolfe after dropping a UD to Memphis Pal Moore, plus he ousted the other Moore for the NABF title. Phila Pal Moore went 2-2 for the year, dropping a MD to Ledoux in addition to the title bout clashes. Williams went 3-2 in 1918, scoring a TKO over Fox, scoring UD wins over Frenchmen Ledoux and Dastillon, but dropping UDs to Memphis Pal Moore and Herman. Memphis Pal Moore had won three in a row over Murphy, Campi and Williams before his loss to Coulon. Conley lost in the title bout but had defeated Biderberg and TKO'd Kid Murphy and Wolfe. Burns went 2-2 for the year, managing a UD over Monte Attell but going 1-2 in title tilts. Lynch was the leading newcomer, battling back after his second loss (a MD to Biz Mackey) with three straight wins, the biggest being an upset of EBU champ Ledoux. Ledoux dropped considerably after successive losses to Williams, Herman and Lynch, with only one win in 1918 over Memphis Pal Moore. Rounding out the top group was another newcomer, O'Gatty, who has a 6-bout unbeaten streak, including a draw with Joe Burman and a KO of Kid Murphy.

Other Notables: Murphy dropped four spots to #12, going 0-3 for the year. Jack Kid Wolfe took a tumble from #10 to #17, winning only once in four outings in 1918. Dastillon finished the year at #11, scoring TKO wins over Flyweight Percy Jones and "Kewpie" Ertle. Brit Joe Fox checks in at #13 with a 19-9-1 (8) career mark. Joe Burman debuts at #15, compiling a 12-1-2 (6) career mark, losing to Biderberg and drawing with O'Gatty and Vince Blackburn. Ex-Champ Al Delmont is languishing in the #16 spot, his only loss of 1918 coming at the hands of Joe Lynch.

Prospects: Abe Goldstein, at 13-0 (9), George Marks, at 8-0 (3), and Canada's Carl Tremaine, at 6-0 (5), have all kept their slates clean versus TC opposition.

Retirements: End of the line for Abe's little brother, Monte .. .

Monte Attell (USA) 1903-18 28-26-3 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 4

Looking Ahead: Coulon once again rules the BW roost, but with plenty of talented top contenders in Prime condition (like Herman, Williams, Phila and Memphis Pal Moore, Burns and Ledoux) his reign could be a short one. Look for Joe Fox and Vince Blackburn to hook up for the vacant CBU title. Aging will take its toll on veterans such as Campi and Conley. Lynch and O'Gatty may find it rough sledding against the other top 10 guys. Abe Goldstein appears to be the best of the current crop of prospects, and five newcomers will be added in 1919, led by Johnny Brown of the UK and Pete Sarmiento of the Philippines.

Predictions: Didn't do well at all with my forecasts for the BWs in 1918, as I had Herman keeping the WBA belt all year (didn't happen), had Memphis Pal taking the NABF title (didn't happen), and finally had Fox succeed Bowker as CBU and GBU champ (could still happen, but didn't happen in 1918).
I predict a long reign this time for Coulon, who will still be WBA champ at the end of 1919. I will once again forecast a NABF or USBA title for Memphis Pal Moore. I expect Ledoux to continue as EBU champ, and I will once again forecast Fox to claim the CBU and GBU titles that are now vacant.

[JCWeb]

1918 FLY Title Bouts

WBA

Frankie Mason CH (25-10-1) vs Jimmy Wilde #1 (32-2-1)

Wilde won a prior bout (TKO 6) for the WBA title back in 1915. Wilde has won four in a row since losing the title to Puryear; Mason is coming off a loss to BW Al Delmont.

After a couple of lacklustre opening rounds, Wilde really starts pouring it on in round 3; the "Mighty Atom" staggers Mason with a big hook and a strong uppercut. Mason tries to cover up, but to no avail. Wilde takes advantage and regains the belt with a TKO in round 3.

Jimmy Wilde CH (33-2-1) vs Tancy Lee #2 (21-9-1)

Lee looks to pose a strong challenge, coming off a defense of the EBU belt and a TKO over ex-champ Earl Puryear. He seeks to avenge a KO loss to Wilde in early 1918 (see EBU report below for details).

Wilde is off to a quick start as both men mix it up in round one. Both men fire away from the inside in another action-packed round two, Lee scoring with a big left. Lee continues to push forward in round three, but he gets a bit careless and pays the price, running into a Wilde uppercut that floors him for a 7-count. Wilde follows up and dominates the action in round four, but he cannot put Lee away. Both work on the outside in round five, the quietest of the fight thus far, slight edge to Lee. Wilde connects with another big shot to score a second KD in round six. Both men are looking to end it in round 7, and Wilde gets there first with a combination that puts Lee down for the third time, this time the count reaches 8. Lee is slow to recover, and then another KD followed by a cut above the left eye, and the ref has seen enough. Wilde by TKO 8 to retain the belt against a game Tancy Lee.

NABF: No action yet for this title in the FLY division.

USBA: This title, left vacant by Mason, is won by Earl Puryear in a dominating UD 12 performance over TC Paul Grove, who manages to last the distance despite only one win in 15 prior bouts. Puryear then defends against now ex-Champ Mason, who comes out aggressively and then hangs on to take the title back with a narrow MD 12 win.

CBU: Joe Symonds defends versus Sid Smith in a close, action-packed bout. Smith is cut above the eye in round 7 but recovers to make a great comeback, staggering Symonds in the final round with a combination. Nonetheless, Symonds keeps the title with a SD 12. The fans demand a rematch, and Symonds obliges. This time Symonds appears well ahead when he is called for a foul -- Smith takes the belt via a DQ in the 11th.

GBU: Tancy Lee did not defend this belt, as he was too busy chasing after the WBA and EBU crowns.

EBU: Jimmy Wilde challenged Lee for this title early in the year, and he puts Lee on the canvas twice in round 2. Lee comes back to put Wilde down in round 6, but he tires near the end and falls victim to a Wilde hook in round 11. Wilde by KO 11. Wilde defends versus Bill Ladbury, breaking open the bout with a wicked uppercut to put Ladbury on the canvas, followed by a cross that lead to another KD and an eventual TKO, all in round 4. Wilde vacates the EBU belt after regaining the WBA crown, and ex-Champ Lee is matched up with CBU Champ Symonds. Lee starts off well but is nailed by Symonds in round 7 for the bout's only knockdown. Lee recovers and outboxes Symonds for a narrow UD 12 win to regain the title, despite suffering the one knockdown.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1919 FLY Division Profile

Total: 39 RL: 14 TC: 25

RL by Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 1
Prime - 6
Pre - 2
Beginning - 4
New - 4

Rated: 8
800+: 1
500+: 3
200+: 7

Jan 1919 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Jan 1918 in Parens):

Champ: Jimmy Wilde 34-3-1 (33) (895) (+1)
1. Frankie Mason 26-11-1 (16) (562) (-1)
2. Tancy Lee 21-10-1 (11) (514) (+1)
3. Earl Puryear 19-9-2 (4) (497) (-1)
4. Sid Smith 27-16 (11) (395) (NC)
5. Joe Symonds 19-9-3 (12) (353) (NC)
6. Young Zulu Kid 17-7-2 (11) (227) (+1)
7. Bill Ladbury 31-15-1 (15) (89) (+1)

Comments: Smith hits Post in 1919 (his final year IRL), Ladbury is at End; others still at Prime. The one "dropout" from 1918 was Percy Jones, who retired. Wilde stormed back to the top spot, winning four FLY bouts but coming up short when he moved up to BW and lost to Pete Herman. Mason went 2-2 in 1918, losing to a BW (Delmont) as well, scoring a MD over Puryear. Lee suffered the two losses to Wilde but managed to defeat everyone else, including a TKO of Puryear. Puryear went 2-2 for the year,
splitting two USBA title bout, scoring a UD over Smith but losing to Lee. Sid Smith soldiered on, losing a UD to Puryear and splitting the two CBU title bouts with Symonds. Symonds had a five-bout win streak snapped in his loss to Lee for the EBU crown, and he also lost the CBU belt to Smith, but a TKO win over Young Zulu Kid salvaged an otherwise down year. Young Zulu Kid struggled in the loss to Symonds but won three other bouts, including a TKO over Ladbury and a UD over Jones. Ladbury had a poor campaign, his only win coming versus a TC matched against the losses to Kid and Wilde.

Prospects: Johnny McCoy has compiled an impressive 13-0 (10) record, all versus TCs, proving he is ready to move up and take on the RL contenders. Australian George Mendies likewise won his first 9 TC bouts but then stumbled when matched against fellow Aussie, BW Vince Blackburn, bringing his career totals to 9-1 (9).

Retirement: Percy Jones became the first FLY to retire. His career stats:

Percy Jones (UK) 1911-18 16-13-1 (11) GBU Champ Highest Rank: 1

Looking Ahead: Wilde once again appears to be the undisputed king of the FLYs for at least a few more years. Lee appears to be his toughest opponent, yet aging effects for the late-starting Lee (born in 1882) will start in 1920. Mason is the top US Flyweight, although Puryear represents a strong challenger. McCoy is also set to provide some competition, and Aussie George Mendies may be ready to contend for a CBU title in a year or so. Four newcomers are set to add some excitement to the mix in 1919, including the great Pancho Villa and Johnny Buff.

Predictions: Off on two of three predictions made for 1918; had Wilde regaining the WBA title but Lee did not win the CBU belt, not did Puryear take the USBA title (he held it briefly, though, losing it to Mason).
For 1919, I guess predicting Wilde will keep the WBA belt is not going out much on a limb; I will also forecast the CBU title in Lee's future (again), and expect to see Johnny McCoy climb into the Top 5 by year's end.

[JCWeb]

Finally, here are the pound-for-pound Top Ten as of year-end 1918.
(changes from the prior year in parens)

1. Sam Langford, HW (NABF, CBU Champ) 1629 (+2)
2. Benny Leonard, LW (WBA Champ) 1622 (+2)
3. Sam McVey, HW (no titles) 1424 (+2)
4. Jack Dempsey, HW (WBA Champ) 1378 (new)
5. Harry Wills, HW (no titles) 1377 (-3)
6. Art Magirl, WW (WBA Champ) 1366 (+1)
7. Jack Blackburn, LW (NABF Champ) 1316 (-6)
8. Pete Herman, BW (no titles) 1264 (new)
9. Johnny Coulon, BW (WBA Champ) 1261 (new)
10. Packey McFarland, WW (NABF Champ) 1217 (NC)

Dropped out: Willie Ritchie, LW (#6)
Harry Greb, MW (#8)
Mike Gibbons, MW (#9)

Langford returns to the top of the pound-for-pound list for the second time (first time in 1914) but he's still a few points below his all-time year end peak at that time (1655). Langford, despite not holding the WBA belt for awhile, has been consistently in the PFP top three since 1910. Interesting to note that everyone listed with the sole exception of McFarland is a current or former WBA title holder. Benny Leonard and Art Magirl, who have the longest current consecutive win streaks, have steadily been improving their positions on the list recently, and Jack Dempsey cracks the list for the first time. One thing I will predict for the PFP list in 1919, is that Harry Greb will be back in the top group, I'm sure.

Overall, the number of 1200 and 1100 plus fighters declined from last year (10 above 1200 versus 13 the prior year and 16 at 1100+ versus 18 the prior year). At the same time, the number of 1000+ guys has gone up each year, from 22 in 1915, 24 in 1916, 25 in 1917 to 28 in 1918. Don't know what this says about ratings inflation, maybe it's just a reflection of the growing overall number of boxers in the Uni.

Looking ahead to 1919, it appears to be a pivotal year and also a challenging one as I'm looking at a record number (51) of new fighters starting up their careers. It does appear to represent a "changing of the guard," as the great fighters from the 1920s, like Dempsey, Leonard, Tunney, Greb and several guys starting out in 1919 (Mickey Walker, Loughran, Pancho Villa) will be taking over the reins from former greats like Jack Johnson (who is already done in my Uni), Langford, Abe Attell (who is no longer in the top 25 PFP after a couple years at Post-Prime), Billy Papke, and the like. There are a few guys there who kind of bridge both decades (like Jack Dillon or Carpentier at LHW, McFarland at WW or Jack Britton at LW) and, of course, a few surprises (Art Magirl who never was a real-life WW champ comes to mind) as well as disappointments (George Chip who seems to have been crowded out in the talent-rich MW division).

Managing the Uni starting in 1919 will become increasingly difficult. I have tried to target a year every month or so, 10 years in a calendar year, but to keep at that pace now I will have to start auto-simming more bouts and maybe cutting back on these lengthy reports. I will also have to figure out how to handle some of those Junior divisions (mainly JW and JL but there is one JF boxer, Carl Duane, scheduled to start out in 1920). I will probably move guys to those divisions and set up title matches as seems appropriate, as I have done with the FLYs, but maybe with less infrastructure in the form of TCs, using the WW and LW TCs to face the junior guys for record-building purposes. Expect though, at least for the next year, things to proceed at a more leisurely pace for awhile. I will, as previously promised, shift the focus to three newcomers (Loughran, Mickey Walker, and Pancho Villa) and away from the now, well-established Dempsey and Tunney. I am contemplating maybe adding some additional features but nothing definite as of this point in time.

[mh2365]

How did Stanley Ketchel do in your uni?

[Ric915]

Great Stuff JC Love these write ups

[JCWeb]

thanks Ric for the kind words...

mh, Ketchel was quite prominent in the MW write-ups from about a year or so ago which you can access in the earlier year-end reports. His career in my Uni mirrored real life, meaning he did real well until 1910, the year he got shot and killed by Walter Dipley, and it was downhill from there. Going into 1910, his career mark was 29-2 (28 KOs), and only one loss once he hit prime (to Kid McCoy, a cuts stoppage as I recall) that cost him the WBA title. His other loss was at Pre-Prime when he stepped up to LH and lost to Phila Jack O'Brien where he had the double burden of the weight class penalty plus not being at Prime. Even at Post-Prime, he did well enough to beat Billy Papke to regain the title but lost it a couple of bouts later as the aging effects were too great. His overall career record was 39-7-2 (33 KOs) and he went 20-3 in title bouts, 8-2 in World title bouts, having held the World MW belt twice, from 1907-09 and 1910 (for just 5 months).

NOTE: As I mentioned elsewhere, my retirement rules is that once it's January of a fighter's final year IRL, if he's not at Post-Prime, I set him there and put him at 30 retirement points using the cubedrum retirement system which still makes more sense to me that the more recent randomized auto-aging feature. That helps clear fighters out of my Uni coupled with the same rule if it is the year the fighter turns 38 (which will be the case for Tancy Lee in 1920, for example).

[JCWeb]

Re the Ketchel-McCoy 1909 title bout. It's described in Post #54 of this thread, where it says McCoy had "the round of a lifetime" to dish out enough punishment to cause a TKO stoppage, so apparently it was not a cuts stoppage.

[mh2365]

Thanks for the review of Ketchel .. guess I could've gone back and read LOL

[JCWeb]

Jan 4, 1919 -- Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo NY: Already a few days into the new year (1919), and the first of the newcomers we intend to start tracking, Mickey "The Toy Bulldog" Walker, is set to make his debut, stepping into the ring in a 4-rounder versus TC Dave Robbins, who is also making his debut. Walker, who starts out in the MW Division, is trained by Bill Gibson, ably assisted by Ted Walker who serves as cutman.

Round one: Walker comes out strongly, pressing his opponent on the inside. A solid hook lands right on the button, forcing Robbins to retreat. Walker forces Robbins into the corner, bounces off the ropes and surprises his opponent with the jab. Midway through the round, a strong combination from Walker sends Robbins to the canvas. It looks like a quick finish, but Robbins is back on his feet at the count of 6 and manages to clutch and grab, surviving the rest of the round.

Round two: Walker is looking to finish Robbins, who wisely elects to stay on the outside. Robbins pops the jab. Walker moves in, scoring with a strong right hand. He unloads with a cross to the nose of Robbins, then connects with a huge left hand. Robbins is hurt but still able to stay afoot and smother the rest of Walker's punches. Walker, frustrated, does some clinching of his own, and the bell sounds with the fans a bit disappointed that "The Toy Bulldog" was unable to follow up on his success in round one.

Round three: Walker is the all-out aggressor, putting Robbins on the defensive right away with a strong uppercut, followed by a big hook. A wobbly-legged Robbins finds himself trapped in the neutral corner. A three-punch combo scores for Walker, who measures his man. Walker stalks Robbins, flat-footed, but can't seem to get his arms free to land the haymaker as Robbins clutches once more. Walker dominates the action, unleashing a three-punch combo right before the bell, but Robbins looks set to go the distance. One more round to go ...

Round four: Walker opens the action with a lead right, but Robbins slips the punch. Robbins retaliates with a left, but Walker lands a counter. A hook is blocked, and Robbins lands with a hook of his own. Walker appears to be angry, and unleashes a powerful shot to the ribcage -- Robbins drops to the canvas. This time he does not get up. Mickey Walker by KO at 2:05 of round 4.

Walker takes his first bout, moves to 1-0 (1) and is set to take on another foe in March 1919.

[JCWeb]

Taking a page from MH's LBA, I thought now would be a good time to list all the current titleholders in my Uni, by division, date won and # successful defenses, as of Jan 1, 1919:

HW
WBA: Jack Dempsey (Nov 1918) (0)
NABF: Sam Langford (Jan 1917) (5)
USBA: Vacant (previously held by Dempsey)
CBU: Sam Langford (Aug 1917) (1)
GBU: Charlie Penwill (Sep 1918) (0)
EBU: Otto Flint (Oct 1913) (9)

LH
WBA: Jack Dillon (Jun 1917) (6)
NABF: Tommy Gibbons (Mar 1918) (2)
USBA: Kid Norfolk (Jul 1918) (1)
CBU: Harry Reeve (Dec 1917) (0)
GBU: Harry Reeve (Feb 1914) (3)
EBU: Georges Carpentier (Oct 1917) (2)

MW
WBA: Eddie McGoorty (Dec 1918) (0)
NABF: Mike O'Dowd (Jun 1918) (2)
USBA: Mike Gibbons (Jul 1918) (0)
CBU: Jake Ahearn (Apr 1917) (3)
GBU: Jake Ahearn (Aug 1918) (0)
EBU: Gus Platts (Dec 1917) (1)

WW
WBA: Art Magirl (Dec 1918) (8)
NABF: Packey McFarland (May 1910) (18)
USBA: Jack Britton (May 1918) (0)
CBU: Johnny Basham (Feb 1916) (5)
GBU: Johnny Summers (Mar 1917) (1)
EBU: Johnny Summers (Sep 1918) (0)

LW
WBA: Benny Leonard (Feb 1915) (10)
NABF: Jack Blackburn (Mar 1916) (8)
USBA: Rocky Kansas (Apr 1918) (1)
CBU: Herb McCoy (Jul 1918) (0)
GBU: Jem Driscoll (May 1917) (1)
EBU: Llew Edwards (Mar 1917) (1)

FW
WBA: Kid Julian (Jul 1918) (1)
NABF: K. O. Mars (Apr 1918) (1)
USBA: Johnny Kilbane (Dec 1917) (2)
CBU: Jimmy Hill (Mar 1916) (5)
GBU: Vacant (previously held by Billy Elliott)
EBU: Eugene Criqui (Oct 1918) (1)

BW
WBA: Johnny Coulon (May 1918) (1)
NABF: Eddie Campi (Nov 1918) (0)
USBA: Frankie Burns (Jun 1918) (0)
CBU: Vacant (previously held by Joe Bowker)
GBU: Vacant (previously held by Joe Bowker)
EBU: Charles Ledoux (Mar 1912) (7)

FLY
WBA: Jimmy Wilde (Aug 1918) (1)
NABF: No Title Awarded Yet
USBA: Frankie Mason (Dec 1918) (0)
CBU: Sid Smith (Nov 1918) (0)
GBU: Tancy Lee (Nov 1915) (2)
EBU: Tancy Lee (Sep 1918) (0)

Thus, Leonard is now the longest-reigning WBA Champ while McFarland has the longest reign of all current champs, holding the NABF WW crown for 8 1/2 years.

[JCWeb]

The second of the "big three" ATGs set to debut in 1919 will be FLY Pancho Villa, set to debut in Feb. 1919.

Had some free time while waiting for the next pick in the UTBA draft, so here's a little known tidbit about some recent history in my Uni. Jack Dempsey, who recently won the WBA HW title bout after first winning the USBA HW title, became the fourth successive USBA HW titlebelt holder to then ascend to the WBA throne. The prior three were Joe Jeannette, Sam McVey and Harry Wills (all great fighters).

Now, for those who can't wait until the end-of-year posts, I am sure everyone is now interested to know who succeeds Dempsey as USBA HW champ to see if the streak will continue. Well, I just ran the bout for the vacant title in Jan. and the new USBA HW champ is none other than Carl Morris, a solid GWH type but certainly not in the same class as the other four. Nonetheless, he may well be matched up with Dempsey in the next WBA title tilt so we will see if history repeats itself and the USBA HW belt continues to be a stepping stone to greater things or not (in the case of Morris, I am betting "Not").

[JCWeb]

Feb 22, 1919 -- Manila, Phillipines, Rizal Arena: Pancho Villa, the young Filipino FLY, made his debut here tonight versus fellow Filipino Asal Tuncao. Sorry, didn't take full notes or save a bout log, so details will be a bit sketchy. But safe to say Villa dominated every round and took a four-round UD versus his overmatched opponent. No fouls, cuts or knockdowns. Villa is now 1-0 (1) with 242 pp and will be back in action in March 1919.

[JCWeb]

March 1, 1919 -- Detroit, MI: Mickey Walker, the "Toy Bulldog," steps into the ring against his second opponent, Geoff Crockett, a MW TC who lost his initial bout in 1918. Looks like an opportunity for Walker to continue to pad his record.

Walker starts off strong, landing a big right that catches his opponent on the button seconds after the opening bell. Walker tries to follow up with a short uppercut, but misses. But Crockett is vulnerable to a strong cross, which Walker plants right on his chin, and Crockett crumples to the canvas. He arises at the count of 7, looking a bit groggy. Crockett is in trouble, and Walker connects with a left hook. Crockett tries to cover up, but Walker finds his target with another vicious hook that puts his man on the deck for the second time. Crockett rolls over, and this time he barely beats the count. The ref seems reluctant to allow the bout to continue, but soon Walker is swarming all over his hapless opponent, causing the ref to step in.

It's all over at 1:56 of round one. TKO for Walker. Mickey runs his record to 2-0 (2 KOs) and 283 pp. He will take a bit of a break before resuming his pugilistic career in June.