My Universe

[JCWeb]

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of November 1935, covering a total of 54 bouts. One WBA title contest is included in this report.

Nov. 15, 1935: More Friday night fight action “Down Under,” this time in Sydney, Australia. An abbreviated card but it contains two bouts of interest, including an OPBF title clash. In the main support, former WBA FW Champ Battling “Bat” Battalino makes the journey to face crowd favorite and reigning Commonwealth FW Champion Merv “Darky” Blandon in a 10-round, non-title affair. Blandon is the aggressor in the early going, but midway through the bout he suffers a cut ofer his left eye that slows his progress. Battalino targets the cut, to no avail as it is patched up by round seven with Blandon resuming in his role as aggressor in the bout. He is never quite able to break down Battalino’s defenses, and the American takes a UD 10 (98-93, 96-95, 97-94) with the hometown edge helping Blandon keep the bout close by gifting him a couple of close rounds on a couple of the cards. Post-fight, Battalino is 32-9 (12) while Blandon, now 19-5 (14), will be at Post-Prime for his next bout, some time in early 1936. In the main event, another Aussie – OPBF MW Champion Ambrose Palmer – makes his first title defense in over a year. Lacking a large selection of credible opponents, he faces veteran Ceferino Garcia, over whom he holds a pair of KO 3 wins, including the most recent title win from 1934. Palmer is able to land a heavy shot early when he connects with a big left near the end of round two. Garcia covers up and manages to last the round. Again, in round four, Palmer rocks Garcia, this time with a big right. Garcia manages to last longer than he did in the prior bouts, but the end comes in round eight as he is subjected to a barrage of blows from Palmer, all while suffering some swelling around his left eye. TKO 8 for Palmer, who improves to 25-8 (16) with the win. Garcia dips to 31-16-1 (21) after the loss.

Nov. 16, 1935: Back to Europe for an interesting card at Gothenburg, Sweden. No titles at stake, but the feature matches two regional champions: long-time EBU WW Champion Cleto Locatelli with his NABF counterpart, Tony Vaccarelli in a 10-rounder. Locatelli takes charge early with nothing fancy, a straightforward boxing exhibition that is sufficient to garner a large points lead into the middle rounds. Vaccarelli tries to get more aggressive in the later rounds, but all he ends up with for his troubles is a swollen and cut right eye. Locatelli takes a lopsided UD 10 (98-92, 98-92, 99-91) to move to 32-10-1 (11). Vaccarelli ends the bout at 32-17-3 (20).

Nov. 16, 1935: Action on the West Coast at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Once again, no title bouts on the agenda, and the card is topped by a matchup of former WBA WW Champ Irineo Flores and current LABF WW titleholder Cocoa Kid. Trouble for Flores in the opening round when the Filipino suffers a split lip. Then, in round five, a short, clean uppercut from Cocoa Kid puts Flores down for an eight-count. Flores, now at Post-Prime career stage, is unable to mount a rally, thus enabling Cocoa Kid to cruise to a solid UD 10 victory (98-92, 100-90, 97-93). Post-fight career marks: Cocoa Kid, 25-4-2 (10); Flores, 42-18-2 (20).

Nov. 22, 1935: Friday night card is at New Orleans’ Coliseum Arena. Two key bouts headline the agenda. In the co-feature, OPBF BW Champion Young Tommy pays a visit to the States to face former WBA BW Champion Panama Al Brown. Panama Al holds a prior win over Tommy. Bad start for the Filipino who suffers a cut over his right eye in the opening stanza, and later in the round that same eye begins to puff up as well. However, in round two it is Brown who suffers a split lip. As the bout wears on, Brown targets Tommy’s injured eye; in round eight, Panama Al connects with a short, clean cross that puts Tommy on the deck. Then, later in the round, the cut is reopened, leading to an immediate stoppage. TKO 8 for Panama Al Brown on the stoppage. The win lifts Brown to 46-10 (19), and Tommy is left with a post-fight career mark of 27-4 (13). It ends up being Tommy’s last bout at Prime, as he hits Pre-Prime in 1936, his real-life retirement year. Next is the main event, with Freddie Miller defending his NABF FW title against former WBA Champ Pete DeGrasse. It is the third meeting of the two, with DeGrasse holding the edge with a DQ win and a draw in the prior encounters. This time around, the two boxers lock horns in a close battle. Miller has the upper hand after some back-and-forth exchanges and, in round four, his punches begin to have an effect, causing some swelling under the left eye of DeGrasse. Then, in round eight, DeGrasse suffers a cut over his right eye. The cut is in a bad spot and, three rounds later, it leads to a stoppage. TKO 11 for Miller, who retains the NABF FW title that he has held since 1933 once again. Post-fight career marks are 28-5-1 (13) for Miller; 29-10-2 (6) for DeGrasse.

Nov. 23, 1935: Back to the UK for the next card at the Olympia in London. Headliner is a Commonwelth WW title bout, with Jack Hood making the first defense of that belt in almost two years. His opponent, OPBF WW Champ Jack Carroll, is a familiar foe: the two have met twice previously, with Hood going 2-0 in the prior bouts. However, with Hood now at Post-Prime career stage, Carroll’s hopes are high. The challenger takes charge early on, landing some good shots in round two to cause some swelling around Carroll’s left eye. Midway through the bout, Carroll has pulled ahead on points and, in the second half, Hood tries to pick up the pace. However, the swelling under his eye has only gotten worse, relegating Hood to the role of looking to land a lucky shot to keep his title. In the end, the bout goes the distance, with Carroll taking a UD 12 (120-111, 119-110, 119-110) to add the CBU title to his OPBF one. Post-fight records: Carroll, 33-15-5 (13); Hood, 26-14-7 (9).

Nov. 30, 1935: The month wraps up with a huge card at Yankee Stadium in New York, with a WBA title clash as the centerpiece. An impressive array of top-flight MW and HW talent is on display. First up, Holman Williams faces Harry “the Harlem Thunderbolt” Smith in a matchup of two top MWs. Williams battles through despite a swollen left eye, taking a UD 10 (97-93, 98-92, 98-92) over the aging veteran Smith who will move from Post to End career stage after this bout. Post-fight records: Williams, 21-1 (15); Smith, 25-10-1 (16). Next up, two unbeaten MW prospects collide, and Freddie Apostoli takes out Walter Woods with a TKO 3 win to move to a perfect 11-0 (all 11 wins by KO). Then, HW Jersey Joe Walcott takes on another promising young HW, Frankie Edgren. Walcott looks sharp early, building a points lead and inflicting enough punishment to cause Edgren’s right eye to swell. Later in the bout, Edgren’s other eye also begins to puff up, and he simply lacks the firepower to mount an effective comeback. UD 10 for Walcott (98-93, 100-91, 100-90), lifting Jersey Joe to 26-2 (20) while Edgren slips to 17-3-2 (6). Next bout on the card also features HWs, as former Champ Jack Sharkey looks to rejuvenate his flagging career, facing Paul Cavalier. Sharkey, who enters the bout with a win over Cavalier in a prior bout, races to an early points lead. As it enters the later rounds, the bout becomes a bruising contest, with Sharkey suffering some swelling under his left eye, while Cavalier is cut under his right eye. The end comes in round nine, as an accidental butt opens a huge gash over Cavalier’s left eye. The scorecards are consulted, and the result is a UTD 9 for Sharkey (78-74 on all three cards). Post-fight marks: Sharkey, 34-12 (19); Cavalier, 35-14-2 (16). However, both men will begin to feel the effects of aging in 1936, as both will hit Post-Prime with their next bouts. The excellent card continues with the co-feature, a 10-round MW non-title bout featuring the great Mickey Walker, the “Toy Bulldog,” facing new LABF MW Champ Kid Tunero, from Cuba. Tunero pulls out a slight edge in the opening three rounds, but then Walker scores with a quick hook to the head that staggers the Cuban in round four. Walker, the slugger, continues to stalk Tunero, but his aggression fails to pay off as the younger man is able to stay out of range, while demonstrating some clever boxing skills of his own. Tunero takes a UD 10 (97-94, 97-93, 97-95) to run his record to 25-5-4 (8), while handing Walker his fourth loss in a row, leaving the former Champ at 54-8-1 (40). After this disappointing result from Walker, it is time for the main event, with “the Pride of Harlem,” Jack McVey, defending his newly won WBA MW title against Jock McAvoy, the “Rochdale Thunderbolt,” who holds both the EBU and GBU MW belts. McAvoy is the aggressor in the early going, but after three rounds, he also shows signs of swelling under his left eye, which has become a big target for McVey. In the middle rounds, McVey gradually takes control, landing repeatedly and building a points lead. McAvoy’s corner largely ignores the swelling, urging the challenger to remain active. Turns out this is a mistake, as the swelling becomes very severe much sooner than anticipated, and in round eight the bout is halted. Despite the protests from McAvoy’s corner, McVey’s hand is raised in triumph as a TKO 8 winner. Post-bout career totals are 41-19-2 (20) for McVey and 26-8-4 (18) for McAvoy.

[JCWeb]

This is a summary of ring action from the first half of December 1935, covering a total of 54 bouts. One WBA title contest is included in this report.

Dec. 6, 1935: The month starts with a Friday night card, held under the auspices of the LABF, in Panama City. Featured is a contest for the vacant LABF FW title belt that had previously been held by Baby Arizmendi who since moved up to capture the WBA FW crown. The two protagonists are ex-WBA Champion Kid Chocolate (back in the ring for the first time since dropping the title via a DQ to Brit Dave Crowley) and veteran Jose Lombardo. Lombardo holds a prior win over Chocolate, but since then he has hit Post-Prime and been in a career decline. Urged on by a partisan hometown crowd, Lombardo lands a hard cross in round four, but Chocolate remains upright and covers up in order to last the round. The two trade blows in rounds five and six, and Chocolate gets the better of these exchanges, and Lombardo begins to feel the effects, with some swelling under his left eye. Then, in round eight, with Lombardo beginning to tire, Chocolate rips open a cut over the Panamanian’s left eye. The cut, along with some more punishment dished out by the “Cuban Bon Bon,” leads to a stoppage a couple of rounds later. TKO 10 for Kid Chocolate on the cuts stoppage. With the win, Chocolate captures the LABF title and improves to 29-5-5 (15). Lombardo, who will be at End career stage starting in 1936, ends the bout at 36-18-7 (22).

Dec. 7, 1935: Back to Europe for the next card at the Amor Bahn in Munich. The card matches several German fighters against other boxers from around the world. In the main support, the crowd applauds a UD 10 win for HW Walter “Der Blonde” Neusel over a recent EBU title challenger, Portugal’s Jose Santo; the win lifts Neusel to 20-3-1 (16). Then, in the main event, a top five WW contender Gustav Eder faces veteran American contender Jackie Fields. Despite being at Post-Prime, Fields is the quicker of the two in the early rounds as he builds a points edge and in round four, he rips open a cut over Eder’s left eye; at the same time, there is some noticeable swelling under the eye as well. Eder, however, does not panic, and he begins to work his way back into the bout as Fields begins to tire starting in round seven. In round eight, more trouble though for Eder, whose progress is slowed by a second under, this one under the right eye. Fields targets the cut, instead of going for a KO, and he has a big round nine. Eder goes on the offensive in round 10, and the result – a draw (96-94 Eder, 94-96 Fields, 95-95) -- seems justified. With his third draw in succession, Eder ends the bout at 26-3-7 (9); Fields is 30-5-5 (15). Now winless in his last seven (with five draws), Eder is fortunate to remain among the top five WWs despite a seeming inability to pull out wins against top-flight opposition.

Dec. 7, 1935: Action is back in the States at the Miami Stadium. No titles at stake, but a couple of interesting matchups featuring former WBA titleholders. In the co-feature, ex-WBA HW Champ Young Stribling faces a young, up-and-coming HW, Roscoe Toles – and both men are coming off losses (Stribling was a DQ loser to Schmeling in a recent WBA title clash, while Toles is looking to recover from his first career setback). With two boxers cautiously circling each other, the action takes awhile to develop but, as the bout progresses, Toles seems stronger and stronger. He builds a large points lead, and an aggressive approach by Stribling in the late rounds does not change matters. Easy UD 10 for Toles (97-93, 98-92, 98-92) who moves to 21-1-1 (5) with the win. Stribling, who doesn't have many more bouts left in his career, drops to 48-12-2 (24) after another loss. In the main event, WBA JLW Champion Tod Morgan, who has renounced the title to campaign at LW, takes on Wesley Ramey, a top 10 LW contender. Round two sees some activity as Morgan, who develops some early swelling under his right eye, opens up a cut on the mouth of Ramey. Ramey pulls out a slight points lead in the middle round. Morgan grits his teeth and manages to pull out a draw (96-95 Morgan, 96-96, 95-97 Ramey) as Ramey is cut over his right eye in the final round. Good effort by both. Post-fight career marks: Morgan, now firmly entrenched among the top 10 LWs, 44-13-3 (12); Ramey, 21-4-5 (10).

Dec. 13, 1935: Friday night card at the Olympic Arena in Los Angeles is next. One bout of note, which is the main event, for the USBA Flyweight title. Ruby “Dark Cloud” Bradley makes the first defense of this belt, which he won earlier in 1935, taking on veteran Newsboy Brown. It is the first meeting of the two and Brown, who is at Post-Prime, remains a dangerous opponent for Bradley. Midway throught the bout, Bradley is on target frequently, and as a result, there is noticeable swelling under Brown’s left eye. Newboy continues to struggle but does enough to keep the bout close. Bradley manages to take advantage of the champion’s edge from a couple of the judges to escape with a MD 12 verdict (116-112, 114-114, 117-111) although the punches landed stats were quite close. Post-fight career marks are 29-13-6 (6) for Bradley; 39-18-2 (11) for Newboy Brown.

Dec. 14, 1935: Next card is in New York City at St. Nicholas Arena. Fan favorite James Braddock is on the undercard, facing Harry Thomas in a tough HW matchup. Braddock recovers from a slow start, and in round five, the two trade blows on the inside, and the bout is a close one. Braddock comes through with a big round six, forcing Thomas to get more aggressive. Braddock, despite tiring in the last three rounds, still puts forth some strong defense. Braddock finishes with a strong final round to cinch a UD 10 win by the narrowest of margins (96-94, 95-95, 95-94). The win, which propels Braddock towards a spot among the top 20 or 25 HWs, leaves Jimmy at 29-12-2 (6); Thomas drops to 19-3-1 (14). In the main event, two top 10 WWs meet in a non-title match up, as Ruby Goldstein faces Baby Joe Gans. Just before the bell in the opening round, Gans rocks Goldstein with a left hook to the body. Gans follows up with a strong performance through the first half of the 10-rounder, landing repeatedly and causing swelling to appear under Goldstein’s right eye. More trouble for Goldstein in round six, when a cut appears over the damaged eye. Goldtein gets more aggressive in the later rounds, but he is unable to close the points gap as Gans takes a UD 10 (96-94, 96-94, 97-94). Post-fight records: Gans, 36-17-2 (14); Goldstein, 35-10-3 (23).

Dec. 20, 1935: Next fistic action is in the Far East at the Rizal Arena in Manila. A WBA BW title clash headlines the card, but on the undercard are two more BW contenders: Filipino Pablo Dano and American K. O. Morgan. Not much in the way of action until round four, when Dano is cut under his left eye; a round later, that same eye begins to swell up. Dano battles back to keep the bout close while being careful to stay out of range of Morgan’s power. However, in round nine, he suffers a second cut, this one over the injured left eye, meaning he is forced to battle to the end of the bout with a swollen eye with cuts above and below it. To the disappointment of the pro-Dano crowd in Manila, K. O. Morgan takes a SD 10 (96-94, 94-96, 96-94) to move to 23-4-5 (14) post-fight, while Dano slips to 29-7-4 (14). Then, in the main event, WBA BW Champ Johnny King puts that title on the line for the sixth time against a familiar foe, Speedy Dado, aka “Brown Doll,” a Filipino former WBA Champion who will have some good crowd support in Manila. King won all three of their prior meetings and has won his last 11, but the two bouts that went the distance with Dado were close – both MDs. Lots of action and a bruising bout, right from the start. In the opening stanza, Dado suffers a nick under his right eye. Then, in round four, Dado absorbs a hook to the head from King that puts him on the canvas; he takes a four-count before resuming, covering up to last the round. By round five, Dado’s right eye is beginning to swell. At this point, Dado decides to step up the pace, moving inside with some better results. Dado’s rally hits a snag in round 13 when King nails him with a big cross, spinning Dado against the ropes. The bout goes the rest of the way without incident. In the end, another good solid effort by King who retains the title via a UD 15 (146-138, 146-138, 144-140) although the narrower four-point margin seemed most appropriate. Post-bout career totals are 38-3-1 (25) for King and 27-13-2 (13) for Speedy Dado.

[JCWeb]

This is a summary of ring action from the second half of December 1935, covering a total of 59 bouts. Two WBA title contests are included in this report, which wraps up 1935 action.

Dec. 21, 1935: Scene of the fistic action shifts to Toronto, where two Canadian fighters meet in a Commonwealth LH title confrontation. Long-time CBU LH Champ (and former WBA LH Champ) Jack “Bright Eyes” Delaney faces challenger Charley Belanger. Delaney, who is coming off a WBA title loss, has not defended the CBU belt in over a year, when he KO’d Belanger. However, Delaney is now at End career stage, and Belanger is hoping to take advantage. After a lackluster opening round, a huge shock in round two, as Belanger breaks through Delaney’s defenses and scores with a barrage of blows, punctuated by a nice finishing combination that puts the veteran Delaney down and out. KO 2 for Charley Belanger, who is the new CBU LH Champion as a result. Belanger improves to 33-17 (16) with the win. Delaney, who first won the CBU belt back in 1923, is 46-14-3 (30) and looking for a couple of more paydays before hanging up the gloves.

Dec. 21, 1935: Next card is at Seattle’s Sicks Stadium. Featured is the “Tacoma Assasin,” Freddie Steele, who is defending his NABF MW title (a belt he has held since early 1932) for the 11^th time. This time the challenger is Johnny “Bandit” Romero, who briefly held the USBA MW title at one time, but is 0-2 lifetime in previous bouts versus the crowd-pleasing Steele. This time Steele waits until the end of round four to make his move, when he decks Romero with a big cross. The challenger arises at the count of five and covers up to last the round. Steele continues on the offensive in the fifth round, finally catching Romero with another big shot just before the bell. This time Romero goes down and is unable to beat the count – no saving by the bell. KO 5 for Steele, who retains the belt and improves to 35-5 (27); Romero drops to 30-9 (19).

Dec. 26, 1935: Next is the traditional Boxing Day card, back in the UK, this time at London’s Harringay Arena. It’s a packed card, lots of British fighters showcased. In the co-main event, EBU and GBU HW kingpen Tommy Farr faces an American fighter, Joe Sekyra, a former NABF HW Champ who has slipped in the rankings but remains a credible opponent still at Prime career stage. The two meet in a 10-rounder, with no titles at stake. Farr, the better boxer, grabs an early points edge and, by the midway point, Sekyra is already showing the effects, with a rapidly swollen left eye. Sekyra is unable to penetrate Farr’s excellent defenses, so Farr goes on to take a relatively comfortable UD 10 (97-92 on all three cards) to move to 36-9-1 (14). Sekyra is 31-10-3 (23) after the loss. The final bout on this packed card is for the EBU LH title, and meeting for the fourth time are the reigning Champion, Len Harvey, and challenger Gustave Roth, with Harvey holding a 2-1 edge in their prior meetings, and the two have now met in each of the last four years. Roth has won four of five since his last defeat to Harvey, in 1934, and Harvey has remained unbeaten in his last five outings. The two boxers do battle, with Harvey starting well, so well that Roth’s left eye begins to swell as early as round three of the scheduled 12. In the middle rounds Roth moves inside to press the action, but Harvey’s superior boxing skills are enough to retain the belt; it goes into the books as a UD 12 for Harvey (117-111, 116-112, 115-114). Post-fight career marks: Harvey, 46-11-2 (19); Roth, 32-8-2 (13).

Dec. 27, 1935: Rome, Italy is the scene of the next fistic action, with a big crowd on hand for a card headlined by a WBA HW title clash. However, on the undercard, Italian fan favorite Primo Carnera, the “Ambling Alp,” faces British HW Jack London in a 10-round, non-title affair. The two sluggers put on a good show in a back-and-forth, action-packed affair. In round two, Carnera gets careless and walks into a cross and goes down, takes an eight count but leans against the ropes to arise and continue in the bout. Carnera returns the favor, landing a big shot in round five, dropping London who arises quickly. Knockdowns are 1-1 at this point. Carnera continues to swing away, landing enough blows to cause some swelling under London’s left eye. London begins to tire badly in the second half of the bout, allowing Carnera to build a points lead. However, the bout turns into a slugfest in round eight and, once gain, Carnera gets careless, allowing London to score his second KD of the bout with a nice combination. Carnera, now suffering from a rapidly swelling right eye, bounces back to score his second KD with a wild overhand right that puts London down for a seven-count in round nine. London is cut over his swollen left eye, and in the final round he begins to show the effects of swelling around the other eye. Nonetheless, this bruising battle goes the distance, with Carnera coming away as a UD 10 winner (96-90, 94-92, 95-92) in one of the better action bouts of the year. Post-fight, Carnera improves to 22-7-1 (16), while London wraps up the pre-Prime stage of his career at 15-3-2 (9). In the main event, Max Schmeling makes his 12^th defense of the WBA HW title he won back in 1932. His opponent is the newly-crowned LABF HW Champion, Argentina’s Jose Domingo Carattoli. Early trouble for Schmeling, who suffers a cut over his left eye in round two. Then, in round four, Max is cut over the other eye, but Carattoli is also marked, with telltale signs of swelling beginning to appear under his right eye. Then, in round five, Carattoli is wild with a hook and leaves himself open for a short, clean cross from Schmeling. The challenger crumples to the canvas and is counted out. KO 5 for Schmeling. Post-fight career marks are 41-3 (30) for Schmeling; 24-9-1 (10) for Carattoli, who will be at Post-Prime for his next bout.

Dec. 28, 1935: Back to the States for a big card in Chicago. The co-main event, prelude to a WBA title bout, features “the Brown Bomber,” Joe Louis, facing another top unbeaten young HW prospect, Nathan Mann. It takes a couple of minutes for Louis to find the range, but then late in the opening round he connects with a big cross that has Mann hanging on to survive. Joe dishes out more punishment to the hapless Mann in round two, and as a result Mann’s right eye begins to puff up a bit. Louis then looks for the knockout in round three, and Mann is fortunate to manage to stay upright despite another good round for Louis. The end comes in round four, after Mann gets in his best shot of the fight (a hook), and then it’s all Louis until the ref decides to step in to save the fighter from further punishment. TKO 4 for Louis. The win means Louis will end 1935 off to a perfect 13-0 (12) career start, while Mann’s first loss leaves him at 10-1 (9); look for Joe to begin a serious move up the HW ranks in 1936. In the main event, the WBA LW title is on the line as #1 ranked contender, Ray Miller, winner of his last four, faces the "Roman Warrior," Tony Canzoneri, who has held the belt since 1932 and is making his 15^th title defense. Canzoneri bested Miller once before, via a TKO, in a prior title defense, and since then Miller has moved back up the rankings to earn a second title shot. Canzoneri gets off to a strong start, and by round three the telltale signs of swelling begin to appear underneath Miller’s left eye. Nonetheless, Miller battles on gamely in an effort to keep the bout reasonably close. In the middle rounds, Canzoneri continues to dominate, using his jab to keep Miller at bay while continuing to pile up points, impressing the judges with his defense and counterpunching. By round seven, Miller’s other eye begins to swell. Miller tries to get more aggressive, but to no avail. Another solid performance by Canzoneri, who walks away with a decisive UD 15 (149-136, 147-138, 150-135), as one judge awarded him all 15 rounds. Post-fight records: Canzoneri, 39-4-3 (15); Miller, 41-12 (18).

Dec. 31, 1935: The final card to wrap up 1935 takes place on New Year’s Eve at Atlantic City’s Convention Hall. No titles at stake, but featured is top five LH Battling Bozo, looking to enhance his title prospects in a 10-round bout with veteran George Manley. Both are former USBA LH titleholders, and Manley took a SD verdict in a 1933 title contest. However, recent form favors Bozo, who has won his last three while Manley – now suffering the effects of aging at Post-Prime career stage -- has lost his last three. Bozo is on target early, inflicting damage and causing Manley’s right eye to begin puffing up from the outset. Manley is largely ineffective at causing problems for Bozo, so Bozo takes a fairly routine UD 10 win (98-92, 97-93, 98-92). Post-bout career totals are 27-8-3 (11) for Bozo and 33-20 (16) for Manley.

That wraps up another exciting year of fistic action. Normally, next up – shortly to follow -- would be the year-end reports. However, I am in the midst of a large project (involving a move to a new place) so these reports may move down the priority list and therefore be on hiatus for awhile.

[JCWeb]

House move (largely) completed -- at least all the relevant Title Bout stuff is available, so on to the first of the year-end reports, starting (as usual) with the HW Division:

HW Title Bouts

WBA: Max Schmeling, who has held the belt since July 1932, continued a successful reign as WBA Champion, defending four times during the year, defeating Tommy Loughran (TKO 14), Don McCorkindale (TKO 13), Young Stribling (DQ 5) and Joe Domingo Carattoli (KO 5).

NABF: Elmer Ray began the year with this belt, defended it twice against Lee Ramage (KO 10) and King Levinsky (TKO 6) before being ousted by Max Baer (TKO 2).

USBA: Only one title bout during the year, and the belt changed hands as Joe Banovic dethroned Tommy Loughran (MD 12).

CBU: No title defenses by Don McCorkindale, who retained the title going into 1936.

GBU: Tommy Farr retained this belt, which has remained dormant for several years due to a dearth of available challengers.

EBU: Tommy Farr defended three times during the year, turning back challenges from Walter Neusel (UD 12), Jack Peterson (MD 12) and Jose Santo (UD 12).

OPBF: No activity during 1935. Tom Heeney retains the belt.

LABF: Argentinian Jose Domingo Carattoli became the first holder of this belt, by defeating Arturo Godoy of Chile (UD 12).

HW Division Profile

Total: 199 RL: 119 TC: 80

RL by Career Stage:
End - 17
Post - 25
Prime - 50
Pre - 21
Beginning - 6 (3 New)

Rated: 90
800+: 19
500+: 47
200+ : 81

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Max Schmeling 41-3 (30) (2020) (NC)
1. Tommy Farr 36-9-1 (14) (1552)(+1) (EBU, GBU)
2. Larry Gains 39-10 (21) (1239) (+5)
3. Don McCorkindale 28-7-1 (16) (1231) (+2) (CBU)
4. Tommy Loughran 53-8-4 (18) (1210) (-3)
5. Jersey Joe Walcott 26-2 (20) (1183) (+4)
6. Jack Sharkey 34-12 (19) (1161) (NC)
7. Joe Banovic 32-11 (9) (1158) (+3) (USBA)
8. Elmer Ray 30-7 (18) (1110) (-4)
9. Max Baer 23-6 (22) (1070) (+21) (NABF)
10. Roscoe Toles 21-1-1 (5) (973) (+12)

Others: 19. Jose Domingo Carattoli 24-9-1 (10) (777) (+1) (LABF)
26. Tom Heeney 36-23-1 (12) (705) (-15) (OPBF)

Comments: Everyone listed above is still at Prime, except for Sharkey (who hits Post in 1936) and Carattoli (also hitting Post) and Heeney (now at End career stage). Schmeling continued to pile up successful title defenses, and now he has fashioned a 18-bout winning streak going back to 1930. Farr, now the top ranked contender, has won his last five, following up on three successful title defenses with wins over Baer (TKO) and veteran Joe Sekyra (UD 10). Gains re-established his credentials as a top contender, going 3-0 for the year, including UD wins over Cavalier and Walcott, plus a SD victory over Banovic; the Canadian has now won his last four outings. McCorkindale lost in his first WBA title try, but he registered wins over Stribling (KO 2) and Braddock (MD 10) to retain a high ranking. Loughran lost both his 1935 outings to slip a few spots in the list. Walcott was active, winning four of five in 1935, suffering the one loss to Gains, but taking the measure of Stribling (via TKO), Sharkey, Toles and Frankie Edgren (the last three all UD 10 wins). Banovic had an up-and-down year, ending up 2-2 for the campaign; he bested Uzcudan but lost to Gains (SD) and Cavalier (UD). Ray went 2-1 for the year, all in NABF title contests. Baer zoomed up the list with his TKO win over Ray, but had a four-bout win streak snapped by the TKO loss to Farr. Toles moved into the top group, taking a UD at the expense of former Champ Young Stribling. Stribling has now lost his last four and drops from #3 to #11 as a result; the other top 10 dropout is Uzcudan, who fell seven spots to #15 after losing in his only two outings in 1935. Carattoli lost his WBA title try, but won the LABF belt and defeated Heeney to move up a bit; Heeney, on the other hand, was 0-3 for the year and has now lost his last four. Brit Jack Peterson, now 23-3 (16), is ranked 16^th with KO wins over George Godfrey and King Levinsky after the loss to Farr. Top newcomers to the list are 16-0 (8) Johnny Paychek, who debuts at #32; Brit Tommy Martin, #41 at 15-1 (10) (the one loss coming via a UD to Paychek); and Lee Savold, #44 at 13-1-1 (8), whose blemishes include a draw with Argentina’s Lovell and a loss to Joe Louis.

Prospects: Joe Louis, now 13-0 (12), is ready to move into the rankings (perhaps at a high position) in 1936. Frenchman Andre Lenglet ends the year at 13-1 (8), the one loss coming to Tommy Martin. Eduardo Primo of Argentina is now 12-2 (6), the two losses at the hands of Martin and Paychek. Canadian Al Delaney, whose only loss has been to Savold, is 12-1 (6). The aforementioned Alberto Santiago Lovell is off to a 11-0-1 (8) career start, drawing with Savold after a string of TC victories. Also feasting off TC opposition have been Bob Pastor (5-0, 3), Jorge Brescia (5-0, 0 KO) and Abe Simon (4-0, 4 KO). Buddy Baer, Max’s younger brother, recovered from an early setback and is now 5-1 (4 KO).

Retirements: A record number of 14 (!) retirements during 1935 shrunk the HW ranks:

Knute Hansen (DEN) 1922-35 23-22-3 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 26
Matt Agdie (USA) 1925-35 22-15-2 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 53
George Thompson (AUS) 1924-35 28-16-3 (10) CBU, OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 8
Mack House (USA) 1922-35 31-22 (23) No Titles Highest Rank; 18
Floyd Johnson (USA) 1921-35 34-20-1 (23) No Titles Highest Rank: 3
George LaRocco (USA) 1925-35 22-15-2 (8) No Titles Highest Rank: 50
Bob Lawson (USA) 1923-35 27-20 (19) No Titles Highest Rank: 21
Angus Snyder (CAN) 1926-35 23-15-2 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 39
Jack Humbeeck (BEL) 1922-35 27-21-4 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 34
Emmett Rocco (USA) 1927-35 18-15-3 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 58
Jack Renault (CAN) 1918-35 42-27-4 (14) No Titles Highest Rank: 39
George Godfrey (USA) 1919-35 47-21-2 (35) WBA Champ 1929 Highest Rank: 1
John Henry Squires (SAF) 1923-35 34-22-3 (20) No Titles Highest Rank: 30
Jimmy Byrne (USA) 1924-35 24-18-1 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 46

Outlook: Schmeling may continue awhile longer as Champion as only Louis, once he hits Prime in a couple of years, appears to be capable of dethroning the German. Farr is a solid top contender, if not a future WBA Champion. Gains is angling for another title shot or, at the very least, looking to regain the CBU title from McCorkindale who may be overmatched going against the other top contenders. Max Baer is on the rise, but highly inconsistent. The end is near for guys like Stribling and Sharkey. Will the hard-working James Braddock (now at #22 in the rankings) be able to move up even further? Top newcomer for 1936 is Lou Nova.

[JCWeb]

LH Title Bouts

WBA: Maxie Rosenbloom began 1935 with this title, defending once against ex-Champ Jack Delaney (KO 5) but then lost the belt to Joe Knight (TKO 8). Knight then made one successful defense, edging John Henry Lewis (SD 15).

NABF: Four title fights produced four different titleholders. First, Dave Maier won the belt from John Henry Lewis (KO 5). Then, Jimmy Slattery defeated Maier (UD 12). Next, Young Firpo won the belt from Slattery (SD 12) and then, Tiger Jack Fox regained this belt by flattening Firpo (KO 7).

USBA: This belt was vacated by Mickey Walker, who made the decision to return to the MW division. In a matchup for the vacant belt, Tiger Jack Fox bested Al Gainer (TKO 4). Later in the year, John Henry Lewis stopped Fox (TKO 2) to claim the title.

CBU: Veteran Jack Delaney began the year with this title, but he lost it to countryman Charley Belanger (KO 2).

GBU: No defenses, as Len Harvey retains the belt, largely due to a dearth of challengers.

EBU: Len Harvey was active in defending this title, making two successful defenses, versus Adolf Heuser (KO 11) and Gustave Roth (UD 12).

OPBF and LABF titles are inactive for this division.

LH Division Profile

Total: 126 RL: 79 TC: 47

RL by Career Stage:
End - 6
Post - 24
Prime - 28
Pre - 13
Beginning - 9 (5 New)

Rated: 58
800+: 15
500+: 29
200+ : 50

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Joe Knight 27-4-2 (15) (1319) (+10)
1. Maxie Rosenbloom 36-11-6 (15) (1262)(-1)
2. Tiger Jack Fox 35-2 (27) (1206) (NC) (NABF)
3. Battling Bozo 27-8-3 (11) (1165) (+11)
4. John Henry Lewis 19-2-2 (16) (1111) (+7) (USBA)
5. Len Harvey 46-11-3 (19) (1088) (NC) (EBU, GBU)
6. Tony Shucco 25-7 (9) (1063) (-3)
7. Jimmy Slattery 36-17-3 (12) (1050) (NC)
8. Young Firpo 28-13-3 (16) (1032) (-2)
9. Gustave Roth 32-8-2 (12) (1021) (-1)
10. Charley Belanger 33-16 (16) (917) (+6) (CBU)


Comments: Everyone listed is still at Prime, except for Slattery, who is at Post. Joe “Cairo Calamity” Knight moves to the top spot, taking a UD 10 over George Manley to set up his title shot; Knight won all three of his 1935 encounters and has won his last four in a row. Ex-Champ Rosenbloom remains the top contender, with the loss to Knight having snapped a seven-bout winning streak for “Slapsie Maxie.” Tiger Jack Fox split two title bouts, suffering his second career loss to Lewis. Bozo bad a busy year, contesting six bouts and winning his last four (UD wins over Roth, Lenhart and Manley and a TKO of Courtney) after starting off slowly (a loss to Shucco and a draw with Harvey). Lewis was 1-2 for the year, all in title bouts. Veteran Len Harvey notched two more wins and a draw to remain unbeaten for the past two years. Shucco was 2-1 in 1935, defeating Bozo and an aging Young Tony Marullo, but dropping a UD to Young Firpo. Slattery battled to win three of four during 1935, going 1-1 in title bouts and registering wins over Courtney and Scozza. Firpo was 2-2 for the year, suffering a TKO loss to Jack Delaney but downing Shucco in an inconsistent year. Likewise, Roth was also 2-2 in 1935, taking a UD 10 over Mickey Walker, a SD from Belanger, but losing to Bozo. Rounding out the top 10 is Belanger, who won three of four, his only setback coming against Roth. Jack Delaney has dropped his last two to slip two spots to #11; George Manley went 0-3 for the year to slide nine spots to #13, with Walker (#1 last year) being the third (voluntary) top 10 casualty after moving back down to MW. Checking in at #12 is hard-working Al Stillman, winner of three 1935 contests to move his career totals to 23-5-1 (12). Jack Gibbons, #20 at 19-2 (15) has won his last four, three by KO followed up by a SD win over Mike Mandell. Top newcomer to the list is Jimmy Adamick, winner of 17 straight (including 16 straight inside the distance) who then suffered his first loss to Pal Silvers to end the year at 17-1 (16), good for 23^rd spot in the rankings.

Prospects: Gus Lesnevich is one bout away from being ranked, having compiled a perfect 14-0 (10) record thus far; his wins include a KO over veteran Yale Okun and UD wins over Abie Bain and Bert Gilroy. Gilroy ends up the year at 11-2 (8), the other loss coming at the hands of a TC earlier in his career. Still perfect after feasting off TC opposition are Harry Balsamo, 7-0 (6); Melio Bettina, 7-0 (5); Greek Anton Christoforidis, 7-0 (4); Dave Clark, 6-0 (5) and the “Pittsburgh Kid, Billy Conn, 5-0 (5). Archie Moore, “the Oid Mongoose,” is also perfect after KO’ing his first opponent.

Retirements: Three LHs left the ranks during 1935:

Billy Jones (USA) 1929-35 16-10-1 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 32
Lou Bogash (USA) 1916-35 43-26-3 (20) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 4
Gypsy Daniels (UK) 1920-35 31-27-2 (180) EBU, CBU, GBU Champ Highest Rank: 21

Outlook: With Rosenbloom, Fox, Lewis and Harvey still at Prime, it is likely there will still be some turnover at the top of the division: i.e., Knight is not a safe bet to last through many more title defenses. Guys like Lesnevich and Moore are still a few years away from making an impression. Lloyd Marshall and Young Joe Louis lead a fairly talented group of newcomers to the ranks for 1936.

[JCWeb]

MW Title Bouts

WBA: Vince Dundee ended Mickey Walker’s long reign as WBA Champion, taking a UD 15 to capture the belt. Dundee then defended successfully against Frank Battaglia (UD 15). Jack McVey became the next challenger, and McVey dethroned Dundee (TKO 6). McVey then defended once, besting Jock McAvoy (TKO 8).

NABF: Freddie Steele retained this belt, making two defenses during 1935. First, he turned back the challenge of Ken Overlin (MD 12). Next, Steele stopped Johnny Romero (KO 6) to keep the belt for another year.

USBA: Vince Dundee, who held this belt going into the year, vacated it upon winning the WBA title. Johnny Romero defeated Tony Tozzo (UD 12) to capture the vacant belt. Romero stumbled in his first defense, with challenger Eddie Risko stepping forward to claim the belt (KO 8). Risko went on to defend twice later in 1935, facing Teddy Yarosz (D 12) and Young Terry (UD 12).

CBU: Frank Battaglia started the year with this title, defended once against Len Johnson (UD 12) but was dethroned by Ron Richards (UTD 7).

GBU: Jock McAvoy made just one defense during the year, turning back a challenge from Jack Casey (UTD 6).

EBU: Two title bouts produced two new Champions. First, Hein Domgorgen topped Eduardo Tenet (UD 12). Then, Jock McAvoy took the title from Domgorgen (KO 12).

OPBF: Aussie Ambrose Palmer retained the belt in his only defense during 1935, versus Ceferino Garcia (TKO 3).

LABF: The inaugural belt was won by Kid Tunero, who decisioned Relampago Saguero (UD 12).

MW Division Profile

Total: 149 RL: 87 TC: 62

RL by Career Stage:
End - 15
Post - 16
Prime - 40
Pre - 13
Beginning - 3 (3 New)

Rated: 72
800+: 22
500+: 44
200+ : 67

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Jack McVey 41-19-2 (20) (1229) (+8)
1. Freddie Steele 35-5 (27) (1288)(NC)(NABF)
2. Vince Dundee 37-9-4 (15) (1177) (NC)
3. Ken Overlin 25-1-3 (11) (1106) (+6)
4. Eddie Risko 25-3-2 (11) (1095) (+10) (USBA)
5. Johnny Romero 30-9 (19) (1049) (-2)
6. Ambrose Palmer 25-8 (16) (1021) (-2) (OPBF)
7. Kid Tunero 25-5-4 (8) (1015) (+9) (LABF)
8. Mickey Walker 54-8-1 (40) (1014) (-8)
9. Hein Domgorgen 38-15-1 (19) (1012) (-2)
10. Teddy Yarosz 27-7-2 (11) (1005) (+3)

Others: 12. Jock McAvoy 26-8-4 (18) (960) (+10) (EBU, GBU)
23. Ron Richards 27-6-2 (20) (744) (+2) (CBU)

Comments: Everyone listed is still at Prime, except for Walker, who is joined by Domgorgen and none other than the new Champion, Jack McVey, at Post, in 1926. McVey went 4-0 for the year, extending his winning streak to five bouts, after starting the year slowly with a close SD 10 win over Yarosz. Steele, who has the highest Perf Pt total, defended the NABF title twice but suffered a DQ loss to Domgorgen. Vince Dundee began the year with a UD 10 over McAvoy before taking the title from Walker; the title loss to McVey snapped a six-bout winning streak. Overlin impressed with UD wins over Walker and Palmer, but was held to a draw by Yarosz in his most recent outing. Risko moved rapidly up the rankings with three wins and a draw during the year. Romero took a split duke from Tunero but lost in both of his title shots to drop a couple of spots down the list. Palmer was 2-2 for the year, dropping a pair of UDs to Overlin and Tunero before bouncing back with a UD 10 over Ben Jeby. Tunero won three of his four 1935 bouts, losing only to Romero, but defeating Palmer and Walker in addition to capturing the inaugural LABF MW belt. Walker slipped badly after losing four in a row during the year. Domgorgen took a DQ over Steele but then won and lost the EBU belt. Yarosz, after an early season loss to McVey, went on a five-bout unbeaten streak, winning three and drawing two, to round out the top 10. Former EBU Champ Tenet dropped six spots to #16, with only one win (a TKO over an aging Rene DeVos) in five 1935 outings. Young Terry was the other top 10 dropout, going 2-3 for the year but sliding 14 spots to #19 after a disappointing UD loss to Tony Tozzo. McAvoy was 2-2 for the year, going 2-1 in title bouts but losing to Dundee. Richards went 2-1 for the year, dropping a SD to Saguero but taking a TKO over Pete Horton in addition to the title win. Just missing out on the top 10 is Holman Williams, who improved to 21-1 (15) after winning his last five, notably a UD 10 over Young Terry. Four wins and a draw in 1935 were sufficient to lift Frenchman Marcel Thil to 14^th spot, checking in with a 37-21-6 (12) record. No newcomers to the rankings list made the top 50.

Prospects: Ben “Belter” Brown wrapped up a solid sophomore year with a UD 10 over Tony Zale to compile a perfect 13-0 (11) start. Zale is now 11-1 (10). Glen Lee is 11-2 (11) after losing to both Brown and Zale. Also still perfect is Freddie Apostoli, who is off to an 11-0 (11) career start, including a stoppage of Walter Woods, who ended up at 11-1 (10). Gene Buffalo, another Apostoli victim, ended the year at 9-0 (4). Still perfect after feasting off TC opposition are Marcel Cerdan, 9-0 (8); Sheik Rangel, 8-0 (4); Aaron Wade, 6-0 (4); and Wicky Harkins, 6-0 (2).

Retirements: Five retirements to report, including one former Champion:

Joe Roche (USA) 1923-35 24-22-3 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 49
Virgil Kincaide (USA) 1926-35 25-9-4 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 44
Rene DeVos (BEL) 1917-35 52-20-4 (18) WBA Champion 1924 Highest Rank: 1
Ted Moore (UK) 1919-35 39-23-8 (12) GBU Champ Highest Rank: 14
Bert Colima (USA) 1919-35 37-24-3 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 31

Looking Ahead: Having hit Post-Prime, it is unlikely that McVey will remain Champion for long – perhaps it will soon be long-time NABF titleholder Freddie Steele’s time to move up to the WBA title. Overlin, Risko, Tunero and Yarosz appear to represent the future of the division in the coming years. Brown and Zale are likely to develop into top contenders as well. Charley Burley is the best of the new faces being added to the division in 1936.

[JCWeb]

Unfortunately, the timing of these year-end reports has been adversely affected by the recent server crash on the website. The WW division wrap-up -- which I thought I had posted -- did not appear when the site went back up. So, skipping over the WWs for now (hope to retrieve and reassemble the report soon), here's the much shorter report for the JWW Division that I had planned to post before the server shutdown this past weekend.

JWW Title Bouts

WBA: No title defenses by Jack Kid Berg, who has held the WBA JWW title since 1928. ing all four, versus Cleto Locatelli (TKO 13), Irineo Flores (KO 5), Barney Ross (UD 15) and Young Corbett III (UD 15).

USBA: For the second year in a row, this title remained dormant. Thus, Johnny Jadick remains the nominal titleholder for another year.

JWW Division Profile

Total: 17 RL: 9 TC: 8

RL by Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 3
Prime - 4
Pre - 0
Beginning - 1 (0 New)

Rated: 8
800+: 1
500+: 4
200+ : 6

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Jack Kid Berg 31-11-4 (14) (872) (NC)
1. Battling Shaw 25-8-3 (13) (606) (+1)
2. Lew Feldman 25-10 (11) (588) (+1)
3. Johnny Jadick 32-19-3 (8) (511) (+1) (USBA)
4. Mickey Cohen 22-20-2 (9) (279) (+1)
5. Spug Myers 35-30-5 (13) (250) (+1)
6. Mushy Callahan 29-17-3 (9) (172) (+1)
7. Harry Wallach 24-20-2 (11) (64) (+1)

Comments: Callahan at End career stage; Cohen, Myers and Wallach at Post, others still at Prime. Everyone moved up one spot after Barney Ross abandoned the JWW division to compete as a WW. Berg tried to move up to challenge some of the top WW contenders in 1935, but lost both bouts (a UD to Locatelli for the EBU title belt, and then a close MD to highly regarded Young Corbett III). Battling Shaw won just one of three 1935 outings, being KO’d by Jack Carroll, dropping a UD to My Sullivan before bouncing back with a TKO win over veteran WW Tommy Freeman. Feldman was active during the year, contesting five bouts and winning three: a SD over Jadick, and a pair of UD wins versus Cohen and aging LW Sammy Mandell, but he also suffered losses to Manuel Quintero (MD 10) and Tommy Freeman (UD 10). Jadick lost to Feldman, battled to a draw with Freeman, and won his last outing, a UD 10, over WW Steve Halaiko. Cohen won just one of four 1935 outings, besting the lightly regarded Callahan (UD 10) and coming close in a SD 10 loss to WW Ted Morgan. Myers was 1-2 during the year, his only win over TC opposition while his two losses came at the hands of Kid Azteca (one TKO loss and then a UD setback). Callahan lost his last two (a UD to Cohen and a MD to Clyde Hull) after starting off the year with a UD win over Pinky Kaufman. Wallach remains the lowest ranked in the division despite winning bout his 1935 outings, versus lightly regarded WW journeymen Macario Flores and Canada Lee.

Prospects: Only one, Tippy Larkin, who won his pro debut and is now 1-0 (0).

Retirements: No retirements to report.

Looking Ahead: This is probably the swansong for this division, once Berg decides to either move up to WW or down to LW. The recent addition of Tippy Larkin will prove insufficient to prevent the death-knell for this moribund division, which is likely to follow the JLW division into oblivion in 1936, with most of the few remaining guys likely to move up to WW.

[bob_bask]

Originally Posted by JCWeb

Unfortunately, the timing of these year-end reports has been adversely affected by the recent server crash on the website. The WW division wrap-up -- which I thought I had posted -- did not appear when the site went back up. So, skipping over the WWs for now (hope to retrieve and reassemble the report soon), here's the much shorter report for the JWW Division that I had planned to post before the server shutdown this past weekend.

Sorry to hear, hope you are successful in retrieving it.

Really enjoy the details you go into with your write ups.

I see you have RL and TC's, are the TC's fictional, or do you create RL TC's as it were?

[JCWeb]

Originally Posted by bob_bask

I see you have RL and TC's, are the TC's fictional, or do you create RL TC's as it were?

No, the TCs are all fictional. I pulled them off someone's database and have been reincarnating them with new names from time to time. At this point, their sole purpose is to build up the records of the prospects and occasionally to prop up a flagging journeyman or two. In the early years of the Uni, with a much smaller group of RL guys, they played a more important role, building their own records and often contesting title bouts, earning spots in the rankings, and occasionally (certainly I remember this happening alot in the early years of the LH ranks) holding a lesser title or two.

Anyway, should be able to re-construct the WW report and post it soon ...

[JCWeb]

And belatedly and bit out of order, here's the WW report.

WW Title Bouts

WBA: Jimmy McLarnin began the year with the belt, and he defended it four times, turning aside challenges from Cleto Locatelli (TKO 13), Irineo Flores (KO 5), Barney Ross (UD 15) and Young Corbett III (UD 15).

NABF: Sergeant Sammy Baker began the year with this belt, but lost it to Tony Vaccarelli (TKO 5) who remained the titleholder at year-end.

USBA: Barney Ross began 1935 with this title and defended versus King Tut (TKO 9). Young Corbett III then edged Ross (SD 15) to end the year with the belt.

CBU: Jack Hood defended this belt and lost to Jack Carroll (UD 12), who remains as CBU Champion as of the end of 1935.

GBU: Another belt changed hands, with Hood losing this title to Ernie Roderick (UD 12).

EBU: Cleto Locatelli extended his run as EBU Champion, making just once defense during the year, turning back a challenge from JWW Champion Jack Kid Berg (UD 12).

OPBF: Lope Tenorio began the year with this belt, but lost it to Aussie Jack Carroll (UD 12). Carroll defended once, downing Irineo Flores (UD 12) to retain the title.

LABF: The inaugural belt was captured by Cocoa Kid, who edged Manuel Quintero (MD 12).

WW Division Profile

Total: 117 RL: 77 TC: 40

RL by Career Stage:
End - 8
Post - 17
Prime - 32
Pre - 12
Beginning - 8 (6 New)

Rated: 58
800+: 20
500+: 37
200+ : 55

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Jimmy McLarnin 45-5-1 (1790) (NC)
1. Cleto Locatelli 32-10-1 (11) (1373) (+1) (EBU)
2. Young Corbett III 46-12-5 (12) (1331) (+5) (USBA)
3. Barney Ross 26-5-2 (9) (1295) (-2)
4. Joe Dundee 42-17-9 (13) (1237) (-1)
5. Baby Joe Gans 36-17-2 (14) (1112) (+1)
6. Ruby Goldstein 35-10-3 (23) (1111) (-1)
7. Gustav Eder 26-3-7 (9) (1080) (-3)
8. Jack Carroll 33-15-5 (13) (1062) (+11) (CBU, OPBF)
9. Cocoa Kid 25-4-2 (10) (988) (+5) (LABF)
10. King Tut 27-11-4 (19) (973) (+8)

Others: 13. Tony Vaccarelli 32-17-3 (17) (943) (+9) (NABF)
33. Ernie Roderick 15-4-2 (5) (558) (+8) (GBU)

Comments: Everyone listed still at Prime except for McLarnin, who will hit Post with his next defense. McLarnin ran through four more title defenses and has not lost for over two and a half years, since mid-1933. Locatelli won two of three, losing the WBA title clash to McLarnin but retaining the EBU belt and taking a UD 10 over Vaccarelli. Corbett had a busy year, winning four straight to set up a losing title effort versus McLarnin; wins came over JWW Champ Jack Kid Berg (a MD 10) and over Quintero and Dundee in addition to a winning USBA title effort. Ross has lost his last two outings, hitting a plateau in his career. Dundee had a win (a UD over Venturi), a loss (to Corbett) and a draw (with Eder). Gans recovered from an early season TKO loss to King Tut, downing Werther Arcelli (UD 10), drawing with Eder and then defeating Ruby Goldstein (UD 10). Goldstein had defeated Eder (UD 10) and Cocoa Kid (MD 10) before slipping with the loss to Gans. Eder has remained a top 10 fighter despite going winless since mid-1934, having suffered the loss to Goldstein in 1935 followed by three straight draws with Dundee, Gans and an aging Jackie Fields. Carroll zoomed up the rankings by winning his last six, five in 1935: three title wins, plus a KO of top JWW contender Battling Shaw and a UD over Sergeant Sammy Baker. Cocoa Kid won three of his four 1935 outings, capturing the LABF crown and following up with wins over ex-Champ Flores and new GBU Champ Roderick after suffering a KO loss to Goldstein. King Tut won two of three during the year to ease into the top 10, the wins coming over Gans and Jimmy Leto (a SD 10). Top 10 dropouts include Fields (-3 to #12), who was winless during the year with two draws and a loss; Irineo Flores (-6 to #14), loser of his last three after a UD 10 over Jack Hood; and Manuel Quintero (-6 to #16), who suffered a MD loss to Cocoa Kid but recovered with two wins versus lesser opposition – not enough to regain the lost ranking spots. An aging Benny Leonard, who is winless since 1932, checks in at #19 with 99 career bouts in the ledger –- by far the most of any active fighter and second all-time. Vaccarelli, the new NABF Champ, won four of five, the one loss coming to Locatelli. Roderick was 2-1 during the year, taking the GBU title and a UD over Mickey Cohen, but losing to Cocoa Kid. Top newcomer to the list and still unbeaten, at 16-0 (12), is Izzy Jannazzo. His non-TC wins include a SD over Leonardo Del Genio and a TKO of Freddie Polo, placing him 30^th in the year-end rankings.

Prospects: The current crop of prospects have banged heads with each other, and none have emerged unscathed with clean records. Frankie Blair, now 13-1 (6), defeated Del Genio and McNamee but loss to Freddie Cochrane. Cochrane (12-2, 7 KO) defeated Blair but loss to McNamee and a TC. McNamee (13-1, 10 KO) lost to Blair but defeated Cochrane and Felix Wouters. Wouters (13-1, 10 KO) loss to McNamee. Del Genio (10-3, 9 KO) lost his last three (to Jannazzo, Blair and Harry Baron) after going perfect versus TC opposition. The rest of the prospects have largely unblemished records from being fed a steady diet of TC opponents, i.e.: Joe Legon, 11-0-1 (9); Jimmy Garrison, 9-0 (1); Milt Aron, 8-0 (8); Andre Jesserun, 6-0 (3); Tommy Cross, 6-0 (2); Maxie Berger, 6-0 (1); Georgie Crouch, 4-0 (3); Alan Westbury, 3-0 (1).

Retirements: Seven WWs hung up the gloves in 1935.

Jack Zivic (USA) 1921-35 30-21-5 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 17
Pete August (USA) 1920-35 29-20-2 (9) No Titles Highest Rank: 34
Pinky Kaufman (USA) 1925-35 19-17-3 (5) No Titles Highest Rank: 44
Meyer Cohen (USA) 1923-35 29-22-5 (10) No Titles Highest Rank: 20
Joe Simonich (USA) 1918-35 35-32-4 (7) No Titles Highest Rank: 23
Charley Feraci (USA) 1922-35 26-24-5 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 26
George Levine (USA) 1917-35 35-32-6 (16) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 9

Looking Ahead: With McLarnin hitting the downside of his career, it will be interesting to see who steps up to become the new Champion in this division. Locatelli, Corbett, Ross and even Jack Kid Berg (moving up from JWW) are all possibilities. Not a huge number of hot prospects in the near horizon, but Canadian Sammy Luftspring leads the half dozen newcomers to the WW ranks in 1936, and at some point FW Henry Armstrong is expected to jump up in weight class.

[JCWeb]

Back to the regular order (so to speak) with the LW year-end report.

LW Title Bouts

WBA: Tony Canzoneri, the “Roman Warrior,” marched on, making five more title defenses during the year and winning them all, defeating Joe Glick (UD 15), Jack Portney (UD 15), Tod Morgan (UD 15), Benny Bass (UD 15) and Ray Miller (UD 15).

NABF: Jack Portney began the year with this belt and defended it twice, downing Eddie Cool (TKO 10) and holding off Tod Morgan (D 12).

USBA: Benny Bass moved up from JLW and captured this belt, defeating Eddie Cool (MD 12).

CBU: Billy Townsend defended this belt and lost to Harry Mason (DQ 8).

GBU: Mason retained this title with a successful defense against Harry Mizler (SD 12).

EBU: Mason, who had won the EBU belt back in 1933, made his first defense during the year, losing the title to Aldo Spoldi (SD 12).

OPBF: This title is not active for the LW Division.

LABF: The inaugural belt was won by Emory Cabana, who defeated Luis Vicentini (UD 12). Cabana then defended once, defeating Justo Suarez (MD 12).

LW Division Profile

Total: 130 RL: 77 TC: 53

RL by Career Stage:
End - 3
Post - 18
Prime - 37
Pre - 13
Beginning - 6 (3 New)

Rated: 64
800+: 20
500+: 40
200+ : 59

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Tony Canzoneri 39-4-3 (15) (1877) (NC)
1. Ray Miller 41-12 (18) (1319) (+2)
2. Jack Portney 29-7-3 (16) (1260) (-1) (NABF)
3. Emory Cabana 37-16-4 (12) (1115) (+11) (LABF)
4. Cecil Payne 35-7-4 (8) (1111) (+11)
5. Stanislaus Loayza 35-20-5 (13) (1097) (+5)
6. Sammy Fuller 39-11 (10) (1068) (NC)
7. Tod Morgan 44-13-3 (12) (1029) (new) (JLW WBA)
8. Wesley Ramey 21-4-5 (10) (1022) (-1)
9. Billy Petrolle 43-9-4 (22) (999) (-7)
10. Justo Suarez 26-8-1 (17) (998) (-6)

Others: 13. Aldo Spoldi 25-2-3 (12) (924) (-1) (EBU)
14. Benny Bass 42-19-5 (14) (919) (new) (USBA)
17. Harry Mason 37-23-4 (5) (864) (+6) (CBU, GBU)

Comments: Everyone listed still at Prime except for Miller, Petrolle, Suarez and Mason, all of whom will be at Post in 1936. Canzoneri reeled off five more title defenses and is now unbeaten in his last 24 bouts, dating back to 1930. Miller carried a five-bout winning streak into his title challenge, his three 1935 wins included a UD over Spoldi, a SD over Ramey and a first-round KO of Fuller. Portney’s 1935 slate included a win, a loss and a draw, all in title bouts. Cabana went 4-0 during the year to move into top contender status; in addition to two LABF title bouts, he took a pair of split dukes over Tod Morgan and ex-CBU Champ Billy Townsend. Payne also zoomed up the rankings with four 1935 wins, notably a SD over Benny Bass, a MD over Johnny Bellus, and UD wins versus Loayza and Eddie Cool. Loayza had an active year, contesting five bouts with only one the one loss (to Payne); his victims included Fuller (a SD 10) and Suarez (via KO). Fuller was only one of three but retained his ranking with a stoppage of Joe Glick. Morgan moved up from JLW with a UD win over Petrolle but dropped a SD to Cabana in addition to the title loss; he wrapped up the year with a pair of draws versus Portney (for the NABF title) and Ramey. Ramey scored an early season win over Al Singer but lost to Miller and then ended with the draw with Morgan. Petrolle showed his age, dropping a SD to Lew Kirsch in addition to the loss to Morgan; he recovered with a TKO of Vicentini to retain a top 10 ranking. Suarez likewise had a tough year, remaining in the top 10 despite losing both his 1935 outings (to Cabana and Loayza); he enters 1936 on a three-bout losing streak. Dropping out of the top 10 were Eddie Cool (-6 to #11), who went 2-3 for the year, with a TKO over Singer his only notable achievement; Glick (-4 to #12), with losses to Fuller and Canzoneri; and Singer, who plummeted 16 spots to #25 with four more losses, meaning he has now lost five straight. New EBU Champ Spoldi recovered from an early season loss to Miller with a UD over Vicentini, a draw with Klick before capturing the EBU title. Bass made the move up from JLW, winning the USBA crown after a SD win over Strub and a SD loss to Payne. Mason was 3-1 for the year, two of the wins coming via DQ: one in a title bout, one versus Singer. Lou Ambers is the top newcomer to the LW rankings, checking in at 18-0 (14), good for 19^th spot in the rankings; he impressed with KO wins over Ah Wing Lee, Sammy Mandell and the hapless Al Singer. Tommy Spiegel, also unbeaten at 17-0 (5), had wins over lesser opposition and enters the rankings at #23. Also worth noting is the rise of Tony Chavez, now 18-3 (10), good for 22^nd spot, after winning seven of his last eight.

Prospects: Canadian Dave Castilloux avenged an earlier loss to Ralph Hurtado and followed up with a UD win over Norment Quarles to end the year at 12-1 (5). Hurtado, now 10-3 (5), lost to Castilloux and Tommy Spiegel, in addition to an earlier loss to Juan Zurita. Zurita is 11-3 (3) after halting a three-bout losing streak with a win over fellow Mexican, Joe Guerrero. Hirsch Demsitz recovered from a couple of early setbacks to end the year 10-2 (5), but all his wins have come at the expense of TC opposition. Quarles, now 10-1 (8), suffered his first career loss to Castilloux. Still unbeaten and off to great starts (albeit against TC opposition) are Sammy Angott, 6-0 (4), “Sweetwater Swatter” Lew Jenkins, 5-0 (5); Bernie Friedkin, 5-0 (3); Joey Fontana, 3-0-1 (1); Luther White, 2-0 (2); Eric Boon, 1-0 (1).

Retirements: Five retirements to report.

Augie Pisano (USA) 1922-35 25-20-5 (7) No Titles Highest Rank: 36
Al Gordon (USA) 1922-35 30-20-7 (16) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 7
Tommy Cello (USA) 1917-35 37-36-5 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 32
Luis Vicentini (CHI) 1921-35 36-18-3 (13) WBA Champ 1929 Highest Rank: 1
Johnny Kaiser (USA) 1920-35 30-29-2 (10) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 4

At this point I will jump in and add two additional retirements from the now defunct JLW division (for which there will be no report), including a former titleholder who wrapped up a 21-year career:

Jack Bernstein (USA) 1920-35 32-28-1 (6) USBA Champ Highest Rank:4
Eddie Wagner (USA) 1915-35 42-34-3 (18) WBA JLW Champion 1928-29

Looking Ahead: Canzoneri appears to be continuing his dominance of this division. No credible challengers on the horizon, except possibly Lou Ambers (once he hits prime). Jack Kid Berg could decide to make a move and drop down from JWW/WW. Plus, the remaining few JLWs are now subsumed in this division. The new LW additions for 1936 will be Pete Lello, George Zengaras and Canadian Billy Marquart.

So, with the demise of the JLW Division, next up is the year-end FW report.

[JCWeb]

FW Title Bouts

WBA: Three title bouts produced two new Champions. First, Kid Chocolate defended successfully, turning aside a challenge from Freddie Miller (UD 15). Then, Dave Crowley upset Chocolate, taking the bout on a controversial foul call (DQ 10). Then, Baby Arizmendi dispatched Crowley (UD 15) to regain the WBA belt for the second time.

NABF: Freddie Miller retained the title in his only defense during the year, defeating Pete DeGrasse (TKO 11).

USBA: Tommy Paul began the year with the belt, but he was dethroned by Petey Sarron (SD 12). Sarron made one defense, holding off Chalky Wright (D 12) to retain the belt into 1936.

CBU: Dom Volante started 1935 with this title, but he lost it to Willie Smith (UD 12). Smith, in turn, was defeated by Merv “Darky” Blandon (TKO 4). Blandon then went on to defend versus Johnny Cuthbert (UD 12).

GBU: Dave Crowley, who held this belt going into the year, vacated it after winning the WBA title. Nel Tarleton bested Dom Volante (SD 12) in the battle for the vacated belt. Then, Jim Kelly defeated Tarleton (UD 12) to hold the belt going into 1936.

EBU: Dom Volante, who won the belt in 1934, retained it for another year but made no defenses.

OPBF: Merv Blandon also retained this belt from the prior year without any title defenses.

LABF: Lots of action. The inaugural belt was won by Enrique Chafferdet, whos downed Jose Lombardo (UD 12) for the vacant title. Then, Baby Arizmendi defeated Chafferdet (UD 12) in the latter’s initial defenses. Arizmendi vacated the belt after winning the WBA crown, and the third LABF titleholder became Kid Chocolate, who stopped Lombardo (TKO 10).

FW Division Profile

Total: 119 RL: 75 TC: 44

RL by Career Stage:
End - 7
Post - 19
Prime - 27
Pre - 17
Beginning - 5 (3 New)

Rated: 59
800+: 13
500+: 31
200+ : 56

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Baby Arizmendi 27-5-2 (10) (1045) (+5)
1. Freddie Miller 28-5-1 (13) (1142) (NC) (NABF)
2. Pete DeGrasse 29-10-2 (6) (1065) (NC)
3. Battling Battalino 32-9 (12) (1060) (+3)
4. Tommy Paul 27-8-4 (6) (952) (-1)
5. Kid Chocolate 29-5-5 (15) (937) (-5) (LABF)
6. Enrique Chafferdet 30-10-6 (9) (926) (+6)
7. Filio Julian Echevarria 25-8-4 (11) (894) (+6)
8. Chalky Wright 25-7-4 (12) (888) (+7)
9. Petey Sarron 28-12-5 (8) (885) (NC) (USBA)
10. Andy Martin 35-16-4 (9) (855) (-6)

Others: 16. Jim Kelly 19-2-1 (7) (741) (+11) (GBU)
23. Merv Blandon 19-5 (14) (630) (+10) (CBU, OPBF)
32. Dom Volante 31-17-2 (20) (486) (-25) (EBU)

Comments: Everyone listed still at Prime except for Paul, Blandon and Volante, who will be at Post-Prime in 1936. Arizmendi was held to a draw by Henry Armstrong (currently ranked 11^th, one spot outside the top 10) then won two title contests, including the WBA crown. Miller, the top contender, has the highest PP total, having gone 2-1 during the year, all against top-flight competition, all in title bouts. DeGrasse recorded two UD wins (over Suggs and Volante) but stumbled against Miller. Battalino moved up, winning all three of his 1935 outings, but they were against lesser opposition as well: MDs versus Martin and Georgie Hansford, plus a UD win over Blandon. Paul began the year suffering a loss in a title bout to Sarron, but he recovered with a pair of draws versus Covelli and Martin, then took a MD over Echevarria. Kid Chocolate, who was 2-1 for the year – all in title bout action – has now won four of his last five to remain a top contender after his controversial WBA title loss to Crowley. Chafferdet was 3-1 for his 1935 campaign, winning his last two (a MD over Covelli and a UD versus ex-Champ Louis Kaplan) to move up the rankings. Echevarria had an active year, contesting five bouts, racking up wins over Blitman, Martin and Covelli, battling to a draw with Wright, then ending the year with a narrow MD loss to Paul. Wright’s two draws win Echevarria and for the USBA title, coupled with two wins over lesser opponents, was sufficient to earn him a top 10 ranking. Sarron had a win, a draw and a loss, all in title tilts, to retain his spot. Martin dropped after a poor year, going winless with a draw and two losses in three 1935 outings. Just missing out on the top 10 was another strong contender, Henry “Homicide Hank” Armstrong, who move into Prime career stage and ended up at #11, with a record of 18-1-2 (16), impressing with a KO over ex-Champ Kaplan and a draw with Arizmendi in a very limited schedule of just two bouts during the year. Dave Crowley, who had an up-and-down year, winning and losing the WBA title, ended up one spot lower, at #12, checking in at 22-12-1 (11). Sliding out of the top 10 were Jose Lombardo, down nine spots to #19 after going winless (two losses and two draws) in four outings during 1935; the aforementioned Louis Kaplan, -12 to #20, 0-3 for the year; but an even worse drop was the –25 spots, all the way down to #32, suffered by Volante, who went 0-4 for the year and has now lost his last five despite retaining the EBU belt. Brit Jim Kelly, the new GBU Champion, had a solid year, registering three wins and a draw, while Merv “Darky” Blandon, holder of two titles, has struggled otherwise, losing to Crowley (MD) and Battalino (UD) in non-title affairs. Top newcomers to the list are Mike Belloise, now 15-2-2 (7), at #22, who impressed with wins over Babe Herman and Harry Blitman, but suffered his first two career defeats at the hands of Chick Suggs (MD) and Dick “Honeyboy” Finnegan (UD); Brit Johnny Cusick, 16-2 (9) at #37, who went 3-2 for the year, ending on a high note with successive wins versus Elino Flores (MD) and veteran Johnny Cuthbert (UD); and Moon Mullins, #39 at 13-2 (3), who registered a MD 10 over Leo Rodak but lost to fellow prospects Jimmy Perrin and Harry Jeffra.

Prospects: Jimmy Perrin remained unbeaten, at 13-0-1 (8), with the only blemish being a draw with Joey Archibald; he boasts wins over fellow prospects Jeffra and Mullins. Japanese Tsuneo Haniguchi, now 13-1 (11), has only lost once – to Bus Breese in a MD. Leo Rodak checks in at 12-2 (4) after after a loss to Mullins (MD) but two recent wins over Archibald and Breese. Al Spina retains a clean slate, at 13-0 (8), highlighted by 1935 wins over Jeffra (UD) and Eldredge (MD). Irving Eldredge, now 10-1 (7), suffered the sole loss to Spina after a racking up a string of TC wins. Tony Dupree, now 9-0 (7), Frank Parkes, 7-0 (5), Al Reid, 6-0 (1) and Jack Armstrong, 5-0 (1) have feasted off TC opposition.

Retirements: No fewer than 11 (!) retirements that shrunk the FW ranks during 1935.

Young Nationalista (PHI) 1922-35 30-19-4 (10) OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 5
Wilbur Cohen (USA) 1922-35 25-25-3 (3) No Titles Highest Rank: 45
Georgie Balduc (CAN) 1922-35 22-28-3 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 36
Macario Flores (PHI) 1918-35 28-32-8 (7) No Titles Highest Rank: 21
Danny Kramer (USA) 1919-35 35-26-5 (10) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 10
Sailor Willie Gordon (USA) 1925-35 24-16-2 (10) No Titles Highest Rank: 31
Al Tripoli (USA) 1925-35 21-20-2 (8 ) No Titles Highest Rank: 43
Babe Herman (USA) 1919-35 35-25-7 (15) WBA Champion 1931-32
Dick Finnegan (USA) 1920-35 34-19-4 (10) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 2
Johnny Hill (PHI) 1922-35 33-18-3 (6) OPBF Champ Highest Rank: 5
Young Johnny Brown (UK) 1920-35 36-20-4 (19) WBA Champion 1925-26

Looking Ahead: Expecting to see continued turmoil and turnover among the top ranks of the division, but with Armstrong now at Prime, he is likely to successfully challenge for title in 1936. Some talented Latin boxers as well, with Arizmendi, Kid Chocolate and Echevarria likely to remain as top contenders for several more years. Petey Scalzo is the best of the three new arrivals to the division, which was reduced by the large number of retirements in 1935.

[JCWeb]

BW Title Bouts

WBA: Four successful defenses by Johnny King, who retained the WBA title for another year. In 1935, his victims were Pete Sanstol (UD 15), Sixto Escobar (UD 15), Bobby Green (UD 15) and Speedy Dado (UD 15).

NABF: Bobby Green won this title by dethroning Bobby Leitham (SD 12). Green made two defenses during the year, against K. O. Morgan (D 12) and Bushy Graham (D 12) but retains the belt heading into 1936.

USBA: K. O. Morgan began the year with this belt, defending once versus Archie Bell (D 12) but losing to Pete Sanstol (UD 12).

CBU: Benny Sharkey started 1935 with this title, and he defended it once, defeating Vic Foley (UD 12). Later in the year, Horace Gwynne defeated Sharkey (MD 12) to claim the belt.

GBU: Dick Corbett, who held this belt going into the year, made one successful defense, turning aside the challenge of Alf Pattenden (UD 12).

EBU: No title defenses by Dick Corbett, who retained the EBU belt for another year.

OPBF: Young Tommy took the title from Speedy Dado (UD 12), and then defended twice, beating Chris Pineda (UD 12) and Jo Teiken (UD 12).

LABF: Sixto Escobar captured the inaugural belt by defeating Raul Casanova (UD 12).

BW Division Profile

Total: 84 RL: 47 TC: 37

RL by Career Stage:
End - 5
Post - 8
Prime - 22
Pre - 9
Beginning - 3 (1 New)

Rated: 39
800+: 17
500+: 28
200+ : 35

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Johnny King 38-3-1 (15) (1604) (NC)
1. Bushy Graham 36-18-2 (11) (1081) (+11)
2. Pete Sanstol 30-8-2 (6) (1076) (+3) (USBA)
3. Speedy Dado 27-13-2 (13) (1058) (+10)
4. Dick Corbett 31-10 (10) (1024) (+5) (EBU, GBU)
5. Panama Al Brown 46-10 (19) (1016) (+14)
6. Young Tommy 27-4 (13) (1015) (+5) (OPBF)
7. K. O. Morgan 23-4-5 (14) (1003) (+1)
8. Bobby Green 36-17-8 (15) (1000) (-2) (NABF)
9. Kid Francis 31-16-3 (18) (966) (-5)
10. Lew Farber 25-5-2 (12) (954) (+3)

Others: 12. Sixto Escobar 22-4 (10) (949) (+2) (LABF)
16. Horace Gwynne 19-1 (13) (805) (+11) (CBU)

Comments: Everyone listed still at Prime except for Tommy and Francis, both of whom will be at Post-Prime in 1936. King racked up four more wins (all in title defenses) and has now won 12 in a row, with a 22-bout unbeaten streak dating back to 1929. Graham advanced to the top contender spot with three wins and a draw during the year, taking UD wins over Farber and Bell and stopping Eddie Martin. Sanstol went 1-1 in title contests, after some early season success in a TKO over Pablo Dano. Dado was 2-2 in 1935, downing Foley (MD) and Leitham (UD) but losing in both his title bouts. Corbett won three of four, with the one loss coming to Farber, wins in two title contests plus a UD over Leitham. Ex-Champ Panama Al Brown won all four of his 1935 outings, which included a pair of UD wins over Robleto and Little Pancho, and TKOs over Foley and Tommy. Young Tommy had a 12-bout win streak snapped when he lost to Panama Al, but impressed with wins over Farber (UD 10) and in three title bouts to end the year at 4-1. Morgan had a UD win over Jo Teiken and a SD over Dano, but struggled with two draws and a loss in three title bouts. Green’s all four outings were in title tilts, and he slipped in the rankings as a result. Kid Francis won just one of three, a first-round KO over Howard Mayberry, but lost to Dano and Flyweight Champ Midget Wolgast (both UD results). Farber went 2-2 for the year, working his way into the top 10 with UD wins over Dano and Corbett; the losses came to Graham and Tommy. Dano dropped 10 spots down to #11 after winning just one of four in 1935 (a UD over Francis) but ended up with a SD loss to Morgan. Archie Bell slipped six spots to #13, his only win in four outings being an early season TKO of Huerta Evans. Leitham (now at Post) slid 12 spots to #14, going 0-3 for the year; he has now lost his last four. Benny Sharkey rounds out the list of top 10 dropouts, going from #10 to #15 after losing two of his three 1935 outings, bouncing back with a TKO over Baltazar Sangchili after losing the CBU title. Escobar, the LABF Champion, won two of three during the year, adding a UD 10 over Eddie Martin to two title bouts (one win and one loss). Gwynne suffered his first career loss to Corbett but ended with a TKO over Robleto to end up a 4-1 campaign for 1935. Mexico’s Raul Casanova is the top newcomer, debuting at #18 after a 17-1 (13) career start; his first loss came in the LABF title clash but he impressed with wins over Bud Taylor (UD) and John Yasui (KO). Lou Salica won his last five (four in 1935) to end up 16-1 (9), good for 21^st spot with UD wins versus Vic Foley and Dynamite Murphy. UK’s Tom Smith checks in at #23, still unbeaten at 14-0-2 (10), avenging both draws (versus Mickey Miller and Joe Decico) with subsequent wins.

Prospects: Georgie Pace continued to keep a clean slate, registering KO wins over Joey Scalfaro and John Yasui, plus a UD versus Dixie LaHood, to run his record to 13-0 (12). Frenchman Joseph Decico checks in at 11-1-1 (5), with a draw and a loss to the aforementioned Tom Smith serving as the only blemishes thus far. Cuba’s Humberto Espinosa racked up more TC wins before falling in a UD loss to Salica, ending the year at 12-1 (8). Italian Gino Bondavalli has only one loss – to Decico – on his slate as he is off to a 11-1 (5) career start. Earlier along the development track are Horace Mann, now 3-0 (0) and Herman Remscheid, at 2-0-1 (1).

Retirements: A big year for retirements in the BW ranks as well, with nine hanging up the gloves in 1935.

Howard Mayberry (CAN) 1920-35 36-23-2 (15) CBU, NABF Champ Highest Rank: 7
Mickey Cohen (USA) 1930-35 14-7 (8) No Titles Highest Rank: 38
Teddy Baldock (UK) 1921-35 30-22-3 (15) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 8
Bud Taylor (USA) 1920-35 36-22-2 (10) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 1
Frisco Grande (PHI) 1923-35 26-26-2 (12 ) No Titles Highest Rank: 36
Eddie Martin (USA) 1921-35 38-23-3 (16) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 2
Alf Pattenden (UK) 1926-35 25-14-3 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 17
Joey Scalfaro (USA) 1926-35 25-17 (14) No Titles Highest Rank: 28
Canto Robleto (USA) 1930-35 17-10-1 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 18

Looking Ahead: King continues his surprisingly long reign as WBA Champion, but there are still several likely challengers who could unseat him, notably Graham, Sanstol, Dado and a resurgent Panama Al Brown. Escobar, Gwynne, Casanova, Teiken, Sangchili, Salica and Smith are just a few of the younger guys who could emerge as top contenders in the next few years. Unfortunately, now much in the way of new talent is slated to arrive, as only one newcomer – Tommy Forte – will be added to the BW ranks for 1936.

[Lee]

Just went back and looked at some of the early posts, coming up on 8 1/2 years, just awesome!

[JCWeb]

Originally Posted by Lee

Just went back and looked at some of the early posts, coming up on 8 1/2 years, just awesome!

Actually it's been a little more than 9 years total, since the Uni had been running around 9 months or so before the first post on this board.

Time flies ...

[JCWeb]

FLY Title Bouts

WBA: Midget Wolgast continued his reign as WBA Fly Champion, but he made only one defense during the year, turning aside the challenge of Valentin Angelmann (UD 15).

NABF: Frankie Genaro retains this belt despite making no defenses in 1934, but he will face a mandatory defense in early 1936.

USBA: Ruby “Dark Cloud” Bradley successfully challenged Fidel LaBarba for the title (MD 12), then he defended once, beating Newsboy Brown (MD 12).

CBU: No title defenses by Jackie Brown, who retains the title for another year.

GBU: Two title bouts during the year: Benny Lynch dethroned Jackie Brown (MD 12), but then Brown won the rematch (TKO 3) to keep the belt for another year.

EBU: Istvan Enekes was an active EBU Champion, defending three times, versus Jackie Brown (DQ 7), Young Perez (MD 12) and Kid Socks (TKO 6).

OPBF: Inactive for over five years, this belt was awarded to Small Montana, who defeated Young Dencio for the vacant title (MD 12) and then repeated his win over Dencio in his first title defense (TKO 7).

LABF: Still waiting for the inaugural LABF title fight to be scheduled.

FLY Division Profile

Total: 62 RL: 36 TC: 26

RL by Career Stage:
End - 2
Post - 8
Prime - 14
Pre - 9
Beginning - 3 (1 New)

Rated: 29
800+: 4
500+: 17
200+ : 28

Jan 1936 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan. 1935 in Parens):

Champ: Midget Wolgast 38-4-1 (15) (1412) (NC)
1. Istvan Enekes 36-18-2 (11) (1022) (+3) (EBU)
2. Frankie Genaro 44-15-5 (18) (883) (+1) (NABF)
3. Ruby Bradley 29-13-6 (6) (872) (+4) (USBA)
4. Young Perez 23-5-3 (10) (762) (+1)
5. Fidel LaBarba 37-10-1 (9) (761) (-3)
6. Jackie Brown 27-10-3 (10) (744) (-5) (CBU, GBU)
7. Emile Pladner 26-14-25 (9) (667) (+4)
8. Ernst Weiss 16-0 (7) (656) (new)
9. Eugene Huat 23-12-6 (10) (633) (+3)
10. Valentin Angelmann 25-12-1 (12) (626) (+11)

Others: 14. Small Montana 18-4-2 (7) (575) (NC) (OPBF)

Comments: Everyone listed still at Prime except for Genaro, LaBarba and Pladner (at Post) and Weiss (still at Pre). Wolgast continues to rule the roost despite limited activity during the year, defending his WBA title only once and then moving up to test the waters at BW when he defeated Kid Francis, winning a UD 10. Enekes is a deserving #1 contender, having won his last nine in a ro, including four during 1935 – three EBU title defenses plus a UD 10 over Bradley. Genaro was held to a draw by Small Montana and took a UD over Perez to retain a high position in the rankings despite no title defenses and being at Post-Prime. Bradley won three of four, with the one loss coming to Enekes, and the wins in two title contests plus a UD over Huat. Perez moved up despite two losses by virtue of a SD 10 over LaBarba. LaBarba slipped with successive losses (in the USBA title bout and to Perez) after registering early season wins over Stein and Vacca (both via UD). Brown was 1-2 for the year, all in title bouts. Pladner won three of his four 1935 outings, taking UD wins over Tobias, Paluso and Anselm but falling short versus Spaniard Fortunato Ortega. Weiss is the first debutant to feature in a top 10 year-end ranking in over a decade; he racked up six wins during the year, including UD victories over Vacca, Jimmy Warnock, Kid David and Tiny Bostock. Huat wound up the 1935 campaign at 1-2, beginning with a loss to Bradley but rallying to defeat Frankie Anselm and a fading Pinky Silverberg. Angelmann, who rounds out the top 10, went 3-1 for the year, losing in the title challenge after reeling off wins over Schwartz, Silverberg and Newsboy Brown. Ortega just misses the top 10, ending the year at #11 with a 19-4-2 (11) mark, despite two impressive outings, a MD over Stein in addition to a UD over Pladner. Benny Lynch, who won and then lost the GBU title, is next at #12, adding a win over Newsboy Brown to his title bout split with Jackie Brown, leaving him with a 20-4 (12) career mark at this point. OPBF Champ Montana drew with Genaro in addition to two OPBF title wins to end up #14. Falling out of the top group were Silverberg, down 9 spots to #15, after successive losses to Huat and Angelmann erased some early season success with wins over Paluso and an aging Albert “Frenchy” Belanger; Stein, -8 to #16, who plummeted down the ranks with three straight setbacks before rebounding with a MD win over Paluso, who dropped even further, down 9 to #19, having lost his last six and gone 0-4 for the year. In addition to Weiss, other newcomers making a dent in the rankings include Bostock, who won just two of his five outings in a very busy year, both wins coming at the expense of Joe Curran, another debutant. Bostock, now 13-4 (5), ends the year in 20^th spot, while Curran, at 14-4-1 (7), checks in at #24.

Prospects: Yoicihiro Hamada tops the list, as he is off to a 13-0 (5) career start, adding a UD 10 over Phil Tobias after a dozen triumps over relatively easy TC opposition. Likewise for Italian Enrico Urbinati, who is now 7-0-1 (3). Still perfect and feasting off TC opponents are Rinty Montaghen, 7-0 (5); Peter Kane, 6-0 (5); Pat Palmer, 3-0 (2); and Jackie Jurich, 2-0 (2).

Retirements: Three retirements from the FLY ranks in 1935.

Johnny McCoy (USA) 1916-35 37-34-5 (17) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 5
Albert Belanger (CAN) 1924-35 28-16-3 (10) No Titles Highest Rank: 11
Johnny Vacca (ITA) 1924-35 29-12-4 (12) EBU Champ Highest Rank: 3

Looking Ahead: Wolgast remains atop the still relatively thin ranks of the Fly division for another year. Enekes appears to be the most logical challenger, biding his time with lesser opponents and EBU title defenses until a WBA title match can be arranged. Perez, Ortega and Lynch – in addition to Weiss – appear to have bright futures and are likely to move up in 1936, while aging veterans like Genaro and LaBarba fall by the wayside. Montaghan and Kane may be the best of the young prospects. Only one newcomer to the ranks – Filipino Little Dado – for the upcoming year.

[JCWeb]

Originally Posted by JCWeb

Weiss is the first debutant to feature in a top 10 year-end ranking in over a decade
.

Did some checking and apparently in Jan. 1927 Jimmy McLarnin debuted among the top 10 WWs

So, the statement should be amended to read "in almost a decade" to be totally accurate. (And we're not considering JLW and JWW divisions plus people moving up and down in weight class; i.e., first-timers in the year-end rankings breaking into the top 10 in one of the eight original weight classes.)

[JCWeb]

Wrapping up the year, here are the year-end PFP rankings, by Perf Pt totals (with changes from prior year's rankings in parentheses):

1935 YEAR-END POUND-FOR-POUND RANKINGS

1. Max Schmeling, HW (WBA Champ), 2020 (NC)
2. Tony Canzoneri, LW (WBA Champ), 1877 (NC)
3. Jimmy McLarnin, WW (WBA Champ), 1790 (NC)
4. Johnny King, BW (WBA Champ), 1604 (+4)
5. Tommy Farr, HW (EBU, GBU Champ), 1552 (+4)
6. Midget Wolgast, FLY (WBA Champ), 1412 (new)
7. Cleto Locatelli, WW (EBU Champ), 1373 (new)
8. Young Corbett III, WW, 1331 (new)
9. Ray Miller, LW (USBA Champ), 1329 (new)
10. Joe Knight, LH (WBA Champ), 1317 (new)

Comments: No changes in the top three, with Schmeling, Canzoneri and McLarnin now each with four years on the PFP list. Schmeling cracks the 2000 Perf Pt barrier. However, at the other end, things are very fluid with five newcomers to the list, including the first ever Flyweight, an achievement given the relatively short history of that division compared to others. Here are the five fighters who dropped off the top 10 PFP from last year:

Mickey Walker, LH-MW (was #4), 12 years on list
Maxie Rosenbloom, LH (was #5), 1 year on list
Tiger Jack Fox, LH (was #6), 2 years on list
Tommy Loughran, LH-HW (was #7), 9 years on list
Freddie Steele, MW (was #10), 1 year on list

A tough job coming up with the year-end awards, and once again, a new one -- Upset of the Year -- makes its first appearance. Here are the award winners and some comments.

Fighter of the Year: Max Schmeling

Comment: A strong case could be made for a repeat for last year's winner, Canzoneri, as well as other long-time WBA Champions like McLarnin, King and -- except for some inactivity -- Wolgast. This time the nod goes to the big German, who swept aside all the top challengers with relative ease, plus he crossed the 2000 Perf Pt threshold.

Fight of the Year: WBA LH Championship (Oct. 26) Knight SD 15 Lewis

Here's the post-fight summary:
" Joe “Cairo Calamity” Knight puts his WBA LH title on the line, facing a formidable foe in John Henry Lewis, the current USBA LH Champ who has only one loss to this point in his career. Lewis starts out mixing it up, turning boxer some rounds, slugger in others. He is up against an in-form Knight, however, and the Champ is able to quietly build a slight points edge in the early rounds. Lewis steps up the pace, becoming more aggressive in the middle rounds as Knight proves to be a tough opponent. In round 10, a big hook from Knight lands flush, staggering Lewis and forcing the challenger to cover up. Things get even worse for Lewis in the 12^th when he suffers a cut over his right eye. The cut turns out not to be an issue, and Lewis is able to stage a late rally that is enough to give him the nod from one of the three judges. The other two go for Knight, however, who retains his title via a SD 15 (143-141, 142-143, 144-142). Post-fight records: Knight, 27-4-2 (15); Lewis, 19-2-2 (16)."

Comments: This bout won over some other strong contenders, including some early year title bouts back in February, but this bout -- because of its importance and relative closeness down to the wire -- wins the award despite the lack of knockdowns.

Top Newcomer: Lou Ambers, LW

Comments: Easy choice would have been Ernst Weiss in the FLY division, cracking the top 10, but Ambers (who made the top 20 LWs with a 18-0 mark) faced a bit stiffer opposition in a deeper division, plus -- like last year's winner, Henry Armstrong -- he seems destined to win a WBA title. Another contender was 17-1 LH Jimmy Adamick, but the late-season loss put him out of the running. While I would have liked to seen the award go to Joe Louis, for right now it is reserved for those with the minimum 15 fights to make the rankings list -- meaning Louis is already the leading contender for next year.

Upset of the Year: Dave Maier KO 5 John Henry Lewis (Feb. 22) (NABF LH)

Comments: The only other serious contender was Dave Crowley's DQ over Kid Chocolate for the WBA FW title but, although that bout involved a World title, here the result -- not being tainted with a controversial foul call -- more clearly meets the definition of true sporting upset, thus laying forth the criteria for future awards.

Interesting to see John Henry Lewis on the losing end of both the fight of the year and the upset of the year, in two different LH title bouts.

[JCWeb]

Here's the list of titleholders, as of January 1, 1936 (date of winning belt and number of successful defenses in parens).

HW

WBA: Max Schmeling (Jul. 1932) (12)
NABF: Max Baer (Aug. 1935) (0)
USBA: Joe Banovic (Aug. 1935) (0)
CBU: Don McCorkindale (May 1934) (0)
GBU: Tommy Farr (Jan. 1931) (1)
EBU: Tommy Farr (Aug. 1934) (3)
OPBF: Tom Heeney (Jun. 1932) (1)
LABF: Joe Domingo Carattoli (Jul. 1935) (0)

LH

WBA: Joe Knight (Aug. 1935) (1)
NABF: Tiger Jack Fox (Oct. 1935) (0)
USBA: John Henry Lewis (Jun. 1935) (0)
CBU: Charley Belanger (Dec. 1935) (0)
GBU: Len Harvey (Jun. 1934) (0)
EBU: Len Harvey (Sep. 1933) (4)

MW

WBA: Jack McVey (Sep. 1935) (1)
NABF: Freddie Steele (Jan. 1932) (11)
USBA: Eddie Risko (Jun. 1935) (2)
CBU: Ron Richards (Oct. 1935) (0)
GBU: Jock McAvoy (Oct. 1930) (7)
EBU: Jock McAvoy (Aug. 1935) (0)
OPBF: Ambrose Palmer (Jun. 1934) (2)
LABF: Kid Tunero (May 1935) (0)

WW

WBA: Jimmy McLarnin (May 1934) (5)
NABF: Tony Vaccarelli (Sep. 1935) (0)
USBA: Young Corbett III (Jul. 1935) (0)
CBU: Jack Carroll (Nov. 1935) (0)
GBU: Ernie Roderick (May 1935) (0)
EBU: Cleto Locatelli (Jun. 1930) (7)
OPBF: Jack Carroll (Jun. 1935) (1)
LABF: Cocoa Kid (May 1935) (0)

JWW

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

LW

WBA: Tony Canzoneri (Mar. 1932) (15)
NABF: Jack Portney (Sep. 1934) (2)
USBA: Bennie Bass (May 1935) (0)
CBU: Harry Mason (Apr. 1935) (0)
GBU: Harry Mason (Apr. 1929) (6)
EBU: Aldo Spoldi (Nov. 1935) (0)
LABF: Emory Cabana (Feb. 1935) (1)

FW

WBA: Baby Arizmendi (Oct. 1935) (0)
NABF: Freddie Miller (Oct. 1933) (4)
USBA: Petey Sarron (Feb. 1935) (1)
CBU: Merv Blandon (May 1935) (1)
GBU: Jim Kelly (Oct. 1935) (0)
EBU: Dom Volante (Mar. 1934) (0)
OPBF: Merv Blandon (Mar. 1934) (0)
LABF: Kid Chocolate (Dec. 1935) (0)

BW

WBA: Johnny King (Jun. 1934) (6)
NABF: Bobby Green (Feb. 1935) (2)
USBA: Pete Sanstol (Sep. 1935) (0)
CBU: Horace Gwynne (Jul. 1935) (0)
GBU: Dick Corbett (Dec. 1933) (1)
EBU: Dick Corbett (Dec. 1934) (0)
OPBF: Young Tommy (Feb. 1935) (2)
LABF: Sixto Escobar (Oct. 1935) (0)

FLY

WBA: Midget Wolgast (May 1931) (13)
NABF: Frankie Genaro (Dec. 1934) (1)
USBA: Ruby Bradley (Jul. 1935) (1)
CBU: Jackie Brown (Sep. 1934) (0)
GBU: Jackie Brown (Nov. 1935) (0)
EBU: Istvan Enekes (Sep. 1934) (4)
OPBF: Small Montana (Jan. 1935) (1)

Comments: Canzoneri, Wolgast and Schmeling have the longest runs, with McLarnin and King also surviving another year, while Berg appears to be interested in switching to a new division. New Champions crowned at LH, MW and FW to round out the nine weight classes. Among the lesser belts, LW Harry Mason (GBU) and MW Freddie Steele (NABF) have had the longest reigns. Overall, half the titles (28 of 56) changed hands in 1935, not counting the six new titles instituted by the newly-formed LABF organization.

[JCWeb]

Pleased to report that 1936 action is now underway ...

This is a summary of ring action from the first half of January 1936, covering a total of 49 bouts.

Jan. 3, 1936: As usual, the year kicks off with a Friday night card at Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium. The headliner is a USBA title bout preceded by a co-feature matching two ranked LHs, with Jimmy Slattery facing Dave Maier in a rematch of a 1935 title clash, won by Slattery. Not much in the way of action until round six, when Maier suffers a cut and swollen right eye from some heavy blows landed by Slattery. Maier manages to soldier on and is able to last the distance. Slattery goes on to take a UD 10 (95-94, 96-93, 95-93) to run his record to 37-17-3 (12); Maier emerges from the bout at 23-8-3 (19). Both men are at Post-Prime. Then, in the main event, Benny “Little Fish” Bass puts his USBA LW title on the line, facing challenger Lew Kirsch. Kirsch tries to be the aggressor, while Bass builds an early points edge. Kirsch rallies with a big round seven to keep the bout close the rest of the way. The bout goes the distance with both men unmarked, no KDs, and – to the surprise of many – the nod goes to Kirsch, who takes a SD 12 (114-115, 115-114, 115-114), earning a title belt in his first try. Kirsch improves to 28-10-3 (17) with the win. Bass is now 42-20-5 (14).

Jan. 4, 1936: The scene shifts to the Sports Palace in Rome, Italy for the next fistic action. Not much interest in the preliminary bouts, which include several local favorites. But, in the main event, Dick Corbett puts his EBU BW belt on the line against crowd favorite Kid Francis, a former WBA titleholder who has seen better days. Corbett is looking to avenge a 1934 loss to Francis in this same stadium, back when Francis was still in his Prime. Corbett gets off to a good start and appears to be comfortably ahead into the middle rounds. In the seventh round, Francis suffers a severe cut over his left eye. Corbett remains careful and stays outside while Francis and his cornermen battle the cut. Corbett appears to be well on his way to a points win when, after the cut is reopened, the ref calls a halt midway through round 11. TKO 11 for Corbett on the cuts stoppage. Post-fight marks are 32-10 (11) for Corbett, and 31-17-3 (18) for Kid Francis.

Jan. 4, 1936: Next up as a solid card in sunny Miami, Florida. First up in one of the prelim bouts is unbeaten LH prospect Gus Lesnevich, who runs his record to 15-0 (11) with a six-round demolition of an overmatched Johnny Miler. Then, in the co-feature, former WBA LH king “Slapsie Maxie” Rosenbloom is back in the ring for his first outing since losing the title to Joe Knight; his opponent, Tony Shucco, is a credible top 10 LH contender as well. Shucco is forced to battle a cut under his right eye that is opened in round three. In round six, things get even worse for Shucco as the cut is reopened, plus there is a new cut over the same eye. The blood continues to flow, and the ref has no choice but to call an early halt. TKO 6 for Rosenbloom, who had a commanding points lead at the time of the stoppage. With the win, Maxie moves to 37-11-6 (16) overall; Shucco is now 25-8 (9) after the loss. The final bout on this packed card is a long-awaited matchup for the USBA FW title, with Henry “Homicide Hank” Armstrong earning his first title shot as he challenges Petey Sarron for this belt. It’s a good action bout, with Armstrong seizing the early initiative. After the opening two rounds, Armstrong moves inside and applies even more pressure. In round five, with the two exchanging blows on the inside, Amstrong connects with a powerful jab that forces Sarron to cover up. At the end of the round, Sarron returns to his corner with noticeable signs of swelling around his right eye. Armstrong continues to dish out more punishment, and in round eight, Sarron is suffering from a bloody nose as well. More bruising action in round 10, with Armstrong suffering a cut over his left eye, while Sarron has a split lip. A revived Sarron battles back to put Armstrong on the defensive in round 11. Then, in the final round, an Armstrong hook decks Sarron. After taking a three-count, Petey is able to resume but Armstrong’s killer instinct kicks in as “Homicide Hank” delivers two more quick knockdowns before the ref calls a halt, 12 seconds from the finish. TKO 12 for Armstrong, whose connections are now clamoring for a WBA title fight. Post-fight career marks: Armstrong, 19-1-2 (17); Sarron, 28-13-5 (8).

Jan. 10, 1936: Next up is a good card at the Forum in Montreal. The headliner is a title clash with Jack Portney facing Canadian challenger Billy Townsend for Portney’s NABF LW belt. Portney holds a prior UD win over Townsend back in 1929, and both men are still at Prime career stage. Townsend is the aggressor in the early going, and in round three he rocks Portney with a three-punch combo that stuns the defending Champ. At the outset of the fourth round, a big left lands for Townsend and the crowd, solidly behind the Canadian, roars its approval. Midway through the bout, a mouse appears under the left eye of Portney, the result of the accumulated blows from the challenger. Portney has his best moment in round eight, when he lands a straight left hand and momentarily stuns the Canadian. Despite, the setback, Townsend goes on to take a UD 12 (116-112, 115-113, 116-112) to capture the NABF title in from of an adoring crowd. Post-fight career marks are 26-12-1 (15) for Townsend; 29-8-3 (16) for Portney.

Jan. 11, 1936: Next card is at the Stadium at Liverpool in the UK. No titles at stake, but the feature is an intriguing matchup between two BWs: newly-crowned LABF Champion Sixto Escobar versus crowd favorite Benny Sharkey, who in the recent past has held the CBU, EBU and GBU BW belts. Escobar settles into an early rhythm and builds an early points edge. In round seven, both men face some adversity as Sharkey is cut over his left eyebrow, while Escober begins to show signs of swelling under his left eye. Sharkey battles back, scoring with a big left in the bout’s final round that forces Escobar to cover up. However, in the judges’ eyes Escobar had done enough to walk away with a UD 10 victory (98-93, 97-93, 96-94). Post-fight records: Escobar, 23-4 (10); Sharkey, 26-8-1 (17).

Jan. 11, 1936: Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field is the scene of the next fight action, and it’s a lively card beginning with a preliminary bout that matches two unbeaten young LH prospects, Billy Conn and Melio Bettina, in an eight-rounder as both eschew the usual TC opposition many use to build up phony records. The bout is close throughout as both men adopt a cautious approach. Bettina has a big round five, forcing Conn to step up the pace in the later rounds. The “Pittsburgh Kid” does just enough to secure a draw (75-76 Bettina, 76-76, 76-75 Conn) allowing both men to retain their unbeaten status: Conn, at 5-0-1 (5); Bettina, 7-0-1 (5). The main event is a battle for the USBA HW title, with Joe Banovic defending against Jersey Joe Walcott, who holds a prior KO win over Banovic (back in 1934) and is seeking to regain the title he held briefly back in that same year. The bout is close through the early rounds, with Walcott gradually pulling ahead in the middle and later rounds. Banovic battles back, breaking through Jersey Joe’s defenses to score a flash knockdown in the ninth. However, Walcott regroups and manages to escape with a SD 12 (114-113, 113-114, 114-113) to recapture the belt by a narrow margin. Post-bout career totals are 27-2 (20) for Walcott and 32-12 (9) for Banovic.