[Gunsmoke]

13-08-1903 WWBU WW Title, McFarland (Champ) v Fugii

McFarland (Champ, 20-3-0) is following Middleweight champion George Abrams example in getting back in the ring quickly following his moment of glory accepting the challenge of streaking Paul Fugii (#4, 18-5-1). Fugii has won his last 5 bouts including a victory over fellow contender Lefty Flynn, but many feel that McFarland took this fight because of his past Unanimous Decision victory over Flynn in 1901. Fugii however is known for his power and if he can land enough he could give McFarland’s chin a real check.

The bout opened with McFarland on the offensive with a hard left followed by a right hook that shook Fugii up. Fugii however bounced back off the ropes and backed McFarland up with a succession of hard shots to take the early advantage at rounds end. McFarland would establish his space in the second picking his shots through Fugii’s defence and gaining control of the fight. Fugii would not stop throwing leather and occasionally landing making the rounds closer than they otherwise would’ve been. The fifth round saw Fugii suddenly take the momentum back with a series of solid jabs followed by a right cross that knocked McFarland right around in a circle and had him in la la land for the remainder of the stanza. It was noticeable in the break that the challenger’s heavy hands where doing damage as the champ’s corner worked on the swelling now becoming evident on his right eye.

The sixth round saw the champ in loads of trouble with Fugii now landing at will with searing power punches and McFarland was rapidly fading. With the ref looking to step in and McFarland in trouble on the ropes he finally showed some life with a hard straight right that caught Fugii clean as he came in for the kill. This bought McFarland enough time to make it to the bell. Things would not improve for McFarland however as in the seventh Fugii felled him for a five count with a strong right hook, but he survived once again with some savvy clinching. McFarland however showed his heart with a slugging eighth round that found both fighters casting defense aside throwing haymakers that landed every other time. Fugii was showing signs of fatigue by the ninth and McFarland took advantage with clever boxing in at least 2 of the next three rounds. Fugii found McFarland’s chin once again the 12th and had the champ in survival mode once again. That would the last real fireworks of the night as McFarland took two of the last three lacklustre rounds of action. WWBU Monthly’s unofficial scorecard showed a score of 144-142 in favour of the challenger, the official judges scored the bout 143-142 for McFarland, 144-142 for Fugii and 142-141 for the champion McFarland. Not a herendous decision but Fugii can feel a little hard done by.

Undercard
BW George Dixon 13-0-1 KO7 Domingo Guillen 9-4-0 (Dixon down in fourth)
FW Rolf French DQ11 Floyd Robertson #3 15-3-0 (Robertson disqualified for continued rule violations, the final one holding and hitting.
LHW Leslie Stewart #5 17-4-0 KO9 Marcus Antill
HW Amos Lincoln 15-2-0 UD10 Bombardier Billy Wells 9-2-0 (Wells looked unprepared for the bout)
BW Leo Espinosa 12-1-2 Draw Billy Peacock 13-4-1